September Newsletter 🍂

District Updates, Community Happenings, and More!

Hey there, friends! As autumn slowly settles in and the leaves begin to turn, our team has been hard at work connecting with neighbors across the 51st District. Throughout September, we’ve been out in the community, hosting office hours at local libraries, attending resource fairs, and engaging at neighborhood events, to ensure our office stays accessible, responsive, and in tune with the needs of our constituents. With the legislative veto session approaching, we're preparing to tackle important issues that affect our communities - you will find more information further down in this newsletter. Meanwhile, we continue to offer services through our district office and connect residents with the resources they need. Our next office hours are on Wednesday, October 15th! We also have new programs for utility and property tax relief opening for applications; see below to apply! Hang around for updates on upcoming events, community resources, and more! 🦇 District Office Updates Monthly Office Hours 📚 Our office has been enjoying hosting monthly office hours at the Palatine and Ela Public Libraries! Our next office hours are on October 15th. Please note that Representative Syed will be in Springfield for Veto Session during this time, but our team will be there to meet constituents and address concerns. We continue to partner with the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County. If you or a loved one are a veteran, VACCC will be there to connect you with the benefits you've earned. We want to hear from you; stop by and say hi! Spook-tacular Events! Our office will have a table at the following spook-tacular events! They may look scary, but we promise that they are family friendly! Shoes Donation Drive Collection Our office is honored to partner with Clean Up, Give Back, Palatine for a shoe donation drive! As we get fall started, please consider donating gently used shoes to our office. 🏛️Legislative Update🏛️ The General Assembly reconvenes on October 14th for our fall veto session. This year we're expecting to tackle some critical issues that didn't make it across the finish line during the general session. Three major priorities are on the agenda this time around. Energy Affordability Virtually all of us saw our electric bills this summer climb to keep our air conditioners running. Power prices have spiked due to surging demand--driven in large part by the growth of data centers supporting artificial intelligence use. Veto session is expected to include legislation promoting the development of utility-scale battery storage projects. If we can store electricity during off-peak hours and dispatch it when demand is highest, strain on the grid will stabilize and keep costs more manageable. The 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act set hard deadlines for closing natural gas power plants. Although it is critical that we move from fossil fuel dependence as soon as possible, the 2021 legislation didn't anticipate the strain that data centers would put on the grid. The proposed legislation would lift Illinois' four-decade moratorium on new nuclear plants and work to make our energy more reliable. We're unlikely to see immediate relief on electric bills from these bills, but taking action now is essential if we want to prevent the problem from getting worse and build a more resilient energy grid for Illinois. Homeowners Insurance Rates State Farm announced this past summer it was raising rates in Illinois by an average of 27.2%. It's difficult to reconcile a rate increase of this size, especially given the relatively safe living environment for Illinois homes. Insurance companies point to severe weather and climate change as drivers of the increase, but it looks likely that Illinois residents are being asked to subsidize losses from hurricanes, wildfires, and other extreme weathers in other, higher-risk areas of the country. The Illinois Department of Insurance doesn't have the same oversight over property casualty insurance that it does over, for example, healthcare insurance. Without review over private rate increases, Illinois homeowners are vulnerable to rate hikes like the one we're seeing. Either in veto session or in an upcoming legislative session, we may see legislation to bring more transparency and fairness to review price hikes like this one. Illinoisans shouldn't pay more than they have to. Public Transit Reform We've discussed in the past how the Chicago Metropolitan Area is facing a $771 million transit funding gap for 2026. Federal COVID-19 relief running out, coupled with changes in ridership patterns, could result in up to 40% service cuts across the CTA, Metra, and pace, with some rail lines and routes entirely eliminated. During the spring session, the Senate passed a reform bill, but the House didn't vote on it before adjournment. That bill would replace the Regional Transportation Authority with a new Northern Illinois Transit Authority, with some changes to its funding structure in the process. We are likely to see a new version of this bill in the coming weeks. Public transit represents economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and quality of life for millions of residents. Clean Water and Accountability Lastly, I want to address the recent issues with Aqua Illinois. On September 5th, Aqua Illinois had another water main break, forcing a precautionary boil order for residents in Lake County, including Kildeer and Hawthorn Woods. For many residents, it was déjà vu; they still remember July 2023, when similar issues left them without drinkable water for a full week. People do not need clean water to be run like a business. The value of municipal water systems does not grow, except by expanding private ownership to new systems. Repairs and maintenance ware not profitable, and they don't translate well onto quarterly earnings reports. I support bills like SB 75, which makes it harder for private water utilities to acquire new systems without more investment and due diligence. This legislation would require a public referendum before any private utility company can acquire local water services, giving community members a direct voice. Acquisition should be thoughtful and regulated, not just a transaction between desperate municipalities and utilities looking to expand at a discount. We cannot afford for this kind of mismanagement to become our new normal. Clean water is a right. District Highlights ✨ Museum Pass Requests 🦖 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! Museum Pass Request Form In the Community! Lincoln Elementary's Back-to-School Bash! Our office was invited to table at Lincoln Elementary's Back to School Bash! It was so much fun connecting with students and families and answering your questions. Wishing all of the students a great start to the year! Congratulations to the Deer Grove East Forest Preserve! I had the opportunity to join President Toni Preckwinkle, OpenLands, and the Cook County Forest Preserve, all to celebrate the enormous successes of the Deer Grove East Forest Preserve's prairie and wetland restoration work for the past 20 years! The large-scale restoration project offsets the ecological impacts of O'Hare Airport's expansion, which displaced acres of prairie and wetland. Over 530 acres of natural land have been restored, in addition to 1,620 acres of protected land for the project. I was so proud to get to share the moment celebrating so much hard work and collaboration between our communities. Congratulations! Buehler YMCA's Welcome Week Buehler YMCA's Welcome Week hosted an event centered on how immigrants shape our community! Viator House, an organization focused on safe housing for young asylum seekers, shared ways we can show up in support of our immigrant neighbors. As a daughter of immigrants, I truly appreciated seeing Buehler YMCA and Viator House collaborate to make a space welcoming our immigrant community! Palatine Oktober Fest! I spent some time volunteering with Palatine Cool Cities to help sort compost, recycling, and trash for the Palatine Oktoberfest. Wonderful getting the chance to connect with the community and enjoy the music! Thanks again to the Rotary Club of Palatine for putting on the event! New Park Additions to Rolling Meadow's Community Center It was great to join the Rolling Meadows Park District to celebrate the unveiling of new amenities at the Community Center Park! The project includes new pickleball courts, a mini golf course, fitness court, and more, all made possible through a $600,000 OSLAD Grant.  Congratulations to everyone who helped bring this wonderful community space to life! 🌳 Partner's for our Communities Teen Group Meeting I ended September by meeting with Partners for our Communities’ student group! We started off by covering the basics: what a bill is, how an idea becomes a bill, and the process it goes through to become law, involving both the legislative and executive branches.  I also had the opportunity to share my experiences with them growing up in the Palatine area, and many students shared similar experiences coming from an immigrant family. I had a wonderful time talking with this bright group of students. It gives me hope for a brighter future. New Lurie Children's Hospital Facility I joined community leaders and health care professionals to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new Lurie Children’s Hospital facility in Schaumburg. This location includes an ambulatory infusion center that will provide critical care and support not only for our community, but for families across the region. We are deeply grateful for this investment in children's health and for the dedicated providers who make it possible. Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce Thanks to the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce for inviting me to their Illinois Legislative Luncheon for the third year in a row! It's great to connect with the small business community of the district, take questions, and hear what they have to say. We discussed small business support, insurance affordability, property taxes, federal changes, and more. I look forward to taking the insights from conversations like these into the next session! Community Updates and Resources Student Opportunities Lake County Fellowship for Early to Mid Professionals The Lake County Liderazgo Initiative is holding its first leadership development seminar! Early to mid career professionals and community members deeply connected to the Latino community in Lake County are encouraged to apply! Apply Here! Career Development for Youth 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!   Spanish Basic Computer Skills Courses Available!   Youth Global Program 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! Events and Resources! Second Chance Summit! Palatine's Candy Crawl Donate Menstrual Supplies! March for our Lives Palatine is Hiring Birth to Five Illinois is Hiring Birth to Five Illinois Resources 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! Learn More Here OMNI in 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. Learn More Here State, County and Federal Updates and Resources LIHEAP Applications Now Open! As of October 1st there are new options available for those looking for assistance with utility bills. LIHEAP funding applications will be taken on a first come first serve basis until August 15, 2026, or until funds are exhausted. October 1st includes households with an older adult, age 60 and over, households with a person living with a disability, families with children aged 5 and under, and households who are disconnected from one or more of their utilities or in jeopardy of being disconnected from one or both utilities can apply! Starting November 1st, all eligible households can apply for LIHEAP (including the first group, still!). Apply Here! Cook County Homeowner Relief Fund! Cook County has launched the Cook County Homeowner Relief Fund, a $15 million program that will assist households that have experienced a substantial increase on their property tax bills in recent years. The program will provide one-time payments of $1,000 to eligible households while funding lasts. Eligible households have a property tax bill increase of at least 50% in the 2021, 2022, or 2023 tax years, and a 2024 income at or below 100% of the Cook County Area Median Income for the applicant's household size. Applications for the Relief Fund are open through October 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Learn More Here! Apply Here! 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.  State Services and Programs 📣 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 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 West Northwest Highway | Palatine, IL 60067 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice