Senator Rachel Ventura

10/31/2026

10/31/2026

🍬Eat, drink and be SCARY! 👻

Wishing all you ghouls and goblins in the community a fun Halloween filled with treats, tricks and thrills! 🐈‍⬛

Stay safe and have a very happy Halloween! 🎃

10/30/2026

🎃Give your Jack-O-Lanterns a second life through composting! 🎃

Bring leftover pumpkins to Lewis University's "W" parking lot (1 University Parkway, Romeoville) for Will County Green's Triple Play Event!

🗓️ Saturday, November 7, 2026
⏰ 9 AM to 12 noon
➡️ No appointment is required

Pumpkins can be dropped off and will be taken for composting after the event.

Residents can also bring:
📄Confidential documents for onsite shredding (limit 3 bank boxes per vehicle)
🔌Electronics for recycling (limit 3 TVs per vehicle).

🌐 See more event information on our website: https://www.willcountygreen.com/tripleplay26/

10/30/2026

🏙️ This week, I had the opportunity to attend the City of Joliet’s Community Workshop, where residents were invited to review the draft Comprehensive Plan, ask questions, and share their thoughts and feedback on the future of our city.

These workshops are an important opportunity for residents to have their voices heard on issues that will shape Joliet for years to come. From encouraging more diverse and higher-density housing options to preserving farmland and open spaces and considering the impact of continued warehouse development, community input plays an important role in determining how our city grows. Our residents should have a say in the future of their communities. Whether it is housing, land use, transportation, or preserving the character of our neighborhoods, these conversations help ensure that growth reflects the needs and priorities of the people who call Joliet home.

📢 You can review the draft Comprehensive Plan and submit your comments and feedback here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CH9TVTK I encourage everyone to take a look and make their voices heard. The Draft plan is available to review on the project website https://www.joliet.gov/Government/Departments/Community-Development/Planning-Zoning/Major-Projects/City-Wide-Comprehensive-Plan. The official public comment period on the draft plan will run through Monday November 30th. Comments can be emailed to [email protected].

The future of Joliet is something we all have a part in shaping!

10/30/2026

🏠 This week, our office had the pleasure of attending the ribbon cutting for Hope Manor Village, celebrating another important step toward providing safe, stable housing for women recovering from substance use and addiction.

💜 With on-site supportive services, including counseling, case management, parenting support, and employment resources, Hope Manor Village helps women build a foundation for long-term recovery. The community also includes a playground and dedicated spaces for activities, learning, and family support.

👩👧 For mothers and women caring for young children, having access to these resources in the same community can make a meaningful difference. Recovery is not just about overcoming addiction; it is also about creating stability, strengthening families, and building a path toward a healthier future.

We are grateful to everyone who helped make Hope Manor Village possible and who continues to work toward expanding access to supportive housing in Joliet. Every woman deserves the opportunity to recover, rebuild, and create a brighter future for herself and her family. 💜

10/30/2026

🤝 On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to attend a meeting with IAM Union and SEIU Local 1 focused on organizing Lyft and Uber drivers and expanding their collective voice. Drivers can use the QR code to signal their support for a union and share it with other drivers too! This initiative stems from the signing of House Bill 5090 into law in August, which establishes drivers’ rights to organize, form or join transportation network driver organizations, and bargain collectively. This is an important step in ensuring drivers have the opportunity to come together, advocate for their interests, and have a say in the conditions that affect their work.

🚗 The next step is getting the word out. Drivers will have the opportunity to vote on union representation, making outreach and communication with fellow drivers essential to this process. Ensuring drivers understand their rights and the options available to them will be key as they consider the path forward. Thank you to IAM Union and SEIU Local 1 for bringing drivers together and helping them navigate this process.

10/30/2026

📢Countdown to Veto Session!

📜 The next bill I am going to preview ahead of Veto Session is Senate Bill 42, which removes cannabis odor as a probable cause for a traffic stop.

🎉This bill has already passed in the Illinois Senate and has had a second reading in the House! Contact your House Reps to let them know your support for this bill! 💻

🌐 Don't know your House Rep? Visit: https://ilga.gov/members/FindMyLegislator

✅ To follow the progress of this bill, please visit: https://ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=42&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&LegId=157147&SessionID=114

10/30/2026

🏡Everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home. IHDA offers statewide resources for homebuyers, renters, homeowners, and anyone searching for affordable housing. 💻

🏠 Learn more about how IHDA can help! Visit IHDA.org!

10/29/2026

🪙 Looking for resources to help your child or student with financial aid in Illinois? 🏫

During Illinois Student Assistance Commission's (ISAC) Education Matters Fall Campaign, ISAC is partnering with high schools and communities across the state to offer an intensive schedule of FREE workshops through Thanksgiving to help students complete their college and financial aid applications. 🖥️

Check out workshops in your community and other resources to help you explore your path to education after high school. ⁣🎓

School Counselors: Sign up for the Education Matters campaign and get a downloadable campaign toolkit, materials, swag, and event support from ISAC as you help students and families with college planning and financial aid.

➡️ To learn more, visit: https://bit.ly/4rSwNZu
⁣

10/29/2026

📽️ On November 5, join the City of Joliet for the free premiere of The Story of Art in America: Route 66 – Joliet, IL! 🎞️

Celebrate the incredible local artists and musicians who help make Joliet's arts community so vibrant! The evening will feature a special documentary screening, artist/participant recognition, and a celebration of the creativity that makes our city unique.

🗓️ Thursday, November 5
⏰6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Joliet Area Historical Museum | 204 N. Ottawa St.
💰 FREE Admission | Complimentary Appetizers | Cash Bar

The evening will also feature a special screening of The Greater Will County Route 66 Road Show, presented in collaboration with the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority. 🛣️

👉🏽Click on the link below or scan the QR code on the flyer to RSVP.
RSVPs for the event are requested but not required. For more information, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/premiere-of-the-story-of-art-in-america-route-66-joliet-il-tickets-2003219949795.