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Para español haga clic aquí Dear Neighbors, As we near the end of the spring legislative session, we’re working hard on a balanced budget that puts everyday families first. As budget negotiations continue, I am still working on legislation that I am looking forward to champion. Multiple of the bills I initiated in the house have senate companions which you will see below. This allows for pieces of legislation to be actively discussed in both chambers throughout session, and not just when it gets to our chamber, therefore building more support! SB3208: Protects workers from wage theft by requiring employers to retain pay stubs for 3 years. The house version that I sponsored is HB5300. SB3762: Ensures all Illinoisans have equal access to state services by creating a statewide language access policy. The house version that I sponsored is HB5387. SB3767: Allows individuals with specific foreign engineering licensing to obtain an endorsement in Illinois. This important measure will make it less cumbersome for Illinoisans who studied and got their degree abroad to get a license in Illinois. SB3631: Replaces an antiquated coordinate system to allow for compiling reliable and accessible data for state use. The house version that I sponsored is HB5301. SB2578: Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to exempt from electronic visit verification requirements all live-in caregivers who provide personal care services under the Adults with Developmental Disabilities Waiver and the Support Waiver for Children and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities.
If you would like to voice your opinion on any legislation before the House, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at 815-372-0085 or info@repdagmara.org. Sincerely,
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Lawmakers push tax credit bill to address affordable housing shortage Highlight: The House bill, supported by Rep. Dagmara Avelar (D), asks for a $20 million investment annually for six years that developers can apply for a long-term payment solution.“Grants are a band-aid solution, very much needed, but they help us in the short term, and we need long-term solutions,” Avelar said |
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NEW GRANTS ANNOUNCEDProgram Details: Competitive federal grants typically require matching funds. Illinois-based businesses and organizations seeking federal grants that align with the State’s economic development objectives can apply for this grant to have the State cover a part of the match. Applicants can apply for this program while they are preparing an application for a federal grant. If successful, they will then receive a letter of commitment that they will be awarded a DCEO grant contingent on receiving a federal award. $15 million total funding available. Awards are capped at $2 million and must match the applicant’s cash contribution at least 1:1.
Eligible Applicants: Nonprofits, educational institutions, local governments, and businesses. Application Deadline: Rolling Program Details: The Returning Residents Program will deliver clean jobs training in Illinois Department of Corrections facilities to individuals within 36 months of their release to prepare them to work in clean energy and related sector jobs upon release. The Program will provide classroom instruction and hands-on learning opportunities, utilizing a standard Clean Jobs Curriculum Framework, connect Program graduates with potential employers in the clean energy industry, and address participant needs. Application Deadline: Rolling Program Details: This program will provide grants intended to address the challenge of food deserts. This program aims to combat food insecurity by offering competitive grants to support the establishment of new grocery stores in these areas by reimbursing successful applicants for eligible capital and non-capital costs. Grant awards will range from $160,000 to $2.4 million per applicant. Eligible Applicants: Units of local government, independent grocers, or cooperatives with fewer than 500 employees and no more than four grocery locations. This includes for-profit and nonprofit entities. Eligibility for this program will also be based geographic location, characteristics of prospective store ownership, and the intended offering of the stores.
Application Deadline: May 24, 2024
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OUT AND ABOUTIf you would like to invite me to an event, meeting, or tour of your facility, please reach out to my office at info@repdagmara.org.
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My staff attended the first Fairmont Middle School Career Fair! They had a great time talking to Fairmont’s middle schoolers about careers in government. The students had great questions and were engaged with all the organizations in attendance! |
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The Will County Children’s Advocacy Center hosted a ribbon cutting for their brand new building. This new building will allow advocates and professionals to better assist children who have been the victim of abuse. |
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My office, along with Leader Natalie Manley’s office, hosted a shred event in Bolingbrook! It was a beautiful day for people to start their Spring Cleaning! Thank you to everyone who came, and to the Bolingbrook Park District for the location. |
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Jasmine attended the 1st Annual Will County College and Scholarship Fair at Lewis University. This event was hosted by local community organizations to provide resources for immigrant, migrant, and undocumented students and families. Jasmine had a great time talking to constituents that attended! |
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I spoke at a press conference for my Build IL Homes Tax Credit bill (HB4909). Illinois must start prioritizing our affordable housing deficit with long term solutions. HB4909 builds on the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit that has a high demand. |
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I attended the Fannie Lou Hamer Breakfast hosted by the National Hook-Up of Black Women. Congresswoman Lauren Underwood won the Fannie Lou Hamer Award and gave the keynote speech. Fannie Lou Hamer was a tireless advocate for voting rights, an issue that many are still fighting for today. |
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I joined the International Student Volunteer Group, ASEZ STAR, as they cleaned up Winston Woods in Bolingbrook for Earth Day! It was so inspiring seeing students excited about the environment. |
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While I was in Springfield, Briana attended the “G&W Switching On” event with ComEd and Governor Pritzker. G&W has the largest solar/battery storage facility in Illinois, and is in the 85th District! ComEd presented G&W with a $2.5m check representing their distributed generation rebate. |
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Congresswoman Underwood hosted a Naturalization Ceremony in Joliet where 101 new American citizens from 27 different countries were present! It was such a beautiful ceremony celebrating them and their families. |
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I joined Governor Pritzker at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox to speak about the Healthcare Protection Act, which I was a co-sponsor of. This incredibly important piece of legislation will help lower healthcare costs and allow medical professionals to do what’s best for their patients, instead of insurance companies. |
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I was glad to support the Parent Mentors at their annual convention. The Parent Mentor Program is in over 200 schools, including 8 in the 85th District, with the goal for parents to grow personally and professionally while working with teachers to create sustainable spaces in schools. |
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I spent time reading to Valley View students at Barnes and Noble as part of their 21st Century programming. I was able to read the book ' Change Sings" by Amanda Gorman. This book teaches us that anything is possible when join our voices together! I’m glad to have participated in this event. |
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The Ovation Center had their Grand Opening after years of delays due to COVID. The center, ran by Senior Services of Will County, will be a fantastic resource for our seniors. To learn more, click here. |
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My staff attended the Brooks Middle School Career and Education Fair to teach students about a career in government! The students had great questions, played bingo, and heard from over 20 organizations. |
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My staff and I teamed up with Representative Harry Benton and members from the local Iron workers union to pull a plane for the Special Olympics! Not only did we have a blast raising over $55,000 for a great cause, our team won the championship! |
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I toured the SOS Children’s Village that’s located in the 85th District. I learned about the programming they do with the children that live there and heard from a few of the foster parents! |
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UPCOMING EVENTS & RESOURCES
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Monday, May 13 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM Safer Foundation Know Your Rights Webinar: Housing and Driver’s Licenses To Register For This Webinar, Please Click HERE Friday, May 17 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM Safer Foundation Know Your Rights Webinar: Civic Engagement and Criminal Records Relief To Register For This Webinar, Please Click HERE Wednesday, May 22 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM Safer Foundation Know Your Rights Webinar: Housing and Driver’s Licenses To Register For This Webinar, Please Click HERE Tuesday, May 28 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM Safer Foundation Know Your Rights Webinar: Civic Engagement and Criminal Records Relief To Register For This Webinar, Please Click HERE
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Bolingbrook: Memorial Day Service: Service begins at 11am at Bolingbrook Village Hall. Lockport: “Hero Banners” of service members and veterans that are from Lockport will be unveiled on Memorial Day and will be displayed throughout downtown Lockport until Veterans Day. Romeoville: Memorial Day Service: Service begins at 10am at the Edward “Doc” McCartan Veterans Memorial. Woodridge: Memorial Day Silent Flag Parade and Service: Parade starts at 9am at Fire Station #2. The parade will end at Memorial Park with a service. Naperville: Memorial Day Parade: Parade starts at 10:30am at Centennial Beach and ends at Court Place.
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The solar switch program is a partnership with CUB and 7 counties. This program helps consumers in those five counties (plus Kendall and McHenry counties) utilize the power of volume discounts alongside state and federal incentives to get the best deal on panels. But it’s also a great solar education program–you learn a lot about how to go solar, even if, in the end, you decide not to participate this time. To learn more, click here.
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Renew Your Medicaid!Got Medicaid? Get ready to renew! Manage your case at abe.illinois.gov. Illinois is checking to see if you are still eligible for Medicaid. Here's what you need to do now: Click Manage My Case at abe.illinois.gov to: Watch your mail and complete your renewal right away. If you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, connect to coverage at work or through the official Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace for Illinois, GetCoveredIllinois.gov.
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211 Help LineI encourage people to take advantage of the 211 line and website. 211 is powered by real people — trained specialists who work to identify and address the root causes of a client’s problem. That means from the first hello, someone in crisis is reaching a real person who can provide a connection to help. Get help with food, clothing, shelter, housing, rent/utility assistance, counseling, substance abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, transportation, support groups, senior services, aging parents, child care, employment, legal assistance, and health care.Text 898211 for help. Food PantriesLIHEAPLIHEAP helps eligible households with low income pay for home energy services. This includes assistance with heating gas, propane and electricity. More information on services available in your region can be found by visiting your Local Administering Agency (referred to as a local agency) page. Deadline: The LIHEAP application period is October 2, 2023 to August 15, 2024, or until funding is exhausted. Last day to apply online with the Request for Services form is July 5, 2024. After this date you can still apply through your local administering agency through August 15, 2024, or until funding is exhausted. Go to Find my Local Agency to locate your LIHEAP Local Administering Agency.
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