Updates from Springfield, District 51, and the state!
Hi friend,
It's been a while since I last updated you, so this is going to be a long newsletter. But bear with me, there's some important stuff in here you're going to want to see!
Since my last newsletter, we've had our legislative Spring Break and are now back in Springfield for our final stretch of session. During Spring Break, we spent some time touring our district and getting to know our schools and businesses better. We've been promoting the Back to Business Grant (more information below!), collecting donations for our donation drive, and getting a taste of what summer festivities will have in store for us! Before we adjourn for the summer, scheduled for May 19th, we've got a lot to finish up in Springfield.
Here's a little update about what's going on in Springfield, District 51, and in the state.
ποΈ Springfield ποΈ
My bill to protect patients from prescription drug price gouging passed the House!
HB3957 would allow the Attorney General's office to prosecute instances of price gouging in low-competition markets for generic and off-patent prescription drugs. Getting this bill out of the House and onto the Senate was riddled with barriers, extensions, and a lot of patience. I never gave up on this bill because we know that lifesaving medication is only lifesaving to those that can afford it. This was one of the concerns I heard most at the doors.
We've had lots of bills come from the Senate to the House. Here are a couple of the bills I'm carrying and what they do...
SB1653 establishes a "low clearance early warning device pilot program" to figure out what device works best to prevent crashes into bridges and viaducts. Once we figure out what device works best, we can prevent future crashes and infrastructure problems. District 51's own Robert Parker Coffin Bridge in Long Grove has seen 45 crashes since 2020. This is why I decided to carry this bill through the House. SB1653 passed through committee, and will be called on the House floor soon! In committee, I was questioned about whether or not I'd ever driven an oversized vehicle. I hadn't of course... because you need a special license, a Commercial Drivers License, to do so. But, Deputy Chief Baker of the Palatine Police Department was kind enough to take me on a ride along and teach me about truck safety. Thank you, Deputy Chief Baker!
SB2419 creates the License to Read Act, which gives the State Librarian the power to negotiate the prices of e-books and audiobooks with publishers on behalf of Illinois libraries. It also creates a grant program that libraries can use to pay for digital licenses. Iβm thrilled to announce that I passed SB2419 through committee last week! Talking with librarians in the 51st earlier this year inspired me to advocate for ways to cut costs for our public libraries so that their money can be spent on other programs and initiatives for the community. So, I was so excited to take over this bill from Senator Murphy and I look forward to seeing it all the way through.
We have a very busy couple of weeks ahead where we will vote on the rest of the Senate Bills, discuss bills that have been amended in the Senate and need to be voted on again in the House, and finally, pass our FY '24 budget. I sense some late nights ahead!
In the District
In Palatine last Friday, we attended a beautiful Arbor Day ceremony, an annual tradition by the Palatine Park District and Village of Palatine. I got to meet Sammie the Squirrel for the first time!
Then, on Saturday, we celebrated Arbor Day with the Village of Lake Zurich in Paulus Park by planting a tree and cleaning up local parks.
Help us make cards for seniors during the month of May!
This week, we secured 500+ card-makers in our community. If you are part of an organization, community, or school that would like to help us complete more cards during the month of May, please contact us and we'll deliver materials!
Collecting donations for the Palatine community
We are still collecting food pantry items and menstrual products at our district office located at 830 W Northwest Highway, Suite 9 in Palatine for All Saints Food Pantry and Partners for Our Communities. Please consider donating if you're able and spread the word!
Visit a museum in Illinois museum for FREE!
Our office has a museum pass that we can share with the 51st District. Click on the button below to submit a request and coordinate a time to visit participating museums for free!
Important Updates from the State
Make it stand out
'Back to Business' $175 Million Grant is CLOSING May 10th, but there is still time tο»Ώo apply!
We want to get YOU back to business β but the application portal is closing soon, on May 10th. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has $175 Million dollars to award to hotels, restaurants, and creative arts organizations established before March 12, 2020. If you qualify, you should receive an awardβ so apply now! Click here for eligibility requirements and contact information for community navigators ready to assist you with your application.
Medicaid Redeterminations
Here's the deal...
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the requirement for Medicaid recipients to redetermine their benefits was waived. Now that the public health emergency is ending, folks will need to redetermine their eligibility again. The first wave of Medicaid redetermination letters was sent out THIS WEEK. We need all hands on deck to make sure everyone follows to steps below to ensure they send in their redetermination letters. Our office is here to help if you need assistance or information, so do not hesitate to reach out.
If you have Medicaid...
Click Manage My Case at abe.illinois.gov to:
1. Verify your mailing address under βContact Us.β
2. Find your due date (the βredeterminationβ date) in your "Benefit Details."
Watch your mail and complete your renewal right away.
If you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, connect to coverage at work or through the official Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace for Illinois, GetCoveredIllinois.gov.
Call 1-800-843-6154 for help with your renewal.
If you assist people with Medicaid...
ο»ΏPlease reach out to our office for additional information or support. We can help get connected to IDHFS if you have any questions.
Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Our office number is (773) 916-6553 and our email is info@repsyed.com.
With gratitude,
Nabeela
Legislative Update
For the past two months, Iβve been splitting my time between Springfield and 51st District. Last week was especially long but exciting! We had a deadline to get the bills we proposed voted on the House floor. Here are updates on the bills I've been working on...
ποΈ Springfield ποΈ
An addition to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs): HB3643
This bill says that when an Individualized Education Program is created for a student with a disability who is 17 years old or older, voter registration should be considered as an appropriate goal.
As my very first bill to pass on the House Floor and head over to the Senate, this bill is important for Illinois because it tells students with disabilities that their voice matters, and their vote matters.
Cleaning up some court languageο»Ώ: HB2624
This piece of legislation will allow more people to defend themselves in our court system by getting access to their own court documents and records.
Here's an example of why this bill is necessary: Back in 2020, the Governor ordered all eviction cases to be sealed to help support tenants who were more likely to face evictions due to financial hardships facilitated by the pandemic. This was a great initiative but because of unclear definitions, clerks ended up being unable to give tenants access to their own eviction cases. The order created an additional barrier for people navigating the legal system when the intent of the law was just the opposite. Clarifying the intent of βsealedβ was the solution to this problem, and now we are doing the same thing, but on a wider scale.
Senior Property Tax Freeze Exemption income increase: HB2629
Property taxes are rising, and in District 51, our population is aging. After paying into the tax system for years, I want to help make sure that seniors on fixed incomes stay in their homes, and age where they see fit. It's for this reason that I introduced a bill this year, HB2629, that would increase the minimum freeze income level from 65k a year to 85k a year. This will help more folks qualify, and increase the chance that seniors will be able to afford to stay in their homes.
Protecting patients from price gouging: HB3957β
HB3957 is a bill that would prevent manufacturers who are setting prices in a market that does not naturally keep prices reasonable for off-patent and generic prescription drugs. In addition to increased property taxes and inflation, the gouged prices of prescription drugs add to the burdensome cost of living. It's for this reason that I want to give the state of Illinois power to moderate prices in scenarios of clear exploitation. I am excited to continue to advocate for the necessity and importance of bills like this one.
Providing paid leave for organ donors: HB3516
Organ donation is near and dear to my heart. As an organ donor, I have first-hand experience of how brutal the recovery process can be, but also how beautiful it is to know that you were able to save a life. More people should be given the option to give because that means more people get the option to live. This bill gives organ donors 10 days paid leave and bone marrow donors 5 days paid leave, making organ donation more feasible for more folks. HB3516 has passed on the House Floor and has moved onto the Senate!
How else do I support important legislation?
When my colleagues are carrying bills that I believe are important, I can also hop on as a "co-sponsor" to show my support and advocate for the bill to get it across the finish line. Here are some good pieces of legislation that thrilled me so much that I decided to co-sponsor...
Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Our office number is (773) 916-6553 and our email is info@repsyed.com.
With Gratitude,
Nabeela
Internships, ICash, and more!
Good morning, folks. I'm coming to you with a few updates from Springfield and the 51st.
(But first...) Happy Womenβs History Month!
In the State of Illinois, women have, time and time again, made significant contributions to history. Iβm grateful to serve among some of these incredible history-makers, including our very own Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Comptroller Mendoza is the first Hispanic independently elected to statewide office in Illinois and made history with her election.
π’ Springfield
This week we dove deeper into our proposed legislation, and I advocated for the legislation I've been working on to be called into committee. One of these bills ensures 10 days of paid leave for all organ donors to recover, making it easier for folks to donate their organs and embark on a life-saving act. I am also working on making it legal for 16-year-olds to pre-register to vote because research shows that we can increase young people's voter turnout when they have the opportunity to pre-register. I am excited about a bill that will increase access to the civil judiciary system for folks, simply by ensuring that past statutes follow language already defined by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2021. I'm looking forward to next week, when we will begin to hear bills like these in committees.
π My committees
Speaking of committees... this General Assembly, I will be on the Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee, the Child Care Access and Early Childhood Committee, the Cities and Villages Committee, The Economic Opportunity and Equity Committee, and the Prescription Drug Affordability Committee. I believe these assignments will position me well to be able to focus on the issues that I know District 51 cares about most.
π In the District
Here in the 51st District, we had our first Youth Advisory Council meeting! Young people from all across the district came out to join us at Ela Public Library.
In the first session of our Youth Advisory Council, students gave me their honest opinion about some of the legislation I have presented. A couple students from Lake Zurich High School even presented us with bill ideas to require EKG testing to a part of physicals for student-athletes. We are excited to not only get young minds involved, but having young minds be the root and the ground as we continue to build legislative agendas for the next session.
π’ Help spread the word: we're hiring!
We are looking for interns to join us in our District Office! The internship will be from March 20, 2023 through June 2, 2023.
Go to our website to read the descriptions and apply!
https://www.repnabeelasyed.org/intern-program
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We're working with the Treasurer's office to get people's property back in their hands. Many people do not know that they have unclaimed property, and we want to help you get your hands on it! Please look up your name on the treasurer's website to see if you have unclaimed property. Either file a claim right then or give us a call and we can assist you through the process.
π’ Scholarship Opportunity for Students
Illinois DCFS is offering scholarships to students who are currently or have formerly been in care. Please visit illinois.gov to learn more.
Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Our office number is (773) 916-6553β¬ and our email is info@repsyed.com.
With gratitude,
Nabeela
A picture of Representative Nabeela Syed with Comptroller Suzana Mendoza.
Our first Youth Advisory Council, February 27, 2023
Filed bills, district updates, and more!
Welcome to the very first edition of our District Newsletter! As a District Office, it's our priority to keep you updated and informed on the work we are doing in the 51st District and down in Springfield, events happening in the district, and more.
I'm excited to share with you everything we've been up to since I was officially sworn-in.
π I filed my first bill!
The first bill I filed will expand voting rights by lengthening the time new voters have to register. Instead of limiting kids to less than a year prior to turning 18 to register to vote, they will be able to register as soon they turn 16. By encouraging thousands of young voters to join the electoral process, we will strengthen our democratic institutions and a greater swath of our community will join us at the ballot box. Vigorous election turnout stands at the heart of a better future for all Illinoisans.
π Other bills I'm working on...
There are many bills that I'm working on, including bills that are going to allow for more fair generic drug pricing, a tax credit for employers so they can support employees that are donating an organ, new property tax exemptions, and protecting small businesses from lucrative lenders. My work for voting rights also includes measures to help voters with disabilities have their voices heard in our democracy.
This session will be a busy one, but the work we're doing now is to make sure our community will have a stronger future ahead once itβs over.
π In the District
When I head back to the district in between session, I've had the opportunity to continue to meet with advocates, join community meetings, and help plan out district office events. Successfully, we held our first event rooted in two of our office's favorite things: maintaining accessibility to our constituents and lots of caffeine! Constituents came out to voice their concerns and we all got to support our local businesses.
ο»ΏThank you to Long Grove Coffee Co, Stompin' Grounds Cafe in LZ, Sweet C's bakery in Palatine, and Coquelicot Cafe also in Palatine. Cecilia from Sweet C's even surprised us in the sweetest way, by making signature cookies. Thank you Cecilia!
With Gratitude,
Nabeela