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Hey there!
Our team has been busy across the District this summer. We’ve been hosting events, meeting with neighbors, and supporting local organizations. In July, we joined Alpine Fest celebrations in Lake Zurich, welcomed a local business to Palatine, co-hosted a successful blood drive and I-PASS event, and wrapped up a remarkable year with our Youth Advisory Council.
We’re working to make sure our office is present, accessible, and supportive in every corner of the 51st District. Up next, we have office hours at the Palatine and Ela Public Libraries on August 20, with our partners from the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County.
Keep reading for more community events, resources, and updates!
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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 are on August 20th. We're proud to have partnered with the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County; if you or a loved one are a veteran, VACCC is here to connect you with the benefits you've earned!
We hope to see you there!
| | Had a great time at our office hours last month! | | |
As summer winds down, if you’re looking for last-minute ways to make the most of the season, check out our museum pass!
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!
| | Our office got the chance to meet with community members and enjoy during this year's Alpine Fest. Thanks to the Lions Club of Lake Zurich for holding the 80th Alpine Fest last month! | | Congratulations to MOTW Coffee and Pastries! | | |
Thanks again to MOTW Coffee and Pastries for inviting me to their ribbon cutting! Welcome to one of the newest small businesses in the district!
They're on 1440 Algonquin Road, Palatine, if you want to check them out!
| | Versiti Blood Drive and I-PASS On Demand | | |
Thanks to the Versiti Blood Bank and I-PASS On Demand Teams for co-hosting another great event with us this past month!
Whether you came in to trade in your white transponder boxes for sticker tags, or to donate blood (or both!) we are so grateful to have participated in making this event a success!
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I had a wonderful time reading to the bright young minds at Kiddie Academy with a special guest, Clifford the Big Red Dog. 📚🐾
Kiddie Academy in Arlington Heights is owned by a constituent in the 51st District who is working hard to ensure that quality and strong early childcare and childhood education options exist in our community. Grateful for the work they do and I’m excited to hear of their growing impact in our community!
| | Teaching Chess to our Students! | | It was such a pleasure to meet with Knights of the Future! This teen-led nonprofit in our community is teaching our students chess and bumping up their math scores in the bargain! They're helping students build problem solving, critical thinking, and strategy on and off the board; thanks to Knights of the Future for all the work they do! | | |
The Youth Advisory Council has finished their work for the year!
Our last meeting distributed funding to the students' chosen nonprofits! Congratulations to the Myopia Project, Girlcon, Chesspupils, March for Our Lives Palatine Chapter, Youth Engagement in Society, and the Buffalo Grove Environmental Action Team! Thank you to each of these organizations for the fantastic work they do!
None of this could have been possible without our youth Advisors, whose consistent work and diligence empowered them to connect with their community across the district. Thank you to our Advisors; we can't wait to see what these students get up to next!
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The past month also marked the end of this year's Fellowship program. Over the course of the program, it was an absolute privilege to work alongside these students as they researched, wrote, debated, and presented their legislative policies.
In an environment where there are ugly signs all around, it brings a real smile to our corner of the world to see that the leaders of tomorrow are more ready than ever to put their best feet forward.
All the best to our Fellows! Thank you for another fantastic program!
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Community Updates and Resources | | | | 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.
| | Knights of the Future: Youth Chess Group | | 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!
| | Cook County Health Measles Toolkit | | |
Although eradicated in 2000 after the proliferation of the MMR vaccine, measles has now returned to our communities. The number of unvaccinated students in suburban Cook County schools has almost doubled over the last decade, from 6,401 in the 2014-2015 school year to 12,510 in the 2024-2025 school year.
Cook County Health's Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Kiran Joshi, said that "This isn't just a health issue, it's a misinformation crisis."
To combat the misinformation that has fueled the unnecessary return of this deadly disease, CCH has released the Measles Awareness Toolkit.
Please stay informed and distribute the information across your networks to keep our communities informed and safe.
| | March for our Lives Palatine is Hiring | | Birth to Five Childcare Resources | | Birth to Five Family Council | | |
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.
| | FREE White Sox Tickets for Veterans | |
Where do I find Community Events? 🗓️
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State and Federal
Updates and Resources
| | | | ComEd Customeler Relief Fund Closure | | |
ComEd launched the Customer Relief Fund in July to support residences and nonprofits. Due to demand, ComEd has now closed the fund to future applications.
The Relief Fund was launched as a stopgap until the January 2026 Low-Income Discount program. For now, ComEd has directed consumers to its help page, which includes some other resources to provide utility relief to those that need it.
| | 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. | | |
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.
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iCash:
The State of Illinois May Owe YOU Money
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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!
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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.
| | 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.
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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.
| | 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! | | |
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.
| | State Services and Programs 📣 | | |
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.
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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
If you have any inquiries or are facing a challenge with a state-related service, our office may be able to help you! Please complete our constituent services inquiry form.
With gratitude,
Nabeela
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