Dear Terra,

Last weekend, we heard a lot about the (alleged) conflict between girls who love Taylor Swift and the guys who play football.

In Illinois at least, there's now a third group – girls who play football! On Wednesday, the Illinois High School Association sent a valentine to young women athletes by announcing that they're officially sanctioning a girls flag football season and a state series, starting this August.

DuPage County has been a leader in making flag football available to girls. In 2022, Willowbrook won the 2022 state championship and was the national runner-up in Las Vegas. Last year, they placed third in Illinois in events hosted by the Bears and the Chicago Public League.

Willowbrook High School joined the Chicago Public League in submitting a potential bylaw proposal for girls flag football to the IHSA’s Legislative Commission before its fall 2023 meeting. The proposal was ratified 36-0 by the commission, and member schools went on to vote overwhelmingly in favor of letting Illinois girls play flag football.

I'll always be a soccer mom at heart, but I'll be cheering for our girls' flag football teams in Illinois next fall!

Looking for a summer internship? Contact my office today!

Do you know somebody who has a passion for public service or who is thinking about a career in government?

My office is accepting applications for summer internships to work out of my district office in Lombard. 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.

Black History Month Spotlight: Environmental activist Hazel Johnson

Hazel Johnson’s work as an advocate for environmental justice began in the 1970s, when she was living in the massive Altgeld Gardens housing project on Chicago's South Side.

After her husband died of lung cancer at the age of 41, Johnson discovered that her community's homes had been built on an industrial waste dump. She went on to spend years researching the connection between those environmental hazards and the cancers, respiratory diseases, and other health problems that afflicted her neighbors.

As the leader of the People for Community Recovery, a tenant advocacy group, she achieved a long list of important victories, including asbestos and PCB removal, lead abatement, and a moratorium on new or expanded landfills in Chicago.

In the mid-1980s, she mentored Barack Obama, then a fledgling community organizer, as he worked with residents to fight for environmental justice at Altgeld Gardens.

Johnson also worked with peers to create the 17 Principles of Environmental Justice, a guidepost that is still used today. At the first National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, Johnson was hailed as the “Mother of Environmental Justice.” You can learn more about her life and her work with this great documentary podcast.

ComEd offers new EV charger and installation rebates

To make electric vehicles (EVs) more affordable for people in northern Illinois, ComEd has launched a new rebate program to increase access to EV chargers.

Through the $5 million EV Charger and Installation Rebate Program, ComEd customers can receive rebates of up to $3,750 to offset the cost of purchasing and installing a Level 2 charger in their home in 2024. Level 2 chargers can charge an EV battery six to eight times faster than charging from a wall outlet.

If you're thinking about an EV, take a look at this informational brochure for more information, or visit the ComEd website.

Make a splash and support Special Olympics at the Polar Plunge on March 3

Every year, a brave group of philanthropists show their support for Special Olympics Chicago and Special Children’s Charities programs by jumping into the chilly waters of Lake Michigan. That tradition will continue on Sunday, Mar. 3, with the 2024 Chicago Polar Plunge.

The iconic winter tradition is historically the nation's largest and most well-known plunge event, gathering thousands of participants along with their friends, families, and celebrities to support Chicago’s athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

You can undertake the Plunge as an individual or as a team with friends and family. In fact, one of our amazing constituents, Colleen Schaefers, has put together her own team, Team Eileen In, to take the challenge. (That's Colleen in the photo.) To support Colleen's team in this challenge, please click here. To learn more about the Polar Plunge and how you can get involved, you can click here.

Take a look at these state grant opportunities

If you or your organization are working to help make our communities healthier and safer, you may qualify for one of these grants available through the State of Illinois:

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program: To build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain, to provide more and better markets to small farms and food businesses, to support the development of value-added products for consumers, fair prices, fair wages, and new and safe job opportunities.
Illinois Grocery Initiative: The initiative will result in the establishment of new grocery stores in areas of the state with inadequate access to fresh food, as well as equipment upgrades for stores in these areas. In so doing, the state endeavors to reduce the number of food deserts and the population living in food deserts.
Tourism Incentive Grant Program: To provide grant funding for establishment of an incentive grant program used by eligible entities to attract new out-of-state events to Illinois when competing with other states’ destinations. It may also be used to retain existing business when documentation is provided that the entity is competing against other states’ destinations to retain the business in Illinois. Grant funds for the incentive program cannot be offered to an event if multiple Illinois destinations are in competition for this same event.
240 Successful Transitions: The Purpose of the program is to support individuals who are discharging to the community from Illinois' State Operated Psychiatric Hospitals (SOPHs) and reduce the rate of re-hospitalization and symptom relapse.
RTP - Recreational Trails Program (FY24): Provides funding assistance for acquisition, development, rehabilitation and maintenance of both motorized and non-motorized recreation trails. Must be open and available for general public use. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Funds passed thru IDOT to IDNR.
Illinois Youth Investment Program-Summer Jobs: This program is designed to target youth interested in working toward a goal of developing workplace skills and gaining employment experience while exploring potential Career Pathways.

If you ever have a question about state grants, please contact my office at reptch42@gmail.com or 630-812-9292

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!

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.

Don't miss Glenbard East's “Peter Pan” TOMORROW and SATURDAY

"Second star to the right and straight on 'til morning."

If you recognize Peter Pan's directions on how to fly to Neverland, you won't want to miss Glenbard East High School's traveling winter production of Disney Jr's enchanting production of “Peter Pan.”

The show flies into Rider Hall at Glenbard East, at 1014 S. Main St. in Lombard, with shows at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) and 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available here. You can even take a photo onstage with the cast for $5 after Saturday’s 2 p.m. show.

Get inspired and support Glen House Food Pantry at Celebration of Tables

A beautifully set table can transform a simple meal into a celebration. If you're looking for creative ideas to make your dinner table more exciting, you'll want to get your tickets now to this year's Celebration of Tables event, on Sunday, March 3, at Arrowhead Golf Club, at 26W151 Butterfield Road in Wheaton.

The Celebration of Tables, which benefits the Glen House Food Pantry in partnership with Glen Ellyn Newcomers & Neighbors Club, will feature about 20 tablescapes designed by local individuals and businesses, along with refreshments, live music, and raffles.

Early bird tickets are available for $60 each through today, Feb. 15. Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

Immerse yourself in yoga at Lombard Historical Society SATURDAY

Join the Lombard Historical Society for a rejuvenating yoga session from 10 to 11 a.m. this Saturday, Feb. 17, at 23 W Maple St.

You can immerse yourself in a tranquil environment surrounded by the rich historical ambiance of Lombard as you embark on a journey of holistic well-being. The cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. You can click here to register.

Learn about Lombard's Sheldon Peck and the Underground Railroad SATURDAY

As we commemorate Black History Month, I hope you'll find time to watch "Sheldon Peck, Portrait of an Ordinary Man in Extraordinary Times," a thought-provoking documentary on one of Lombard's earliest and most notable residents.

Peck, a portrait artist, and his wife, Harriett, moved to Lombard (then known as Babcock's Grove) in 1837 and moved into their homestead in 1839. Over the years, the Peck home became a stop on the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses that helped freedom-seeking Black people escape slavery in the South.

Today, the Peck Homestead, at 23 W. Maple St., is operated as a museum by the Lombard Historical Society. You can watch the Sheldon Peck documentary in his home from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday.

This event is free; registration is required as space is limited. You can click here to register. If you can't get to the Historical Society, you also can watch online here.

Enjoy a magic show in Glen Ellyn MONDAY

Enjoy a thrilling magic show featuring Gary Kantor on Monday, Feb. 19, from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Main Street Recreation Center, 501 Hill Ave. in Glen Ellyn.

Each registrant will receive a magic trick to take home.

This event is for children ages 3 to 15, accompanied by an adult. Registration is required for children only. The fee is $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. You can click here to register.

Donate at our Blood/Food Drive WEDNESDAY

We hope you'll stop by on Wednesday, Feb. 21 when we host our Blood and Food Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

We're holding the drive in partnership with the Glen Ellyn Park District and Kiwanis Club of Central DuPage at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road in Glen Ellyn.

There will be a drive-thru to drop off food items, which will be donated to the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry.

If you can, please pick up a few extra grocery items this week to donate. Your donation can make a real difference in the life of a family struggling to keep food on the table.

Visit the Glenbard Parent Series Community Wellness Resource Fair THURSDAY

The Glenbard Parent Series will host a Community Wellness Resource Fair from 6:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22 in the Library at Glenbard West High School, 670 Crescent Blvd. in Glen Ellyn.

The purpose of the Fair is to increase community awareness of the many health-related programs, services, and providers in our communities.

For more information you can go to glenbardgps.org, or contact gilda_ross@glenbard.org or 630 942-7668 with any questions.

Upcoming Events

We have lots of events coming up, so please take a look and mark your calendars today!

Feb. 23: Bags and Brews Tournament from 6 to 10 p.m. at Ackerman SFC, 800 St. Charles Road in Glen Ellyn.

Feb. 23-Mar. 3: Restaurant Week in Glen Ellyn will offer prix fixe menus, special promotions and/or classic signature items.

Feb. 25: 4th Annual Glen Ellyn Restaurant Chili Cook Off, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. join local area restaurants as they vie for the title of Chili Cook-off Champion.

Mar. 1: Glen Ellyn Park District's Job Fair from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Main Street Recreation Center, 501 Hill Ave.

Mar. 2: Become an Herbal Gourmet, from 2 to 3 p.m. with the Lombard Historical Society at 23 W. Maple St.

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.

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,

Terra Costa Howard

State Representative

42nd District

913 S. Main St.

Lombard, IL 60148

(630) 812-9292