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For many of us, January is a time to make giant platters of nachos and invite friends and neighbors over to watch the playoffs and cheer loudly for our favorite teams.
But advocates for victims and survivors of sex trafficking remind us that these large sporting events are often hubs for human trafficking, with thousands of vulnerable women and children brought to the host city and forced into prostitution.
That's why January has been named Human Trafficking Awareness Month, as a reminder that the crime of trafficking, tragically, can be taking place around us every day.
Throughout my time in the General Assembly, I've worked hard on legislation to prevent this terrible crime. I’m proud to have sponsored the Lodging Services Human Trafficking Recognition Training Act, which provides training to hotel workers, giving them the tools to identify likely cases of trafficking and report them quickly and safely to law enforcement. I also have passed increased protections for people who have escaped trafficking and are establishing new lives in safety,
To learn more about the warning signs and how to help, please click here. If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, please contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline, at 1-888-373-7888. There is help for you today.
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New AI tool helps veterans find educational opportunities and financial assistance
American Legion Post 80 in Downers Grove has launched an innovative tool, Post80.AI, to help veterans and their families search for educational programs, scholarships, grants, and military benefits.
Post 80 collaborated with Elmhurst University’s AI and Advanced Analytics Innovation Lab to develop Post80.AI. The tool, which filters through thousands of programs and benefits from both government and private sources, is freely available online at www.Post80.AI and provides information in English and Spanish.
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Know your rights when interacting with immigration officers (ICE)
As an attorney, I am keenly focused on making sure that people's rights are respected by our government.
In response to this Administration's announced changes in immigration policy, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights has released some guidelines for people who encounter immigration officers in our neighborhoods:
- If you believe you are witnessing ICE activity, please call ICIRR’s 24-Hour Family Support Hotline at 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693) to report it.
- If you are outdoors and think you see immigration officers nearby: Move to a safe indoor space.
- If you are a U.S. citizen and feel safe to do so, record the activity with your phone or write down any relevant information about what you witness – ALWAYS being careful to not interfere or otherwise obstruct the operation.
- DO NOT post unverified information on social media.
- DO NOT interfere with the investigation or otherwise put yourself in harm’s way.
If you are an immigrant, I strongly encourage you to go to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights' website to read their advice on protecting your rights during any interactions with immigration officers. If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the ICIRR's family support network hotline at 855-435-7693.
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Do you know someone amazing? Vote now for the 2025 Glen Ellyn Community Awards
Each year, the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce asks for our help in recognizing the exceptional businesses, teachers, volunteers, and other neighbors who make Glen Ellyn a wonderful place to live, learn, work, dine, shop, and play.
There are individual awards for excellence in a wide range of categories, including public servants, teachers, employees, local businesses, and volunteers. To vote, you can click here, now through Feb. 11.
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Don't throw it out – fix it! SCARCE Repair Fair SATURDAY will revive and restore broken items
Don't throw away that old lamp! You can save money and spare our landfills by joining SCARCE for their interactive Repair Fair on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 9 a.m. to noon at 800 S. Rohlwing Road in Addison.
SCARCE partners with local experts who can help perform simple repairs on-site, and even teach you how to make uncomplicated repairs yourself. With the right tools and a little know-how, you can keep your household items like new.
While you’re there, you're invited to explore the onsite SCARCE-LY Used Books & Records Resale Shop. To learn more, you can click here.
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Warm up on a chilly day and help local non-profits at the Charity Chili Cook-off in Glen Ellyn SUNDAY
Black beans? Cinnamon? Jalapenos? It seems like just about everybody has a favorite chili recipe – including a favorite secret ingredient.
This Sunday, Jan. 26, you can check out our local professional chefs' secret (or not so secret) recipes as they vie for the title of Chili Cook-off Champion, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at Reserve 22, 485 Winchell Way in Glen Ellyn.
Tickets are $20 each and include samples of each restaurant's chili entry, along with tastings of beers from area breweries. Advance ticket purchase includes early admission at noon. For tickets, you can click here. All proceeds will be equally distributed to each restaurant's chosen charity.
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Participate in Lisle's Winter Photo Contest
With winter in full swing, the Village of Lisle is hosting its Winter Photo contest to celebrate the community's beauty during this frosty season.
This year, the contest focuses on winter scenes and snowy landscapes. From now through Feb. 28, you can submit your photos of snow-covered village scenes (as many as you'd like) to the Village's communications email.
For the first time, the village is also asking for a short caption telling where you took the photo or why this photo is special to you. For more information, you can click here.
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Gong hay fat choy! Learn how China celebrates Lunar New Year at Helen Plum Library MONDAY
One out of every five people in the world celebrates the lunar New Year, yet many of us are unfamiliar with this traditional celebration.
Yvonne Wolf, a Taiwan-born intercultural consultant, will talk about the customs, symbols, and foods associated with Chinese New Year from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, at the Helen Plum Library, 411 S. Main St. in Lombard.
To register, you can click here and learn how to welcome the Year of the Snake!
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Vote for the new (or old?) Illinois State Flag
After reviewing more than 4,800 entries for the Illinois state flag redesign contest (including some wacky ones), the Illinois Flag Commission is asking the public to vote for their favorites, now through Feb. 14.
In addition to the new flag designs, you can opt to retain the existing state flag or bring back the 1918 centennial flag or the 1968 sesquicentennial flag.
You can vote once a day. Once the public voting period has ended, the votes will be counted and the results will be sent to the Illinois General Assembly. Your input during this period will help to guide our decision on the future of our state’s flag later this year. To vote, you can click here.
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Naperville Police are accepting applications now for the Spring Citizen Police Academy program
Want to learn more about law enforcement? The Naperville Police Department is accepting applications for their 10-week Citizen Police Academy (CPA), which begins on March 5.
The spring course, which runs through May 7, will meet on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Naperville Police Department, 1350 Aurora Ave.
Naperville’s Citizen Police Academy offers citizens insight into police operations, practices and objectives, through classroom lectures, interactive discussions and hands-on demonstrations.
Applications are due by Friday, Jan. 31. Interested candidates should print and complete the Citizen Police Academy application and waiver found here and return the signed documents to Jim Pacetti by email at PacettiJ@naperville.il.us, by fax at (630) 305-7004, or through the mail or in person at the Naperville Police Department.
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Help spice up someone's life with our January spice drive for local food pantries
Cinnamon-spiced baked apples. Spaghetti sauce fragrant with basil and oregano. Chili with a kick of cumin and cayenne.
Spices are integral to our cooking and our cultural heritage, but they're often overlooked when people make donations to our food pantries.
To help provide a full range of ingredients for all, my office is collecting spices for the month of January. Donations will benefit Glen House Food Pantry, West Suburban Community Pantry, and Outreach House.
To donate, you can shop our Amazon Wishlist to deliver spices directly to our office, or you can pick up an extra jar or two on your next trip to the grocery store. Contact our office at 630-812-9292 or email reptch42@gmail.com to schedule a time to drop off donations.
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Upcoming Events
We have lots of events coming up, so please take a look and mark your calendars today!
Jan. 29: Volunteen Squad, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Helen Plum Library, 411 S. Main St. in Lombard
Jan. 30: GPS Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families presents The Way of Play: Little Moments – Big Connections, at noon and 7 p.m. via Zoom.
Jan. 31-Feb. 2: Downtown Downers Grove Ice Festival
Feb. 1: Winter Wonderland: A Family Adventure, at 10 a.m. at Lyman Woods, 901 31st St. in Downers Grove
Feb. 8: Hunt for Hearts, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Maryknoll Clubhouse, 845 Pershing Ave. in Glen Ellyn
Feb. 8: St. Mark's Jazz Night to Benefit GEYFCS, from 7 to 9 p.m. at 393 North Main St. in Glen Ellyn
Feb. 18: Glen Elly Community Blood Drive, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road
Feb. 21: Illuminated Concert Series, Cinematic & Show Hits, at 7 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 493 Forest Ave. in Glen Ellyn
Feb. 25: Glen Ellyn Park District’s Winter Family Fun in the Neighborhood, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Spring Avenue Recreation Center, 185 Spring Ave.
Feb. 28: Summer Job Fair, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Main Street Recreation Center, 501 Hill Ave. in Glen Ellyn
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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