Dear Stephanie,

Last weekend, we celebrated Labor Day. I hope you had a wonderful and relaxing time. But, this holiday is not just about barbecues and the end of summer; it holds a rich history and great significance. Labor Day pays tribute to the hardworking men and women who have played a pivotal role in shaping our nation's progress. I was raised in a Labor household and I raised my family in a Labor household. In fact, my kids were in a union while employed in high school. I am happy to support the important role unions have in our community.

Where were you on 9/11? That is a question we often talk about. I was getting my little ones ready for the day with the television on when the images of the Twin Towers came on. I remember sitting down on the couch in disbelief like so many others. I was working with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and I was at the towers just a year prior for training. It was a shocking sight that I know many will never forget, and the stories of extreme bravery of that day should eternally be retold. I have included information on the 9/11 Memorial Service with the City of Aurora. It is a very moving ceremony that I have been to every year.

I am also reminding you that our annual Kids Expo Touch-A-Truck event is just around the corner, taking place on Saturday, September 16th. This FREE event has always been a source of excitement for our community, and this year promises to be no different. Dozens of vehicles and booths will be on display, including an ambulance, firetruck, cherry picker, plus face painting, a K9 unit demonstration, and more! I invite you to explore the details in the attached flier and join us for a day of fun and discovery.

September is also a time when we commemorate Suicide Prevention Month. This issue weighs heavily on my heart, especially within my Veteran community. I have seen too many Veterans take their own lives and I continue to be a resource for them. I am proud of the work my office has done to help struggling families and Veterans. We have worked together to keep families in their homes, get the food they need and the assistance that is available. While I focus on Veterans, we are here to help and I encourage you to reach out about any issue that might be causing you or your family stress and hardships.

As school is now in full swing, football is on the tv and temperature comes down, I hope you still find a few minutes to enjoy the last bits of the summer.

I hope you have a great weekend,

P.S. Our Facebook live will be delayed on Monday due to the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony in the morning in downtown Aurora.

Week in Review

As we reflect on the past week, I am excited to share some of the notable moments that have unfolded within our district and beyond. It has been a bustling week filled with community engagement, celebrations, and meaningful discussions. Here are the key highlights:

I had the privilege of attending the Wine Off the Fox Wine tasting event in Oswego, featuring live performances from all-female bands. It was a heartwarming evening dedicated to raising awareness for Breast Cancer, where we came together to enjoy fine wine and music while supporting this vital cause.

Over Labor Day Weekend, I joined fellow Veterans, including the "singing Sailor" WWII Veteran Dick Miler, at the Naperville Jaycees' Last Fling, as they honored me and my fellow Veterans for their service to our community. This family-friendly community festival near Downtown Naperville is a cherished tradition, providing a fond farewell to summer.

Tuesday marked an inspiring evening at Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness Annual Gala and Donor Recognition event. If you aren't aware, we have an Aunt Martha's Health and Wellness facility in the District. I am happy to support for the exceptional work they do in our community.

On Wednesday, I chaired the Personnel & Pensions Committee hearing, where we engaged in discussions with stakeholders to address the pressing issue of Illinois' pension system. We are steadfast in our commitment to finding solutions.

The Aurora Fire Department and Aurora Police Department will host Aurora's annual September 11 Memorial Ceremony next week.

Beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, September 11, Aurora's public safety officials will be joined by City leaders and community members at the Aurora Central Fire Station, 75 N. Broadway Ave.

Marking the 22nd anniversary of the tragedies in New York, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania, the ceremony will feature a Presentation of Colors, Remarks of Remembrance and Reflection, and a Wreath Laying Ceremony by the Aurora Fire and Police Honor Guards.

A special Bell Tolling and Moment of Silence will be held at 7:46 a.m. CST, the minute the first plane hit the north tower of the World Trade Center.

The ceremony is open to the public.

Kids Expo - One Week Away!

Saturday, September 16

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

American Legion Golf Outing

September 21!

There are still spots available for the 3rd Annual Roosevelt Aurora American Legion Golf Classic! This is a wonderful event that helps our area Veterans and is always enjoyable.

I hope to see you on September 21st! I already have my foursome ready to go! Click here to register!

September 9 & 10 - Aurora Fiestas Patrias Hispanic Heritage Celebration - Read More & Tickets

Thursday, September 14 - Basic Pet First Aid Webinar with DCAS (Free). Register Here

Saturday, September 16 - Kids Expo and Touch-A-Truck (Free). Read More

September 21 - 3rd Annual Roosevelt-Aurora Post 84 of the American Legion Golf Outing. Read More

September 24 - Harvest of the Acorn Moon Fall Festival, Aurora Oakhurst Forest Preserve (Free). Read More

October 1 - Aurora Pooch Parade. Read More & Register

October 15 - Oswego Halloween Scavenger hunt. Read More & Register

My office is continuing its partnership as a collection site for the annual CUPS Bra Drive, which aims to provide undergarments to women in need.

The drive, initiated by Cynthia Gamboa-Morales, has collected thousands of bras since 2017 and supports women facing homelessness, domestic violence, sex trafficking, and refugee situations through reputable organizations.

Donors are encouraged to enclose bras in a bag and attach a note with the total number of bras donated to ensure safety and hygiene. Donations will be accepted at my office located at 1677 Montgomery Drive, #116 in Aurora.

PBS NewsHour highlighted the new Illinois law that requires parents to compensate child social media influencers.

Senate Bill 1782 passed the House and Senate with bipartisan support and was signed into law by Governor Pritzker last month.

Starting July 1, 2024, parents in Illinois will be required to put aside 50% of earnings for a piece of content into a blocked trust fund for the child, based on the percentage of time they’re featured in the video. This only applies in scenarios during which the child appears on the screen for more than 30% of the vlogs in a 12-month period.

Illinois is the first state to enact a this kind of measure protecting children featured in online videos.

For more information on all bills visit ilga.gov

During Suicide Prevention Month the VA is reminding Veterans everywhere that there is hope, and having hope is the key to preventing suicide. Reaching out isn’t always easy, but Veterans are trained to do hard things. Don’t wait. Reach out. My office and I are always available to help, call (630) 585-1308 or email me directly at Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net.

Find Support Today

National Recovery Months tagline, "Every Person, Every Family, Every Community," emphasizes that recovery is possible for everyone.



3 out of 10 people in the United States have issues with mental health or substance use. Together, we can offer hope, embrace acceptance, and celebrate the power of recovery. Visit FindSupport.gov to learn how to help, and learn about recovery support at samhsa.gov

During National Recovery Month and year-round, VA offers Veterans several evidence-based therapies, which are among the most effective ways to treat substance abuse. Many types of professionals at VA can help.

Learn about treatment options offered by VA HERE.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Applications are Opening Soon

State Investment: $237 Million

Assistance With: Natural gas, propane, and electricity bills.

Who is Eligible: Seniors, disabled individuals, families with children under 6, and low-income households.

Applications Open: October 2, 2023 to Aug 15, 2024

Application Process: Go to helpillinoisfamilies.com or visit your local agency.

Families can also call 1-833-711-0374 for assistance in 30 languages. 

The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) will no longer accept applications beginning at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023.

ILHAF supports qualified homeowners with grants of up to $60,000 for past-due mortgage payments, property taxes, property insurance and homeowner and/or condo association fees.

Any application submitted prior to closing will be reviewed to determine eligibility and a submitted application is not a guarantee of approval. Eligible Illinois homeowners can apply online at www.illinoishousinghelp.org.

To qualify for ILHAF, Illinois homeowners must meet the following criteria:

• Be past due on one or more of mortgage loan, property tax, property insurance and/or HOA/condo association fee payments.
• Have a household income at or below 150 percent Area Median Income.
• Own and occupy a home in Illinois as a primary residence.
• Experienced a financial hardship after Jan. 21, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic (including a hardship that began before Jan. 21, 2020 but continued after that date).

Appointments and new extended hours are part of the new initiative to save customers’ time. To improve customer service and eliminate the unpredictability of wait times at Illinois DMVs, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has implemented the Skip-the-Line program today!

• Required appointments will reduce wait times.
• Extended hours offer more availability.
• ILSOS.gov offers a variety of services that do not require an in-person visit to a facility or office.

The Skip-the-Line Program includes: 

Appointment scheduling — Customers are required to make appointments for in-person visits at 44 of the busiest DMVs. All Chicago and suburban locations and select central and downstate DMVs will require an appointment for REAL IDs, driver’s licenses and ID card services, and in-car driving tests. 

Vehicle-related services – such as titles, registrations or license plate renewals – do not require an appointment. 

Please visit ilsos.gov or call (844) 817-4649 to schedule an appointment. 

New extended hours of operation — Every DMV is extending hours of operation beginning TODAY! Select facilities are open six days a week – Monday through Saturday. 

All DMVs will have hours of operation from Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 

15 DMVs will be open on Saturday, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 

(Please visit ilsos.gov for location information.) 

Simplified online services — Customers are encouraged to visit ilsos.gov to take advantage of many online services, including renewals of driver’s licenses, ID cards and plate stickers.

In support of libraries, education and lifelong learning, the State has awarded over $21.4 million in grants for library services and over $5.7 million in adult literacy grants for local literacy programs to more than 140 Illinois recipients.

The projects receiving grants support educational mentoring programs that engage students, fund programs aimed at narrowing the digital divide, provide opportunities for library staff, support volunteers who tutor older teens and adults in basic reading, math, writing and language skills, enhance family literacy programs create access to news and reading materials for those who are vision impaired or have other physical limitations, or otherwise support lifelong learning in illinois.

Congratulations to all the organizations, especially those in our area! Thank you for your incredible work and contribution to our community and state.

Aurora, Dominican Literacy Center

Adult Volunteer Literacy, $50,000

World Relief DuPage/Aurora & Chicago

Adult Volunteer Literacy, $100,000

Literacy DuPage

Adult Volunteer Literacy, $100,000

Go Here For 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.