As we emerge from the Chicago winter, I hope you have been able to take in the beautiful beginnings of the Spring season across the 12th District. I love to see our lakefront and parks coming back to life each year.
To those in our community preparing to observe a peaceful and reflective Passover, and to those celebrating Easter, I wish you a holiday filled with warmth and community. In my own home, the excitement is building for the Easter Bunny’s visit!
Legislative Update
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been in Springfield for the Spring Legislative Session. We are currently in the thick of committee hearings and floor debates, working hard to pass a balanced budget and advance legislation that prioritizes public safety, healthcare access, housing, and economic stability for all Illinoisans.
Below are some bills that I am a chief sponsor or co-chief sponsor that have passed out of committee:
- Protecting Students from Predatory Loans (HB 4754): As Chair of the Financial Institutions and Licensing Committee, I am pushing for greater transparency in the private student loan market. This bill requires lenders to provide more detailed reporting to the state, ensuring we can better protect our students from high-interest, predatory lending practices.
- Children’s Social Media Safety Act (HB 5511): I am a Chief Co-Sponsor of this major initiative to protect minors online. The bill would require social media platforms to implement age verification and use “safety by design” default settings for users known to be minors, helping to curb the negative mental health impacts of addictive algorithms. While the mental health crisis among our youth demands urgent action, I am committed to getting the technical execution right. An amendment is being drafted to address constituent concerns regarding the impact on smaller software developers. Legislative language is a living document, and your feedback ensures this bill is both effective and fair.
I also would like to provide an update regarding the Illinois “Mega-Projects” Bill (HB 910, House Amendment No. 1), which passed the Revenue and Finance committee. This bill allows a developer who spends at least $500 million to negotiate with the local unit of government to”freeze” their property tax rate for up to 40 years. In exchange for a predictable tax bill, the developer makes a set yearly payment in lieu of taxes (called a “PILOT”) directly to the local community and school districts. The goal is to give Illinois a competitive advantage with other states by offering long-term certainty rather than a direct taxpayer-funded handout. I was a vocal advocate for including a “floor” for how low a taxing body could negotiate and hope that this can be an economic development tool that can be used for much more than just a potential sport stadium.
For a full list of bills I am sponsoring or co-sponsoring, click here. If you have any questions or concerns, please email my office at info@repcroke.com or call 773-348-8974.
43rd Ward Shred Event
The 43rd Ward is hosting a Spring Paper Shredding & Electronics Recycling Event on Sunday, April 12th from 10 am – 1 pm at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 N Cannon Dr). Each household will be limited to two boxes/containers. For questions, please email the 43rd Ward at yourvoice@ward43.org.
In the Community
2nd Ward Shred Event
Team Croke was thrilled to join Alderman Hopkins recently for a successful Shred Event. It was great to see so many neighbors taking proactive steps to protect their personal information and declutter responsibly. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello and drop off their documents.
Government Updates
Cook County Assessor’s Office
The Cook County Assessor’s Office is now accepting exemption applications for Tax Year 2025. Most exemptions, including the Homeowner and Senior exemptions, renew automatically. However, if you are a first-time applicant or need to renew your Senior Freeze or Veterans with Disabilities exemption, you must file by the deadline. Apply online here to ensure your savings appear on your second-installment bill this summer.
Illinois State Treasurer
The Illinois Treasurer’s office is currently safeguarding over $5 billion in unclaimed funds. These assets are held indefinitely until they are claimed by the original owners or their heirs. Visit icash.illinoistreasurer.gov today to see if you have property waiting for you. Claims are always processed free of charge with proper identification.
Illinois Secretary of State
The Illinois Secretary of State is warning residents of a surge in text phishing scams. These fraudulent messages often threaten the suspension of vehicle registration or driving privileges to trick you into clicking malicious links. The Secretary of State’s office will never text you regarding fines, registration, or enforcement. Do not click any links; instead, report suspicious texts to scamalert@ilsos.gov.
Veterans Assistance of Cook County
The Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County (VACCC) provides essential financial aid and benefits navigation for veterans and their families throughout the Chicago area. Visit their new downtown office at 69 W. Washington St., Suite 1420. Click here to learn more about our services.
Grant Opportunities
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
DCEO has a variety of grants available for small businesses:
The Clean Energy Contract Incubator Grant helps equity-eligible small businesses, often contractors with backgrounds in construction, electrical work, roofing, HVAC, and other trades, gain the tools and support they need to enter and succeed in Illinois’ clean energy economy.
- Participants receive:
- Technical assistance to prepare for clean energy projects.
- Business support including accounting systems, bonding, and insurance guidance.
- One-on-one mentorship to become “project ready.”
- Connections to larger contractors and clean energy opportunities statewide.
The program’s goal is to reduce barriers so that small, disadvantaged, and underrepresented businesses can compete, grow, and thrive in the clean energy sector. The deadline to apply is February 16th by 5 PM. For questions or additional information, email Noah Bond (noah.bond@illinois.gov) or click here.
The Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) located throughout the state provide information, confidential business guidance, training, and other resources to start-up and existing small businesses. In addition, the Illinois SBDCs help clients with securing needed business capital, marketing, exporting, commercialization of new ideas, development of innovative products and services. Client Projects range from early-stage, pre-revenue concepts to established business operations.
The deadline is rolling. For questions or additional information, email Ericka A. White
(Ericka.White@illinois.gov) or click here.
Upcoming Events and Community Meetings
19th Police District Council Meeting
The 19th Police District Council will host their next meeting on Wednesday, April 22nd at 6:30 PM at Athenaeum Center 2936 N Southport Avenue. For more information, click here.
18th Police District Council Meeting
The 18th Police District Council hosts their monthly public meeting on the 4th Tuesday of every month. For more information and updates, click here.
SNAP and Medicaid Updates Webinar
The Office of U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth kindly invites Illinoisans to a Virtual SNAP/Medicaid Webinar on Monday, April 6 from 3:30pm – 4:30pm. This is an opportunity for constituents to hear from representatives from Legal Aid Chicago on topics including new federal rules affecting SNAP and Medicaid, Illinois state-level implementations and what participants need to know and prepare for given these changes. To register, click here.
Congressman Quigley’s LGBTQIA+ Town Hall
On Tuesday, April 17, Congressman Quigley is hosting an LGBTQIA+ Town Hall focused on the Trump administration’s continued attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community. Availability is limited, and pre-registration is required, so get your tickets now at lgbtqtownhall.eventbrite.com.
A Powerful Conversation with Coleman Hughes
Hanna Sacks Bais Yaakov, an all-girls Jewish high school on the north side of Chicago, is thrilled to invite you to their annual fundraiser on Tuesday, April 21. To purchase tickets, click here.
Older Adult Resource Fair
Join the 18th District CAPS team for an Older Adult Resource Fair on Tuesday, April 28, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Near North Library (310 W Division St.) Get assistance with your utility bills from the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County and learn about a non-expiring photo ID for residents over 65 with the Office of the Secretary of State. If you have any questions, contact the 18th District at 312-742-5778.
Lincoln Park Uncorked
Spring’s most anticipated night out is back! Join the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce for Lincoln Park Uncorked: An Armitage – Halsted Wine Stroll on Thursday, May 7 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Stroll through one of Chicago’s most charming corridors while enjoying curated wine tastings and bites from local favorites. To get tickets, click here.
Old Town and Lincoln Park Earth Day
Join the community-wide day of beautification in the parks on Saturday, May 9th from 9 AM – 1 PM at 333 W Wisconsin Avenue. Some of the projects include gardening, painting, planting, mulching and more. This event is free to attend and donations are welcomed. For more information, click here.
Job Opportunities and Programs
Chicago Park District
Summer job applications for the Chicago Park District are open! Chicago residents, ages 16+, can apply for any of the 3,700 summer employment opportunities available, including Recreational Leaders, Lifeguards, Junior Laborers, Special Recreation Leaders & specialty positions. These jobs provide valuable work experience for all ages. Click here to learn more and to apply.
Secretary of State Summer Jobs
The Illinois Secretary of State is accepting applications for summer jobs, offering $17/hour for college/trade school students and $25/hour for graduate/law students, with positions in various offices and departments. Interested applicants can apply at www.ilsos.gov/summerjobs and must submit a resume, application, and cover letter explaining their interest in working at the Secretary of State’s office. To learn more, click here.
CS + X Summer Camp
The CS+X summer camp at IMSA is an immersive, one-week residential experience featuring a dynamic, project-based curriculum developed by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. By demonstrating how various applications of computer science tools can be utilized across multiple fields (the “X”), the program aims to nurture the next wave of tech innovators. Scholarships are available for Chicago residents. To learn more, click here.
Resources
SNAP and Food Pantries
Food assistance programs are facing significant federal hurdles. As of February 1, 2026, new federal work requirements went into effect for many Illinoisans. My office is fighting to ensure no one in our district goes hungry during this transition. Please click here for the most recent official state updates regarding SNAP eligibility.
We also want to share resources for those seeking services or looking for ways to help their neighbors.
- Nourishing Hope is one of Chicago’s largest and most established hunger-relief organizations. Beyond traditional food distribution, they offer grocery pickup, home delivery for seniors, and trauma-informed therapy all free of charge. The closest location to District 12 to donate or receive services is at 3945 N Sheridan Rd. To learn more, click here.
- The Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) is the central hub for hunger relief across Cook County, acting as a resource that addresses both immediate food needs and long-term stability. The GCFD supplies a vast network of over 800 partner organizations (including pantries and soup kitchens) with millions of meals annually. Use their find food map to view hours, locations, and information for all of our Cook County and Chicago food pantries, meal programs and distribution partners.
Know Your Rights
Understanding your rights is vital for all individuals in the United States. The information above provides helpful guidance for encounters with ICE. For further support and resources, visit the National Immigrant Justice Center’s Legal Deportation Assistance website or Organized Communities Against Deportations’ Resource Guide.
Crisis Assistance Response & Engagement Program (CARE)
Operating in areas like Lakeview and North Lincoln Park, the CARE team provides specialized 911 responses for mental health crises. Available weekdays from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM, these behavioral health professionals offer de-escalation, assessments, referrals, and transport. To ensure ongoing support, the team conducts follow-up checks at 1, 7, and 30 days. To learn more, click here.
PAWS Shoutout
We have a PAWS shoutout for April: Meet Zuni!
Meet Zuni—a playful, energetic sweetheart with a soft side you’ll instantly fall for. Zuni adores long walks and can’t resist a good game of fetch. She’s friendly with other dogs and has such a gentle, joyful nature that she’s even been caught trying to play with her own reflection.
Zuni is available for adoption at PAWS Chicago’s Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center, located at 1997 N. Clybourn Avenue. Visit pawschicago.org and make your adoption appointment today!
Wishing you a safe and healthy April! Please don’t hesitate to contact my office with any questions or concerns. We’re always here to help!
