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Happy December, everyone!
Our office has been keeping busy with community projects and preparing for the upcoming legislative session as 2025 comes to a close.
We've got the fantastic results of our community food drive, and a sneak peek at some of the bills for the new year, focused on tackling the cost of living and making essential services more accessible for families across the 51st.
Keep reading for all the details, and from our office to yours, we wish you a safe and restful holiday season!
| | Thank YOU for Our Community Food Drive!! | | This Thanksgiving, we gave our thanks for everyone who supported our community food drive. It was a massive success! | | |
Our community came together to donate more than 1,000 items for food pantries across the district. We even had a group of four young girls who wrote notes to their neighbors, delivered them door to door, and stopped by our office with bags full of donations!
Our office is so humbled and honored to represent a district filled with such caring, generous people. Thank you!
| | Know Your Rights Training | |
Representative Grasse's office in partnership with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and the City of Rolling Meadows are hosting a Know Your Rights Training.
The event is on Saturday, December 13th from 12:00 - 1:30 PM at 3705 Pheasant Dr #2634, Rolling Meadows.
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| Our office is excited to table at our last community resource fair of the year! We will be at the Lincoln Elementary Resource Fair on Tuesday, December 16 from 6 - 7:30 PM and hope to see you there! 🎒 |
| Our office has been enjoying hosting monthly office hours at the Palatine and Ela Public Libraries. When everyone's back from their holiday season, join us for our next office hours on Wednesday, January 22nd! | | Office Closure for the Holidays! | | |
Our district office will be closed for the holidays from Monday, December 22nd through Friday, January 2nd.
If you need to get in touch with our team, please email info@repsyed.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Best wishes and Happy Holidays to everyone!
| | The 2026 general session will get started on January 14th! My focus this session is the same as always: accessibility and cost of living. Here's a sneak peek of a few bills I'm working on: | | Maintaining Telehealth Coverage | | |
During the pandemic, the General Assembly passed an amendment requiring insurance plans to cover telehealth services. In the years since, we've seen how valuable telehealth has become. Particularly for residents who face barriers to in-person care due to distance, mobility, or work schedules. That amendment is scheduled to sunset soon, and one of my priorities for the upcoming session is ensuring telehealth coverage remains in place and keeping our healthcare conversations centered around improving access.
| | Ticket Pricing Transparency and Safety | | |
Other states have already implemented consumer protections requiring ticket sellers to display the full prices up front. In Illinois these protections are often absent, allowing advertisers to show prices for tickets that are misleading (or for tickets that the seller hasn't even purchased yet).
This January, I'll introduce legislation to put these consumer protections in place. Our community members deserve consistent, stable pricing when they engage with vendors for ticketed events; this will be a step in the right direction.
I'm also looking at requiring that free water be made available at ticketed outdoor events. For summer events outside, or indoors when the ventilation gets overwhelmed, this is a simple, cost-effective way to keep people safe while they enjoy their free time.
| | Next Steps for the Senior Freeze | | |
Senior freezes help keep seniors in their homes by reducing property tax burdens for households below a certain income threshold. During veto session, I helped pass an expansions to that income threshold. That will bring to seniors across the state, but it doesn't go far enough.
Here's the problem: tax-deferred accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s count as income when funds are withdrawn. Normally, seniors can plan their withdrawals to stay below the income threshold. But sudden, unforeseen costs, especially medical expenses from an unexpected diagnosis or injury, can force seniors to withdraw more than planned, get pushed past the limit, and lose their property tax relief. These situations can escalate, leading to seniors choosing between paying their obligations and staying in their homes.
That's why I want to push for medical expenses to be exempted from tax-deferred withdrawals for the senior freeze income threshold. Property tax reform is ambitious work, but I plan to bring this idea forward as the Property Tax Working Group reconvenes next session.
That's all for now! More to come as we get closer to the 2026 general session!
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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!
Note: Our office will be closed for the holidays between Monday, December 22nd and Friday, January 2nd. If you want tickets to use during this time, please submit requests by 5 PM on Monday, December 15th so we can make sure you get them!
| | Veteran's Day Celebrations | | |
On Veterans Day, I got to join Sundling Middle School for their annual breakfast and recognition event, and attended Palatine's American Legion Veterans Day program.
Throughout the day, I heard stories and words of wisdom from our veterans. One conversation in particular stood out. A veteran reminded me how important it is that our government supports veterans not only in words, but through action, whether that means access to mental health resources, housing, or health care. It’s a reminder that while we honor veterans today, our commitment to supporting them should continue year round.
Thank you to all our veterans for your service and your sacrifice.
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Lake Zurich Main Street Reopened! | The Main Street reconstruction project in Lake Zurich was staged in March and began construction in April 2025. On November 14th it reopened, and I got to enjoy it with the reset of the community; it looks great! |
Sip and Support for the Angel Tree Program! | I had a wonderful time attending the Sip and Support event this past month in support of Palatine Township's Angel Tree Program. Palatine Township is still looking for donors for their Angel Tree Program. If you're looking for a heartfelt way to celebrate the season, please consider choosing a gift for one of these special angels. | | Assembling Meals with Basket Brigade of Suburban Chicago! | | |
Our office had an amazing time volunteering with the Basket Brigade of Suburban Chicago alongside the Cook County Sheriff's Office this month at Harper College. We helped assemble Thanksgiving dinners for 2,000 local families in need!
You can learn more about the Basket Brigade's mission and support their work at basketbrigade.net/mission.
| | Thank you to State Rep. Mary Beth Canty’s Office for inviting our office to your Government Access Fair at the Palatine Library! It was a great opportunity to connect with constituents and meet different agencies and organizations in our community who help residents navigate local, county, and state services. | | Thank you to everyone who stopped by and to our government and community partners for continuing to strengthen the resources available to families in our area! | | Village of Deer Park Board Meeting | | |
It was a privilege to speak at the Village of Deer Park’s November board meeting and highlight the results of our collaboration over the past few years.
Government works best when we cut through the red tape. Our biggest shared win so far has been securing the release of $270,000 in stalled funding for village drainage improvements. While this project was approved years ago, the funds had unfortunately gotten lost in the bureaucratic shuffle. When President Rusteberg brought this to my attention in early 2023, I immediately went to work in Springfield to ensure the project was prioritized. I’m proud to say Deer Park received their full reimbursement to support infrastructure projects in our community.
A huge thank you to the Village of Deer Park for your partnership. I look forward to continuing our work to strengthen this community!
| | Lake County Gun Violence Prevention Town Hall | | |
Lastly, in a month filled with in-district events, our office attended Lake County State's Attorney's Gun Violence Prevention Initiative (GVPI) Town Hall. The GVPI is a county-led effort bringing together community partners to reduce gun violence in Lake County.
The team shared how meaningful conversations, community engagement, and trauma-informed practices create safer and healthier neighborhoods.
| | Thank you to Tierra Lemon and the entire GVPI team for your leadership in bringing real solutions to our communities! | | Although events on the state level will slow for December, check out the links below to find local events in the 51st District! | |
Where do I find Community Events? 🗓️
| | Early Intervention Town Hall | |
State, County and Federal
Updates and Resources
| | | | LIHEAP Applications Now Open! | | |
LIHEAP eligibility has opened for non-senior applicants! Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until August 15th, 2026, or until funds run out.
If you need assistance, apply soon!
| | IDPH Fall Vaccine Guidance | | |
Following extensive scientific review, the Illinois Department of Public Health released its public health guidelines for this fall.
With a third measles case now confirmed in suburban Cook County, it is more important than ever that we follow vaccine recommendations as we push deeper into the fall flu season. Keep your loved ones safe!
| | Updates on EV Rebate Program | | |
The Illinois EPA opened the next Electric Vehicle Rebate Program funding round on October 28, 2025, running through January 31, 2026.
Illinois residents who purchase a new or used all-electric vehicle from an Illinois licensed dealer and meet eligibility requirements can apply for a rebate. Low-income applicants are eligible for enhanced rebates and priority disbursement.
$14 million has been appropriated for this round, and applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply early if you are eligible.
| | Illinois Virtual Licenses Now Available | | |
Illinois residents can now add their State ID or Driver's License directly to their Apple Wallet for iPhone users. This new option can make it easier to verify your identity securely in apps, online, and in person.
To get started, open the Apple Wallet app on your iPhone and follow the prompts, or visit their website for step-by-step instructions.
Please note: the mobile driver's license does not replace a physical counterpart, but instead acts as a companion.
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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. 💰
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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 or visit our grants page on our website. | | |
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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