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Para español haga clic aquí Dear Neighbors, I hope you are enjoying the summer! I’ve been spending my time back in the 85th District meeting with business owners, constituents, and non-profits, and going to the many summertime events hosted throughout the district. My office is hosting our 3rd Annual Fairmont Back to School Fair on Saturday, July 27th from 11am-2pm at Fairmont School in Lockport. We’re also excited to continue on with our 2nd Annual Valley View School District Back to School Fair on Saturday, August 3rd from 10am-1pm at the Annerino Center. There will be so many great community organizations to connect with at both events, plus free school supplies, food, and fun! We hope to see you there. Summertime is when I begin looking at legislation I want to work on in the upcoming sessions, so if you have any ideas you’d like myself and my team to begin researching, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@repdagmara.org or 815-372-0085. Sincerely,
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Local Legislators Join CUB in Opposing Water Rate Hikes Highlight: “By working alongside the Citizens Utility Board, we are committed to reforming Illinois utility laws that unfairly burden our families with rising water rates, essentially putting our hardworking families underwater,” said Avelar. “We must act now to protect our communities from losing access to this essential resource fundamental to the health, safety, and well-being of our residents.” |
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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: This funding will be used to provide Immigrant Legal Support Program (ILSP). Specifically, professional, affordable immigration legal services, and it aims to bolster immigration legal services, and meet the growing needs of the immigrant population in Illinois. The program is designed to provide comprehensive immigration legal services at scale. The program consists of four integral components, which are as follows: 1) Scalable Intake and Screening, 2) Pro-se and Limited-Scope Legal Services 3) Workshops 4) Referral Networks By incorporating these components into a centralized program, IDHS is committed to streamlining the processes to enhance access to legal services and foster collaboration among stakeholders to address the changing needs of immigrant communities effectively
Eligible Applicants: Nonprofits Application Deadline: July 31, 2024 Program Details: Firearm violence has deeply harmed neighborhoods, communities, and the entire State of Illinois, both through the immediate loss of life and the long-term, harmful effects of trauma experienced by victims, witnesses, and community members. As one of its multiple funding efforts to reduce firearm violence in the most heavily impacted communities across Illinois, the IDHS-Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) is seeking to fund youth development organizations in specific community areas across Illinois that will provide structured and unstructured programming to community youth. These programs are meant to serve youth who are the highest risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of firearm violence and should utilize evidence-informed programming and services which will improve youth outcomes and decrease risk factors associated with firearm violence. Eligible Applicants: Nonprofits, government, education organizations Application Deadline: August 7, 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 team joined Lockport Township for their annual Senior Expo! We always love attending and talking to seniors that live in the 85th District! |
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I attended the Higher Education Futures Table hosted by Deputy Governor Torres, where we focused on the importance of innovative, data-informed leadership in order to transform the higher education ecosystem in Illinois. |
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I was honored to virtually speak at the States Lay the Foundation Summit to discuss my Language Access Bill that passed this session. The summit included bipartisan legislators from around the country who have advanced measures that welcome and affirm resettlement infrastructure. You can watch the summit here. |
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My team and I attended the Bolingbrook Juneteenth Event, hosted by the Village. It was such a wonderful time connecting with local organizations, celebrating with dancing and music, and talking with constituents. |
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Briana attended the AgeGuide Advocacy Breakfast at the Ovation Center. This was a great opportunity for seniors to hear about legislation, the budget, and ways they can get involved in advocating for themselves! |
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Briana and Jasmine attended the Lockport Park Districts Juneteenth celebration in Fairmont on Juneteenth! It was another beautiful day celebrating and connecting with local organizations that provide resources in the community. |
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I attended a tour of the Renewable Natural Gas Plant in Will County, hosted by County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. The plant repurposes landfill gas into renewable, revenue-generating transportation fuel. Before the RNG Plant, potent landfill gasses such as methane were burned into the atmosphere. |
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I attended a reproductive rights rally in Naperville on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned. We heard stories from people who had abortions and advocated for reproductive freedom and gender affirming care. |
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I had the opportunity to tour the Workforce Center of Will County, and hear a presentation on the services they offer to Will County residents. There are so many great programs being offered at no cost - to learn more click here. |
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I read Grace for President to some Valley View students during their last week of summer school! The kids were so engaged in the book, asked a lot of questions, and loved that Grace became class president! |
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I joined some of my Will County colleagues and the Joliet Chamber for a facilitated conversation on the budget and some legislation that passed during session. We discussed some of the important things funded by the 6th consecutive balance budget, and acknowledged that we still have work to do. |
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The Bolingbrook Alliance for Civic Engagement (ACE) hosted their first annual family cookout and softball game! My team and I handed out state resources and I played in the softball game. |
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We ended the month at the annual Bolingbrook Picnic - an event hosted by the Village of Bolingbrook filled with local community organizations, a tent for seniors, and lots of fun for the family. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS & RESOURCES
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Join Bolingbrook Pride at their Annual Picnic and Puppies event on July 27th at Bolingbrook Town Center!
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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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Use the Route 66 Widget to travel the state and see monuments throughout the historic Route 66 - some in the 85th District! |
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