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Gordon-Booth Teams Up with IDOT for Hiring Pop Up this Sunday

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PEORIA, Ill. – As part of efforts to hire “Snow Birds” and other highway maintainers for the coming months, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, is welcoming the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for a one day hiring pop up this Sunday, Sept. 11 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Gordon-Booth’s community headquarters at 1200 W. Main St., Campustowne Suite 7 in Peoria.

“If you or someone you know is looking for a job, this is a great opportunity to meet with IDOT and see what’s available,” Gordon-Booth said. “Highway maintainers play a critical role in keeping our roads safe. If you feel like you have the experience and the ability to help, our state needs people like you.”

IDOT is looking for highway maintainers and “Snow Birds.” Typically, IDOT hires both full-time and on-call workers in advance of winter weather, with the expectation that employees are required to respond to weather situations and emergency conditions at any time – including nights, weekends and holidays. Eligible applicants must have a valid driver’s license and CDL (commercial driver’s license).

For more information, please contact 309-681-1992.

Rep. Jehan Gordon-BoothRep. Jehan Gordon-Booth

Deputy Majority Leader
(D-Peoria)
92nd District

Springfield Office:
632 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-3186

District Office:
300 E. War Memorial Drive
Suite 303
Peoria, IL 61614
(309) 681-1992

Legis

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

September 9, 2022 at 05:49PM

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State rep. wants program to provide dental care for veterans | Local News | wspynews.com

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Oswego Democratic State Representative Stephanie Kifowit wants a statewide program to provide dental care for veterans who need it. Kifowit says she’s working on a program within the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans homes that would be a pilot for the larger program.

A statewide program could be a few years out.

Kifowit is a Marine Corps veteran.

Lawmakers are back in their districts ahead the veto session scheduled in November. Kifowit says she responding emails and hearing from constituents in the meantime.

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September 8, 2022 at 05:58PM

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The race for Illinois Senate: 2 candidates campaign in QC Labor Day parades – WQAD Moline

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Democrat Mike Halpin and Republican Mike Thoms were both out at the parades, looking to gain more support as midterm elections near.

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Labor Day was busy for two political candidates, as midterm elections on Nov. 8 draw closer.

Democrat Mike Halpin and Republican Mike Thoms are running for Illinois Senate District 36. Both candidates walked in Labor Day parades in Rock Island and East Moline to connect with folks in their district.

Halpin is currently the Illinois House Representative for the 72nd District and Thoms is the Rock Island mayor.

Halpin’s campaign is focused on supporting workers rights and fair pay.

“We want to make sure that everyone has the right to collectively bargain, the right to have fair wages, benefits, healthcare and retirement and dignity,” Halpin said. “That’s one of my primary issues – that’s what I hear when I go door-knocking every day. We need to make life easier for everyday working people here in Illinois.”

Thoms’ goals are to reduce crime and solve broader economic issues.

“The gas tax – they doubled it and it’s a concern of a lot of individuals out there, and how much they’re paying for gas,” Thoms said. “The other is safety – crime has been on the increase. We need to work on that and try to revert that back… And just the economy in general – find ways to create more jobs, reduce the burden on the individuals.”

Both candidates said they’re open to working with their opposing parties.

Watch more news, weather and sports on News 8’s YouTube channel

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September 5, 2022 at 08:34PM

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Letter: Vote Halpin

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After 21 years as a school nurse, you think you’ve seen it all until a diabetic student suffers from a severe hypoglycemic episode and you have to choose between what is morally right and what is legally right.

That was my reality in 2018. The treatment was within reach, but medication — glucagon — belonged to a different student. Despite it not being legal to administer another student’s medication, I did what I knew I had to: save this student’s life.

The school replaced the used glucagon, but I feared losing my RN license / job, or worse, this happening again to another. If we can have school-provided inhalers and Epipens, why can’t we have school-provided glucagon?

When then-state Rep. Mike Halpin heard my story, he took action to protect the lives of students and jobs of school nurses across the state of Illinois. Mike stepped up and championed House Bill 822, which provides that schools may maintain a supply of undesignated glucagon.

He proved he doesn’t just represent our community, he listens to our community’s needs. He isn’t just another politician who makes claims and doesn’t follow through. He does the right thing and leads by example.

Through his unwavering support of helping and prioritizing our students, he gained my full support to be our next state senator. The Nov. 8 election is coming up! We need Mike Halpin to represent us in Springfield — because Mike Halpin cares.

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September 4, 2022 at 02:29AM

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Avelar Named to Senior Housing Residents’ Advisory Council

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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 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

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

August 31, 2022 at 10:19AM

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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

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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.

Copyright 2022 WEEK. All rights reserved.

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August 29, 2022 at 10:28PM

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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.”

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,” 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 YednockRep. 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

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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.

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August 25, 2022 at 11:25AM

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