Dear Stephanie,

I hope you are well. The past couple weeks have been an exciting time of going around the district, meeting constituents, and supporting our Veterans.

I had the pleasure last Thursday of being joined by the Consulate General of Japan at a ceremony celebrating our Veterans who have served in Japan. I sincerely appreciate him taking the time to honor these American service members, especially the women Marines pictured above!

Additionally, I was honored on Friday to be a keynote speaker at the Illinois Joining Forces Aurora Area Summit where we discussed the many unique challenges faced by service members as they transition to civilian life, and committed to continuing work as a community to better support our Veterans and ensure no one is left behind.

Read on for details on exciting upcoming events, important information regarding PACT Act claims, new bills being signed into law, and more! Have a wonderful weekend.

Take Care,

P.S. Please reach out to our office if you need assistance at (630) 585-1308 or send me an email.

Things To Do in District 84

Constituent Education Card

Free Admission Across Chicago

Request the Card HERE

Kids Expo

Saturday, September 16

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Attend this free event on Tuesday, August 29th from 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM at the Jack T. Kneupfer Building in Wheaton, IL. Over 50 agencies will be in attendance to provide resources and information for various Veteran programs.

The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act) expanded VA care for Veterans exposed to toxic substances. The PACT Act extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras. Under the PACT Act, Veterans may also receive a toxic exposure screening at VA medical centers and clinics.

There is no deadline for filing PACT claims, however, claims processed by August 9th, 2023 are backdated and may allow for retroactive payments to August 2022.

File your claim today.

Go here to track the status of your PACT Act claim.

3rd Annual Roosevelt-Aurora Post 84 of the American Legion Golf Outing

Join me and my fellow Veterans for the 3rd Annual Post 84 Golf Outing. It is a fun event and all the proceeds go to help area Veterans and Post 84.

MORE INFORMATION

World Day Against Human Trafficking

Last Sunday, July 30th was the United Nations' World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Every year, the United Nations has a theme, with 2023 being "Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind". The theme and this day serve as a reminder to continue the fight to end human trafficking and support victim-survivors.

For information on prevention in the United States, go here.

To read more about this global issue, go here.

National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is offering one-time incentive payments to Early Intervention providers. The payments range up to $1,300 and will be provided between August and October of 2023. Early Intervention Providers, Associate Providers, Service Coordinators, and Interpreters will have their eligibility determined with no need to apply.

The payments are part of Illinois' Smart Start program, which aims to fund and support quality Early Intervention programs for Illinoisans. Early Intervention service coordinators contribute to a stronger present and brighter future for Illinois families.

Read more here

After a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, federal student loan repayments will resume October 2023. Interest on those loans will resume September 1, 2023. If you have federal student loans, make sure you have a plan before your first payment.

Be aware of scam offers as well. Protect your FSA login information and know that you never have to pay for help with your federal student aid or loans.

For tips on preparing for student loan repayment beginning again, read this article from the U.S. Department of Education.

The Kendall County Sheriff's Office is implementing a new digital alert system to alert motorists of emergency scenes and vehicles.

Through a collaboration with IDOT, AAA, and the Kendall County Sheriff's Office, 20 patrol vehicles will be equipped with the technology to alert motorists of a nearby Sheriff's Office vehicle through their smartphones, Waze, Apple CarPlay, or Google CarPlay. The technology is hoped to reduce emergency services response time by allowing motorists the ability to safely move over when an emergency vehicle approaches. IDOT will continue to invest in and research the Digital Alert System Technology and how to increase its use.

Illinois Unemployment Continues Four Month Decrease

According to IDES, the unemployment rate in Illinois decreased by 0.1 percentage point in June, adding to a four month decline.

The IDES also found an increase in payroll jobs, with the most substantial increases in the Education and Health Services, Construction, Leisure and Hospitality, and Government sectors. Illinois currently has the lowest level of unemployed workers since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As Illinois continues to recover and grow, these markers serve as a beacon of progress for the state. For online training resources, virtual job fairs, and a large job database, go to gethired.illinois.gov.

Illinois Invests in College Savings

Through the "Bright Start" program, children born or adopted after January 2023 may receive a $50 savings account investment for college.

In addition to the child being born or adopted on or after January 1st, 2023, the parent or legal guardian must b an Illinois resident. After the initial $50 deposit by the state, parents may make their own contributions. The 529 college savings account will grow tax-free and can be used at qualified colleges, trade schools, and apprenticeship programs anywhere in the United States.

To read more about the program and claim your deposit, go here.

Governor Pritzker Protects Reproductive Care Access

On Monday, Governor Pritzker announced multiple reproductive healthcare initiatives to strengthen care in Illinois.

• Hospital Navigation Program | The CARLA (Complex Abortion Regional Line for Access) hotline will launch in August to help patients schedule appointments, have appropriate testing, and assist with arranging payment, transportation, and childcare.
• Reproductive Health Public Navigation Hotline | The hotline will help patients, including those from out of state, to find proper care in Illinois.
• Family Planning Program for Medicaid | The program raises income eligibility above the regular Medicaid program to increase access to various reproductive care services, such as preventive exams, family planning counseling, FDA-approved contraception, cervical cancer screenings, mammograms, and more.
• Capital Grant Program | The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will provide $5 million in funding to reproductive health care providers to fund improvements and repairs, construction, security, equipment, and vehicles for mobile care units.
• Reimbursement for state employees who work out-of-state | The program will cover transportation and lodging for state employees that must travel to receive proper reproductive healthcare.

Read more here

Bill Action

Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed HB3203, increasing access to fentanyl test strips, into law. HB3203 amends the Overdos Prevention and Harm Reduction Act to provide measures that prevent fentanyl exposure. The bill allows pharmacists to sell fentanyl test strips over-the-counter as well as allowing county health departments to distribute fentanyl test strips for no fee. This law takes effect January 1, 2024.

Governor J.B. Pritzker also signed HB2475, expanding ways to meet requirements to become Illinois State Police Officers. HB2475 amends the Illinois State Police Act to provide that collegiate educational requirements may be met by additional military services, educational experiences, and training requirements. This law takes effect January 1, 2024.

On Saturday, August 12 (Kids Day), the Illinois State Fair will host Sunflower Hours from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

During this time, the Fair will make adjustments to select programming to create a softer more calming environment for children and adults who experiencesensory processing disorders.

MORE INFORMATION

Watch the most recent Coffee Chat on Facebook!

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

I continue to host Monday Morning Coffee live via Facebook at 9:00am-10:00am where you can post your comments and questions.

I realize not everyone has Facebook. The good news is that you can still participate. If you would like to join us on Monday mornings, you can join in via ZOOM! Once connected via ZOOM, you'll be able to interact just as if you were on Facebook. Don't worry you will not be on live - your video feed and mic will be muted.

The ZOOM link will be emailed to everyone separately for Monday morning participation.

If you would like to join us, please email Michelle@ILDistrict84.com or call the

office at 630.585.1308.