Contact us!
847-486-8810
1812 Waukegan Road, Suite B
Dear Neighbors,
This year’s legislative session has ended and summer has begun! When I look back, I am proud of the work my colleagues and I accomplished this year.
We tackled big issues – environment, artificial intelligence, and healthcare, in particular – that solve real-world problems today and help build a foundation for future success. Below you’ll find a list of bills I sponsored this year – stay tuned to my social media accounts @GongGershowitz on Facebook/Twitter and @jengonggershowitz on Instagram, to hear more about other legislation that I co-sponsored or supported.
Thank you for your continued interest in and support of our community. I look forward to spending this summer meeting with constituents, marching in parades, and spending time here in our district.
As always, if you are ever in need of resources or 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
Spring Legislative Update
Seven of my bills passed both chambers this Spring and now head to the Governor for his signature:
- HB4623 – Worked with Attorney General Raoul to update Illinois Child Sexual Abuse Material laws to prohibit the use of AI to create explicit images of children.
- HB4351 – Worked alongside National Employment Lawyers Association, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and Domestic Violence organizations to align Cook County’s process serving procedures with all other counties in the state to improve efficiency and access to our courts.
- HB4762 – Protects artists by rendering unenforceable unfair performance contracts that exploit their likeness/image/voice using digital replicas, including those produced using artificial intelligence.
- HB4875 – Amends Illinois’ Right of Publicity Act to include digital replicas of a person’s voice, image and likeness created through artificial intelligence, protecting artists’ identity from being used without their permission.
- SB2938 – Modernizes the process through which a community can expand a mosquito abatement district to ensure proper monitoring and control of mosquitos, flies, ticks and other vectors.
- SB3305 – Requires that insurance providers cover medically necessary care for major injuries to the jaw, which they currently do not, protecting patients when necessary surgery is required.
- SB3137 – Stipulates that families must be notified within 24 hours if a loved one passes away while at a mental health/substance abuse facility.
Rep. Gong-Gershowitz discusses HB4623 and the importance of protecting Illinoisans from AI Deepfakes with WGN News
In 2021, there were 14,678 Deepfake videos online – today there are over 500,000. 96% of deepfake videos are sexually explicit and target women. Recently I spoke to WGN about what I’m doing to stop it in Springfield, you can view the story HERE.
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce AI discussion
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak on a panel organized by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce about Artificial Intelligence and the work I have been doing in the General Assembly this session to help protect Illinoisans from bad actors in this space.
Meeting with Moms Demand Action Advocates in Springfield
I had the pleasure of meeting with some of our local Moms Demand Action advocates recently at the Capitol, while they were in Springfield to lobby for gun safety legislation!
Illinois Holocaust Museum’s Spagat Family
Voices of Genocide Exhibitions Opens
On May 1st, the Illinois Holocaust Museum opened the Spagat Family Voices of Genocide Exhibtion. The exhibit explores how and why genocide continues to occur across geography and time, as well as the common conditions that can lead to genocide and how recognizing these factors helps determine efforts toward intervention and prevention.The exhibition’s opening program featured Mark Akgulian, descendant of four Armenian genocide survivors, Irma Alicia Velásquez Nimatuj, Maya Kich’e’ survivor of the Guatemalan genocide, Kizito Kalima, Tutsi survivor of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, and Amina, Rohingya survivor of the ongoing genocide in Burma. The conversation was moderated by Kelley Szany, Senior Vice President of Education & Exhibitions for the Museum.
Events and Opportunities
- Glenview Bank & Trust Bearfoot in the Park Concerts will be every Wednesday night, from June 5th to August 7th from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in Jackman Park Gazebo. This free family-friendly summer evening concert series showcases the best the Chicago music scene has to offer with fantastic cover bands and original artists. Bring your picnic dinner, folding chairs and lawn blankets, and enjoy these shows guaranteed to please all ages. For more information click HERE.
- Equality Art Opening Reception on June 8th from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the Devonshire Cultural Center. Join Skokie Park District for an art opening reception for our latest exhibit, Equality! Visit the hallway galleries at the Devonshire Cultural Center to see a variety of pieces by members of the LGBTQIA community and allies. The opening reception event is free, open to the public, and suitable for all ages. Light refreshments provided. For more information click HERE.
- Evanston’s Juneteenth Celebration will take place on June 19th. The parade will start at Robert Crown Community Center at 10:30am and will conclude at Ingraham Park at noon. The celebration will continue in Ingraham Park until 6:00 pm. For more information click HERE.
- Skokie Pride is June 23rd from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Oakton Park. A family friendly party in the park to celebrate LGBTQ families and individuals in Skokie that will include Showtune Karaoke; CoCo ShoNell & Drag Story Hour; Puppy Pride Parade: Dress up your dog or make a wagon-sized float to show your pride at the park; Color Explosion Dance Party; Community Service Fair; Magicians; Bounce house; Face painting; Food trucks; Games & crafts & more. For more information click HERE.
- Wilmette 3rd of July celebration will take place in Gillson Park from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Festivities will include food vendors, live music, performers and a fireworks show. For more information click HERE.
- Glenview 4th of July celebration begins with a bike parade begins at Jackman Park at 11:20 a.m., followed by the full parade at 11:30 a.m. which steps off at the corner of Harlem and Glenview Road. The celebration continues at Gallery Park at 6 p.m. with a DJ dance party, food vendors, live music and a fireworks finale to cap the evening. For more information click HERE.