|
Happy November! I hope this newsletter finds you well. I want to touch base and provide you with updates from Veto session and my office’s fall activities.
During the last week of October and second week of November, the Illinois General Assembly and I returned to Springfield for Veto Session to tackle the challenges facing Illinois families. You can learn about some of these issues and initiatives in the newsletter below.
|
|
|
|
My office is once again partnering with Aunt Martha’s to collect toys for their annual Legacy Holiday Gift Program, a program that helps connect children in foster care with holiday gifts. Collection began November 6th. We will also be conducting our annual winter clothing drive during the month of December. This year, in addition to collect new and gently used clothing,
|
|
|
we will also be collecting toiletries and diapers for clients of the Community Crisis Center in Elgin. The details can be found below at the end of the newsletter.
If you ever have any questions, concerns or requests for assistance please do not hesitate to contact my office at staterepmoeller@gmail.com or 847-841-7130. It is an honor to represent you in Springfield and my staff and I look forward to serving you.
Warmest Regards,
Anna
|
|
|
Ending The Backlog in Professional License Applications and Renewals
We have heard from healthcare professionals about overwhelming and unacceptable time delays in applying for or renewing a professional license. House Bill 2394 amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to give the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) the ability to procure new software systems to improve their license renewal process and to waive fees and expirations on professional licenses for up to one year.
|
|
|
Moving Illinois Towards a Clean Energy and Carbon Free Future
House Bill 2473 amends the Public Utilities Act to lift the moratorium on small-scale advanced nuclear reactors and to provide for the development of a regulatory framework for new nuclear projects within the next two years. This legislation not only lifts the moratorium on construction of these reactors but also commissions studies to look into current federal regulations, scientific research, and environmental impacts. The final bill is the end result of negotiations with energy and environmental justice advocates to address their concerns and make sure our nuclear energy capabilities are guided by firm scientific knowledge.
During Veto session we also passed Senate Bill 384, a trailer bill to SB40, which created the Electric Vehicle Charging Act and which allows the installation of electric vehicle charging stations in existing single-family homes and multifamily residential units.
|
|
|
Combating “Deep Fake” Technology
As our state grapples with emerging artificial intelligence technologies, one way we’re taking action to protect Illinoisans is to combat the creation and use of digitally altered imagery. Emerging technologies allow anyone with a computer to take, alter and disseminate visually explicit imagery. The photo need not have someone’s face or likeness to be used for alteration. While we made strides in adopting flexible and comprehensive language to combat this exploitation through Senate Bill 382, there is more work to be done.
|
|
|
Invest in Kids Scholarship Program
One of the more significant issues debated during Veto session was extending the Invest in Kids program. The Invest in Kids Scholarship was not extended during the fall Veto session and is scheduled to expire or “sunset” at the end of December. This was a taxpayer-funded private school scholarship program that cost the state up to $75 million per year in lost revenue and was first introduced under former Governor Rauner. Lifting the sunset on the program would have required a super-majority vote in order to take effect immediately.
The tax credit will remain in place through this calendar year and the scholarships will continue to exist at least through this school year, allowing schools and scholarship-granting organizations time to plan for the end of the program. Recent reports show that the program’s claims of providing opportunity for low-income children is not supported by the data. As we learned, in other states operating similar programs with more robust and transparent data policies, the majority of children under the program were already receiving scholarships at the same private schools when the program began. These scholarships can still exist without the Invest in Kids Program. The only change with the sunset of the program is the tax break associated with contributing to the scholarship.
|
|
|
Shred Day
On September 23rd, my office joined Senator Castro and KCT Credit Union for our fall Shred Event in Carpentersville. We had a great time helping the members of our community fight identity theft by safely disposing of old paper clutter. I hope to see you at our Spring Shred Day, date and location forthcoming.
|
|
|
Hanover Landing
I was pleased to be part of the opening ceremonies of the Hanover Landing Project, which brings much needed new supportive and affordable housing units to Elgin. The development is a partnership between Hanover Township, UPHoldings and the Illinois Housing and Development Authority (IDHA).
|
|
|
|
To learn more about Hanover Landing, you can visit the UPHoldings website here.
|
|
|
Celebrating Manufacturing in Illinios
On October 11th, I joined several area legislators at the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association statewide Makers on the Move tour. They stopped at Elgin Community College to celebrate Manufacturing Day and Manufacturing Month.
|
|
|
Principal for a Day
It was a joy to participate in the School District U-46 Washington Elementary’s Principal for a Day program in celebration of National Principals’ Month. I appreciate the Illinois Principal Association and Co-Principal Ryan Corcoran for the opportunity to meet with and interact with Washington Elementary’s great students and staff.
|
|
|
Association for Individual Development
Association for Individual Development, or AID, has served individuals with developmental, intellectual, physical and/or mental health challenges, those who have suffered a trauma, and those at risk since 1961. Operating in the greater
|
|
|
|
Fox Valley area and other western suburban counties, AID is a leading provider of services that address the unique needs of individuals throughout every stage of their lives. In October, I saw firsthand how AID’s programs and Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) supports people in our community.
|
|
|
First-Ever Youth Fair
On October 28th, my office held our first youth resource fair at the Gail Borden Library. We sought to connect families with health and wellness resources and after-school opportunities. Thank you to the families and young adults who stopped by to take advantage of these local resources, and thank you to our community partners.
|
|
|
Humane Society Score
In October, the Humane Society awarded me with a 100% rating in their 2023 Humane Society Scorecard. I am proud to help make Illinois a better place for pets and animals by tackling the critical
issues facing animal welfare, including ending abusive treatments and testing on animals.
|
|
|
Día de los Muertos
On November 3rd, my office and I attended “Dia de Muertos: A Celebration of Life” at the Centre of Elgin. Attendees enjoyed great food, music, dancing, and a beautiful ofrenda with photos of loved ones who have passed away. It was great to meet with neighbors and friends at the second annual event organized by the Elgin Latino Leadership Alliance For Seniors (ELLAS).
|
|
|
Food & Energy Assistance
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income households pay for home energy services during the winter months. Contact your local Community Action Agency (CAA), Community Contacts, Inc. to apply:
|
|
|
Community Contacts, Inc.
100 South Hawthorne Street
Elgin, Illinois 60123
Phone: 847-697-4400
Web: www.cci-hci.org
Community Action Agencies (CAA) also provide a variety of Community Services Block Grant Programs (CSBG) for assistance with rental and mortgage payments, food assistance, water and sewer payments, employment training and placement, financial management, and temporary shelter. Kane County Residents can reach out to Two Rivers Head Start for more information:
Two Rivers Head Start Agency
1661 Landmark Road
Aurora, IL 60506
Phone: 630-264-1444
Web: www.trhsa.org
You also can go to the How to Apply Page on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website for more information.
|
|
|
Protecting Illinois Communities & Firearm Registration
On January 10, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law the Protect Illinois Communities Act. This Act regulates the sale and distribution of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches in Illinois.
|
|
|
Illinoisans who already own these types of weapons are required to submit an endorsement affidavit through their Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID) account before Jan. 1, 2024. Affidavits must be submitted online through a FOID Card account. You can access your account through ISP’s Firearms Services Bureau website or by going directly to www.ispfsb.com/Public/Login.aspx.
The Illinois State Police began accepting affidavits online starting October 1st.
|
|
|
Holiday Volunteering
The Village of Streamwood is hosting its annual Holiday Helping Program for the 12th year. On December 16, Streamwood firefighters, police officers, officials, and staff, will utilize contributions made to the Holiday Helping Program to provide holiday gifts to local children who have experienced unforeseen events.
|
|
|
Home Weatherization
The Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) helps low income residents and households conserve fuel and reduce energy costs by making their homes and apartments more energy efficient. You can contact the Community Action Agency (CAA) serving our area to apply.
|
|
|
Community Contacts, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization assisting people with housing rehabilitation, domestic energy payments, home weatherization, and energy conservation. They serve as Kane County’s Community Action Agency (CAA).
Community Contacts, Inc.
100 South Hawthorne Street
Elgin, Illinois 60123
Phone: 847-697-4400
Web: www.cci-hci.org
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley also has programs that assist homeowners with improvements. Critical Home Repair (CHR) serves low-income homeowners by delivering interior and exterior repairs. Aging in Place (AIP) helps with safety and functional home repairs for low-income, elderly homeowners.
|
|
|
| | |
State Representative Anna Moeller 
Leave a comment