Hello Stephanie,

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family safe and well. As we enjoy the final weeks of summer, I wanted to share some exciting updates.

Today I am writing from the Women Marines Association National Conference in Atlanta. As a proud Marine, it is an honor to serve my fellow Veterans through our work in the State Legislature. I am pleased to report that several important bills regarding our Veterans, service members, and military families have been signed into law by the Governor:

• HB 612 - Property tax exemptions for WWII and disabled Veterans
• HB 5640 - Adds the Space Force to our existing statues
• SB 2751 - Permit fee waivers for construction accommodating a Veteran's disability
• HB 4108 - Creating the Air Force Combat Action Medal license plate
• HB 4365 - Creating the National Defense Service Medal license plate
• HB 5353 - Temporary Social Work licenses for military spouses who move to Illinois and are waiting for a permanent license
• SB 2778 - Assisting Veterans who apply and pass initial Sheriff's Deputy exams

Thank you to everyone who helped pass these pieces of legislation. I will keep you updated as more bills are signed into law.

Earlier this week, I attended the National Conference of State Legislators, where I was honored to be elected Vice President of the Women's Legislative Network, which includes every female state legislator in the 50 states, territories, and the District of Columbia. Read more below.

I hope to see you at 11 a.m. for Monday's virtual coffee chat. Join us on Facebook or contact my office to participate via Zoom. This is a weekly community conversation where I provide updates from the statehouse and answer questions about Illinois government and the 84th District. (It is usually at 9 a.m. but has been rescheduled to 11 a.m. tomorrow)

Have a wonderful week ahead,

State Representative Stephanie Kifowit Elected Vice President of NCSL Women’s Legislative Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 6, 2024

Louisville, KY - Illinois State Representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) has been elected Vice President of the Executive Board of the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) Women’s Legislative Network.

“I am deeply honored to be appointed as Vice President of the NCSL Women’s Legislative Network,” said Rep. Kifowit. “This role presents an incredible opportunity to work alongside talented women from across the country and to continue the important work of empowering women in legislative roles.”

Kifowit was formally elected at the Network’s board meeting during the “Building Balance: Women’s Unique Roles” Luncheon at the NCSL Legislative Summit in Louisville, Kentucky on August 5. She previously served on the board as the appointed Midwest Regional Director.

“My goal over the next year is to enhance the resources available to women legislators, facilitating their growth and success in public service,” added Kifowit. “I am committed to fostering a collaborative environment where we can share knowledge, develop our skills, and make meaningful progress on the issues that matter most to our communities.”

Illinois State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit has represented the 84th District since 2013 and is the only female Veteran in the Illinois General Assembly. She is the first Veteran to hold the role of NCSL Women’s Legislative Network Vice President. Kifowit served in the United States Marine Corps from 1990 to 1994. After graduating from Northern Illinois University with a Masters of Public Administration and working as a family financial advisor, Kifowit served for 9 years as a City of Aurora Alderman. Today, Representative Kifowit chairs the Illinois House Personnel & Pensions Committee and Property Tax Subcommittee on the Revenue Committee, and is an active advocate for Veterans both as a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee and directly in her community.

The Women’s Legislative Network of NCSL includes all women legislators by virtue of their election to office. It began when female legislators gathered at NCSL meetings in the late 1970s and was formally organized in 1985 at the Annual Meeting in Seattle. The mission of the Women's Legislative Network is to promote the participation, empowerment, and leadership of women legislators. The network sponsors informational briefings, skill-building workshops, and hosts receptions or lunches at NCSL meetings for women legislators to interact and learn from one another.

Kifowit will be succeeding Vice President DeAnn Vaught, a fifth-term state representative in the Arkansas House. The term length for Executive Board officers and directors is one year.

For more information, please contact Representative Stephanie Kifowit's district office at 630.583.1308 or email stephanie.kifowit@att.net.

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Small Illinois nonprofit organizations can now apply for grants through the Charitable Trust Stabilization Program, managed by Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ office. The fall grant cycle, ending September 30, will award grants in two categories: food and economic & workforce development.

For more information on how to apply, click here. To learn about recent grant recipients, click here.

If someone you know loves people, wildlife, nature, science, and more, there are many jobs at DNR that may excite them! The recruit has started for the new class of conservation police officers, the search begun for landscape architects, and postings made for environmental protection roles. More information about working at DNR can be found here.

Wednesday, August 14

What is the Illinois State Reptile?

Painted Turtle

The painted turtle was designated Illinois’ State Reptile following a vote by Illinois citizens in 2004 and official approval by the Illinois General Assembly in 2005.

The painted turtle can be found throughout Illinois in shallow bodies of water with abundant aquatic plants and a muddy bottom. While it is an aquatic species, the painted turtle is often seen on land.

Would you vote for HB4431?

Illinois mandates road exams for drivers aged 79 and 80 upon their four-year license renewal. Drivers aged 81 to 86 are tested every two years, and those 87 and older are tested yearly. Illinois is the only state with this requirement. Rep. Jeff Keicher of Sycamore introduced HB4431 to end the mandate, prompted by a constituent's concern over its fairness. AARP supports the bill, citing the requirement as unjustly prejudicial. However, studies by the SOS and insurance companies indicate senior citizens are at higher risk for accidents, justifying additional testing.

Would you vote for HB5860 and HB5861?

Two bills have been filed to prohibit elected officials from displaying the American flag upside down on government property. Under HB5860 elected leaders would be charged with a Class 4 felony if caught flying the flag upside down on government property. HB5861 would institute a fine of up to $25,000 for any government official flying the flag upside down on public property. The current financial penalty for desecrating an American flag in Illinois is $1 to $15.

AUGUST 9, 1945

Atomic Bomb Dropped on Nagasaki

On this day in 1945, the United States dropped a second atomic bomb, "Fat Man," on Japan, leading to Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II.

The United States had planned to drop its second atomic bomb on August 11. However, bad weather expected for that day pushed the date up to August 9th. Nagasaki was a shipbuilding center, the very industry intended for destruction. The explosion unleashed the equivalent force of 22,000 tons of TNT. The hills that surrounded the city contained some of the destructive force, but the number of civilians killed is estimated to be anywhere between 60,000 and 80,000.

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The Veterans Assistance Commission for DuPage County is excited to have a FEMALE VSO Every 3rd Tuesday of the month!!

She is also coming to the American Legion Meetings on the 2nd Friday of each month at 1649 Montgomery Road, Suite 7, Aurora

They recommend appointments, walk-ins are welcome too!!

I continue to host Monday Morning Coffee live on Facebook from 9:00am-10:00am. You can share your comments and ask questions there.

If you don't have Facebook, no worries! You can join us on Zoom instead. Your video and mic will be muted, so you won't be on live. I'll email the Zoom link separately.

To join on Zoom, just email Nick@ildistrict84.com or call 630.585.1308.

Watch the most recent Coffee Chat on Facebook!

Or, subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts 🎧!