Dear Neighbors,
Happy Summer! I hope you are all enjoying the warm weather and time with family and friends. I wanted to fill you in below on what my staff and I have been up to recently around the District.
This year, I am lucky to have five fantastic interns who are getting the opportunity to see how state government works first hand and conduct policy research as we look toward next year’s session. Take some time to read about our interns and what they are interested in below!
And 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
Intern Spotlight
We are thrilled to have five talented interns this summer, all of whom bring a unique and fresh perspective to our office. Each intern has the opportunity to work with constituents, join in meetings throughout the district and present a bill proposal at the end of the summer.
Lauren Dain is a rising sophomore at Northwestern University where she studies History and Political Science. Lauren is an Executive Team Member of Girl Up Northwestern. She is passionate about women’s health and reproductive rights and looking forward to doing research and learning more about this topic during her internship with our office.
Drew Duffy is an incoming freshman at Denison University where he will study Politics and Public Affairs and play on the University’s NCAA DIII Football team. Drew is working hard on research and a bill proposal on how to protect Illinois residents from misinformation regarding elections.
Aby James is a rising junior at Northwestern University where he studies Political Science and Economics. He has been working on doing research on the effects of social media on children and what policies other states have been looking at to protect minors online.
Luke Nelson is an incoming freshman at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he plans to study Political Science and Economics. He has been working hard on research and a policy proposal related to protecting farmland and waterways from contamination by forever chemicals.
Devin Zakeri is a rising junior at Illinois Institute of Technology where he studies Social and Economic Development Policy and plays Division III soccer. Devin has experience as a Village of Skokie Intern. Devin is passionate about early childhood education and is looking forward to presenting his research soon.
Touring and Tabling at Northfield Food Pantry
My staff tabled at the Northfield Township Food Pantry on June 1st to help with constituent Medicaid renewal and application questions. Our interns also had an opportunity to tour Northfield Township Food Pantry on June 16th to learn more about the logistics and the depth of its offerings.
Visit to Wilmette Chabad
I had the opportunity to tour the Wilmette Chabad on July 11th, to learn more about their synagogue, as well as their educational, youth and preschool programs.
Girls Lead Program
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor, in collaboration with the Illinois Council on Women and Girls, recently launched a pilot program, “Girls Lead,” to teach girls in grades 5-12 about government and public service. My office opted to participate this summer, and were thrilled that Natalie, a 7th grader at Attea Middle School, shadowed my office in July.
Visit to NSSRA Camp
The North Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) works hard day in and out to provide top-notch programming to children and adults with special needs throughout Chicagoland. On July 19th, my staff and I toured their summer camp set up at Glenbrook South and saw first hand the incredible services and programming they are providing to a lucky group of teenagers.
Anti-doxing bill briefing and antisemitism update on Wed,. Sep. 6th
Join me and ADL’s Executive Director, David Goldenberg on September 6th at Temple Jeremiah in Northfield, for an insider’s briefing on Illinois’ new Anti-Doxing law and the current state of Antisemitism. Click here to register.
Events and Opportunities
- Glenview Park’s Roosaplaooza is on July 29th from 1pm-5pm at the Roosevelt Outdoor Aquatic Center. Refreshing waters, great music, delicious food and fun themes. Price included with admission $11 resident, $14 non-resident. More information available here.
- City of Evanston National Night Out, on August 1 from 4pm-9pm at Centennial Park, 1631 Sheridan Rd, is an annual community-building campaign that promotes public safety, community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to help make our neighborhoods safer places to live. This family friendly evening includes an obstacle course, food trucks, games and a movie. More information available here.
- Village of Wilmette Solar Power Hour on August 10 at the Wilmette Public Library auditorium from 7pm-8pm. At this event you’ll learn how solar energy can lower your bills, support the local economy and contribute to a healthier environment. You will also learn how a group buy program can make solar more affordable through the Solar Switch Chicagoland program. This program is co-hosted by the Citizen Utility Board (CUB), Solar Switch Chicagoland, the Village of Wilmette, the City of Evanston, and the Wilmette Public Library. Village of Wilmette, IL (via Public) / Solar Power Hour (publicnow.com)
- Skokie’s Backlot Bash is taking place the weekend of August 25-27 in downtown Skokie. This weekend long celebration will include three days of live music, a carnival,the Backlot Dash 5K, Bingo, and many local vendors. More information available here.