District Office Update!
Hi friend,
I hope everyone is staying cool and dry! I am excited to share with you some legislative updates, which are really a culmination of our efforts during session in the spring. Meanwhile, in the district office we welcomed two new interns, have been holding meetings with stakeholders in preparation for the 2024 legislative session, and are spending a lot of time getting to know what's going on in the district. I hope you enjoy some of my highlights from the past month, and that you're able to join the community in some upcoming events!
Exciting Legislative Updates📜
HB3957, Illinois Drug Pricing Fairness Act Becomes Law
For folks who were reading my legislative updates up to this point, you may know passing this bill was an important one for this district. It didn't come easy, but we've finally crossed the finish line as Governor Pritzker signed HB3957 into law on Friday.
Modern medical science has the capacity to help so many people overcome health problems that previously would have taken over their lives. In the endless pursuit of greater profits, pharmaceutical companies have comfortably stifled that capacity for years. As long as I represent this district in Springfield, making vital prescriptions easier to afford will be a priority.
I am so proud that I get to bring home a piece of legislation that I know will directly support folks that I've talked to in our district. This is only the beginning of my pursuit to make prescription drugs affordable.
HB2624, SB2337, and SB2419 Also Join Illinois Statute
The Court Term Accessibility Act, the License to Read Act, and the Gifted/AP Reporting bill were my very first bills that got signed into law!
Rep Syed taking a meeting in Springfield during session
District 51 Highlights from July
Youth Advisory Council Coming to a Close (for now!)
— Rep Syed and the YAC
In our last YAC meeting, our acting legislators met a strict deadline and passed a budget for the 51st District.
For the past few months, students in our Youth Advisory Council have been advocating for different community-based organizations that they are passionate about. After an hour of debating, $1,000 was distributed between six CBOs that have a direct impact on the district.
Acting Legislator Drawing Budget Plans—
I am so proud that we have such bright and passionate young minds who show up for causes they care about. We look forward to a celebratory last meeting (for now) in August.
Presenting a Certificate to our Retiring Firefighters
Rep Syed and retiring firefighter Robert "Bob" Kleinheinz 7/14/23
Robert “Bob” Kleinheinz is retiring from Lake Zurich's Fire Prevention Bureau after giving over 42 years of fire service dedication to the residents of the State of Illinois. Bob served in the Libertyville Fire Department for 30 years, the National Fire Sprinkler Association for a couple, and rounded out his career with the Lake Zurich Fire Department for the last ten years. Thank you, Bob, for your invaluable service.
We also send our deepest congratulations and appreciation to Ken Mogge, Eric Ryan, and Mike Wiltgen who have each served with the Lake Zurich Fire Department for 30 years as firefighters and paramedics.
They will all leave a lasting legacy of hard work and a legacy of a "whatever it takes" attitude to get the job done. Thank you for keeping our community safe!
All Saints Mobile Food Pantry
Volunteers of the All Saints mobile food pantry 7/11/23
We got a chance to see firsthand how the All Saints Food Pantry is making food available and accessible to our community. We were glad to join them to serve over 170 families in the community on July 11. They hold mobile pantries twice a week, every week, to ensure they meet community needs directly where they're at.
We look forward to celebrating their 100th mobile food pantry with them later in August!
Palatine Township Back to School Drive
—Rep Syed talking with students about our office and handing out stickers 7/20/23
Palatine Township hosted an amazing back-to-school supply pick-up for two days this July.
Donated Materials stocked and ready for families to receive—
Families came to receive their backpacks and school supplies, talk to community organizations to get more resources, and get haircuts and nails done before school starts!
A Very Proud Alum: Go Vikes!
Rep Syed and Fremd Principal, Mark Langer 07/19/23
Recently, Fremd High School joined 9 other high schools in Illinois that ranked in the top 50 public high schools nationally. As a proud alum, I was honored to visit Fremd to present a certificate of accomplishment from the House of Representatives for providing an outstanding education to so many students in the 51st District.
My former educators not only taught me the skills I need to accomplish what I set my mind to, but they also taught me what it means to be believed in and empowered. Investing in and supporting our youth is what will continue to set Illinois apart and make innovative leaders.
A Welcome Back to the US and a Senior Yoga Class
Pashmeena, our instructor and a District 51 constituent, led the senior yoga class we put on earlier this month in partnership with Elderworks. This was Pashmeena’s first yoga class back in the United States and we had a great time getting to know some active seniors in our district!
Celebrating Beginnings...
Breaking ground for a new Pace transportation facility in Schaumburg 7/19/23
Wallace Academy Ribbon Cutting 7/17/23
District 51 Upcoming Events
Join us at Unplugged Fest!
Unplug from your devices and plug into your community 🔌
Join us at Unplugged Fest on Sunday, August 6th from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm at Paulus Park in Lake Zurich to reconnect with neighbors and community organizations in a no-phone zone.
Better Together Back to School Resource Fair
Partners for our Communities (POC) is hosting a community resource fair on Tuesday, August 8th at Falcon Park in Palatine where residents can pick up backpacks prepared with supplies and learn about what services exist through local organizations.
POC is still looking for donors for the following supplies:
🖍️ 350 crayons
📓 300 spiral notebooks
✏️ 250 colored pencils.
If you are able to donate supplies, please drop them at the Community Resource Center located at 1585 Rand Road, Palatine.
From the Community
Greener Good is a community-based organization in Palatine that collects, organizes, and creativly redistributes reusable materials. They are holding a supply drive for teachers! 🍎
Visit their website at greener-good.org if you would like to participate as an educator, volunteer, or donor/sponsor. Move quickly, because the action is happening this week! 📚
BACOG's Annual Private Well Water Testing Event
Households with private wells are advised to test for bacteria and nitrates on an annual basis to detect invisible, odorless contaminants. Bacteria and nitrates can result from animal, insect or human waste or fertilizers reaching the well water and can cause illness in humans. This is event is an opportunity to test your water to ensure it does not contain any of these contaminants.
Purchase water testing kits from October 2 - 10 at the following Village/Township Offices during regular business hours.
Participating Village/Townships:
-BACOG Office
-Barrington Hills Village Hall
-Barrington Township Office
-Deer Park Village Hall
-Lake Barrington Village Hall
-South Barrington Village Hall
-Tower Lakes Village Hall
Then, drop off your water sample kits on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 11:00am - 6:30pm at The Barrington Area Library.
Several Community Partners will be there with information and takeaways, including the Lake County Health Department Staff, who will be available to residents for water testing questions.
Join the Elderwerks’s Expo on Wednesday, August 9th at the Stonegate Banquet and Conference Center in Hoffman Estates.
There will be free classes and local community groups will be present to talk about how their services may be helpful to you. This is a great expo for folks who are interested in planning retirement for themselves or for a family member.
Birth to Five Action Councils
Birth to Five is an organization that works throughout the State to make early education affordable and accessible. If you're interested in getting involved, consider joining one of the action councils.
Learn more about Birth to Five by visiting their website.
Disability Lead is recruiting positive disruptors. If you're a person with a disability and are interested in being a future leader, learn more and apply on their website: DisabilityLead.org/apply.
From the State 🏛️
— Grant Opportunities —
Small Businesses
Learn more about the Cook County Small Business Source Grant on their website here.
Workforce Development
Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program (Website)
Community-based organizations can apply to receive grants to set up programs that will provide women, veterans, and people of color with pre-apprenticeship training.
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will be hosting webinars to answer questions and help organizations that are interested in applying. Register Here.
Individuals considering enrollment in pre-apprenticeship training should fill out the interest form here.
Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program or “CEJA Workforce Hubs” (Website)
The CEJA Workforce Hubs will align with the needs of clean energy employers and provide students with nationally recognized certifications. The hubs will be located in Alton, Aurora, Carbondale, Champaign, Chicago (South Side), Chicago (Southwest and West Sides), Danville, Decatur, East St. Louis, Joliet, Peoria, Rockford and Waukegan.
Federal Support Grant Program
Allows businesses and organizations seeking federal grants to submit an application with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to have part of their match covered by state dollars. Learn more and apply here.
New GATA help desk through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
This is aimed to help nonprofits and local governments with GATA pre-qualification and audit issues.
Email CEO.GrantHelp@illinois.gov with your inquiry and, if possible, your GATA ID.
More grants can be found on the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Website: dceo.illinois.gov.
— A Change to DMV Operations —
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias will implement the Skip-the-Line program on September 1, 2023.
Appointments
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.
These DMVs will continue to NOT require appointments for vehicle-related services (titles, registrations or license plate renewals.)
Extending Hours
SoS is also extending hours of operation:
-Select facilities will be 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.
-16 DMVs will be open on Saturday, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
You can visit ilsos.gov or call (844) 817-4649 to schedule an appointment, find location information, and take advantage of many online services, including renewals of driver’s licenses, ID cards, and plate stickers which may not require an in-person visit.
— Pause of Student Loan Payment ENDS in September —
Interest rates on all federal student loans will start accruing on September 1 with payments starting October 1.
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and the University of Illinois system are providing free webinars focused on return to repayment. If you're interested, please register here: https://go.uillinois.edu/repay.
— Medicaid Renewals Continue —
Did you know?
You can check your Medicaid renewal date by phone just like SNAP card benefits by calling 1(800) 843-6154.
You will need to know your RIN (Recipient Identification Number). This number can be found on your HFS medical card or Managed Care Plan insurance card. This number is unique to you, and it can also be found in Manage My Case.
Visit the IDHFS website for more FAQs.
Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Our office number is (773) 916-6553 and our email is info@repsyed.com.
With gratitude,
Nabeela
