July Newsletter 🏖️

Legislative Updates, Community Happenings, and More!

Happy July!  I hope everyone enjoyed their 4th! This past month, we continued our work with our Youth Advisory Council and Fellowship, got involved with events across the district, and had our Legislative Recap Town Hall!  Keep reading for details about our community engagement, upcoming events, and more! District Office Updates Blood Drive & I-PASS Event We are excited to invite you to our second blood drive of the year! This time, we will be joined with the I-PASS on Demand Team who will offer an array of services, including issuing new sticker transponders! Bonus: if you bring your white transponder to be recycled you can get $10 credited to your account. Lastly, walk-ins are welcome to meet with both the I-PASS and Versiti team, however registration is highly encouraged for the blood drive. Register below or visit repnabeelasyed.org/blooddrive25 Blood Drive Registration  Blood Drive FAQs Monthly Office Hours 📚 Our office has been enjoying hosting monthly office hours at the Palatine and Ela Public Libraries! Come by and share your thoughts! Our next office hours is on July 22nd. We hope to see you there! Museum Pass Requests 🦖 Looking for fun summer plans? Look no further! Our office has a museum pass that we can share with the 51st District. This pass allows you and up to three guests to receive complimentary, general admission to participating museums. This is a great and cost effective way to spend time with friends and family, explore the exhibits that museums have to offer, and learn something new! Please complete the form (linked below) at least 5 days in advance and our team will send your authorization letter! Museum Pass Request Form 🏛️Legislative Highlights🏛️ I had the pleasure of co-hosting a legislative town hall with Representative Mary Beth Canty, sharing updates from our productive 2025 legislative session. It was wonderful to connect with constituents and walk through the progress we've made on the issues that matter most to our communities. We covered a lot of ground during our time together! Representative Canty and I discussed healthcare reforms, maternal and reproductive health protections, legislation supporting seniors, school and youth safety measures, public safety improvements, environmental protections, transit reform challenges, budget priorities, and more! For anyone who didn’t get the chance to attend, let’s dive in! On Healthcare Healthcare reform has been one of my top legislative priorities since taking office. HB1697, the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, tackles the practice of "spread pricing" where pharmacy benefit managers pocket the difference between what they charge insurance companies and what they actually pay pharmacies. This legislation ensures 100% of rebates get passed through to patients, putting money back in your pocket where it belongs. The legislature also eliminated barriers to mental healthcare with HB3019, removing prior authorization requirements for outpatient mental health and substance use treatment. Last, we discussed SB126, which mandates insurance companies cover FDA-approved Alzheimer's treatments. On the Budget Representative Canty and I spent considerable time walking through how the General Assembly passed a balanced $55.2 billion budget despite significant federal uncertainty. The legislature's spending priorities reflect our values: $11.2 billion for K-12 schools through Evidence-Based Funding that gets state dollars to the schools that need help most, and $11.03 billion for pension obligations—more than the minimum requirements to help address our long-term challenges.  Lawmakers increased health and human services funding by 4% to target the direct care worker shortage that's been closing facilities and creating waitlists for vulnerable populations. Recognizing the federal funding chaos, the General Assembly also created a $100 million emergency fund to maintain essential services rather than be forced to make emergency cuts mid-year. On Transit Reform We talked how public transit is critical infrastructure for our region's economy, which is why the legislature is working to address the $771 million shortfall facing our transit systems. This crisis stems from federal funding that's sunsetting (outside of the current administration), combined with lingering pandemic ridership disruptions. To address that shortfall, we talked about how we'll need to have a clear discussion of what positive reforms will occur; we need a guarantee that the money will used to keep the system running as well as possible for as many people as it can reach. HB3438, the transit reform package, will continue to be discussed during our October veto session. The proposal includes restructuring the RTA to become the Northern Illinois Transit Authority and pursuing new revenue sources—though these details are still being refined. Getting this right is essential for the millions of Illinoisans who depend on public transit for their daily lives and for our region's economic future. On Community Protection Measures Public safety remained a top priority for the General Assembly this session. We reviewed new legislation strengthening gun storage requirements when minors or at-risk individuals could access weapons (SB8), and how lawmakers improved our response to internet crimes against children through Alicia's Law (HB2586). The legislature also enhanced police accountability with new record-sharing systems for hiring decisions. On environmental protection, lawmakers took action against "forever chemicals" with HB2516, banning PFAS from everyday products like cosmetics, dental floss, and children's products.  We also spent significant time discussing how the General Assembly established a Climate Displacement Task Force to help our communities prepare for climate-related challenges. As climate change continues to progress, we're anticipating increasing strain on Illinois' infrastructure and services as people are displaced from other regions experiencing severe climate impacts.  Thank you so much to everyone who attended! I know that there were so many people who weren't able to come, but wanted to: We want to hear from you! The office's contact information is at the bottom of this newsletter. Get in touch! Watch our vlog here! District Highlights ✨ Save the Date! - Lake Zurich Alpine Fest Mark your calendars for the Lake Zurich Alpine Fest, which has been proudly put on by the Lions Club of Lake Zurich for an incredible 80 years! The festival opens Friday, July 18th at 6 PM and runs for three days filled with food, games, attractions, and music! Our office will have a table at the even on Sunday, July 20th and we hope to see you there! Learn more about the event here In the Community! Brightpoint's Annual Summer Block Party ☀️ What a way to kick off summer! Our team and student fellows had a blast at Brightpoint’s annual Summer Block Party in early June. Brightpoint is a community based organization focused on early childhood care and education, parent welfare, youth services, and more.  Our Fellows had the chance to learn more about Brightpoint’s work, connect with other organizations in the childcare field, and engage with the community. It was a great evening full of learning and connection! Supporting Fremd's Cheer Squad I stopped by to support Fremd Cheer’s car wash! It is well over 90 degrees today, but the cheer team was still out, raising money, and supporting their program. Go Vikes! 💚💛 Milestones at the Foglia YMCA It was exciting to join the Ribbon Cutting of Pat’s Playground this morning which is Foglia YMCA’s brand new, fully ADA accessible playground. This playground was made possible by the Foglia Family Foundation. This playground will be a source of joy for so many kids in our community and it was exciting to hear about the work done to make this possible! I’m also honored to receive the Illinois Alliance of YMCA’s Legislative Hero Award! It is an award presented to members of the General Assembly who have worked to further the YMCA mission either in district or in Springfield.  I love the work that both the Buehler and Foglia YMCA do in our community, and feel grateful for this recognition!  Meet Ria! 👋 Our Girls Lead Fellow Ria is our mentee from the Girls Lead program through the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. Ria shadowed me for the day and we kicked it off with some meetings at our office, where Ria learned about legislative concerns from constituents. Then we visited Little City in the most southern end of the district and headed up to Foglia YMCA to accept an award. I had a wonderful time getting to know Ria more and learning about what drives her passion for public service. Little City is doing incredible work to support children and adults with developmental disabilities right here in the 51st District. I have deep appreciation for their work and am grateful for the opportunities to partner in advocacy to make our state a better state for the I/DD community. Congratulations to Daniel! It was an honor to join in celebrating Daniel at his Eagle Scout Ceremony this morning! Daniel earned his Eagle Scout rank, achieving the highest rank for a Boy Scout. Hearing how Daniel used his love for cooking to demonstrate leadership and his dedicated role as a mentor to Cubs Scouts was so heartwarming and inspiring. A big congratulations to Daniel and his family! 💙 Youth Engagement in Society (YES!) Fundraiser I had the privilege of joining an event held by YES! (Youth Engagement in Society), an organization founded by students at Barrington High School to promote civic engagement. The event was organized to raise money for Hope for Haiti, and I was amazed to witness them raise $3,678 toward their $5,000 goal just while I was there! It was inspiring to meet these passionate students and see their dedication to helping others both locally and globally. Palatine Sustainability Fair Our office and student Fellows had a wonderful time participating in the Sustainability Fair hosted by Palatine Cool Cities! It was fantastic to see the community come together to share sustainable living practices, enjoy family activities, and explore innovative ideas for a sustainable future. Events like these remind us of the importance of working together to protect our environment for future generations. 🌱 Palatine's Hometown Fest I had such a blast joining the annual Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest! Getting to connect with community members, enjoy local vendors, and celebrate what makes our hometown special was absolutely wonderful. There's nothing quite like a good community festival to bring neighbors together! 🎇 Student Engagement Our Youth Advisory Council has reached an exciting milestone! After weeks of researching local nonprofits and presenting on organizations focused on healthcare accessibility, educational equity, food security, and community investments, our advisors have made their final decisions on how to distribute the $1,000 community budget! Last month was all about advocacy and collaboration. Students presented their cases for the organizations they believed should receive funding, debated the merits of different community needs, and worked together to agree on a final budget allocation. It was incredible to see them engage in the same kind of thoughtful decision-making that happens at the state level. Our next meeting will be all about finalizing the recipient list and getting those funds out to the community organizations that will make a real difference in our district! YAC meetings are held monthly between 5 PM - 6 PM through July at our District Office. There is no commitment needed; we understand that students have busy schedules. Visit repnabeelasyed.org/youth-advisory-council to read testimonials from past YAC students and to register for updates about upcoming meeting dates. Our last meeting of the year is on Monday, July 28th! Register for YAC Our Fellows are diving deep into policy work, too! This month they started their presentations on their chosen legislative topics, getting into the nuts and bolts of how they would bring these policies to help our District and our State. I'm so impressed by their research and their passion for creating meaningful change! Community Updates and Resources Student Opportunities Goodwill's Empower Youth Program Goodwill launched ‘Empower Youth’, a career training and development program for Illinois youth and young adults ages 16 to 24! Enrolled youth and young adults will receive job readiness training, skill building, and support to be successful in the workplace. Program participants will also have access to part-time seasonal jobs and permanent part-time and full-time positions with local employers across a variety of growing industries throughout the Chicagoland area. Learn more here! Harper College's Dual Credit Opportunity Did you know that Illinois community colleges are leading the way as the primary providers of dual credit in the state?  Dual credit programs provide high school students with the opportunity to earn credits toward their diploma and college degree while still in high school. Additionally, dual credit students graduate from community college at substantially higher rates than students who did not enroll in dual credit coursework. Learn how Harper's dual credit program helps high school students earn both high school and college credit simultaneously by visiting the link below! Learn more! More Resources! Donate Menstrual Items Birth to Five Childcare Resources Birth to Five Family Council Receive Assistance Applying for Services at the Vernon Township OMNI services are now available to Vernon Township residents! OMNI offers an array of services in English and Spanish for applying for state benefits such as SNAP or Medicaid / Medicare, utility and mortgage assistance, and more. For assistance please contact Maritza Garcia at 847-353-1500 or mgarcia@omni4all.org. Vernon Township Boundary Learn more about OMNI Services FREE White Sox Tickets for Veterans Learn more here! Where do I find Community Events? 🗓️ While my monthly newsletter highlights a few community events, there's so much more happening! To stay updated on all the activities and events in our District, visit my social media pages (linked at the bottom of this page) and check out your local library and park district' websites. The 51st is home to two fantastic public libraries and park districts that offer year-round activities and events for everyone. For Palatine area residents, visit The Palatine Public Library calendar The Palatine Park District programming and events page For Ela Area residents, visit The Ela Area Public Library calendar The Village of Lake Zurich's Recreation Guide Have a little one? Check out the Early Childhood Developmental Enrichment Center's Summer Fun Calendar! Lastly, our website is a great resource! It is regularly updated with community events, resources, and more. State and Federal Updates and Resources Rise in DMV Text Scam Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is warning Illinoisans to keep on the lookout for text message scams claiming to be from the “Illinois State Department of Motor Vehicles” that threaten to suspend vehicle registration and driving privileges. The text messages are phishing attempts designed to trick residents into giving up personal or financial information. Recipients should not respond or open any links found in unsolicited texts and emails. “Phishing scams are unfortunately an increasingly prevalent threat in our modern society, seeking to cheat Illinoisans out of their personal information and hard-earned money,” Giannoulias said. “Please remain vigilant to avoid these scams and report them to protect yourself and others from falling victim to fraud schemes.” The office only sends text messages to remind residents about scheduled DMV appointments. It does not send text messages regarding driver’s license or vehicle registration status. Illinoisans are encouraged to report scam attempts to the Federal Trade Commission by visiting reportfraud.ftc.gov. REAL ID Info from the Secretary of State The Secretary of State has added some info for anyone who has questions about getting a RealID. To learn more, there's now a "Get A REAL ID" portal on the homepage of the office's website (www.ilsos.gov). There, you can see: (1) if you need a REAL ID before the May 7 federal enforcement period begins; and (2) how to find a walk-in location or schedule an appointment near you. iCash: The State of Illinois May Owe YOU Money Did you know that the 51st District has over $700,000 in property value that the state holds until residents claim it?! Since 2023, my office has helped return over $200,000 back to the hands of our constituents! Checking if you have an available claim is quick and easy!  Visit the ICash website Complete the information needed  Look for your name and address and claim anything that is yours!  Please reply to this email if you have questions regarding your claim or the iCash program. 💰 Illinois Power Agency Administers Two Solar Incentive Programs ☀️ Did you know that the Illinois Power Agency administers two solar incentive programs on behalf of the State of Illinois?  Since 2019, the Illinois Power Agency (IPA) has administered the Illinois Shines and the Illinois Solar for All programs. Both programs make going solar more affordable and accessible for eligible Illinois electricity customers. To participate in either program, customers must work with an approved vendor, which is a solar company registered with one or both of the programs. These companies will submit an on-site solar project (aka distributed generation) to the applicable program or subscribe a customer to a community solar project. Approved Vendors participating in these programs are vetted and approved by that program’s administrator and must meet rigorous consumer protection requirements. Illinois Solar for All Illinois Shines Learn which state solar incentive may be right for you An Update from the Secretary of State: Get Your Documents Notarized at Home! The Secretary of State’s office launched an Electronic Notary System! With this new system, both the customer and notary can sign the document and attach the notarial certificate and notary seal electronically.   If you have questions about notary requirements or the application process, please contact the Index Department’s Notary Public Division at enotary@ilsos.gov or 217-782-7017. Find an e-notary Become an e-notary   Court Based Rental Assistance Program The Illinois Housing has launched the Court Based Rental Assistance Program, which is a joint application between the tenant and the housing provider / landlord. Any Illinois tenant may be eligible to receive CBRAP assistance if: They have a pending eviction due to nonpayment (A court-summons document will be required). The household lives in Illinois and rents their home as their primary residence. The household’s total gross income does not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income for their county. See application for other requirements. Learn more here! Want to stay updated on current grant opportunities? Sign up for our listserv to get more information! This will ensure that you get the full list of grants and more often! Sign up to join our grant listserv!   Nicor’s Pillar Grants Nicor Gas’ Environmental Stewardship Pillar has an array of grant applications opening throughout the year focused on the environment, education, diversity, and more!  The Environmental Stewardship Pillar supports efforts that directly result in more customer and employee engagement in the natural environment through conservation and sustainable activities.  Visit their website to learn more about the available grants, deadlines, application requirements, and eligibility.  DCEO Funding Opportunities 💰 The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has funding opportunities available! Check out the CDBG Economic Development Program!   Grantees may contact the Grant Help Desk by e-mail at CEO.GrantHelp@illinois.gov or submit a question for help with grant applications, GATA prequalification, and audit issues. If possible, grantees should provide their GATA ID with their inquiry.    All available DCEO grants can be found here   State Services and Programs 📣 Access Pilot Program for Individuals with SNAP The Access Pilot Program grants reduced fare permits for individuals who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and live in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, or Will counties. The program runs only for 18-months, between Feb. 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025! Click here to visit the website to learn more about the pilot program and apply for a permit. Visit the website to learn more and apply Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) The energy bill assistance program offered through the Help Illinois Families Program will assist eligible families with natural gas, propane, and electricity bills. Program Year 2024 includes a variety of improvements based on feedback from advocates such as an expanded program year, as well as reinstating the pre-pandemic practice of tiered applications to allow families most in need to apply first. The LIHEAP application period is October 1, 2024, to August 15, 2025, or until funding is exhausted. Help Stop Hate! In recent years, Illinois has seen a stark rise in hate and extremism, reflecting a troubling national trend. In response, Governor JB Pritzker, along with the Illinois Human Rights Department (IDHR) and the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes (CDHC), announced the official launch of Help Stop Hate, a confidential service that provides support and resources to individuals and communities affected by hate. Help Stop Hate provides meaningful support to assist victims and witnesses of hate acts in reporting what happened and connecting them and their communities with vital resources. The service is free, confidential, and not affiliated with law enforcement. Online reports can be made in seven languages. Callers can report in the language of their preference and receive assistance from call specialists trained in trauma-informed care. We need each and every Illinoisan to help stop hate. By reporting hate acts you witness or experience, you play a crucial role in making Illinois a more inclusive and welcoming state. Visit ILStopHate.org or call (877) 458-HATE Monday to Friday from 12-9 PM to report what you’ve experienced or witnessed. Together, we can ensure that hate has no place to hide. ILStopHate.org Get in touch with us! Our district office is located at 1252 W Northwest Highway, across from the Buehler YMCA.  We are available in person Monday - Thursday from 9am - 5pm and on Fridays you can reach us via email and phone. Phone: 773-916-6553 Email: info@repsyed.com With gratitude, Nabeela repnabeelasyed.org

State Representative Nabeela Syed | 1252 West Northwest Highway | Palatine, IL 60067 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice