November 2026 Newsletter

Happy November!

I will be in Springfield for veto session from November 17th to November 19th and again from December 1st to 3rd. Each fall, the General Assembly reconvenes after regular session to reassess legislation that has been vetoed by the Governor and to pass or amend existing legislation.

If there are any concerns or issues you want the General Assembly to discuss, you can always email or call my office. As your State Representative, I am committed to serving as your voice in Springfield.

Please note that our office will be closed this month for recognized holidays such as Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving. However, we are still here for you! Our team will be checking emails and phone messages to address urgent inquiries.

General Election: November 3rd

The Illinois General Election is on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026. On election day, polls will be open from 6:00am to 7:00pm. To ensure you are ready to vote, visit the Illinois State Board of Elections website to verify your registration, view a sample ballot, or look up your specific precinct polling place.

Vote By Mail Information:

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026 is election day. All mail-in ballots must be postmarked by this date to be counted.

Early Voting Information:

Early Voting expanded to additional locations and sites on October 19th. If you missed the online registration deadline, you can still register and vote in person during this time at any early voting site.

12th District Early Voting Sites Starting October 19th Include: 

  • Ward 2: Near North Library (310 W Division St.)
  • Ward 43: Lincoln Park Library (1150 W Fullerton Ave.)
  • Ward 44: Merlo Library (644 W. Belmont Ave.)

Standard Early Voting Hours:

  • Weekdays: 9:00am – 6:00pm
  • Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
  • Sunday: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Election Day Voting Information:

Voters wishing to cast their ballot on Election Day can do so in their designated polling place, or at a vote center designated by their election authority.

Sixth Annual Pumpkin Giveaway and Canned Food Drive at Howler at Bauler

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Pumpkin Giveaway and Canned Food Drive at Lincoln Central Association’s Howler at Bauler! We collected 202 canned goods and other non-perishable items for Nourishing Hope. With uncertainty swirling around SNAP benefits and eligibility requirements, the need for food banks like Nourishing Hope cannot be overstated. Please consider supporting their mission by volunteering or donating today.

43rd Ward Fall Shred Event

Alderman Knudsen’s fall shred event will be held on Sunday, November 22nd from 10:00am to 12:30pm at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614). Members of the community can shred paper, return prescription drugs, and recycle electronics. Residents are limited to recycling only two boxes or containers per household. For questions, call 773-348-9500.

In the Community

Honorary Chilli Pepper Way Street Sign Ceremony

Members of the community gathered together for the unveiling of a street sign dedicated to Chilli Pepper, a trailblazing icon who transformed Chicago’s drag culture and championed HIV/AIDS activism before her passing in September 2024. May her legacy of entertainment and activism live on.

Chicago Marathon Cheering Station

Team Croke volunteered at Alderman Hopkins’ cheering station during the Chicago Marathon. It was awesome to see the community come together to support all the runners!

Inside Government Internship Fair at Loyola

Henry and our Fall Intern, Lillya, tabled at Loyola’s Public Service Internship Fair. It was great to meet so many students interested in public service and hear about their desires to make a difference. If you or someone you know is interested in our Spring Internship Program, please email info@repcroke.com with a resume and cover letter.

44th Ward Shred Event

Team Croke volunteered at Alderman Lawson’s 44th Ward shred event. The community came to shred paper, e-cycle their electronics, and learn more about the iCASH program. In total, the community filled approximately four boxes of electronics for recycling and shredded enough paper to fill the truck halfway. The event was a great success!

Gold Coast Neighbors Association Annual Meeting

Henry and Olivia attended the Gold Coast Neighbors Association’s annual meeting. Members of the community gathered to hear neighborhood updates and hear directly from government officials. Thank you to GCNA for having us!

Government Updates

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

IDFPR is helping licensees do MORE with CORE. As a modernized, streamlined way to manage professional licensing needs, CORE offers a practical way to complete required actions online, make payments, and track the status of an application or renewal. To learn more about CORE and see the most recent updates, click here.

Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services

Medicaid customers, the federal government is enacting changes that may affect some Medicaid customers starting January 2027. Many customers will not be affected. Illinois Medicaid will contact you if these changes apply to you. Make sure they can reach you. If you receive mail from the State of Illinois, open it right away. Update your address, phone number, and email today by clicking here or calling 877-805-5312.

Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s LIHEAP helps eligible households with low income pay for home energy services. This includes assistance with heating gas, propane and electricity. Each year, priority enrollment opens for vulnerable groups first with general applications opening the following month. To learn more or fill out an application, click here.

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. Click here today to see if you have property waiting for you. Claims are always processed free of charge with proper identification.

Illinois Department of Human Services

Illinois SNAP customers who lost their benefits can find out if they qualify for an exemption or how to regain eligibility and meet the new work requirements by working, volunteering, or participating in a training or education program by clicking here.

Illinois Department of Public Health

Be prepared for the respiratory virus season this year by getting vaccinated. See the above chart for IDPH’s recommendations on who should receive which vaccinations. For more information and to find a clinic near you, visit the IDPH, Cook County, and Chicago Department of Public Health websites.

Illinois Department of Public Health

Starting in October, CTA started deploying Safe Ride Specialists teams on CTA trains, rail stations, and bus terminals to help maintain a safe, welcoming, and respectful transit environment for all. These teams can engage with riders, directly connect vulnerable riders with services, and help to de-escalate potential conflicts. Specialists include teams of mental health clinicians, peer support specialists, crisis intervention specialists, and community violence intervention experts. To learn more, click here.

Grant Opportunities

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has a variety of grants available to support members of the community.

Small Business Development Centers Program

The Illinois 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.

International Tourism Program (Round 2)

The intent of the program is to promote Illinois as a travel destination to the international leisure traveler. The International tourism program is important to the State of Illinois’ tourism industry to match/leverage local funds with State funds to promote destination drivers, to market and promote attractions and events throughout the State to international travelers to ultimately impact the economic growth of the tourism industry.

Community Events

Old Town Meets Montmartre

The neighborhoods of Old Town Chicago and Montmartre Paris will host their next event on November 7th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. The event is a concert led by Anne & Mark Burnell with a lineup of musical genres and performers at the Old Town Triangle Association (1763 N North Park Ave). To learn more, click here.

DePaul Symphony Orchestra Presented by The Life 3.0 Committee

The DePaul Symphony Orchestra will be opening a new performance season with a wonderful selection of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony, and Copeland’s Rodeo Suite. The concert will be held at the Holtschneider Performance Center (2330 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614) on Saturday, November 7th from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. For more information, click here.

30th Annual John Buciak Old St. Pat’s Blood Drive

Old St. Pat’s will be holding their 30th Annual John Buciak Blood Drive on Sunday, November 8th from 7:00am to 2:00pm at 129 S. Desplaines St. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins will also be accepted. Donors must be 18 years of age or older. Free parking is available at 625 W. Adams. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or click here.

Chicago History Museum: “Aquí en Chicago” Closing Program

To commemorate the closing of Chicago History Museum’s Aquí en Chicago exhibition, the museum is hosting activities, tours, talks, music, and more on Sunday, November 8th, 2026 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. To learn more, click here.

Holiday Tree Lighting

Join the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce for their annual holiday tree lighting at Clark Street Dog (3040 N. Clark) on November 18th at 5:30pm. The event will include hot cocoa, cookies, holiday swag, Santa, and more. To learn more, click here.

Lincoln Park Zoo ZooLights

ZooLights, presented by Invesco and ComEd, is returning to Lincoln Park Zoo starting on November 20th. Lincoln Park will be lit by more than 3 million lights featuring hundreds of LED displays that will transform the zoo into a glowing wonderland. Zoolights is open from 4:30pm to 9:00pm until January 3, 2027. For a full list of activities, ticket information, and more, click here.

Resources

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)

CARE is now operating in all 77 community areas of Chicago. The CARE team provides specialized 911 responses for mental health crises. Available weekdays from 8:00am to 10:00pm, these behavioral health professionals offer de-escalation, assessments, referrals, and transport. To learn more, click here.

Weather Warnings & Staying Prepared

Forecasts predict that we are going to have slightly warmer temperatures and below-average snowfall. However, this is only an outlook. Please continue to stay informed on current conditions as the month progresses. See the most up to date safety information on the National Weather Service website. To learn more, click here.

Center for Disability & Elder Law Resources

The Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL) offers free legal services for older adults and adults with disabilities. Through free legal services, advocacy, education, and a network of dedicated volunteer attorneys, CDEL helps individuals navigate complex issues including housing, end of life planning, consumer disputes, and more. To get in contact with CDEL call 312-376-1880 or visit their website by clicking here.

Small Business Shoutout

Sara Jane

Sara Jane is a fun contemporary woman’s clothing, accessory and gift item boutique. They carry both newer and lesser known brands at a variety of price points, styles and size ranges. Sara Jane strives to have something for everyone, so anyone who enters the store feels welcome and happy.

For more information, visit their website or follow them on Instagram/Facebook.

PAWS Shoutout

We have a PAWS shoutout for November: Meet Jill!

Meet Jill, a 1 year old with a lot of energy who is always looking for someone to play fetch with. While she loves chasing a toy around, Jill is also incredibly smart and eager to learn new ways to express herself. Jill is looking for a place with structure, enrichment, and a balanced routine with adults or older children where she can grow into an amazing companion. With just a little time and training, Jill will feel like a member of the family!

Jill is available for adoption at PAWS Chicago’s Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center, located at 1997 N. Clybourn Avenue. Click here and make your adoption appointment today!

Wishing you a safe and healthy November! Please don’t hesitate to contact my office with any questions or concerns. We’re always here to help!

 

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