Election Day is just a few days away and it’s time to make your voice heard!
In-person early voting is currently underway in all 50 wards and will continue through Monday. Voters may cast their ballot at any early voting location in Chicago. On November 8th, Election Day, voters are required to vote at their assigned precinct.
To find out information on your voter registration status, the location of your assigned precinct, your sample ballot, or the status of your Vote-By-Mail application, visit the the Chicago Election Board website.
Happy Voting!
Alzheimer’s Legislator of the Year Award
I’m honored to be named the Legislator of the Year by the Alzheimer’s Association of Illinois. I am proud to have championed legislation to make Illinois the first state in the nation to require Alzheimer’s diagnosis training for EMTs, better enabling them to identify and recommend resources for patients showing signs of dementia. Thank you to the Alzheimer’s Association of Illinois for your collaboration on this effort and for this humbling recognition.
Women’s Clothing Drive
My office is co-sponsoring a Women’s Clothing Drive with Commissioner Bridget Gainer’s office this month. We will be collecting gently used women’s clothing until November 30th which will be donated to the Cook County Jail’s women’s division.
In the Community
HB 4715 Celebration
I celebrated the passage of HB4715 alongside the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). The legislation helps remove unnecessary red tape in a predominantly female run industry and supports our small businesses.
Visiting our October Small Business Shoutout – 2d Restaurant
My office and I visited our Small Business Shoutout of the month for October, 2d Restaurant. Thank you Vanessa and Kevin for allowing us to tour the 2d world! Be sure to go check out this woman-owned small business and enjoy their unique mochi donuts.
Book Drive Celebration
My office concluded our October Book Drive with a reading event at Nettelhorst School! Thank you to everyone who donated books. A special thank you to Nettelhorst School and my fellow electeds Sen. Feigenholtz, Alderman Tunney, and Commissioner Gainer for your support.
GCNA Annual Meeting
Thank you Gold Coast Neighbors Association for inviting Sen. Feigenholtz and me to participate in a roundtable discussion. We focused on an overview of last Spring’s legislative session and a look ahead to the priorities for the upcoming year.
Pumpkin Giveaway/Canned Food Drive
Thank you to everyone who came out to Lincoln Central Association’s Howler at the Bauler event and donated a canned good in exchange for a free pumpkin! We handed out pumpkins from Von Bergen’s Country Market and donated the canned goods to Nourishing Hope Food Pantry. We can’t wait to do it again next year!
Looking to compost or smash your pumpkins? SCARCE and the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation have got you covered! Visit Lake View High School (4105 N Ashland Ave) between 10 am – 2 pm on Saturday, November 5th. Learn More.
Community Updates
The Governor recently announced a new grant opportunity for marketing Illinois destinations, attractions, and events. The Illinois Travel and Tourism Grant Program will support costs like media production (digital, TV, print, radio, etc), billboards, brochures, visitor guides, website development, and trade show registration. Nearly $3 million is available with a maximum grant award of $100,000. Applications will be accepted through 5pm on December 12th, 2022. Learn More.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA)/Illinois Terrorism Task Force is announcing the State Fiscal Year 2023 Illinois Not-for-Profit Security Grant Program (NSGP-IL). The State will award up to $150,000,000 for security upgrades to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations located in Illinois who are deemed at high-risk of a terrorist attack by a terrorist organization, network or cell. Applications will be accepted through 5pm on January 16th, 2023. Learn More.
Applications are now open for Federal Student Loan Debt Relief. Applications will be accepted until December 31, 2023. Click the link for more information. Apply Here.
The Commission recently opened applications to serve on the Chicago Police Board, the nine-member council that makes disciplinary decisions for CPD officers accused of misconduct. Applications for the three current vacancies are due on November 7th.
The Commission also opened applications for the Noncitizens Advisory Council, who will be advisors to the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability to help ensure the Commission’s work reflects and incorporates the public safety perspectives and experiences of non-citizens and new Chicagoans – due November 20th. Learn More.
I would like to hear your thoughts and concerns on the Redefine the Drive project. Although no plan has been approved, I want to make sure that your input is taken into consideration. Please email my office at info@repcroke.com with any questions or comments.
Expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and learner’s permits have been extended until December 1, 2022.
The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) recently introduced the Private Sector Camera Initiative. The program will allow homeowners, condominiums, and businesses to link their private exterior cameras with OEMC and Homeland Security Directors to create additional points of contact during an emergency throughout Chicago. Learn More.
The City of Chicago launched the Home and Business Protection Rebate Program to provide any Chicagoan, business owner, or anyone who leases/owns a vehicle registered within the city to receive reimbursement for security technology. The program will cover a portion of the cost of outdoor security cameras, one year of video cloud storage, outdoor motion sensor lighting, and vehicle GPS trackers. Apply Here.
PAWS
Chicago Partnership
We have a new PAWS Chicago pal to introduce for November: Meet Georgie!
Georgie is a seven-year-old terrier mix who is 60 pounds of fun and personality. According to his foster, he enjoys people, cuddles, and belly rubs. If you’re looking for an affectionate, attentive, and playful pup, then Georgie is the one for you. He can be selective with canine friends, so he may need time to adjust to new pals. Georgie would do best in a home with adults and older children.
If you are interested in adopting Georgie or any of his other friends, check out PAWS Chicago for more information.
Small Business Shoutout
Every month we highlight a small business in our district. For November, we are excited to feature Cocoa + Co!
“Cocoa + Co. is a dream that’s taken more than a decade to come to fruition. Founder Kim Hack, a veteran of the wine industry, opened the café in 2015 as a gathering place where chocolate lovers could fuel their passion through exploration, tasting and interaction in the same way wine lovers do at neighborhood merchants and cafes.
Now, Kim has joined forces with acclaimed Pastry Chef, Meg Galus, a kindred spirit whose chocolate creations have long garnered both local and national acclaim. Together they are looking forward to creating an ever-changing array of daily breakfast pastries and savory items; weekend “chef’s collection” pastry boxes; a tasty range of afternoon cakes, cookies, and sweets; and seasonal and holiday chocolates and confections.”
If you have a favorite store, restaurant, or other business in the district for future Small Business Shoutouts, let us know.
Please reach out to my office with any questions or concerns.
Wishing you a safe and warm November.
