State Representative John Cavaletto (R-Salem) announced today that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Project Next Generation grants are being processed and paid right now. The grants are administered through the State Librarian who is the Secretary of State. Centralia Regional Library District is the recipient of a $10,000 grant.

“I am pleased to have one of the libraries in my district receive this grant,” commented Rep. Cavaletto. “We work with libraries on a regular basis through the Summer Reading Club and as locations for public information programs like the recent Property Tax Seminar at the Bryan-Bennett Library in Salem.”

The project grants are intended to bridge the technological divide of residents within communities. The grants allow public libraries to pair technology with tutoring to assist students, aged 10-18, in developing skills that they may find useful in school and later in life employment. The grants are made, based upon community need, and allow access to technology and computers that would typically not be available to the students that participate in this program.

State Rep. John Cavaletto, on behalf of the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus in the Illinois General Assembly, presented a check for $200 to Athletic Director Scott Steward for the Salem Community High School Bass Team.

These funds will go to purchase life jackets for students for tournament fishing competition. The two finalists will wear them to the State Tournament.

“It is a good feeling to be able to support these young people in their team competitions," said Rep. Cavaletto. "This year we were able to support three grant applications from Marion County to encourage young people to enjoy the outdoors and learn to fish and shoot safely."

Trapshooting Team Members from Iuka and Kinmundy accept the grant check from
Rep. Cavaletto are (l-r) Tyler Gordon, Cole Gordon, and Macy Donoho

State Rep. John Cavaletto, a member of the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus in the Illinois General Assembly, presented a check for $200 to three members of the Southern Illinois Sportsman's Trapshooting Team.

These funds will go to support this youth sport shooting team to help purchase team jerseys, targets for practice, and entry fees for competitions and clinics. Trapshooting is a specific form of shotgun clay target shooting. Trapshooting is a game of movement, action and split-second timing. It requires the accuracy and skill to repeatedly aim, fire and break the clay discs which are hurled through the air at a speed of 42 mph, simulating the flight path of a bird fleeing a hunter.

“I’m happy the Sportsmen’s Caucus is able to support our young people in Marion County who are interested in this sport,” said Rep. John Cavaletto.

State Rep. John Cavaletto, a member of the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus in the Illinois General Assembly, presented a check for $200 to Gerald Lively of Odin on behalf of the Forbes Lake Limbhangers.

These funds will go to support the 18th Annual Forbes Lake Limbhangers Jakes Day. Forbes Lake is located north of Omega on the east side of Marion County. Jakes Day is an annual program for kids 2 to 17 to participate in various outdoor activities, including archery, BB Gun and shotgun shooting, primitive fire starting and safety demonstrations.

“I’m happy the Sportsmen’s Caucus is able to support a program like Jakes Day that teaches children safety and encourages them to be outdoors and active for a healthier lifestyle,” said Rep. John Cavaletto.

State Representative John Cavaletto (R-Salem), announced today that he returned back to the state another $11,528.38 in his state office allotment for Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17). Cavaletto has returned money back every year he has been in the Illinois House of Representatives, and with this year’s amount the total is estimated at $140,781.88. That is an average of more than $15,500 annual savings for the taxpayers of Illinois.

“Some may say that’s not much considering the state owes more than $15 billion in back bills, but if all 177 legislators in the General Assembly were to return the same average amount of $15,500 each year, then over $2.7 million could be saved every year,” commented Rep. Cavaletto. “My district staff and I have been able to run our office and programs efficiently with the use of technology like e-mail communications to save on postage and conserving use on office supplies,” Cavaletto added.

Residents are able to stay connected to legislative activities at www.ilga.gov, at Rep. Cavaletto’s web site (www.johncavaletto.org), and on Facebook. For more information, contact Rep. Cavaletto at 618-548-9080 or at his on-line office at [email protected].