The Joliet Herald-News - July 1, 2018 | Original article

By Alex Ortiz

Hundreds gathered and marched Saturday in Joliet to protest the separation of immigrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The demonstration happened the same day as several others across the country under the banner of “Families Belong Together.” In Joliet, demonstrators met in the Chicago Street Plaza, across from the Rialto Square Theatre, where several speakers took the stage to speak out.

The speakers, many of whom were local elected officials, shared stories reported about children being held in detention facilities around the country. Alicia Morales, a trustee on the Joliet Junior College board, shared one account from a public defender in McAllen, Texas, which described the methods authorities used to separate the families. The parents were told their children would only be taken for a short time for a bath, and it wasn’t until hours later that they realized what happened.

Speakers such as state Sen. Pat McGuire, D-Crest Hill, also called for Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill.

“We’re here today to call on the president of the United States and every member of the United States Congress to begin working together immediately to adopt an immigration policy that promotes opportunity, safety, fairness and fulfills our pledge that our land is a land of justice and liberty for all,” McGuire said.

Read the entire story at The Joliet Herald-News here.

Postsecondary and Workforce Ready Act expanded to be available to all grades

State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Crest Hill) today announced his legislation expanding competency-based education to more students and more school districts has been signed into law.

“Competency-based education recognizes that it’s the skills learned, not the time spent sitting in class, that prepares students for the workforce, the military and college,” McGuire said. “That’s why I’m pleased my bi-partisan expansion of the Postsecondary and Workforce Ready Act has been signed into law by the Governor. This measure makes students in all grades, not just high school, eligible for this personalized way of learning. It also allows school districts to join together in collaborative pilot programs, stretching tax dollars to assist more students.”

The legislation was Senate Bill 2941. It takes effect Jan. 1.

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State Senator Pat McGuire issued the following statement today as the Illinois Senate approved a bipartisan budget compromise that included an increase in funding for state colleges and universities:

“The Illinois Senate today adopted a Fiscal Year 2019 state budget which is balanced. It was achieved by bipartisan cooperation. And it was accomplished without bitterness,” McGuire said. “The serious challenges which still face Illinois are more likely to be solved now that a bridge has been built between Democrats and Republicans.”

CREST HILL — Rockdale School District 84 will be awarded $36,000 in state funds to expand an existing music program and add arts education to its STEM program, State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Crest Hill) announced today.

The Illinois Arts Council Agency Award is slated to extend the K-5 music program to allow sixth, seventh and eighth graders to participate, and the school’s STEM program will become a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) program, said Dr. Lori Gehrke, District 84 Superintendent.

“Bravo to the school board, administration and staff of Rockdale School for winning this grant,” McGuire said. “Rockdale School wisely recognizes the value of a strong music program – and that adding ‘A’ for the arts to its STEM curriculum draws more students to the excitement of learning and discovery.”