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JUNE NEWSLETTER

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Dear Neighbors,

After 5 months of legislative session, I am glad to be back in district and interacting with the community! I was able to send 6 bills to be signed into law by Governor Pritzker. We also passed our 6th consecutive balanced budget, ensuring support for critical services while not raising taxes for the everyday resident. Continue reading to learn more about highlights from this session.

If you have questions regarding legislation passed by the General Assembly, or items in the budget, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at info@repdagmara.org or 815-372-0085.

Sincerely,

This year I won the House of Representative’s Sub of the Year Award! This award is voted on by house staff and is awarded to a representative that could be counted on to sub into committees for their colleagues.

FY25 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

  • Child Tax Credit

    • We are taking major steps in Illinois to alleviate childhood poverty by creating a $50M child tax credit to help make ends meet.

  • Evidence Based Funding (EBF)

    • We are increasing EBF funding by $350M, for a total of $8.63B invested into our K-12 education system. With this investment, we’re ensuring all children have access to a good education.

  • Higher Education

    • We are continuing our efforts to make college more affordable in Illinois by investing $711M in MAP Grants and $1.25B in public university infrastructure.

  • Senior Citizens

    • We’re making an additional $159M investment in home care for older adults, including pay raises for providers and providing care to keep seniors in their homes.

  • Medical Debt

    • This budget makes a historic $10M investment to eliminate $1B in medical debt held by Illinois families.

  • Combating the Teacher Shortage

    • We’re providing over $35M in grants to help the schools hit hardest by the teacher shortage.

  • Public Safety

    • Illinois is taking a community based approach to public safety by investing an additional $10M in smart early intervention for at-risk youth, diversion programs, street outreach, case management, and victim services.

  • Parent Mentors

    • The Parent Mentor Program unites parents with educators to fill the role of paraprofessionals. We’re investing $2.5M to support parent mentors to get into the track of paraprofessional certification.

2024 SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

  • Healthcare Protection Act: HB5395

    • I supported the Healthcare Protection Act, which reforms health insurance practices in Illinois. The HPA bans prior authorization for mental health, allowing access to immediate care in a crisis. The act also bans step therapy processes, requiring insurance companies to align their definitions of medical necessity to match doctors. HPA will also prohibit “junk insurance” plans that don’t comply with ACA provisions.

  • Department of Early Childhood: SB1

    • This year, the General Assembly passed legislation to create a new Department of Early Childhood. This new department would be a one-stop-shop for early childhood development and education, instead of requiring new parents to work with multiple state agencies. Once fully enacted, the Department of Early Childhood will administer evidence based home visit programs, infant and toddler preschool programs, and more.

  • Employee Captive Audience: SB3649

    • It’s important to protect employee rights and abuse, which is why I supported the Captive Audience Bill. This will protect workers from union busting tactics and ban employers from requiring workers to attend meetings regarding political or religious matters.

  • Pregnancy and Postpartum Care: HB5142

    • In Illinois, we’re serious about significantly reducing pregnancy related deaths. The Pregnancy and Postpartum Care Act requires insurance providers cover services rendered by doulas or midwives. These services include home births, home visits, lactation consultations, and more.

SESSION IN THE NEWS

Illinois residents can claim a bigger state tax credit next year under the new budget

Highlight: The Fiscal 2025 spending plan that the Illinois House gave final legislative approval to early Wednesday includes funding for once again tying the standard exemption to inflation, meaning that the exemption individuals can claim for tax year 2024 will grow from $2,425 to $2,775.

New law will ensure nearly 1 million Asian Americans can access vital state services in native languages

Highlight: The act, sponsored by Rep. Avelar, aims to transform language access across Illinois for limited English-proficient individuals by requiring state agencies to provide adequate and timely oral and written language services in more than a dozen languages. It now awaits Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature. 

Lawmakers greenlight state level child tax credit in Illinois budget

Highlight: Working parents who are at or below the state median income of $75,000 for joint tax filers and $50,000 for single parents, will be eligible to receive an average tax credit between $300 and $600 per household for children under the age of 12.

NEW GRANTS ANNOUNCED

Federal Grant Support Program

Program 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 

FY24 Veterans Scratch Off Lottery Ticket Program

Program Details: 100% of the net proceeds from Illinois lottery ticket sales are used to support Illinois veterans. On a quarterly basis, IDVA's Veterans Cash Grant Committee reviews applications and awards grants to groups that help veterans address challenges associated with the following: 1) Behavioral Health, 2) Homelessness, 3) Health Insurance Costs, 4) Long-term Care, 5) Disability Benefits, 6) Job Placement and Training, 7) Emergency Financial Assistance.

Eligible Applicants: Nonprofits, government organizations

Application Deadline: June 30, 2024

Film and TV Workforce Training Program

Program Details: The goal of the Film and TV Workforce Training Program is to train Illinois high school graduates (or equivalent) in entry level film and television production positions. These positions can include on set training (production assistants, hair and make up), office training (office production assistants, location assistants, production accountants), and other entry level positions to meet the increased demand for more workers to staff the growing number of productions in Illinois.

Eligible Applicants: Government Organizations, Nonprofit Organizations, Education Organizations, Small Businesses, For-Profit Organizations

Application Deadline: July 9, 2024

OUT AND ABOUT

If 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.

During Latino Unity Day, I sat on a panel about early childhood development with the Governor, Deputy Governor Torres, and leaders in the early childhood education field to discuss the new Department of Early Childhood, and how the state can best run the department. The new department will be a one-stop-shop for early childhood development and education, helping to alleviate obstacles for providers and families.

I was awarded with a plaque from the Illinois Radon Policy Taskforce for being a Radon Safety Leader! I supported a priority bill for them, which helps protect tenants from radon. They are also advocating for HB5336/SB3645, which requires school buildings to be tested for radon every 5 years. I am co-sponsoring this bill in the house.

I met with the Funding IL’s Future coalition in Springfield. They are a coalition of school districts, superintendents, parents, and educators advocating for equitable and adequate funding for all public K-12 schools.

Local insurance agents were in Springfield to advocate for policies that impact the agency. I was delighted to meet with familiar faces from Will County!

Representatives from Joliet Junior College were in Springfield to meet with local legislators and advocate for MAP Grants and higher education.

I was honored to speak at the Act Now press conference advocating for more money for after school programming. This programming is essential for children to thrive and provides education activities for kids throughout the year.

My office joined the Village of Romeoville, Leader Manley’s office, and Abri Credit Union in hosting a shred event for the community!

While I was in Springfield, my team joined Lockport Township at their annual Community Fun Day! It was such a great, family friendly event. There were even Storm Troopers taking pictures

I supported a proclamation making May 11, 2024 Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) Awareness Week! TD is an involuntary movement disorder that is characterized by uncontrollable, abnormal, and repetitive movements of the face, torso, limbs, fingers, and toes. It is estimated that an approximate 600,000 people in the U.S and approximately 65% of people have not been diagnosed, making it extremely important to raise awareness.

The ICE and FIRE organization came to visit Springfield! ICE and FIRE is an organization that serves many youth in the 85th District. They have sports, theater, arts, and other programs, helping students stay active

Briana attended the Home Illinois Summit in Springfield! This 2 day summit discussed getting Illinois to functional 0 in homelessness. Christine Haley, the Chief Homelessness Officer, spoke on the new funding for Home Illinois, and there were many breakout sessions on policy, public will, affordable housing, and more.

While I was in Springfield, Briana attended the Romeoville State of the Village! Mayor Noak updated the community on new businesses, projects the village is working on, and gave everyone a special treat provided by the Creamery, a new business in Romeoville!

My team and I were thrilled to support FOCUOS at their 2nd Annual Gala! We heard performances by students, a special FOCUOS song, and honored leaders in the community.

UPCOMING EVENTS & RESOURCES

Application for the 2025 Cohort now open!

The Resurrection Project's Colibrí Fellowship for DOJ Accreditation is the first of its kind professional fellowship for individuals seeking partial and full Department of Justice (DOJ) Accreditation. Our goal is to train future non-attorney legal representatives to strengthen the capacity of community-based legal aid organizations. Fellows will participate in both virtual training components in partnership with the Villanova Interdisciplinary Immigration Studies Training for Advocates (VIISTA) and in-person training with local partners. 
 
The Colibrí Fellowship for DOJ Accreditation is open to nonprofits whether or not they are currently recognized by the DOJ. Organizations nominate individuals who plan to seek partial or full DOJ accreditation. Due to the unique training needed for full accreditation, the fellowship offers two course track options that run simultaneously, in addition to regular joint training and activities. 

2025 Application Dates 
June 10, 2024                          Application opens  
June 25, 2024, 1:00pm            Informational session, register here 
July 12, 2024, 11:59pm            Application closes  
August 12, 2024                       Fellows to be announced

Did you know you can take a tour of the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield for free? This historic landmark was recently refurbished and renovated, showing Illinois’ history and art. If you’re interested in scheduling a tour, visit the mansion website.

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:

  • Verify your mailing address under "contact us."

  • Find your due date (also called redetermination date) in your "benefit details".

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. 

211 Help Line

I 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 Pantries

  • Bolingbrook

    • Bolingbrook SDA Church Food Pantry- 301 E. Boughton Rd. Bolingbrook

    • First Baptist Church Bolingbrook- 314 E. Briarcliff Rd. Bolingbrook

    • The Compass Church Bolingbrook- 151 E. Briarcliff Rd. Bolingbrook

    • 4 K.I.D.S Sake- 192 Lily Cache Ave. Bolingbrook

  • Woodridge

    • West Suburban Food Pantry- 6809 Hobson Valley. Dr Ste 118 Woodridge

  • Romeoville

    • Love Fellowship Baptist Church- 730 N. Independence Blvd. Romeoville

    • DuPage Township Food Pantry- 719 Parkwood Ave. Romeoville

      • Must live in DuPage Township

    • Romeoville Community Pantry- 2 Belmont Dr. Romeoville

    • St. Andrew the Apostle We Care Pantry- 219 Arlington Dr. Romeoville

  • Lockport

    • First Baptist Church Food Pantry- 800 Thornton St. Lockport

    • Lockport FISH Food Pantry- 1463 Farrell Rd. Lockport

    • Fairmont Food Pantry- 525 Barry Ave. Lockport

    • Shiloh Baptist Church Food Pantry- 18101 W. Oak Ave. Lockport

  • 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. Micro pantries are accessible 24 hours a day.

LIHEAP

LIHEAP 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.
Illinois House District 85
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1050 W. Romeo Rd, Romeoville, IL 60446, United States

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