Hello Stephanie,

It has been an eventful week in Springfield, due to today being the deadline that legislation had to advance out of committee to the IL House floor. Currently, to date a total of 489 bills made it out of committee and will now be considered on the house floor. However, legislation is still a work in progress and some of my pieces of legislation need amendments. I am proud that my Veteran legislation is on the House floor and all bills are ready to go to the Senate. I'm also happy to have met with many people in Springfield, discussing their bills and hearing their stories. If you are coming to Springfield, please let me know.  

While the solar eclipse on Monday is going to be fully viewable in Southern Illinois, I hope we can catch a glimpse of it up here. The Illinois Department of Transportation is offering these tips for you Solar eclipse 2024: Warnings, tips, advice and reminders for Illinois (pjstar.com), also we still have glasses in my office for you to pick up and use.

Today marks a delightful occasion as we celebrate National Deep Dish Pizza Day. Originating in Chicago in 1943, deep-dish pizza has become an iconic symbol of our city, drawing millions of visitors annually to savor this quintessential dish.

Looking ahead, we anticipate the upcoming National Library Week, starting next week. Recognized by the American Library Association, this week serves to promote literacy and advocate for our invaluable libraries nationwide. For more information on how you can show your support, please visit the association's website at ala.org.

Take care and be well,

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

State Representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) has been appointed Chair of the Holistic Mental Health Care for Youth in Care Task Force, established to address mental health challenges among vulnerable youth. The Task Force had its first meeting this past Wednesday.

This task force, created through legislation Kifowit passed in 2022, will convene its first meeting on April 3rd. Comprised of diverse stakeholders, its primary aim is to review and enhance mental health services for youth in care, emphasizing holistic approaches.

Read more here.

Illinois was ranked #1 among 50 states and the District of Columbia for energy democracy and utility accountability, according to the Institute for Local Self Reliance. The study scored state policies on clean energy action, holding utility companies accountable, protecting ratepayers, and other measures that support locally owned clean energy.

The study goes beyond measurements of clean energy output and deployment to examine who owns and controls clean energy production in each state. The Institute for Local Self Reliance identified Illinois’s net-metering and community solar policies as major initiatives that set the state apart.

The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), signed in 2021, set a December 31, 2024 cutoff for net metering customers to receive retail electricity rates and expanded systems eligible for net metering to include energy storage systems co-located with solar. CEJA also provides $180 million annually for workforce and community energy transition programming, which includes establishing 13 regional workforce hubs, providing pre-apprenticeship training and barrier reduction services to increase access, grants to communities undergoing energy transitions, programs to bolster underrepresented contractors in the clean energy industry and much more. All of CEJA’s grant programs are targeted to support historically marginalized communities and communities undergoing energy transitions.

The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and other laws have also strengthened community power initiatives, a major factor in Illinois’ first place finish. Illinois palegislation in 2021 to eliminate red tape for businesses and homeowners looking to install solar. In 2023, Illinois legislation prohibiting counties from placing moratoriums on solar or wind development and standardizing permit review for sustainable energy projects.

Aurora’s newest affordable housing neighborhood for seniors is currently under construction. The first units are nearing completion and will be ready for tenants soon.

• There are 70 brand-new single-family homes and duplexes on Aurora’s west side!
• Homes are single-story with 1-2 bedrooms and attached garages!
• The neighborhood will include a clubhouse, a pickleball court, walking paths, and more!
• Eligible tenants must be 62 years of age and older, and income eligible.

APPLY TODAY!

• Online: www.nldcorp.org

• In-Person: 1449 Jericho Road, Aurora 60506

LAST WEEK's ANSWER:

There are 435 members of the US House of Representatives!

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 Nick@ildistrict84.com or call the

office at 630.585.1308