| Dear Neighbors,
As 2022 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to represent the community my family and I are proud to call home. Over the past year, the General Assembly has continued to build on the progress we’ve made. Through responsible fiscal policies, Illinois has continued to earn credit upgrades from all three rating agencies and, during our recent fall legislative session, we eliminated the remaining pandemic-related debt in Illinois’ unemployment insurance program. Another important initiative we took up during this November’s session was to clarify certain key provisions in the criminal justice reform package passed in 2021 as part of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus pillars. Following months of discussions with stakeholders, the General Assembly passed legislation clarifying the Pretrial Fairness Act provisions that take effect January 1, 2023. These negotiations brought law enforcement, states attorneys and advocates to the table to find common ground on clarifications to the law. Groups including the Fraternal Order of Police, American Civil Liberties Union, the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice, Illinois Sheriff’s Association and the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence all have indicated the changes will be productive. The amended legislation is designed to ensure the effective implementation of reforms to Illinois’ pretrial detention system replacing money bond, which allows someone to buy their way out of jail, with a risk assessment that gives judges the discretion to determine whether an individual poses a threat to the community. Now that our fall session has adjourned, we are busy preparing for our return to Springfield in January to consider gun violence legislation including HB5855, which would ban assault weapons in Illinois. With the holiday season in full swing, my family and I are looking forward to spending time together as we prepare to ring in the New Year. Wherever you are and however you celebrate, we wish you all the best! As always, if you are ever in need of assistance, do not hesitate to contact my office. We are available weekdays at (847) 486-8810, you can also email us at info@gonggershowitz.com. Sincerely, |
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| Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz |
Mobile Driver’s Service event January 12th |
Our office will be hosting another Mobile Driver’s Service event alongside Senator Fine and the Secretary of State’s office. The event will be from 10 AM to 2 PM on Thursday, January 12th at the Village of Glenview Town Hall at 2500 E Lake.
Services included are: vision screenings, vehicle registration, driver’s license services (renewals, replacements, corrections and organ and tissue donation sign up.
Note: all payments made at the mobile event must be in check, credit, debit or money order – no cash is accepted.
Give back this holiday season! |
| The Niles Township Food Pantry is having its annual donation drive for their gift card program that benefits families who are utilizing the food pantry. The Township distributes 1,000 gift cards each year that are used towards purchasing gifts for children this holiday season. Please consider supporting this effort to spread cheer to our neighbors in need! |
| Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook is looking for donors for their Holiday Gift Program that benefits 650 children across our community. You can find more information HERE and also sign up to sponsor a child. |
District Update |
| My office attended the grand opening of the updated Landmark Theater in the Glen. It was great to see the amazing work put into redeveloping this new theater that is now open! |
District Shout Out – Optimist Club Award Recipients |
| Every year the Glenview Optimist club recognizes youth in our community who have shown leadership in the areas of scholarship, sportsmanship, vocational ability, citizenship and religious service. This year 12 local high school students were honored from Glenbrook South, Glenbrook North, Loyola Academy, Regina Dominican and Notre Dame College Prep. You can read more about the students and their achievements HERE. |
Events and Opportunities |
- Glenview Community Church is hosting A Toyful Celebration on Saturday, December 17th at 7:30 PM. Program will include holiday music by the church’s Children’s choir. Event is free but please consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy to donate for Toys for Tots.
- The City of Evanston will have a Menorah lighting on Monday, December 19th at 5:30 PM at Fountain Square, 1601 Sherman Ave in Evanston.
- The Northbrook Rotary Club is hosting a “Coat off your back” drive through December 24th. Coats can be dropped off at the marked bin in the lobby of Village Hall (1225 Cedar Ln, Northbrook, IL 60062), and other locations around Northbrook. Bonus: Bring a coat to Village Hall and receive a free Illuminate Northbrook mug, while supplies last.