In this Issue:
iGROW Scholarship is Live!
Women in Technology Taskforce
Why Connect? State Agency Services
Heroes & Helicopters Highlights
September Waterway Clean Up
Coffee and Conversations
Dear Friends,
I hope you and your family have been enjoying these last days of summer and keeping cool through some of the recent area heat waves.
We’ve had a productive summer in our office, and I’m excited to share with you the recent launch of the iGROW Scholarship and the Women in Technology Taskforce. Both of these efforts originated with legislation from our district–HB1378 and SB2682, respectively.
This issue of the monthly newsletter also highlights much of the non-legislative work and services my office and I strive to provide to the 41st district community. Throughout the year, we host events, panels, and activities with local and state-wide organizations. We also work to connect constituents with state agencies, making sure, for example, that they remain responsive and available to your needs.
If you ever find yourself in need of similar assistance or have ideas or feedback to share, please never hesitate to reach out to me and my office.
Sincerely,
Janet
P.S. With back-to-school excitement in the air, now seems like a good time to remind us all about school bus traffic safety rules. Here’s a nice piece on School Bus Safety put together by the Illinois State Police.
iGROW Scholarship is Live!
Applications for the Illinois Graduate and Retain Our Workforce (iGROW) Scholarship went live this week, with tuition assistance of up to $7,500 available to those pursuing tech-related fields of study. You can apply and learn more about the program via the Illinois Student Assistance Commission iGROW program page.
I am proud to have worked with Senator Javier Cervantes and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce to sponsor and pass House Bill 1378, which established the iGROW scholarship program. The scholarship aims to bring students into high-demand technology-related fields, supporting companies throughout our district and Illinois in recruiting highly skilled workers in some of their hardest-to-fill jobs.
Below: iGROW - HB1378 passed the Illinois House with bi-partisan, unanimous support on May 15, 2023.
Women in Technology Taskforce
Governor Pritzker signed Senate Bill 2682 into law earlier this month, officially establishing the Increasing Representation of Women in Technology Task Force. It was a great honor to work with Senator Laura Ellman and Vision 1948 to bring this task force to life, carrying forth our collective goal to increase the recruitment, advancement, and retention of women in technology-related positions.
I’m also honored to have been appointed to this task force, which has as one of its duties making recommendations on government policies to incentivize companies to pursue these goals. Task forces like these typically result in a number of great legislative ideas, and I’m excited to sponsor those bills in future General Assembly sessions.
Please let me know if you are interested in serving on this task force or know of someone who might have interest. The task force positions can all be found on the Women in Technology Task Force Board and Commission Details page. In fact, the Boards & Commissions page shows all open appointments for boards across many areas. You can submit applications directly, and I also encourage you to let me know of your interest so that my office and I can advocate on your behalf.
Why Connect? State Agency Services
When my office and I are in the community and tell constituents, “Let us know if you ever need anything,” we’re sometimes asked why people would need to contact a state rep’s office. One of our main functions is to help you connect with the right state agency to address your needs. Some of the agencies that we most frequently work with on constituent services include:
Attorney General’s Office, which provides information on how to prevent and what to do when individuals fall victim to identity theft
Department of Aging, which coordinates home and community-based programs for older adults to remain independent in their own home
Department of Child and Family Services, which handles child protection and reports of child abuse or neglect by providing hotlines as well as information on healthcare for children in foster care, group homes, or residential living
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which provides employment training programs and business development information for small businesses
Illinois Commerce Commission, which handles inquiries about electric, gas, water, sewer, or telephone bills
Department of Human Services, which helps access a variety of services in many different divisions, such as mental health, rehabilitation, family, early childhood, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse and preventions
Secretary of State’s Office, which handles inquiries about driver licenses, real IDs, and various senior and community programs
We often also work with agencies to bring their services directly and more conveniently to you. Last week, for example, Senator Ellman and I hosted an event in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) at the Naperville Public Library. This event allowed for in-person problem-solving with IDFPR staff in many different licensing areas, such as nurse practitioners, physicians, and speech pathologists. Many people at the event successfully received their required licenses after conversations with IDFPR. We’re especially grateful for IDFPR staff’s willingness to spend more than an extra hour with us at the event to make sure that as many people as possible received the services they needed.
The above examples are only a few of the many Illinois state agencies available to you. Please contact our office if you ever need assistance in finding or receiving help from a state agency.
Below: Constituents being served at the August 22, 2024 district event with IDFPR.
Heroes and Helicopters Highlights
In mid-August, Senator Ellman and I hosted our district’s 3rd annual Heroes & Helicopters Community Showcase. Despite the on-and-off rain, we had hundreds of community members attend and connect with the dozens of first responders and organizations that showcased how they keep us safe and serve our community.
Thank you to all who were able to attend. We already have lots of ideas for next year’s showcase and look forward to continuing to connect families and residents across our district with each other and local heroes in future events.
September Waterway Cleanup
In recognition of the recent designation of September as Waterway Cleanup Month in Illinois, my office and I are partnering with teachers and students from local high schools around the 41st District on a Dupage River Waterway Cleanup. Please join us in keeping our local waterways clean and sustainable for our natural habitats. All ages are welcome!
What: September Waterway Cleanup
When: Saturday, September 28th at 12:00 PM
Where: Knoch Knolls Park, 320 Knoch Knolls Rd., Naperville. Meet on the path in the circle area next to the parking lot
Coffee & Conversations
Each month, my office and I host a Coffee & Conversation to catch-up on Springfield and local happenings. I always enjoy and appreciate hearing the wide range of viewpoints represented at our coffees. These conversations have helped me better represent our community, and I hope they have provided good food for thought for participants, too. Whether you have specific topics you want to discuss or just want to come and listen, please feel welcome to join us at our next chat.
What: Coffee & Conversation
When: August 31st at 10:00 AM
Where: 41st District Office, 475 River Bend Rd., Suite 500, Naperville
