May Biweekly Newsletter! ☀️

District Updates, Community Happenings, and Legislative News

Happy May (again!) As the legislative session comes to a close at the end of the month and our district kicks off summer activities, we're launching a new biweekly newsletter to keep you connected to what's happening in Springfield and in our community. The final weeks of session are always a flurry of committee meetings and floor debates, while in the district we're gearing up for festivals, service events and plenty of ways to engage with your neighbors. We hope this new format helps you stay informed and engaged. Thank you for reading, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or suggestions for future topics. And be sure to scroll to see information about our upcoming Youth Fair on June 1st! Snapshot of this first newsletter: 🏛️ Legislative Updates: SNAP Changes 🎥 Office Updates 🎓 District Highlight: Advocacy Day 🤝 Community Events & Activities 💡 Helpful Resources Legislative Update May has been another busy month at the Capitol, and we've continued to tackle issues that directly affect our community. Fighting to Protect Food Assistance - SNAP Changes Major federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are now taking effect. The budget bill passed by the federal administration last summer slashed about $200 billion from SNAP and $1 trillion from Medicaid. Now roughly 120,000 Illinoisans are at risk of losing benefits. SNAP brings about $4 billion into Illinois each year and generates $6.6 billion in economic activity, so these cuts will ripple through our state's economy. I've been working with my colleagues in Springfield along with advocacy groups to explore what options are available on the state-level to support families that will no longer have access to SNAP. I'll continue to advocate for policies that protect food access while supporting small grocers who serve our communities. If you or someone you know has lost SNAP benefits, please check whether you qualify for an exemption using the state's online screener here. WATCH OUR SNAP INFO VIDEO HERE Community Food Drive To try and help where we can and address the needs of our community, our office is hosting a food drive. We know that changes to SNAP benefits are putting strain on families and small grocers, so we're stepping in where we can to support local food pantries. From now until June 30th, please consider donating canned goods, pantry staples and other non-perishable items. Donations can be dropped off at 1252 West Northwest Highway, Palatine IL 60067. Every contribution helps our neighbors in need. District Highlights Advocacy Day at the Capitol! Highlights from a jam‑packed Wednesday in Springfield! The Capitol was buzzing with passionate advocates and community partners, and I was so grateful to welcome many of them to our office. It was wonderful to connect with representatives from the HANA Center, Hanul Family Alliance, AFFI and several of our local fire departments, as well as board members from the College of Lake County and leaders from Partners for Our Communities. We spent the day exchanging ideas, learning about their priorities and sharing updates on our work in Springfield. It was also Asian American Advocacy Day, and as one of nine Asian Americans serving in the Illinois General Assembly, it was especially meaningful to host advocates from across the state. Their commitment to building a more inclusive and vibrant Illinois inspires me every day. Thank you to everyone who made the trip to the Capitol and for all you do to strengthen our communities. FOLLOW OUR INSTAGRAM TO SEE OUR VLOGS As the spring sessions approaches its conclusion at the end of this month, I'm grateful for everyone who has advocated alongside us and helped shape these bills. I'll keep you updated as they continue to move through the legislative process and become law. To see a recap on all the wonderful people I met in Springfield, make sure to check out our Instagram! Big Trucks! Back in the district, I've been busy engaging with neighbors at home. We were thrilled to join the Palatine Park District’s Big Trucks event, it was an absolute blast! Between the honking horns and happy kids climbing on all kinds of trucks, we had the chance to meet so many wonderful constituents and enjoy a fun, family‑friendly day.  Big Trucks brings our community together to celebrate the people and machinery that keep things moving. A huge thank you to the Palatine Park District for hosting this great event and creating space for neighbors to connect. We look forward to seeing you at the next one! That’s all for this edition’s district highlights! We appreciate your support and look forward to sharing more stories and events with you in our next update. District Office Updates Representative Syed's Youth Fair As a reminder we are hosting a Youth Fair: for the youth, by the youth! The Youth Fair will highlight youth-led organizations and community groups offering opportunities for students to get involved, build skills, and connect with resources in our community. There will also be snacks and workshops focused on workforce development, health, and more. ❗New event update❗ Want to learn more about breaking into the workforce, job searching, or social and mental well-being? We are excited to announce that Lake County Workforce Development, NICASA, and Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center will be hosting workshops at the event!" This event is for middle and high school aged students. Event details: Monday, June 1 4:00 – 7:00 PM Ela Public Library, Lake Zurich, Meeting Rooms A+B. Be sure to register and we hope to see you there! YOUTH FAIR REGISTRATION Monthly Office Hours 📚 As a reminder every month our office holds office hours at the Palatine and Ela Public Libraries. If you have a question about state services (or just want to stop by and say hello!), join our next office hours on Tuesday, June 23rd! Community Events and Resources Events Where do I find Community Events? 🗓️ 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. Early Intervention Brightpoint Summer Block Party Palatine Property Tax Seminar Join township assessors from Palatine, Elk Grove, Wheeling and Barrington for an educational program focused on demystifying your property tax bill. The session will begin with a basic overview of how local government is structured and how property taxes are calculated. It will then cover why tax bills continue to rise and explain important tools available to homeowners, such as appeals, exemptions and other ways to potentially reduce your burden.  Event Details: Wednesday, May 20 6:30 PM Palatine Township, Patriot Room (721 S. Quentin Road) Thank you to Palatine Township for hosting this event! 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. SIGN UP TO JOIN OUR GRANTS EMAIL LIST VISIT OUR GRANTS PAGE 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 repnabeelasyed.org

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