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Para español haga clic aquí Dear Neighbors, Summer is in full swing as we experience extremely hot temperatures. Be sure to drink plenty of water and limit sun exposure as much as possible. To find a list of cooling centers in Will County, click here. Back to school season will be here before we know it! My office is continuing our tradition of hosting two Back to School Fairs in the 85th District, more information can be found later in the newsletter. We hope to see you there! In addition to our Back to School Fairs, the state has passed a back to school tax holiday, meaning you can buy back to school items, including clothes and supplies, between August 7-16, and not pay sales tax. Stay cool, State Representative Dagmara Avelar
Illinois House District 85
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I have launched a housing survey to ensure I get constituent feedback on the state of housing in Illinois and the 85th District specifically. I would encourage everyone to fill it out, so I can take the results back to Springfield to advocate for housing solutions that center our communities.
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AVAILABLE GRANTSDescription: “Through the Food Security Program, 10 grants of $5,000 each will be awarded to eligible organizations. Grant funds must be used exclusively to purchase food for people in need.” Award Range: $5,000 Deadline: July 31, 2026 Description: “The fund is intentionally designed to support small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) customers by offering one-time matching grants up to $500 to help offset a past-due bill balances and improve financial stability.” Eligibility: “The fund is available to eligible small- and medium-sized business (under 500 kW) customers who are behind on electric bill payments.” “Business must meet these eligibility criteria to apply including:
-Active service at the time of application
-Past-due bill balance
-No unpaid tampering fees and no bankruptcy
-Commercial Meter Account
-Home-based businesses and Non-Profit organizations are ineligible not eligible; these groups qualified to receive assistance from last year’s customer relief fund.” Award Range: “one-time matching grants up to $500” Deadline: “Funding will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while funds last." Description: “Any certified small business located in the United States or Puerto Rico is eligible to apply. AT&T defines a small business as an organization with one (1) to five (5) locations and up to 99 or fewer full- or part-time employees.” Award Range: $5,000 or $50,000, AT&T service, etc. Deadline: July 31, 2026
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UPCOMING EVENTS & RESOURCES
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Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary this 4th of July in Bolingbrook!
July 4, 2026. Gates Open: 3 PM | Fireworks at Dusk Location: Bolingbrook Golf Club (2001 Rodéo Dr.) Join us for an evening of fireworks, live music, food trucks, drinks, games, and family-friendly fun!
✅ FREE Admission✅ FREE Live Entertainment✅ Open to the Public In celebration of Independence Day, the City of Lockport and Lockport Township Park District are hosting the annual fireworks show on Friday, July 3, 2026 at dusk in Dellwood Park. If the show is cancelled due to inclement weather, a makeup date will be announced. SunFallen will be playing before the fireworks from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Dellwood Park Bandshell. This free event is perfect for all ages, so bring your friends, family, lawn chairs, or blankets and enjoy a great night of music in the park before the annual fireworks display!
Dellwood Park Bandshell
199 E. Woods Dr., Lockport, IL For the fourth year in a row, Naperville will host a free fireworks show in celebration of Independence Day at the Frontier Sports Complex, 3380 Cedar Glade Dr. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026. There is no charge for admission or parking. Those attending can watch from a field within the park or from their vehicles. The complex has 906 parking spaces, with an additional 1,000 parking spaces at Neuqua Valley High School, 2360 95th St. Before the fireworks show, the Naperville Municipal Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. under the Wagner Pavilion at 95th Street Community Plaza located next to 95th Street Library. The Naperville Municipal Band is partnering with the Naperville Park District to celebrate the Fourth of July with performances of patriotic classics. Get ready for our BIGGEST, BRIGHTEST, most EXPLOSIVE fireworks show EVER as we celebrate 250 years of America! Keep your eyes to the sky as you won’t want to miss a single second of our two simultaneous shows July 3rd at 9:30pm! To allow residents to view these from their neighborhoods, fireworks will be shot off from two separate locations starting at 9:30pm. The shows will be based from Village Park and Discovery Park. Woodridge 4th of July Picnic - July 4, Castaldo Park, 11am-2pm
Join the Woodridge Special Events Committee at the annual Woodridge 4th of July Picnic at Castaldo Park! This long-standing tradition began on July 4, 1968, as part of the State of Illinois' Sesquicentennial (150th) Anniversary. Bring your chairs, blanket, and picnic games, and come out to enjoy a day in the community. Soak up the festive atmosphere with delicious food, refreshing drinks, and live vocal performances set to upbeat DJ mixes - perfect for a laid-back afternoon with family and friends. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at family-friendly prices. Woodridge-Downers Grove 4th of July Fireworks
July 4 - 75th St. and Lemont Rd. at Dusk (Approximately 9:30pm)
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Save Money and Energy at Home! ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas have partnered to help single family homeowners and renters save money and energy through the Home Energy Savings offering, while also promoting sustainability. This program offers free home assessments, free and discounted energy-saving products, tips and resources tailored to your individual needs. The Home Energy Savings program offers: FREE virtual, in-person, or self-assessments to identify energy-saving opportunities. Ready-to-use products like LEDs, showerheads, faucet aerators and pipe insulation. Products such as smart thermostats, and advanced power-strips are free to income eligible customers. Free deeper home improvements like attic and wall insulation, and even equipment upgrades (e.g. A/C, boiler, furnace, hot water heater) for income qualifying customers. Free improvements to increase air quality and home comfort. Customized educational resources and referrals for further support
Get started with your free energy assessment here or by calling 855-660-9378. 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. Know Your Rights InformationWe have seen an increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in and around the 85th District. It is important to know that everyone has rights when dealing with ICE and law enforcement. You have the right to remain silent, not answer questions, and not sign any documents You have the right to ask to speak to an attorney You have the right to clearly state if you are afraid to go back to your country of origin You have the right to ask to speak with the consulate from your country of citizenship
If you need assistance due to ICE detention or to report any suspected ICE sightings, call the Illinois Family Support Network Hotline at 855-435-7693. To view various Know Your Rights documents, click here. I will continue to share updates via social media. Food PantriesBolingbrook Bolingbrook SDA Church Food Pantry- 301 E. Boughton Rd. Bolingbrook No ID required, no residency requirements The Compass Church Bolingbrook- 151 E. Briarcliff Rd. Bolingbrook Must live in 60440, 60490, 60446 ID or current document showing name and address required
4 K.I.D.S Sake- 192 Lily Cache Ave. Bolingbrook ID required, no residency requirements
Crest Hill Family Outreach Program- 1701 N Larkin, Crest Hill Must live in 60403, 60435, 60431 ID or utility bill required
Joliet Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet- Various locations Open to anyone in need My Pantry Express Pickup Center- 171 S. Larkin Ave. Joliet Must create a my pantry express account and place an order MorningStar Mission- 364 East Washington St. Joliet Open to Will County residents ID required
Who We Are - Joliet Salvation Army, - 300 3rd Ave, Joliet, (815) 726-4834 Food Pantry | St. John Lutheran Church Food Pantry | United States, - 2650 Plainfield Rd, Joliet, 815-439-2320
Lockport First Baptist Church Food Pantry- 800 Thornton St. Lockport Must be a Will County resident 2 forms of ID required
Lockport FISH Food Pantry- 1463 Farrell Rd. Lockport Must live in Lockport or Homer Township ID and two documents with address on them required Must meet income requirements
Fairmont Food Pantry- 525 Barry Ave. Lockport No ID required, asked to provide birthday and address
Naperville Loaves and Fishes Naperville Grocery Market- 1871 High Grove Ln. Naperville Shoppers limited to 1 adult/household Must meet income requirements ID required
Romeoville DuPage Township Food Pantry- 719 Parkwood Ave. Romeoville Must live in DuPage Township, ID required Allows a proxy form for pick up Must meet income requirements
Romeoville Community Pantry- 2 Belmont Dr. Romeoville Must live in Romeoville, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Lemont, Lockport, Crest Hill ID and recent utility bill required
St. Andrew the Apostle We Care Pantry- 219 Arlington Dr. Romeoville Must live in Romeoville ID and utility bill required
Woodridge West Suburban Food Pantry- 6809 Hobson Valley. Dr Ste 118 Woodridge Online market for delivery Must live in DuPage or Will County Account required to shop online or in person - can designate a proxy to pick up on your behalf
Will County Micro Pantries Micro Pantries are designed to allow anonymous food pick-up for those in need, and a drop-off point for those who wish to help. Many micro pantries are accessible 24 hours a day.
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