May 2026 Newsletter

They say that April showers bring May flowers, and that certainly is proving to be true this year! I love seeing our neighborhoods in full bloom and speaking with constituents, and I’m feeling energized to continue discussions with my colleagues on the budget and other major pieces of legislation before we adjourn at the end of the month.

 

Please read on for legislative updates, community events, and more.

Legislative Update

 

With only a few weeks left in the spring session, our focus is squarely on the state budget. We’ve been working diligently since February to iron out the details and reach a compromise with the Senate and Governor’s Office that reflects our shared priorities. It is a sprint to the finish line, and this concentrated effort will ensure we have a final budget that is ready for implementation by July 1st.

I am proud to share that several key initiatives I’ve championed have passed the House and are now heading to the Senate. As Chair of the Financial Institutions and Licensing Committee, I am leading the charge on HB 4754 to protect students from predatory private loans through stricter transparency and reporting requirements. Additionally, as a Chief Co-Sponsor of the Children’s Social Media Safety Act (HB 5511), I am working to mandate “safety by design” standards and age verification to protect minors’ mental health online

In the coming weeks, the House will also review and debate legislation sent over from the Senate. I am committed to advocating for policies that strengthen our schools, improve public safety, and foster economic growth, ensuring our district’s voice remains central to the conversation in Springfield.

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.

Statement on the U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Louisiana v. Callais

On April 29, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision in Louisiana v. Callais that fundamentally altered the enforcement of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. While the Act remains on the books, the Court has significantly raised the bar for justice, requiring plaintiffs to prove “intentional discrimination” to challenge unfair maps.

By gutting these federal protections, the Court has removed a check on those who seek to silence communities of color. This ruling clears a path for radical, politically motivated gerrymandering across the country, specifically targeting majority-minority districts that were once shielded by federal law.

At the state level, I am fighting to ensure all Illinoisans have their voting rights protected. That is why I voted for the passage of HJRCA28, a constitutional amendment that  enshrines the core elements of the federal Voting Rights Act into the Illinois State Constitution to ensure that the right to representation remains absolute, regardless of shifting federal judicial philosophies. We have a moral and legislative duty to protect the voices of every voter here in Illinois.

In the Community

43rd Ward Shred Event

 

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 43rd Ward Spring Shred Event at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. We enjoyed seeing and helping so many neighbors with their electronics recycling, paper shredding, and prescription drug take back. Thank you to Midway Moving and Storage for providing their expertise for this event!

4th Grade Visit to Lincoln Park Elementary

I had the pleasure of visiting Lincoln Park Elementary’s 4th graders as they geared up for their big trip to Springfield! We dove into how a bill becomes a law and what a typical day looks like in the life of a legislator. A huge thank you to the dedicated teachers for organizing this. I hope the students had an unforgettable time exploring our State Capitol!

After School Matters

 

 

 

I had a fantastic time visiting the new After School Matters site right here in our community. Seeing these programs in action reminded me how important these opportunities are for our Chicago high schoolers to grow, learn, and lead. Want to see how they’re making a difference? Learn more about their programs and the organization here.

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.

Office of the Lieutenant Governor

 

The Office of Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton is excited to announce the launch of the “Illinois to America: Stories that Shape Us” student essay contest for America’s 250th Anniversary. This contest is open to students in 6th-12th grade, and winners will have their essays displayed in the Lt. Governor’s Chicago and Springfield offices and highlighted at the Lt. Governor’s state fair tent. The contest is open until 11:59pm CST on May 31st. Contestants should submit their essays here.

Grant Opportunities

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

 

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has a variety of grants available to support small businesses.

Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)

Illinois SBDCs offer a wealth of resources for both startups and established companies, providing confidential business guidance, training, and assistance with securing capital. Whether you are working on a pre-revenue concept or looking to expand through exporting and marketing, the SBDC is here to help.

SBIR/STTR State Matching Program

The federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive grants that fund R&D for high-tech products. To further support our local innovators, Illinois provides a state matching program for companies that have successfully secured these federal awards.

Upcoming Events and Community Meetings

19th Police District Council Meeting

 

The 19th Police District Council will host their next meeting on Wednesday, May 13th at 6:00 PM at Clarendon Park at  4501 N Clarendon 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.

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.

44th Ward Shred Event

Join Alderman Bennett Lawson for his bi-annual Shredding Event! On Saturday May 9th from 9AM to 12PM, stop by the 44th Ward office (3223 N. Sheffield Avenue) to safely and securely recycle paper. For questions or additional information, email ward44@cityofchicago.org

Leash Up & Lace Up

On May 9th at 7:30 AM, support Team PAWS for the Chicago Marathon for a joyful walk/run with your canine companions in Oz Park. To learn more, email markbuciak.qcc@rcn.com

Social Security Seminar

The Office of U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth kindly invites Illinoisans to a Virtual Social Security Webinar on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. This is an opportunity for constituents to hear directly from Social Security Administration representatives on topics including retirement benefits, disability benefits and how to access online accounts. Attendees must register at the link below. Please register here.

Rainstorm Ready Workshop

Join Alderman Timmy Knudsen and Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis for a Rainstorm Ready Workshop at the Lincoln Park Branch Library (1150 W Fullerton Avenue). Learn exactly why our Cook County neighborhoods are prone to flooding and, more importantly, get the tools and tips you need to protect your home. To register, click here.

Belmont Sheffield Music Festival

 

Get your summer started at the Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival. The festival is Friday May 22, 2026 through Sunday May 24th. The festival spans Belmont Avenue and Sheffield Avenue, from the corner of Belmont to Roscoe Street. Enjoy tribute bands, tasty food, artisan vendors, and community activities. For more information, click here.

WOOGMS Memorial Day Parade

Join your neighbors for the annual WOOGMS Parade on Monday, May 25th at 11AM on the intersection of Wellington and Pine Grove. This is a fun, free, family friendly event for kids of all ages. Once the parade concludes, the Jesse White Tumblers will perform. For more information, click here.

St. Teresa of Avila Church Blood Drive

On Sunday, May 31st from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM, sign up to donate blood to those in need at St. Teresa of Avila Church (1950 N. Kenmore Ave, Chicago). To sign up for a slot, click here.

Old Town Art Fair

The Old Town Art Fair takes place on Saturday, June 13 (10:00am-7:00pm) and Sunday, June 14 (10:00am-6:00pm) in the heart of the Old Town Triangle Historic District. There will be 200+ nationally acclaimed artists, an estimated 35,000 art lovers, a Garden Walk, Live Music, Food Court and Children’s Corner. The Old Town Art Fair is one of the few public Chicago events that is completely planned, staffed and managed by volunteers, so they can always use the help! To learn more about volunteering, 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.

After School Matters

After School Matter’s (ASM) Summer Applications are now open, with programs running from June 22nd to August 7th. ASM offers hundreds of in-person programs in the arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM for teens ages 14 to 18 to discover their passions, develop new skills for life beyond high school, and earn money in the process. 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 May: Meet Latte!

Latte is an 8-year-old beauty with a stunning brown spotted coat and the most gentle, loving soul. She’s a calm, easygoing girl who’s happiest when she’s curled up in a cozy bed or quietly keeping you company. Latte may have some hip issues, but that doesn’t stop her from showing just how much love she has to give. She’s incredibly sweet, affectionate, and content with the simple things: soft places to rest, kind people, and a peaceful home.

Latte 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 May! Please don’t hesitate to contact my office with any questions or concerns. We’re always here to help

 

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