Working for Illinois Caucus

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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Illinois Representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) has been selected as the Midwest Regional (Democratic) Director of the Women’s Legislative Network (WLN) by the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) Nominating Committee.

The Women’s Legislative Network of NCSL states that its mission is to “promote the participation, empowerment, and leadership of women legislators.

“I am honored to have been selected to be Midwest Regional Director of the Women’s Legislative Network,” said Kifowit. “Women represent 1/3 of legislatures across the country and in this role I will have the opportunity to work with fellow legislators in developing ideas that will be of benefit to the citizens of our local districts.”

Representative Kifowit is currently the chairperson of Veterans Affairs and State Government, and the co-chair of the Conference of Women Legislators in the Illinois General Assembly.

The NCSL strengthens state legislatures through its research, publications and technical assistance on the legislative institution, those who serve within it and its operations, processes and procedures. The organization and its members are national experts on State legislative sessions and rules and procedures.

The length of term for the Directors is one year and the Board will communicate through E-mail and through virtual meetings to plan future programs and events.

“I am excited to begin work with the WLN,” Kifowit continued. “Being involved in an organization such as this will help all of us to grow as State legislators and that has been my goal since being elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2013.”

—Office of Illinois representative Stephanie Kifowit

ROMEOVILLE, IL — State Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar and State Sen. Eric Mattson are hosting a Mobile Secretary of State event on Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Romeoville Recreation Center Bodine Room, 900 W. Romeo Road in Romeoville.

“Due to the pandemic or other circumstances, many people have not been able to go to the DMV to renew their license or access other services,” Avelar said in a release. “This event is the perfect opportunity to skip the long lines at the DMV and conveniently receive the services the Secretary of State’s office provides.”

According to a release from her office, event attendees will be able to renew or correct their drivers licenses or state ID cards, renew their license plate stickers and register to vote or be an organ donor. Proper identification is required for these services.

The Illinois State Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property Program will also be available at the event.

“One of the most important parts of my job as a state representative is to bring useful services to our community through events like this one,” Avelar said in a release. “I will always strive to make the lives of my constituents easier. I encourage those who need DMV services to make an appointment and join us for this event.”

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Saturday was for the dogs as Rockford joined in on the fun with a bark in park free community gathering of local canine organizations.

Sponsored by Illinois State Representative Dave Vella, the event had training demonstrations, pet safety tips and dog related goods from local vendors.

People were encouraged to bring their own pups to get in on the action.

Vella says he held the event as a way to get people outside during the summer and post COVID, but also to showcase local small businesses.

“As I knock on doors and talk to people during my campaigning but also during my regular season, I meet with a lot of dogs and I realized this is a dog town and I wanted to make sure people knew about the local businesses that service our dogs,” Vella said.

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