Dear Neighbors:
As November starts to wind to a close, I am excited to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, and I’m sure many of you are as well. For many of us, it’s been a long time since we have spent time with some of our loved ones. I know I can’t wait to spend some quality time with my family.
As we gather together and reflect on that for which we are thankful, we must remember to do so safely and take reasonable precautions when visiting with family and friends – you can review the CDC Holiday Celebration guidelines HERE. Good health is always something to be thankful for.
If you are interested in ways to give thanks by giving back, please see below for local organizations and opportunities to give to those in our community who are in need. As always, I thank you for the opportunity to serve.
As always, please contact my office if we can be of assistance and please see below for district news and information.
Sincerely,
Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
Legislative Update
This week President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which will mean $17 billion for Illinois to fund infrastructure projects. In addition to a commitment to rebuilding and growing our infrastructure, this also gives us an opportunity to build back greener as well.
These federal dollars will enhance our ability to undergo an ambitious lead service line mitigation program, ensuring that children across the state have access to clean, unleaded drinking water. Part of the program also involves the creation of a statewide electric vehicle charging network to encourage and support electric vehicles and $4 billion in public transportation funding.
This program, together with the historic Rebuild Illinois capital bill passed by the General Assembly in 2019, will enable Illinois to rebuild our crumbling public infrastructure in ways that provide utility, create thousands of jobs, and help Illinois reach our goal of 100% clean energy by 2050.
Some of the key investments coming to Illinois are:
- $1.7 billion to improve drinking and wastewater infrastructure
- $9.8 billion on Federal highway projects
- $1.4 billion for bridge replacement and repairs
- $4 billion to improve public transportation
- $100 million to expand access to broadband internet
- $616 million for airport improvements
- $149 million to fund expansion of electric vehicle charging network
- $22 million to strengthen cybersecurity infrastructure
COVID-19 Recovery
Illinois Rental Assistance Program reopens December 6th The Illinois Housing Development Authority announced that the Illinois Rental Payment Program will reopen on Monday, December 6th. Applications will be accepted from through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Jan 9 at illinoishousinghelp.org. If you are a tenant or a landlord and have applied to receive ILRPP assistance during the May-July 2021 application periods, you can check the status of your application at ilrpp.ihda.org/status. For other questions about ILRPP, please call (866) 454-3571.
LIHEAP Applications Open The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity wishes to remind residents there is still funding available for utility bill assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). You can apply through the Help Illinois Families website HERE.
Flick Park testing continues The COVID-19 testing center run by Northshore Clinical Labs in partnership with the Glenview Park District at Flick Park will continue to run through December 31st, 2021. Registration is required, you can make an appointment HERE.
Hours at the testing facility have been updated and are now:
Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. (closed from 2-3 p.m.)
Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Give Back This Holiday Season
Toys For Tots collection drive in Glenview this year all Glenview fire stations have collection boxes available to drop off new, unwrapped toys for families in need.
The Niles Township food pantry is running their annual holiday drive, aiming to raise $75,000 to provide gift cards to families in need. The cards will be distributed to families who will be able to buy presents for their children on their own. If you are interested in donating, click HERE.
Open Enrollment continues Through January 15th
The ACA Health Insurance Marketplace begins open enrollment November 1st and will run through January 15th, 2022. Visit Get Covered Illinois to learn about eligibility and review their enrollment checklist.
Driver’s Services events November 30th and December 9th
Senator Laura Fine, Representative Robyn Gabel and I will be hosting two mobile Driver’s Services events over the next month. One at the Robert Crown Community Center in Evanston on November 30th from 10 AM to 2 PM and a second at Glenview Village Hall on Lake Ave on December 9th from 10 AM to 2 PM. To make an appointment for the Evanston event click HERE and for the Glenview event click HERE.
Community Outreach Office Hours
My office alongside Sen. Villivalam, Sen. Fine, Rep. Stoneback and Rep. Gabel will be hosting community office hours at the Glenview Public Library, Skokie Public Library and Wilmette Public library. Our staff will be available to help you with State services. Come out and see us if you are in need of assistance, have questions or just want to say hi!
District Shout Out – Jewell Loyd
Niles West honored WNBA champion and Olympic Gold Medal winner, Jewell Loyd, with a ceremony retiring her number 32 jersey at the school. Jewell is an inspiration to young women all across our country. We are all so proud of her accomplishments and know she has plenty more to offer!
Photo by: Emma Kalchik, Niles West
Events in the District
- The Glenview Chamber of Commerce is kicking off the Holiday season with their annual Park & Parade! The parade will take place on Saturday, November 27th from 4 to 6 PM. The parade will go down Glenview Road from Our Lady of Perpetual Help towards Jackman Park. Free parking will be available at the Glenview Metra Station.
- The City of Evanston’s Housing & Community Development Committee is asking for residents to submit comments now through December 14th on the City’s 2022 Action Plan and Amended Citizen Participation Plan. You can view the proposal HERE and submit comments to housing@cityofevanston.org.
- The Skokie Park District is hosting the Holiday Fair Extravaganza on Saturday, December 4th from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Weber Leisure Center located at 9300 Weber Park Place in Skokie. Stop by and take a look at handmade and unique gifts you can’t find anywhere else.
Where’s Jen?
- Local suffragette Catharine Waugh McCulloch was honored with a new historic marker on the National Votes for Women trail at McCulloch Park in Evanston. I was joined by Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, State Representative Robyn Gabel, Evanston Women’s History Project Director Lori Osborne and members of the McCulloch family for this great occasion. You can read more about Catharine McCulloch and other local women who played a part in the fight for women’s political equality on the Evanston Women’s History Project website HERE.
Photo by Les Jacobson, Evanston Roundtable - I joined Sen. Laura Fine at the annual State of the Village Glenview, presented by Village President Michael Jenny. It was great to hear about all the amazing things happening in our community and what is being worked on for the future.
- District 30’s very own Maple School was honored by being one of only two Illinois recipients of a 2021 Blue Ribbon Award! Thank you to Principal Kurtz and Superintendent Wegley for inviting me to help congratulate the students and staff for their fantastic achievement.
- Thank you to Paul Park and the Korean American Association of Chicago for presenting me with the Outstanding Stateswoman Award this past week. It was an honor to be recognized by such a distinguished organization.
