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April showers bring May flowers, legislative updates, district recaps, and more!
I’m excited to share what I have been up to in the district and in Springfield during our sunnier weather and longer days. In April we passed our bills out of the House and onto the Senate, I enjoyed Lake Zurich's annual Arbor Day celebrations and worked with students from across the district in various civic initiatives.
Make sure you read this newsletter to the end for session updates, district office highlights, upcoming events, and resources from the community and state! ☀️
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Celebrating
Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month
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Did you know that May is dedicated to recognizing the history, achievements, and experiences of APIDA, or Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi American, individuals and communities?
In 2016, Theresa Mah made history as the first Asian American elected to the Illinois General Assembly. The caucus has grown since then to nine members who advocate for social justice, language equity, immigration rights and more!
Learn more about Asian American Caucus members here!
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I was honored to speak at the Asian American Action Day where we discussed the importance of advocacy and empowerment within the Asian American community. It was inspiring to see so many individuals, especially young Asian Americans, come together to raise awareness and advocate for issues impacting our community.
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We have trailblazing Asian Americans not only in our legislature but right here in our community! I am honored to shout out … | |
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Rita is a pharmacist and environmental advocate from Palatine Cool Cities. My office had the honor of collaborating with Rita to host an environmental policy and advocacy community conversation last year. Rita's dedication to environmental causes is truly inspiring, and her expertise has been invaluable in advancing our shared goals of sustainability and conservation.
Learn more about Palatine Cool Cities here!
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Ruby is the CEO and founder of Mission:MathMinds, where she is dedicated to uplifting young women and girls entering STEM fields, providing mentorship, engaging in community service abroad, and much more. What's most inspiring about Ruby's story is that she's a student! I am extremely grateful that the 51st District has passionate young leaders like Ruby who are working towards a more equitable future.
Learn more about Mission:MathMinds here!
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Have you ever come to one of our events? Learned something from our social media posts? Called our office looking for assistance? None of this would be possible without our Outreach Director, Pooja Rai. She is an irreplaceable member of our team and works tirelessly to serve District 51.
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Pooja is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago and joined our team shortly Rep. Syed took office in January of 2023. Her incredible dedication and work since day one makes our office run. We know many in the community hold Pooja near and dear, and so do we! Thank you, Pooja! | | | |
In commemorating APIDA Heritage Month, let's also reflect on the challenges and triumphs of the APIDA community, and continue striving to foster inclusivity and equity. | |
Rep Syed speaking at the National Donate Life Month press conference in Springfield | |
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I was honored to join Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Senator Belt, and Ray's family in April for National Donate Life Month. Ray's family shared that when Ray passed away, he saved people's lives by being an organ donor.
I'm grateful for this opportunity to raise awareness of the beauty of donation and encourage more people to register. I'm proud to be a living organ donor and feel incredibly grateful that my position allows me to advocate for organ donation in the State legislature.
Last year in Illinois, 877 donors and families said yes to organ donation, helping to enable over 2,200 lifesaving organ transplants in our state. Many more donated tissue and corneas to heal tens of thousands of people. Thankful for those who make the important decision to say YES to saving lives. 🫀
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We had six bills pass through the House and onto the Senate! We've introduced all of these bills to you in the past, so I wanted to highlight the Senate Bills that I am carrying in the House now. | |
SB3164 Passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee ✔️ | |
This bill is an example of a trailer bill, which is a bill that is passed after an original bill, taking into account information gathered about the impact and effectiveness of the previous bill.
The original act prevents state funds from being used on standardized testing for students in prekindergarten through second grade on the grounds that those tests are stressful and create an unnecessary burden on children who are still getting acclimated to learning environments.
This bill expands on the few exceptions of the previous bill and allows for state funds for advanced placement, dual credit, and other enriched curriculum testing, which are required under the Accelerated Placement Act, so schools can better tailor curricula to meet the needs of these accelerated learners.
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SB3452 Passed the Revenue and Finance Committee ✔️ | |
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The goal here is to save taxpayer dollars by reducing the cost burden on the Department of Revenue, while simultaneously getting rid of statutory hearings in situations where they serve no purpose.
SB3452 streamlines bond requirements under the Tobacco Products Tax Act, and eliminates unnecessary administrative hearings in cases involving the seizure of tobacco or cannabis contraband when owners/possessors of the contraband waived their rights to a hearing and consented to the forfeiture.
I appreciate opportunities to work on reducing burdens on both our hardworking taxpayers and state employees, and this bill is a great example of an opportunity to do just that.
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We hosted our FIRST Community Blood Donation Drive with Versiti! | |
Blood donation drive room at Ela Public Library 05/04/24 | |
We had several donors whose kindness and commitment helped replenish the type O blood preferred in transfusion-type emergencies at our drive, benefiting patients of all ethnic backgrounds. | |
Rep. Syed with two community members who donated blood on 05/04/24 | |  |
Rep. Syed with District 51 fellows at the community blood donation drive on 05/04/24 | | |
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A heartfelt thank you to all who donated blood, Ela Public Library, and Versiti's team for their collaboration and the work they do every day.
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The Lake Zurich Girl Scouts earned their Democracy Badge! ✔️ | I got the chance to spend a Saturday with the Lake Zurich Girls Scouts at their Democracy Badge Bash! We spoke about the importance of civic involvement, the structure of our democracy, and our federal, state, and local elected officials. |
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I’m grateful to have spent time with young leaders in our community and I left knowing the future is bright 🌟 Thank you LZ Girl Scouts! | | |
The Buehler YMCA collaborated on their Healthy Kids Day with the United Palatine Coalition’s Wellness Resource Fair for one big, successful event! 🩺 | |
Rep Syed with Buehler YMCA Executive Director Ed Heiser and United Palatine Coalition's Anne Campbell on 04/20/24 | | |
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We had an amazing time sharing resources, including details about our upcoming events and how to apply for state health benefits. Our District 51 Fellows also joined us for their first event and did a great job engaging with constituents, helping us share our resources, and having fun!
Thank you to the Buehler YMCA and United Palatine Coalition for teaming up to host this fantastic event for our community. Looking forward to next year’s fair!
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Tour of District 95's New Adult Transitional Facility
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I had a wonderful time touring Lake Zurich District 95's new Young Adult Center and seeing the new additions and improvements to Lake Zurich High School.
This new facility includes resources for employment education and independent living for eligible students ages 18 to 22 with IEPs to encourage and support their transition into adulthood. I am excited to see all the ways this new facility supports our young adults!
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I was also excited to see the improvements that LZHS has made over the past several years, adding an engineering wing and prioritizing collaborative spaces for the students to learn. Thanks to Superintendent Gallt and Principal Walsh for the tour!
Top right image: Rep. Syed with Megan Yerger (Chief of Staff) and Lake Zurich's Young Adult Center staff member on 04/22/24
Bottom left image: Rep. Syed with Superintendent Gallt and LZHS Principal Walsh.
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Rep. Syed with RISE Award recipient Mario Diaz Albarran and other CCSD15 educators and administrators on 04/22/24 | |
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Congratulations to Mario Diaz Albarran for receiving the Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award!
This award is given to one person every year by the US Department of Education, and we are so fortunate to have the best of the best right here at Lincoln Elementary School.
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Mario was selected for his dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to our community. Plus we got to see a school full of kiddos chanting MAR-I-O. I feel very inspired by Mario’s leadership and I’m so glad to see him get national recognition for his work.
Students holding sign in support of RISE award recipient in image to the right
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Celebrating our Home on Arbor Day and Earth Day 🌏 | |
While I was in the district, I attended some events celebrating the only place we call home for Arbor Day and Earth Day! 💚 | |
Rep. Syed holding up a cross section cutting of over a century-old oak tree stump on 04/27/24. | |
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I had a wonderful time attending my second tree planting and park clean-up at Paulus Park for Arbor Day!
Some fun facts I learned...
🌳 Villages that have ‘Grove’ in their name, such as Long Grove or Buffalo Grove, were named because of the abundance of trees in the area
🌳 Oak trees support water conservation, provide erosion control, serve as a shelter for wildlife, and are hosts to more wild species than any other tree
🌳 Acorns are very nutritious
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Rep. Syed with constituents and Lake Zurich Park District officials for a tree planting to celebrate Arbor Day on 04/27/24 | | |
Thank you to the Village of Lake Zurich for putting together an event to teach us about the natural history of our area and remind us how important it is that we protect and cherish our wildlife! | | | |
Speaking with Harper College students about the state of the Environment | |
Rep. Syed speaking to the Environmental Club & Honors Program students at Harper College on 04/24/24. | | |
I loved speaking with the Environmental Club & Honors Program at Harper College! ♻️🌱 I spoke about my journey to becoming a State Rep, the action our state has taken to combat climate change, and the power of having young voices in politics. There is a lot of passion for environment and climate justice among young people and it's so exciting to see. The future is bright! | | |
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While I was at Harper College, I met with their President, Dr. Proctor, to talk about higher education, legislative priorities, & how we can support students.
I’m grateful for the open and consistent communication we’ve had with Harper College and appreciate the opportunities to see their incredible campus.
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Rep. Syed walking with Dr. Proctor at Harper College on 04/24/24
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Monthly Student Engagement Meetings! | |
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Guess what we started in our Youth Advisory Council? Our District 51 Community Budget Project with our Youth Advisory Council!
Students researched and compiled a list of community-based organizations whose services benefit constituents. Over the next two months, our YAC meetings will focus on debating and advocating for these organizations to receive an allocation of money out of our $1000 budget. In July, students will be able to donate that money to the organizations! 💰
If you missed our April meeting and are curious about the state-level budget-making process, please join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, May 28th from 6 pm - 7 pm at the Palatine Public Library.
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A handful of our Youth Advisory Council Students have also joined the District 51 Fellowship Program for a more hands-on experience with my district office. | |
Rep. Syed speaking to the District 51 Fellows at the District Office on 04/25/24 | | |
Guest speaker, Anusha Thotakaru, speaking with the District 51 Fellows at the District Office on 04/25/24 | | |
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This session, we discussed what it means to be a public servant and had a guest speaker, Anusha Thotakaru, the Deputy Director at Citizen Action Illinois! Anusha shared her journey in advocacy, spanning from her formative years to her current leadership position. She discussed her diverse experiences across various sectors of public service, her driving passion, and her current collaboration with legislators to create and help pass impactful legislation. The fellows shared insights into their current career aspirations and what motivates their passion for roles in public service or at the intersection of public service and other fields.
Thank you, Anusha, for sharing your journey with our fellows, and to all the students who dedicated time to attend amidst the stress of AP testing prep! ⭐
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Early Childhood Legislative Discussion | |
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I'm grateful to have participated in an Early Childhood Legislative Forum hosted by Raising Illinois along with Clearbrook, Partners for our Communities, the United Palatine Coalition, and Advance Preschool at Harper College.
During the forum, we discussed the current needs of early childhood education and care including early intervention, child tax credit, and the creation of a new Department on Early Childhood. I also spoke about my bill which intends to support early childcare workers.
It was wonderful to get this coalition together for a unique look at the state of early childhood in Illinois and to understand the work that lies ahead of us!
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Rep. Syed's Monthly Office Hours 📚 | |
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My office will have a table at Brightpoint’s FREE Summer Block Party on Friday, June 7th from 3 pm - 6 pm at the Palatine Township Center! This is a wonderful opportunity to get some sun and learn about community services.
Brightpoint is an organization in Palatine providing community-based programming for families with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers that is designed to enhance the development of very young children.
Learn more about Brightpoint’s available services and eligibility here.
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We hope to see you at these and more community events this summer!
Don't forget to grab or bring your District 51 Events Bookmark to collect your stamps. Attend three events, get three stamps, and receive a special giveaway item for being an active community member!
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Community Updates and Resources | |
Free White Sox Tickets for Veterans! ⚾ | |
The Cook County Clerk’s Office is teaming up with the Chicago White Sox to offer Cook County veterans and active-duty military personnel one free ticket for a weekday White Sox game Monday-Thursday with their Cook County Military and Veterans Discount Card. | |
AgeOptions Needs YOUR Help! | |
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AgeOptions conducted a comprehensive community needs assessment survey last year to learn about the current and future needs of older adults living in suburban Cook County. However, few non-English speaking residents participated in this survey.
This year, the survey is available online in an array of languages including, Spanish, Tagalog, Hindi, and more! It is due TODAY May 14th.
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State Updates and Resources | |
Opportunities for Students | |
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The Illinois Psychiatric Society’s Carl C. Bell, MD Memorial Award Essay Competition is now open to all high school students!
The award recipient will receive a $500 cash prize, their essay will be presented at the 2024 IPS Annual Meeting, and published in the official IPS newsletter publication. Second and third place award recipients will receive a $250 cash prize.
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The Cream of the Crop Photo Contest is part of the Illinois State Treasurer’s Ag Invest program and offers Illinois students an opportunity to showcase their most innovative or scenic pictures that depict their vision of agriculture in our state. Winning photos will be featured in Ag Invest marketing material and next year’s Cream of the Crop calendar, as well as at the 2024 Illinois State Fair.
Students can submit up to two photographs and Bright Start College Savings scholarships will be awarded to the top winners in each of the three age categories!
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Attn: Future Pharmacists! | |
The new CVS Health/American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Community Pharmacy Health Equity Award aims to alleviate financial barriers for 21 outstanding student pharmacists, granting them $20,000 each. The initiative is designed to foster diversity of thought, background, perspective, and experience, ultimately enhancing pharmacy education and patient health. | |
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Nicor Gas’ Environmental Stewardship Pillar has an array of grant applications opening throughout the year focused on the environment, education, diversity, and more!
The Environmental Stewardship Pillar supports efforts that directly result in more customer and employee engagement in the natural environment through conservation and sustainable activities.
Visit their website to learn more about the available grants, deadlines, application requirements, and eligibility.
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Future Scholars for STEM Workforce Development Program | |
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The U.S Department of Defense launched the Future Scholars for STEM Workforce Development Program!
This grant will fund programs that improve the capacity of education systems and communities to create impactful STEM educational experiences for students and teachers and prepare the 21st century STEM workforce.
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In the summer, there about concern of food insecurity among students who rely on free or reduced breakfast and lunches for the academic year. To address this issue, there is a new summer EBT program this year, providing extra benefits to families with children from June to August. Families will receive a one-time benefit of $120 for each eligible child to purchase groceries. Funds will be delivered either to a SNAP/Link card or mailed through IDHS,
The two main ways to sign up are through a School that Operates the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) where all meals are served free, or through a Government funded program including SNAP/Link, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF/cash), and Youth in Care/foster children.
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Access Pilot Program for Individuals with SNAP | |
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The Access Pilot Program grants reduced fare permits for individuals who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and live in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, or Will counties. The program runs only for 18-months, between Feb. 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025!
Click here to visit the website to learn more about the pilot program and apply for a permit.
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As always, 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
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