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Para español haga clic aquí Dear Neighbors, DISTRICT NEWS! Since the inception of appointments at DMV’s I have been hearing from constituents about some of the challenges accessing services. I have been in contact with the Secretary of State providing them your feedback and suggestions. I am happy to report that earlier this month, the SOS added new services to the Lockport DMV facility. This facility will now provide road tests, making it more accessible to constituents to get service close to home. More information further down on our newsletter. I have started introducing new legislation for the upcoming Spring Session. Our deadline to file bills to be discussed in this legislative session is tomorrow, and I am eager to provide you with more information about all of them in our next newsletter. In the meantime, here is a recap of some of my bills that have already been filed: HB4358*: Instructs public colleges in Illinois to create detailed mental health and suicide prevention plans. HB4408*: Public utility companies must notify emergency contacts before disconnecting service for seniors or individuals with disabilities living independently. HB4454*: Provides that school boards shall require schools to notify students and parents twice a year on how to access mental health services. HB4633: Insurance policies must cover school-based health center services at the same rate as other healthcare centers. HB4732*: Cable or video providers must stop charging for modems and routers once the customer has paid the wholesale cost plus a reasonable markup, not exceeding 5%. Bills marked with an * are bills that were designed and inspired by constituent ideas. I’d like to thank constituents who have engaged with our office. More constituent led legislation is coming up! If you have a legislative idea or if you have any questions about any of this legislation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at info@repdagmara.org or 815-372-0085. Wishing you a healthy month,
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NEW GRANTS ANNOUNCEDCEJA Grants Open: Application Deadline: February 23, 2024: The Energy Transition Navigators Program will provide outreach and recruitment for the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) workforce and contractor programs. The Department seeks to contract with the community-based provider(s) (“Navigator Teams”) to connect people to the CEJA workforce and contractor programs. Navigator Teams will provide outreach and recruitment services to eligible populations to ensure they are aware of and engaged in the statewide and local workforce and contractor development programs. Application Deadline: February 23, 2024: The Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program will identify a network of at least 13 Illinois Clean Jobs Program delivery hub sites (“Workforce Hubs”) throughout the State to recruit and provide clean energy and related workforce training to job seekers. Workforce Hubs will engage with potential employers, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and community-based and labor-based training providers to ensure program-eligible individuals across the State have dedicated and sustained support to enter and build clean energy careers. Application Deadline: March 25, 2024: The Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Program represents a significant step in addressing one of the challenges of grocery stores located in food deserts. This program will offer grants to qualifying Illinois grocery stores for energy-efficient equipment upgrades.
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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 Community Engagement Director, Briana, joined some of my colleagues at Senator Cappel’s office for a Superintendent Round-table. This was an opportunity to discuss education legislation and other issues our schools are facing right now. |
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I attended the Bolingbrook ACE (Alliance for Civic Engagement) First Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Brunch. Hearing from Dr. Frank Smith, founding member of SNCC, who spoke to MLK Jr. the day before he was killed was incredibly moving. Learn more about SNCC here and the Bolingbrook ACE here. |
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My team and I virtually attended the Shriver Center’s 2024 Poverty Summit. We heard from Matthew Desmond, author of Poverty, by America, who discussed how social safety nets work, tax breaks for the richest Americans, and more. We also heard panels on affordable housing, the foster care system, and entrepreneurship. |
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The Illinois Association of Schools hosted their Three Rivers Legislative Breakfast in January. It was wonderful to connect with local educators and hear their questions and concerns. |
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I joined my colleagues and the Will County Farm Bureau to discuss their legislative priorities and bills they’re watching for the upcoming session. We all agree - family farms in Illinois are incredibly important. |
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I joined local legislators for a sit down with our Police Chiefs at Senator Cappel’s office. We discussed some upcoming legislation that could affect law enforcement, issues going on in our communities, and more. |
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The DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference hosted their annual legislative dinner. It was great to connect with my DuPage County mayors and discuss their priorities. We also got a chance to hear from the legislators in attendance on their priorities. |
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I joined the Fairmont Bilingual Families meeting to connect with local parents and families. We talked about best testing practices, where to find resources, and more. I enjoy getting to talk with families on issues they’re so passionate about. |
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The R3 (Restore, Reinvest, Renew) Board, which I am on, met to discuss the continuing investment in our communities. We looked at new maps to allow new areas to qualify for R3 funding. Stay tuned for a NOFO from ICJIA regarding the 3rd round of grants. |
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Last session, I presented a House Resolution on the floor to honor Jerry Adelmann, who retired from Openlands. I was honored to meet with Jerry in my district office to give him the resolution and talk about some history of Lockport! Chris Kessler, Director of Policy for Openlands, also joined us. |
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The Romeoville Chamber hosted their annual Awards Dinner and Gala and I was happy to join Senator Meg Loughran Cappel and Leader Natalie Manley in offering a joint certificate honoring the award winners from the House of Representatives and State Senate. |
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Chief Brian Cunningham of the Woodridge Police Department retired in January. I want to thank Chief Cunningham for his 39 years of service to DuPage County and Woodridge. Enjoy your retirement, Chief! |
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UPCOMING EVENTS & RESOURCES
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NEW IN 2024: We will be hosting our Lockport Mobile Office Hours at the Lockport Township Building on the last Wednesday of the month from 9:30-11:30am. We will be continuing our Bolingbrook and Romeoville hours as normal.
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Click here to schedule your appointment and join the 30 unit challenge!
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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. The program will begin taking applications on October 2, 2023, for seniors (age 60 and older), disabled and families with children under the age of 6 years old. On November 1, 2023, households that are disconnected from their utilities/energy vendors, have a disconnection notice or have less than 25% in their propane tank can start applying for LIHEAP assistance. All other income eligible households can start applying on December 1, 2023. 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. Warming CentersWarming Centers are available throughout Will County. To see the list of all centers, click here.
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