|
Earlier this week, we welcomed Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton to the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, where we gathered a group of DuPage women for a roundtable discussion focused on financial issues.
I was so impressed by the group’s diversity and breadth of experience. It was powerful to hear them share their achievements, as well as the obstacles they have overcome.
But there were a few comments that really concerned me. Several women talked about the difficulties they’d faced in unraveling problems or accessing resources. When we asked if they’d been able to get help from their elected representatives, they said they didn’t know that kind of help was available. It hadn’t even crossed their minds to ask.
That was tough to hear, because at our office, we pride ourselves on our constituent service. We’ve received thousands of phone calls and emails since I was elected, and we’ve solved countless problems. It took me aback to realize that there are still so many people out there who don’t know that we’re here to help you navigate these things, and that we may have information about programs that could support your business.
Let me stress – I’m not blaming busy women for not knowing what we can do. If you’re running a business, and maintaining a home, and caring for family members – that’s a whole lot of full-time jobs. It doesn’t leave many spare minutes to scroll through the State of Illinois website.
It’s our job to reach out to you, to let you know we’re here, and to keep you posted when new programs launch or rules change. Even more importantly, it’s our job to establish an ongoing conversation, so that you can share your ideas about how we can make the State of Illinois an even better place for women to succeed.
That's why this newsletter is so important to me. I'm very proud that my team has created this information channel to let you know what's going in our district, and to provide opportunities for you to get in touch with us, but we can always do more.
So I look forward to working with Lt. Gov. Stratton and our event co-host, State Sen. Laura Ellman, to expand our outreach to DuPage women in business and to make sure that Illinois women have access to the programs they need to truly thrive.
| |
Pop-up book sale at Helen Plum Library starts TOMORROW
From tomorrow (Friday) through Sunday, Sept. 29, Helen Plum Library will hold a pop-up sale of adult and youth books.
You can check out the sale, at 411 South Main St. in Lombard, during the Library's normal operating hours. Supplies are limited, so check out the carts in the lobby while they last. For more information, you can click here.
| |
There's autumnal fun for all at Lisle Library District's Fall Fest TOMORROW
School has started, the weather is cooling, and Fall Fest is back at the Lisle Library District! You're all invited to the Library's event tomorrow, (Friday) from 5 to 7 p.m. at 777 Front St.
The Fest starts with a Creepy Carrots storytime, featuring special guest Jasper Rabbit. You can spend time with the animals at the petting zoo, grab a grilled cheese sandwich from the Cheesie's Truck (while supplies last), and pick out your next great book to read. You also can enjoy the themed photo booth, festive crafts, and a temporary tattoo station. For more information, you can visit here.
| |
Tweens can enjoy golf (and pizza!) at Holes & Knolls in Glen Ellyn TOMORROW
Kids aged 9 through 12 can hit the (mini) links with their friends tomorrow (Friday) at the Glen Ellyn Park District's Tween Golf, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Holes & Knolls, 845 Pershing Ave.
The $25 fee for residents ($40 for non-residents) includes unlimited mini golf, a pizza dinner with pop and chips, and prizes.
Adults must accompany kids at check-in and check-out. To learn more, you can click here.
| |
Shred your confidential documents, donate paper goods to Outreach House SATURDAY
If you have a filing cabinet overflowing with outdated personal records, we can help!
My office is joining forces with State Sen. Laura Ellman to host a Shred Event and Paper Products Drive on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. to noon at Lombard Village Hall, 255 E. Wilson Ave.
We're asking "shredders" to bring along donations of some essential household paper products, such as toilet paper and paper towels (new and in the original wrapping, of course.) Donations will benefit the Outreach House in Lombard.
For more information, you can contact my office at reptch42@gmail.com or 630-812-9292.
|
Lombard Fire Department's pink t-shirt fundraiser for cancer care returns SATURDAY
The Lombard Fire Department and Lombard Firefighters Union 3009 will host their 11th annual pink t-shirt fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Babcock’s Grove House, 101 W. Saint Charles Road.
The event raises money to support patients at Bhorade Cancer Care Center, at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. Each pink t-shirt costs $20. You can learn more here.
| |
HOPtober Fest brings fall brew and seltzer flavors to Wheaton SATURDAY
HOPtober Fest is coming to Wheaton on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Memorial Park, 225 Karlskoga Ave.
The event, which is limited to adults aged 21 and older, includes samples of fall beers, seltzers, and ciders, as well as food and live entertainment. Proceeds support the DuPage County Historical Museum. You can purchase tickets here.
| |
Meet local authors at the Downers Grove Public Library SATURDAY
Booklovers can meet and chat with local authors from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Downers Grove Public Library, 1050 Curtiss St.
The library's local author fair is a great opportunity to discover a new writer, talk about the process of writing a book, and hear experienced writers' advice on how to get published. The authors' books will also be available for purchase.
You can contact the Adult and Teen Services Desk at ATS@dglibrary.org, call (630) 960-1200 with questions, or click here for more information.
| |
Most DMV facilities (including Lombard) are now open earlier on weekdays
In response to customer demand, Illinois Secretary of State's Alexi Giannoulias is opening most of the state's motor vehicle facilities 30 minutes earlier on weekdays.
The move to open their doors earlier, at 7:30 a.m., is designed to reduce wait times.
Facilities that are open on Saturdays, including the Lombard facility at 837 S. Westmore Ave., also will offer the earlier hours.
To check facility hours, make an appointment, or apply for online services, you can visit www.ilsos.gov. Don't forget that you now must schedule an appointment for REAL ID, driver’s license, and ID card services, as well as in-car driving tests.
| |
Learn about the surprising upsides to ADHD with GPS on MONDAY
The GPS Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families will present "Driven to Distraction: The New Science to Shift from Deficits to Strengths – ADHD & More" at noon and at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30, via Zoom.
Although attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be especially challenging for children, many successful adults attribute their achievements to their own ADHD characteristics. Psychiatrist and author Edward Hallowell, who has the ADHD trait, draws on the latest medical discoveries to explore the varied forms of ADHD and dispel common myths and misconceptions.
As you may know, GPS is a locally based educational consortium dedicated to presenting distinguished, relevant, high-profile authors, clinicians, and educators who share research-based knowledge and practical wisdom. The group's mission is to enhance the resilience and well-being of all students by helping them build relationships, develop coping strategies, and forge responsible decision-making skills.
Please visit the GPS Parent Series website for more information and the links to these webinars.To be placed on a reminder list for GPS events or submit a question in advance, contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at gilda_ross@glenbard.org or 630-942-7668.
| |
Get screens and vaccines (and more!) at the Lombard Senior Fair WEDNESDAY
More than 60 vendors will take part in the Village of Lombard's 18th Annual Senior Fair, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Lombard Park District’s Madison Meadow Athletic Center, 500 E. Wilson Ave.
Seniors at the fair will be offered a range of services, including blood pressure screenings, flu shots, hearing screenings, DMV services (by appointment only), and more.
You can schedule an appointment for DMV services here. For more information, you can visit here.
| |
We're collecting for the DuKane A.B.A.T.E. Annual Food and Toy Run
From now through Wednesday, Oct. 9, our office is collecting new, unopened toys and non-perishable food items for DuKane A.B.A.T.E.'s 38th Annual Toy and Food Run.
The run will be held on Sunday, Oct. 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting at Knuckleheads Tavern, 108 E North St. in Elburn, and ending at Sycamore Speedway, 50W086 IL-64 in Maple Park.
A.B.A.T.E. (A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education) is dedicated to promoting and preserving the rights of motorcyclists, off-roaders, and ATV riders through education, safety, and awareness.
Please contact our office at Reptch42@gmail.com or 630-812-9292 to schedule a drop-off or porch pick-up. You can also donate through the Amazon Wishlist here.
| |
|
Just a few more days left to donate to our Birthday Bag Food Drive!
Food does so much more than nourish our bodies. Special foods are at the center of so many of our celebrations – and to me, there's nothing more special than a birthday cake to help celebrate another year with someone we love.
To help make sure that people who are food-insecure can celebrate with their families, my office has been hosting a Birthday Bag Food Drive throughout the month of September to benefit the Glen House Food Pantry.
The Pantry has welcomed more than 300 new families in 2024, and they're on pace to present almost 2,000 birthday bags this year to our neighbors in need. But they can't do it without our help. So I'm hoping that you'll be able to donate to this special drive. Birthday Bag donations can include:
- Gift bags
- Boxed cake mixes
- Canned frosting
- PRE-PACKAGED 6-inch party plates
- PRE-PACKAGED 6-inch party napkins
- Boxed birthday candles
-
Birthday cards (Create your own or use the template on the Glen House website.)
To arrange a time to drop off donations, please email reptch42@gmail.com or call 630-812-9292. You can also donate through our Amazon Wishlist here.
| |
Upcoming Events
We have lots of events coming up, so please take a look and mark your calendars today!
Oct. 4-5: Tales & Tombstones, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lombard Cemetery, 462 S. Main St.
Oct. 5: The Scarecrow Scramble, at 5 p.m. at Lisle Community Park, 1825 Short St.
Oct. 5: Lombard Park District's Fall Fest, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Lombard Common, 433 E. St. Charles Road
Oct. 5: Glen Ellyn Park District’s OAKtoberfest, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Maryknoll Park, 845 Pershing Road
Oct. 9: Lombard Fire Department Community Open House, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Fire Station 45, 50 E. St. Charles Road
Oct. 10: Witches Walk, from 5 to 9 p.m. in Downtown Glen Ellyn
Oct. 12: Painting Pumpkins, from 10 a.m. to noon at The Museums at Lisle Station Park
921 School St.
Oct. 14: Grandparents and Me Day at the Lake, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road in Glen Ellyn.
Oct. 15: Glen Ellyn Community Blood and Food Drive, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road
Oct. 16: Glenbard Options Fair, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Glenbard North High School, 990 Kuhn Road in Carol Stream
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
| | | | |
