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As I listened to the Governor’s budget address, I felt proud of the great progress that we have made together in putting our state on a solid fiscal foundation, as proven by our nine credit upgrades over the past five years.
As we get to work on this new budget, I’m going to keep standing up for our public schools, advocating for increased mental health services, and protecting our reproductive freedom.
I know that the people of our communities will demand a balanced budget for the coming year that reflects our shared values, and I am committed to making sure their voices are heard in Springfield.
If you want to dig into the proposed budget details, just click the image at right. Just be warned: It's more than 600 pages long! So if you want a briefer look, you can click here.
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Grab your knife and fork! Glen Ellyn Restaurant Week starts TOMORROW!
I just looked at the list of participating restaurants and special events planned for Restaurant Week in Glen Ellyn, which starts tomorrow and runs through Mar. 3. They look amazing!
I hope you'll get out this week and show your support for our local restaurants.
Restaurant Week is brought to you by the Alliance of Downtown Glen Ellyn, the Village of Glen Ellyn, and the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce. You can click here to learn more
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Give blood and help save a life TOMORROW and SATURDAY
The Red Cross reports that the number of blood donors has fallen by 40 percent over the past 20 years. That's so disappointing, and it really underscores the importance of showing up and donating at our local blood drives.
If you can, please show up and give blood tomorrow (Friday) at the Helen Plum Library, 411 S. Main Street, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To make an appointment, you can click here.
On Saturday, the Lombard Masonic Lodge #1098 will host a drive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Hatfield Hall at First Church of Lombard, 220 S. Main Street. You can make an appointment here.
Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.
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Black History Month Spotlight: Annie Turnbo Malone, entrepreneur and philanthropist
Annie Turnbo Malone, who was born on a farm near Metropolis in the southern tip of Illinois, became one of America's most successful entrepreneurs in the early 1900s. She launched an international line of hair care products and established Poro College, a cosmetology school that became the hub of Malone's beauty empire. Through its school and franchise businesses, the college created jobs for almost 75,000 women around the world.
In 1918, Malone opened a brand-new campus for Poro College on a 3-acre site in St. Louis's upper-middle-class Black neighborhood. The complex included classrooms, beauty shops, laboratories, an auditorium, conference rooms, a gentlemen's smoking parlor, cafeteria, dining halls, ice cream parlor, bakery, emergency hospital, a theater, gymnasium, chapel, roof garden, general office, shipping department, a manufacturing plant, laundry, seamstress shop, dormitories, and guest rooms. For decades, it served as a community gathering place for Black organizations that were banned from St. Louis' segregated public spaces.
By the 1920s, Turnbo was one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs and most generous philanthropists in America. She gave significant gifts to Howard University Medical School and the Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University.) At one time, it is believed that she was supporting two full-time students in every Black land-grant college in the United States.
Turnbo, who had been orphaned as a young child, also was a major benefactor of the St. Louis' orphans home, which was renamed in her honor in 1946. Today, the Annie Malone Children and Family Services Center continues her legacy by addressing the social and education needs of children and families in crisis and at risk throughout St. Louis.
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Nominate a public-spirited youth or adult for Wheaton's 2024 Good Citizens Awards
The Community Relations Commission for the City of Wheaton is seeking nominations for the City’s 2024 Good Citizens Awards, now through Sunday, March 31.
Nominees must be current Wheaton residents who go above and beyond – on a voluntary basis – for the benefit of Wheaton and its residents.
You can fill out an online nomination form here or mail your nomination to Wheaton City Hall, Attn: Andrea Rosedale, 303 W. Wesley St., Wheaton, IL 60187.
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Downers Grove Fire Department is hiring a Deputy Fire Chief of Support Services
The Village of Downers Grove is seeking a Deputy Fire Chief of Support Services.
Under the direction of the Fire Chief, the Deputy will be responsible for the oversight of support services functions, including assisting in budget management, facility maintenance, administrative services, safety, policies and procedure development, staff management, and public information.
The Deputy, who will be a member of the management team, will be expected to have experience in firefighting, EMS, and emergency management and will function as the liaison between line staff and management personnel.
A successful candidate will possess strong interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to provide constructive feedback and understand the importance of team building. If you are interested, you can click here to find more information and apply.
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Eat (lots of) chili for charity at the 4th Annual Glen Ellyn Chili Cook Off SUNDAY
Kidney beans or black beans? Beef or chorizo? If you want to start a lively discussion, ask people about their favorite chili recipes. (If you really want to liven things up, ask them how they feel about chili mac...)
As part of Restaurant Week, local restaurants are picking up their ladles to vie for the title of Chili Cook-off Champion this Sunday, Feb. 25 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. in Glen Ellyn.
This promises to be a hot and spicy event. (It even has its own Facebook page!) If you buy your ticket in advance, you can get started on your chili sampling half an hour early. All proceeds will go to charity. You can click here or on the graphic above for more information.
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All singing! All dancing! Learn about the history of classic Hollywood musicals in Lisle SUNDAY
From The Jazz Singer to Mamma Mia!, movie musicals have been delighting audiences for almost a century. But most of us don't know the complex and often challenging history of bringing musicals to the big screen.
You can learn more about the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25, when the Lisle Library District will present The History of the Hollywood Musical. Film historian Annette Bochenek will share video clips, classic photos, and captivating stories.
You can click here to find more information and register. The presentation will be held in Meeting Room A/B at the library, at 777 Front St.
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Dispose of prescription meds safely with Lombard's Drug Take-Back Program
The Lombard Police Department offers a free year-round prescription drug take-back program.
You can bring your outdated or unneeded prescription drugs to the disposal box in the police department lobby, at 235 E Wilson Ave., from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
Mail-back services are also available. You can complete this online form to request a free pre-paid, pre-addressed mail-back package. Instructions for disposal will be provided with all mail-back services.
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Looking for a summer job? Want to work with great people? Check out Glen Ellyn Park District Job Fair
If you're looking for a fun and flexible summer job, don't miss the Glen Ellyn Park District Job Fair on Friday, Mar. 1, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Main Street Recreation Center, 501 Hill Ave.
Working for the Park District offers opportunities for teens and others to hone their skills, boost confidence, acquire valuable work experience, and forge new friendships. (I know this firsthand, as a former park district lifeguard!) As an added bonus, park district employees receive complimentary fitness memberships and guest passes for various amenities.
The District will offer on-site job interviews during the Fair. Click here to learn more.
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Considering a career in public service? We're looking for summer interns!
Do you know somebody who has a passion for public service or who is thinking about a career in government?
My office is now accepting applications for summer interns. It's a great opportunity for someone who is interested in spending the summer working to support our communities – and getting paid for it!
Duties will include:
- Constituent casework
- Policy research
- Engaging with constituents through canvassing
- Social media content creation
- Attending events and meetings with Rep. Costa Howard
- Event planning
You'll need excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills, as well as experience with social media and Google Docs. Our interns work from our District Office in Lombard and will be required to attend off-site meetings and events.
If you're interested, you can email your resume to Reptch42@gmail.com.
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Want to apply for a state grant? Learn how at our GATA Training Event on Feb. 27
We had such a great response to our first grant workshop with the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) in November that we’re now planning another training event – this one focused on Illinois’ Grant Accountability and Training Act (GATA). I hope you’ll be able to join us virtually at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, to learn how to navigate the GATA process.
GATA was passed 10 years ago to create standardized processes and templates for state grants to organizations. Before your organization can apply for a state grant, you must be pre-qualified on the GATA Grantee Portal. To walk you through the pre-qualification steps, our office is teaming up once again with DCEO who will be presenting and taking your questions via Zoom.
Non-profit organizations are the beating hearts of our communities, and these grant funds are crucial to making sure that you’re able to fulfill your mission. I’m very pleased that our office can provide this information, and I hope you will reach out if you have questions or concerns.
You can register for the event here. For more information, please contact us at reptch42@gmail.com or call (630) 812-9292. We hope you can join us!
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PFLAG creates Synchrony Scholarships for college students in the LGBTQ+ community
The PFLAG Council of Northern Illinois (PCNI), which includes PFLAG DuPage, is launching the Synchrony Scholarship, a $2,500 unrestricted scholarship for LGBTQ+ undergraduate, graduate and continuing students.
This scholarship is available to Illinois residents from 17 to 28 years old, with the purpose of encouraging LGBTQ+ people to continue their educational and career aspirations after high school.
Founded in 1973, PFLAG is the nation’s first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community and those who love them.
On-line applications will be accepted from now through Mar. 30. Scholarships will be awarded by May 1. You can find more information and apply here.
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Upcoming Events
We have lots of events coming up, so please take a look and mark your calendars today!
Mar. 2: Become an Herbal Gourmet, from 2 to 3 p.m. with the Lombard Historical Society at 23 W. Maple St.
Mar. 6: Glen Ellyn Park District's Tails and Tales, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road
Mar. 10: Sportswap in Glen Ellyn, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road
Mar. 16: Nature at Night Hikes, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the William F. Sherman Jr. Interpretive Center - Lyman Woods, 901 31st St. in Downers Grove
Mar. 16: Electronics Recycling Event, from 9 a.m. to noon at Benedictine University, Rice Center parking lot, 5700 College Road in Lisle
Mar. 17: Leapin' Leprechauns Event from 1 to 2 p.m. at Lyman Woods, 901 31st St in Downers Grove
Mar. 19: Women's History Trivia, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Lisle Library District (Meeting Room A/B), 777 Front St.
Mar. 21: Adults-Only Egg Hunt, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Lake Ellyn Boathouse, 645 Lenox Road in Glen Ellyn
Mar. 23: Lombard Park District's Egg Hunt, from 10:40 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Lombard Common, 433 E. St. Charles Road, field east of Paradise Bay Water Park
Mar. 23: Bunny Brunch in Lombard, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Lombard Community Building, 433 E. St. Charles Road
Mar. 26: Glen Ellyn Park District's Grandparents and Me Day Bingo, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Main Street Recreation Center, 501 Hill Ave.
Mar. 28: Flashlight Egg Hunt from 7:45 to 8:15 p.m. (ages 6-8) and 8:45 to 9:15 p.m. (ages 9-11) at Churchill Park, 271 St. Charles Road in Glen Ellyn
Mar. 29: Glen Ellyn Park District's Eggs-traordinary Egg Hunt, from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. or 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. at Maryknoll Park, 845 Pershing Ave.
Mar. 30: Glen Ellyn Park District's Hopper Cottontail and Friends Hoppy Party, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road.
Apr. 16-19: Restaurant Week in Lisle, showcasing restaurants throughout the village
If you have any questions about pending legislation or other issues related to your state government, please don't hesitate to contact my office at 630-812-9292 or RepTCH42@gmail.com.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay strong,
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Terra Costa Howard
State Representative
42nd District
913 S. Main St.
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 812-9292
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