In This Issue
Legislation Highlight: Karina’s Bill
Chair and Committee Assignments
New Opening of EV Rebates Program Cycle
State Flag Voting Open
Coffee with the Fire Chief
CPR Class With Naperville Fire Department
February Coffee and Conversation
Dear Friends,
I hope the new year has been treating you and your family well!
New years come with new resolutions. A book recently given to my House colleagues and me by the Speaker of the House has been shaping how I have thought about my 2025 resolutions: Atomic Habits has a number of useful insights on how making tiny changes in our habits can compound into big differences over time. On the state side, we’re using some of its techniques to make for more efficient and insightful committees and caucus meetings. On my home front, I’m using it to try to be a better partner by using the two-minute rule* to stop procrastinating when it comes to picking up around the house.
The new year also brought in the new 104th General Assembly, and I was honored to be sworn in as a member earlier this month. Thank you to the community for your trust in representing you in our state government. We have another ambitious agenda for 2025, and I’m excited to update you throughout these next few months on how legislation from our district progresses.
We also have many events planned, including Coffee with the Naperville Fire Chief, Mark Puknaitis, this Saturday. I hope to see you there or at any of our other upcoming events.
Sincerely,
Janet
*The Two-Minute Rule is largely of what you might expect it to be: When you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do. Starting small keeps it from feeling like work, and it’s better to do less than you hoped than do nothing at all.
Pictured below: Family and friends in Springfield at this year’s inauguration ceremony.
Legislation Highlight: Karina’s Bill
Earlier this month, on the last day of the 103rd General Assembly, my colleagues and I in the Illinois House passed Karina’s Bill. This bipartisan legislation empowers law enforcement to remove firearms from known domestic abusers so that we can better protect survivors. The bill is named in honor of Karina Gonzalez, who was granted an order of protection against her husband just weeks before he shot and killed both her and their teen daughter in July 2023. This week, we sent the bill to the Governor for his signing into law, and he has been a strong supporter of the bill.
Chair and Committee Assignments
I’m proud to be serving in two new leadership positions for this General Assembly, as Chair of the Personnel and Pensions Committee as well as Chair of the House Asian American Caucus. I look forward to bringing my over two decades of experience in the retirement and investment management industry to find solutions that acknowledge the financial realities facing our state, respect the promises made to workers, and make smart decisions about our future.
And as the representative of the diverse and unique 41st district that’s home to many first- and second-generation Asian American and Pacific Island families, I’m honored to be entrusted by my colleagues to lead a group of AAPI legislators that strive to build community and compassion throughout the state. These leadership positions will help amplify all of our efforts to build the strongest Illinois for everyone.
In addition to chairing the Personnel and Pensions committee, I will also serve as a member of the following committees:
Appropriations – Elementary and Secondary Education
Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools
Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies
Small Business, Tech Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
These committees will allow me to focus on some of the areas that are most important to our community – education, small businesses, and pensions. I also have introduced or am in the midst of drafting bills related to areas such as the environment, healthcare affordability, and gun violence prevention. You can see these bills on my ilga.gov legislation page.
New Opening of EV Rebates Program Cycle
The most recent Illinois EPA Electric Vehicle Rebate application cycle opened this week, with $14 million available for rebate applications postmarked during the application cycle between January 21 and April 30, 2025 and within 90 days of purchase. Illinois residents that purchase new or used all-electric vehicles may be eligible for $4,000 rebates for all-electric vehicles that are not electric motorcycles or $1,500 for all-electric motorcycles.
The program has frequently been oversubscribed in past cycles, so go to the Electric Vehicle Rebate Program page for more details on how to qualify and apply.
State Flag Voting Open
Voting is currently open for the Illinois state flag redesign contest. The Illinois Flag Commission reviewed more than 4,800 entries (include two from my husband, which didn’t make the shortlist 🙃). You can log one vote every 24 hours now through February 14 for:
one of the commission's top 10 flag designs;
retaining the existing state flag; or
reinstating the state’s 1918 centennial flag or 1968 sesquicentennial flag.
Vote and learn more about the history of Illinois' current flag on the Illinois Flag Commission page. For those having trouble deciding on their favorite, the North America Vexillological Association offers helpful guidance on good and bad flag design, as guided by their Five Principles:
Keep it Simple
Use Meaningful Symbolism
Use Two or Three Basic Colors
No Lettering or Seals
Be Distinctive or Be Related
The current Illinois state flag, pictured below, violates at least three of the America Vexillological Association’s principles of good flag design.
Coffee with the Fire Chief
Please join us this Saturday for a special version of our monthly Coffee and Conversation, where we’ll meet and talk with my friend and Naperville Fire Chief, Mark Puknaitis, at Naperville’s Fire Station 7.
The Naperville Fire Department recently celebrated its 150th anniversary! We’re excited to celebrate with them and also to chat with the community about the ways in which the state has partnered with our first responders like the Naperville Fire Department. There are also many updates on what is happening in Springfield and our District, so whether you have specific topics or just want to listen, please feel welcome to join us.
What: Coffee & Conversation with Naperville Fire Chief
Where: Fire Station 7, 1380 Aurora Ave., Naperville
When: Saturday, January 25, 2025, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
CPR Class with Naperville Fire Department
Join Senator Laura Ellman and me at Naperville’s Safety Town for a free class to learn life-saving skills with the Naperville Fire Department. This class teaches adult hands-only CPR, child CPR, adult and child AED use, infant CPR, and relief of choking in an adult, child, or infant. Space is limited and registration is required.
What: CPR Class with the Naperville Fire Department
Where: Naperville Safety Town at 1320 Aurora Ave., Naperville
When: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 6:30 pm
February Coffee and Conversation
Every month, my office and I host a community coffee to make sure you have a chance to ask questions, voice your concerns, and find out what’s happening in Springfield and our district. All are always welcome to this informal event, and I hope to see you there!
What: February Coffee & Conversation
Where: 475 River Bend Rd., Naperville, Suite 500
When: Saturday, February 22, 2025, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
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