August 2022

Avelar Named to Senior Housing Residents’ Advisory Council

BOLINGBROOK, Ill. — State Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, will help lead an effort to improve the quality of life for seniors in residential care as part of the new Senior Housing Residents’ Advisory Council.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the many issues seniors, especially those who live in congregate care facilities, experience on a daily basis,” Avelar said. “This vulnerable population deserves innovative policy solutions to the problems they face, and this council will play an important role in shaping such reform.”

The Senior Housing Residents’ Advisory Council will evaluate available resources and services for seniors, analyze current state outreach efforts and examine the impact of COVID-19 on congregate living arrangements. The Council will issue a report of its findings, including recommendations on how to eliminate gaps in services for seniors and improve state policy concerning seniors in congregate living arrangements, yearly until 2025.

“This council is a collaborative effort among the Illinois General Assembly, Department of Health, Department of Aging and senior representatives from all corners of the state,” said Avelar. “I look forward to working with my fellow council members and learning from their experiences and expertise as we work to improve the lives of seniors in Illinois.”

For more information, please contact Avelar’s office at Info@RepDagmara.org or 815-372-0085.

Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar

(D-Bolingbrook)
85th District

Springfield Office:
265-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-4179

District Office:
623 Boughton Rd.
Suite 130
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
(815) 372-0085

Legis

via Illinois House Democratic Caucus https://ilhousedems.com

August 31, 2022 at 10:19AM

August 31, 2022 0

Yednock highlights pre-apprenticeship program grant opportunity – Shaw Local

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To increase access to jobs in the construction industry and other trades, state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is encouraging local organizations to apply for Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program funding.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will award grants to community-based organizations for them to host a pre-apprenticeship program in line with Illinois Works program requirements.

“After working in the trades for 32 years, I have a great appreciation for the opportunities provided in the construction industry and other trades,” Yednock said in a press release. “If more local organizations help open the door, more people in our community can have fulfilling careers to support their families.”

The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program helps its participants gain the skills necessary to be admitted to apprenticeship programs, bolstering their employment prospects and readying them for careers in construction and building trades. Non-profit, community-based organizations such as chambers of commerce, industry associations, technical schools and community colleges are now eligible to apply for grant awards ranging from $200,000 to $550,000 per year.

“When we invest in vocational education, we invest in good-paying jobs and an honest living for the hardworking members of our community,” Yednock said. “Applying for a grant to participate in the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program will help local organizations attract talent and help provide program participants with the skills they need to have a successful career. I highly encourage local organizations to consider applying for this grant and expanding the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program to the 76th District.”

Organizations have until 5 p.m. Sept. 27 to apply for the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Notice of Funding Opportunity. For more information, visit https://www.illinoisworknet.com/WIOA/Pages/ILWorksPreApprenticeshipNOFO2022.aspx

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August 30, 2022 at 08:13PM

August 30, 2022 0

Rep. Jehan Gordon Booth partners with consumer groups to help save money on electric bills – Heart of Illinois ABC

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PEORIA (25 News Now) – Energy bills continue to be a source of stress for consumer as rates remain at their doubled high from earlier this summer.

State Representative Jehan Gordon Booth partnered with the Citizens Utility Board and the Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity on sharing tips and ways to cut down on energy costs.

CUB is the consumer voice for all utility policy decisions. They are a non-profit representing consumer interests in Springfield. They informed customers today of their options for cutting utility bill costs on their end. However, all the cost saving and conservation efforts don’t change the increased rate of electricity.

The Kilo-Watt hour rate has nearly doubled since earlier this summer, right now Ameren’s rates hang around 10 cents per kWh, it’s previously been around three to four cents per kWh.

Gordon-Booth said the General Assembly is working on legislation to address high energy costs. She thought it could happen in a special session, but said the policy is likely to come up in veto session in November. She could not say what exactly the potential legislation would do.

“The General Assembly is working on those matters,” Gordon Booth said. “There was more work to be done.”

In the meantime, PCCEO helped citizens apply for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to pay electric bills to qualifying residents. To qualify, the applicant must be at least 200% below the poverty line in income for the number of people in their household.

Applications open September 1, though the application can be filled out early. PCCEO can’t start processing or reviewing the application until Sept. 1. However, they recommend applying immediately because once funds run out, they’re gone.

“You want to get them in so we can beg for some more money,” Energy Services Manager Anisha Hughes said to residents. If funds are used up quickly, PCCEO can ask for more assistance to give out to more applicants instead of turning them away.

“Our goal is not to hold on to the money,” she continued. “Our goal is to assist each and every one of you.”

For those who don’t qualify for LIHEAP, CUB recommends going to Ameren and seeing what assistance programs are available. They can be found using the Ameren portal as well as whether or not the customer qualifies.

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August 29, 2022 at 10:28PM

August 29, 2022 0

Yednock Highlights Pre-Apprenticeship Program Grant Opportunity

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OTTAWA, Ill. – To increase access to jobs in the construction industry and other trades, state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is encouraging local organizations to apply for Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program funding. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will award grants to community-based organizations for them to host a pre-apprenticeship program in line with Illinois Works program requirements.

“After working in the trades for 32 years, I have a great appreciation for the opportunities provided in the construction industry and other trades,” Yednock said. “If more local organizations help open the door, more people in our community can have fulfilling careers to support their families.”

“When we invest in vocational education, we invest in good-paying jobs and an honest living for the hardworking members of our community,” said Yednock. “Applying for a grant to participate in the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program will help local organizations attract talent and help provide program participants with the skills they need to have a successful career. I highly encourage local organizations to consider applying for this grant and expanding the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program to the 76th District.”

Organizations have until 5 p.m. on Sept. 27, 2022 to apply for the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Notice of Funding Opportunity. For more information, please visit https://www.illinoisworknet.com/WIOA/Pages/ILWorksPreApprenticeshipNOFO2022.aspx.

Rep. Lance Yednock

(D-Ottawa)
76th District

Springfield Office:
240A-W Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-0140

District Office:
628 Columbus St.
Suite 204
Ottawa, IL 61350
(815) 324-5055

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August 25, 2022 at 09:09PM

August 25, 2022 0

Stuart named to task force

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EDWARDSVILLE —State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, has been naamed to the State Procurement Task Force.

“Ensuring fairness and accountability in state procurement is in the interest of everyone,” Stuart said. “I am honored by this appointment and I look forward to taking an active role in streamlining and enhancing our state’s procurement systems to better ensure the fair, equitable, accessible, and cost-effective process that every Illinoisan has a right to expect from their government.”

Stuart led the effort to create the task force by passing House Bill 2770. She was appointed to serve on it by House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch.

Stuart’s constituent service office is reachable at 618-365-6650 or repkatiestuart@gmail.com.

Region: Metro East,City: Alton,News

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August 25, 2022 at 11:25AM

August 25, 2022 0

Marklund presents Rep. Moeller with Excellence in Advocacy Award

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In recognition of her continued support of Marklund and her ongoing advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, state Rep. Anna Moeller (43rd District-Elgin) received Marklund’s Excellence in Advocacy Award on Thursday, Aug. 18.

This is Rep. Moeller’s second time receiving the award for her dedication to helping Marklund’s expansion initiatives in Elgin, specifically to build group homes — Community Independent Living Arrangements (CILAs) — as well as a special education center that will open next year.

“It’s an honor to receive this award,” she said in accepting the award today at the Marklund Day School in Geneva. “I’m just a small part of trying to do what I can, in the capacity that I’m in, to really uplift and support what the staff at Marklund do. They do the important work to help care for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. It reminds me how responsible we are as a society to care for them and make sure they have the best quality of life. I’m just overwhelmed by what you do and am very grateful to be an ally and to do what I can.”

For information, visit www.marklund.org or https://www.facebook.com/MarklundCharity.

Marklund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves infants, children, teens and adults with serious and profound developmental disabilities and special healthcare needs.

Many Marklund residents and community clients are non-ambulatory and have severe cognitive disabilities due to genetic disorders, complications during pregnancy and delivery, or other issues. Others acquired disabilities during infancy or childhood through tragic accidents. Many have complex medical problems that require 24-hour skilled nursing care and regular therapy interventions.

The Hyde Center in Geneva is licensed as an intermediate care facility while the Philip Center in Bloomingdale and the Wasmond Center in Elgin are licensed as medically complex/skilled nursing facilities for adults and children with developmental disabilities. Each location has on-site community day Serivces for adults, which provides individualized programming that includes topical curriculum and focuses on daily living and vocational skills to improve each individual’s level of independence. Marklund Day School, with locations in Bloomingdale, Geneva and Elgin, is a state board of education licensed therapeutic day program that partners with area school districts to serve children with multiple medical needs, learning, emotional and developmental disabilities, and those diagnosed on the autism spectrum.

Feeds,Region: DuPage,Local,Region: Suburbs

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August 22, 2022 at 10:59PM

August 23, 2022 0

Moeller Recognizes Hunger Action Month with Northern Illinois Food Bank and DoorDash

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ELGIN, Ill. – State Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, will join with the Northern Illinois Food Bank and DoorDash for a Day of Service to end food insecurity in suburban communities.

“Food insecurity is a problem many in our community and in our state experience on a daily basis,” Moeller said. “The supply of food is there, but connecting it with communities in need is where our support and focus needs to be. Northern Illinois Food Bank and Doordash’s event will be a great opportunity to help end food insecurity, but more work needs to be done so that no one has to go to bed hungry.”

Moeller will be speaking with those in attendance regarding the state of food insecurity locally, how food banks can change the landscape of food accessibility and helping pack boxes to be delivered by DoorDash employees.

Food delivery will be accomplished through DoorDash’s Project DASH uses the company’s food delivery system to partner with government agencies and non-profit organizations to tackle food insecurity and waste through efficient transportation from food sources to those in need.

The event will be held at Northern Illinois Food Bank’s Geneva location at 273 Dearborn Ct. in Geneva on Friday, Sept. 9 at 10 a.m.

Rep. Anna Moeller

(D-Elgin)
43rd District

Springfield Office:
255-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8020

District Office:
164 Division Street
Suite 103
Elgin, IL 60120
(847) 841-7130
(847) 841-7140 FAX

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August 19, 2022 at 04:44PM

August 19, 2022 0

Walsh delivers $3.5 Million to rehab Old Joliet Prison – The Times Weekly

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Walsh delivers $3.5 Million to rehab Old Joliet Prison The Times Weekly

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August 18, 2022 at 05:53PM

August 18, 2022 0

New state bill calls for timely support for families of fallen first responders

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SPRINGFIELD — A new bill filed today would make sure funding is available for the families of fallen first responders.

The legislation was proposed by Comptroller Susana Mendoza and is sponsored by State Representative Dave Vella (D-Rockford).

Currently, Illinois’ Line of Duty Compensation Act provides benefits for the families of law enforcement officers, firemen, paramedics and other first responders killed in the line of duty.

However, the stipends for these benefits can sometime run out before the end of a fiscal year, requiring the state legislature to approve supplemental funding.

“Each day, police, firemen and paramedics risk their lives to protect the rest of us. They sacrifice their own safety for the greater good. The state should never falter in promptly providing the families left behind with the benefits they have been promised,” said Comptroller Mendoza.

“We can’t bring back the people these families loved most in this world. But we can support these families through their loss and show them through our actions, not just words, that the lives of the fallen were valued and will be honored.”

The amount of the benefit $375,475 and increases by the Consumer Price Index each year. It is provided to the surviving spouse or next of kin.

“When we lose a first responder in the line of duty, their family is forever changed,” State Rep. Vella said.

“In their greatest time of need, it’s important and necessary that we are able to fully support them. It’s frankly inexcusable that we were unable to help a family right away because of bureaucratic hurdles. Let’s make sure that never happens again in Illinois.”

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August 12, 2022 at 07:58PM

August 12, 2022 0

House Downstate Democrats work for the good people of Illinois

Month

Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar

(D-Bolingbrook)85th District

Rep. Lance Yednock

(D-Ottawa)76th District

Rep. Anna Moeller

(D-Elgin) 43rd District

(D-Bolingbrook)
85th District

(D-Ottawa)
76th District

(D-Elgin)
43rd District