Dear Neighbors,
The General Assembly has ended our regular session and I have been reflecting on what we accomplished and what we still have left to do.
My focus this session was to safeguard the things that matter to us – our children, our rights, our privacy, and our environment.
I sponsored and passed legislation that holds gun manufacturers accountable, forces insurance companies to cover necessary treatments for kids, stands up for women’s rights and gives victims of online abuse and harassment better paths to justice.
One of the things that matter to all of us is the fiscal health of our state – almost every decision about revenue or services is heavily influenced by Illinois’ financial stability. I am proud to have passed yet another balanced budget in the face of extreme pressure and unexpected expenses. This budget was carefully crafted to build on the fiscal progress we have made without sacrificing necessary programs and services, including education.
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,
Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
Budget Update
Fiscal responsibility:
- We have paid down debt and earned our state eight credit rating increases in less than two years
- Added an additional $138M to our state’s rainy day fund
- Paid $200M above what is required for our pension payments, saving taxpayers money
Strengthening our schools:
- Expanded access to childcare with the creation of Smart Start Illinois. This will strengthen funding for early childhood education and ensure Illinois’ children have a stable foundation of care and development before entering K-12 schools.
- Dedicated $350M increase over FY23 appropriations into the Evidence-based Funding model for K-12 schools.
- Over the past four years, brought $1.3B more into classroom education.
- $2M in grant programs to support K-12 schools implement the Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History Act (TEAACH).
- Additional $100M into MAP grants, making college more attainable for Illinois families.
- $22M into the Workforce Equity Initiative to support career and technical education.
Investing in our communities:
- We are making Illinois communities safer by investing hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to community-based violence prevention and community providers that provide after-school programs, summer jobs, and enrichment opportunities to youth.
- $100M for training and resources to our first responders – including for in-car cameras, non-lethal weapons and supporting two new State Police cadet classes.
- To keep guns out of dangerous hands, we have included $1M to raise awareness around red flag laws and $2M towards safe gun storage.
- More than $100M in new funding for our cities and villages through the local government distributive fund.
Legislative Update
Fifteen of my bills passed both chambers and are now headed to the Governor for his signature:
- HB 218 (FIRA) – The Firearm Industry Responsibility and Accountability Act (FIRA) holds the gun industry liable for dangerous sales and marketing tactics that cause real world violence.
- HB 2072 – Prevents excess fees and leasing practices by dental insurers to increase transparency and ensure more patient dollars go to patient care.
- HB 2123 – Creates a new cause of action against any person who creates or distributes a digitally altered sexual image (deepfake) of an individual without their consent.
- HB 2160 – Allows certain school districts in northern Cook County to opt out of their current township board of trustees in order to eliminate unnecessary and duplicative units of government.
- HB 2222– Increases the oversight of health care facility mergers and acquisitions and gives authority to the Attorney General to enforce existing antitrust laws ensuring competition to reduce healthcare costs and increase access for consumers.
- HB 2231 – Holds rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft accountable like all other common carriers when their drivers assault or injure their passengers.
- HB 2954 – Cracks down on ‘doxing,’ a practice used to crowdsource hate and harassment online, by creating a path to justice when personal information is published with the intent to cause harm.
- HR 96 – Declares May 2023 as Save Your Tooth Month.
- HJR 20 – Urges the Biden Administration to publish the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Urges Congress to pass a resolution affirming the ERA.
- SB 55 – Clarifies the court’s authority to appoint a guardian of a person or estate if their agent does not allow reasonable visitation.
- SB 58 – Bans state agencies from buying single-use polystyrene foam containers. No vendor contracted through a state agency or department may provide customers with polystyrene foam containers.
- SB 101 – Prevents insurance companies from denying necessary treatment to kids with devastating childhood illnesses.
- SB 195 – Cracks down on fraud in the financial aid system for higher education by prohibiting the appointment of a guardian for a minor when the purpose is to reduce the financial status of the student. Prevents bad actors from gaming the system and taking scarce dollars away from students truly in need.
- SB 1563 – Requires the IEPA to study the impact of microplastics in our environment and make that report available to the public.
- SB 1673 – Codifies the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District authority to impose a civil penalty for violating the stormwater management ordinance.
- SB 1817 – Protects immigrants from housing discrimination.
- SB 2379 – Extends the deadline for the Task Force on Counsel in Immigration Proceedings to submit its findings and recommendations report and extends the life of the Right to Counsel in Immigration Proceedings Act.
End of Session Town Hall Wednesday, June 14th
Join Representative Robyn Gabel, Senator Laura Fine and I next month for an End of Session Town Hall at the Evanston Ecology Center on Wednesday, June 14th from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. We will be recapping the 2023 Spring Session and the state budget. You can RSVP and submit questions ahead of time at bit.ly/EOSTOWNHALL.
Events and Opportunities
- The Village of Skokie Celebrates Juneteenth on Saturday, June 17th at Oakton Park from 1:00-7:00 pm. Learn about the history and traditions of 1865’s Emancipation Day and enjoy family fun activities, music, food and engaging opportunities for the community. More information is available HERE.
- The City of Evanston Commemorates Juneteenth at Ingraham Park on Saturday, June 18th from noon to 6pm. The celebration will include art, music, food and celebration. More information available HERE.
- The Skokie Park District Celebrates Skokie Pride on Sunday, June 18th from 1-4pm at Oakton Park.The event will include: Drag Story Hour, Live music from Kelsey Montanez and her band, Bingo, Color Explosion Dance Party, Bounce House, Lawn and Carnival style games, art for sale, Community Resource Fair and an after party at Village Inn Pizzeria from 5-8pm, with 50% off pizzas and Pride karaoke.The event is free for all ages, more information HERE.
- Wilmette Independence Day Celebration on July 3 will include a Star Spangled Bash at Centennial Park which will consist of carnival games, face painting, bounce houses, confetti “Fireworks Show” and pool access from 11am-4pm. Fun & Fireworks will take place at Gillson Park from 5-10pm with live food vendors, live music, performers and a fireworks show.
- Glenview 4th of July Celebration will start with a parade at Harlem and Glenview Road at 11:30am, the Bike Parade will begin at 11:15 am at Jackman Park. The evening celebration at Gallery Park will begin at 6pm with a live DJ and food vendors and at 9:20 fireworks will commence.