SPRINGFIELD – Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s annual budget address:

“For the fourth year in a row, Governor Rauner introduced a plan to devastate Illinois’ most vulnerable residents by slashing programs that are necessary to end the cycle of poverty and help low-income families succeed. His cuts to After School Matters and Teen Reach would be dangerous for young people who might otherwise be on the streets.

“Rauner has touted his work on criminal justice reform, but his cuts to important human service programs show that he’s more interested in talking about criminal justice reform than making the necessary investments in our communities that would make a real difference in the long run.”

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s State of the State address:

"I appreciate the governor's calls for bipartisanship, but he's spent the past three years pitting Chicago against the rest of the state, dividing instead of uniting. Rauner's actions over the past three years have led to chaos for our human service agencies, uncertainty in our schools and disproportionately hurt low-income families and people of color. It's time for the governor to stop placing blame on others and finally be the leader Illinois needs. It's time for him to stop campaigning and start governing."

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The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Apprentice & Training Program is accepting applications for future General Construction Pre-Apprenticeship training classes.

Each candidate must present the following requirements at the Apprentice Program Office, 1256 Estes Ave, Elk Grove Village, between the hours of 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, no later than Thursday, February 22, 2018:

1. Letter of recommendation on a local union letterhead, signed by an officer
2. Must be at least 17 years old (driver's license or state identification card required)
3. Copy of either high school diploma, high school transcripts (must have official school seal - 8 credits minimum), or G.E.D. certificate
4. Copy of social security card or a receipt showing duplicate card has been applied for
5. Veterans - Form DD214 copy
6. A $25 non-refundable application processing fee (money orders and cashiers checks only - no cash)

All six above-listed requirements must be submitted at the time of filing.

Further details will be mailed to each applicant regarding the required pre-test session and aptitude test dates.