Dear Stephanie,

I hope you and your family are well. Can you believe it's already December? I feel like this year has gone by too fast, but I am excited to be in the Holiday Season. I hope everyone is staying warm out there and treasuring this special time with family and loved ones.

This was another busy week serving the 84th District. One of the highlights was Wednesday's groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hollywood Casino in Aurora. Due to open in 2025, the construction will create over 700 jobs, and the new casino will double its current number of employees, adding over 350 good paying jobs right here in our community! I am proud to have worked with the City of Aurora and my fellow legislators to update Illinois' casino gaming laws and make this exciting new development possible. See you at the ribbon cutting!

In addition, on Tuesday I had the pleasure of meeting with a group of Military-Connected College Students at my alma mater NIU. We discussing a range of important topics, including wellness, support services, and campus integration. Go Huskies!

Monday, Dec 4 is the last day that we can accept TOYS FOR TOTS donations. Our office will be open 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, located at 1677 Montgomery Road, Suite 116, Aurora, IL 60504. More information Here

Read all the way to the bottom to participate in this week's Trivia Challenge!

Have a wonderful holiday season,

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

The Roosevelt - Aurora Post 84 has a few complimentary tickets for the 54th Annual Pearl Harbor Day Memorial Luncheon, Monday, December 4, 11:15am at Lincoln Inn Banquets, 1345 S. Batavia Ave (Rt.31), Batavia, IL. Please contact Post Commander Mike Eckberg at 630-730-7117 or [email protected] as soon as possible.

Meeting and Breakfast

Friday Dec 8 at 8:00am

Morning Meeting:Meetings are held every month on the second (2nd) Friday, 8:00 a.m. and conclude approximately 9:30 a.m.

Location: 

Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84

1649 Montgomery Rd; Suite #7

Aurora, IL 60504

Oswego Christmas Walk

Today, December 1 | 4:30 PM

Details Here

Aurora First Friday's Cocoa Crawl

Today, December 1 | 5:00 PM

See Aurora Downtown's websitefor full details.

North Aurora Holiday Kick-Off

Saturday, December 2 | 5:00 PM

Details Here

Morton Arboretum: Illumination

Open Now through January 6th

Details Here

Illinois Christmas Remembrance Ceremony

Saturday, December 2 | 1:00 PM

Springfield, IL - Details Here

As the holiday season approaches, it's important to remember those who have served our country, especially our Veterans. Many Veterans face challenges that can be exacerbated during the holidays, such as isolation, loneliness, and financial hardship. If you would like to give back to those that fought for our freedoms, consider helping through these mediums:

• The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA): The IDVA provides a variety of services to Veterans, including healthcare, employment assistance, and benefits counseling. You can learn more about the IDVA's programs and services HERE.

• The American Legion: The American Legion is a national organization that provides a variety of services to Veterans, including education, volunteer service, and advocacy. You can learn more about the American Legion's programs and services HERE.

• The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): The VFW is a national organization that provides a variety of services to Veterans, including healthcare, employment assistance, and benefits counseling. You can learn more about the VFW's programs and services HERE.

Our Illinois winters have a reputation for being harsh, and I wish that everyone could not only survive but also thrive through the colder months. With a compassionate, proactive approach, we can ensure that this season is one of warmth, resilience, and shared spirit. consider:

• Regular check-ins with neighbors and friends, especially those who may be more vulnerable to the harshness of winter, can help identify and address any potential needs. A simple phone call, a friendly visit, or even offering assistance with errands can make a big impact!
• There are numerous organizations in our community that provide invaluable assistance to individuals and families during the winter months. Volunteering your time, donating essential supplies, or simply spreading awareness about these organizations can make a profound difference in the lives of those in need.
• We can the embrace the holiday season, despite the challenges that winter brings, it also offers a time for togetherness, reflection, and shared traditions. Community events, holiday gatherings, and acts of kindness can foster a sense of warmth and belonging, reminding us of the resilience and compassion that define our community.

I encourage anyone who is struggling in any situation to please call my district office (630) 585-1308 or send me an email. My constituent services office will be able to provide any assistance or resources so that we can help you as winter approaches.  Here are additional links to resources should you or a loved one ever need help: LINK.

A new woman owned bookstore has opened in the heart of Aurora! Yellow Bird Books, founded by Karen Nicholas, a passionate advocate for literacy and community engagement, is more than just a bookstore; it's a safe space where stories come alive, imaginations run wild, and connections are made through the shared love of reading. For more information about Yellow Bird Books, visit HERE.

The Ilinois Department of Revenue Offers Online Safety Tips as Holiday Shopping Season Approaches: 

• Protect personal information. Refrain from revealing too much personal information online. Birthdates, addresses, age, and financial information, such as bank accounts and Social Security Numbers, are among things that should not be shared freely.
• Use strong passwords. Consider using a password manager to store passwords.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). Use this for extra security for online accounts.
• Update computer and phone software. Enable automatic updates to install critical security updates.
• Use security software. Security software such as an anti-virus or firewall provide added protection.
• Use a VPN. Criminals can intercept personal information on insecure public Wi-Fi networks. Individuals are encouraged to always use a virtual private network when connecting to public Wi-Fi.
• Be Cautious with Email Deals. Email marketing is still one of the main avenues businesses use to promote deals and products — it’s also one of the main avenues threat actors use to hack into your system.
• Use a Credit Instead of a Debit Card when Possible. Credit cards offer an extra layer of protection when you’re shopping online. Unlike debit cards that are directly linked to your bank account, credit cards usually offer greater protection in case your account is compromised.

Founded Dec. 1, 1941, to mobilize the nation's civilian aviation resources for national defense service, CAP has evolved into a premier public service organization that still carries out emergency service missions when needed — in the air and on the ground.

Happy 82nd Birthday!

Let’s blow out the candles and wish a happy birthday to Illinois! Illinois turns 205 on Dec. 3, after becoming the 21^st official state of America in 1818!

Can you answer this week's Trivia Challenge correctly? Submit your guess below, the answer will be revealed next week!

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 [email protected] or call the

office at 630.585.1308.