Hello Neighbor!

Wow, May completely got away from us, and June is moving right along as well!  Representative Ness spent the month of May working on issues and representing the wants and needs of constituents in the district.  She is working on creating a legislative update from the general session that will answer questions and review the many areas in which lawmakers in Springfield touched upon in the 104th General Assembly.

In the meantime, our district office has been busy. First and foremost, May was a bittersweet month for district staff. Alexis, our long-time office assistant, accepted a new position.  She always brought a smile and energy to our office and created amazing relationships with organizational leaders and constituents in the area. Alexis’ energy and enthusiasm will be missed in the office, but we are excited for the new opportunities that await her.

We also had the opportunity to welcome four new faces to our district office.  We are excited to showcase four local high school and college students who will be interning with our office this summer!  We are excited to have them join our office at town halls, community coffees, summer events, tours and anywhere and everywhere you may meet Representative Ness.

As always, if you have questions, concerns or just want to chat with Rep Ness, please reach out to our office.

Regards,
Denise W. H.
District Director for Representative Suzanne Ness • District 66

My office recently hosted two impactful community service events in District 66; a Mobile DMV Day and a Shredding/Recycling Event. These events helped residents tackle everything from REAL ID registration and I-PASS transponder updates to safe document disposal and food pantry support.

At the Mobile DMV event held at the Algonquin Public Library, the Illinois Secretary of State’s office assisted residents in registering for REAL IDs ahead of the upcoming May 7, 2025 federal enforcement deadline. Attendees also had the chance to register as organ donors through the Illinois State Donor Program.

In addition, the Illinois State Treasurer’s office was on hand to help attendees search for unclaimed property via the I-CASH program, successfully finding $3,000 in unclaimed funds to area residents. The Illinois Tollway provided support as well, assisting residents with swapping out I-PASS transponders for the newer sticker versions.

It’s important to bring these services directly to our communities. From recovering lost funds to getting people REAL ID-ready, this event showed how the government can help when we meet people where they are.

The second event was in Carpentersville, it consisted of document shredding sponsored by KCT Credit Union and electronics recycling from Kane County Recycles that gave residents an eco-friendly, secure, and generous way to clean out and give back.  This event, co-hosted  with the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce, brought out many from the community:

• 3,500 pounds of paper were securely shredded
• 1,965 pounds of electronics; 255 pounds of books; and 60 pounds of mixed clothing, shoes & textiles were responsibly recycled
• And the community donated 140 pounds of food and $468 to the FISH food pantry

Thanks to bulk purchasing, that $468 will provide an estimated $3,745 worth of food, enough to support dozens of local families.

The generosity we saw from residents was incredible. People showed up not just to recycle or shred old paperwork, but to make a real impact. That $468 donation is going to stretch far and feed many families.

It was a great meeting with local realtors during their lobby day in Springfield. I had the opportunity to sit down with them and discuss key legislation impacting our community.

I appreciate the realtors’ continued advocacy and dedication to ensuring our housing market remains strong and accessible for all. Together, we are working toward solutions that benefit current homeowners and future buyers.

It was an honor to welcome the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois to the Capitol in Springfield! I had the opportunity to meet with these young women, learn about their initiatives, and discuss the importance of community involvement and service. Their visit is a reminder of the bright future we’re working to create for the next generation of leaders.

Thank you for your dedication to making a difference in our communities!

I am excited to welcome the beautiful new apartment complex, Water’s Edge, to Crystal Lake. Water’s Edge will no doubt provide quality living and help strengthen the fabric of our community. Judging by the turnout for the Ribbon Cutting, Crystal Lake is excited to welcome Water’s Edge to our town. Wishing you much success!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by my Mobile Office Hours at the Algonquin Library! It was a pleasure speaking with constituents, hearing your concerns, and sharing updates on the work we're doing in Springfield. I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect directly and continue advocating for the needs of our community.

A big thank-you to the Algonquin Area Public Library for the warm welcome and continued partnership. We’re so grateful to work with such a supportive community space!+

Spent lunch time with Superintendents Jessica Lombard (District 158), Dr. Neil Lesinski (District 155), and Dr. Martina Smith (District 300), who shared great information and insights on workforce development and AI in education, among other valuable topics. Thank you, Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce, for creating bonds between the school districts and the business community.

WIC hours are expanding at VNA & Greater Family Health Locations - check out their new clinic hours - coming very soon!

El horario de WIC se está ampliando en las ubicaciones de VNA y Greater Family Health. ¡Consulte el nuevo horario de la clínica, estará disponible muy pronto!

The City of Elgin is  developing an Active Mobility Plan to improve and connect sidewalks, bike lanes, and accessible pathways across the community. Your input is encouraged to help guide this important work.

Take the public survey today for a chance to win a $100 VISA gift card:
ElginIL.gov/ActiveMobility-Survey

Prefer a paper copy? Surveys are available at:
Gail Borden Public Library – Main Branch, 270 N Grove Ave
Gail Borden Public Library – Rakow Branch, 2751 W Bowes Rd
The Centre of Elgin – Main Desk, 100 Symphony Way

Additional engagement opportunities, such as bike tours, pop-ups, and workshops, are planned for 2025 and 2026.

Safely dispose of your household hazardous waste!
The McHenry County Department of Health and Illinois EPA are hosting a free collection event on Saturday, June 7, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake.

Residential waste only
No business, commercial, or agricultural waste

Open to all Illinois residents — pre-registration is required.
Register here: mcdh.link/HHW2025

Thanks for inviting us! I just got the numbers: 1,965 lbs (~1 ton) electronics, 255 lbs of book, 60 lbs of mixed clothing, shoes and textiles.

 That’s great if you want to highlight the West Dundee site. I try to give some directions because it’s a little tricky to find, even with the street address. It’s tucked behind the Village Dept. of Public Works building, which means that residents should actually turn off Angle Tarn onto Beacon Street and then take a slight left through the gate into the DPW lot. Our area is just on the left through the gate, and we’re staffed Mon – Fri, 7am – 3pm.

The other thing you could highlight is that we have a home collection program for household hazardous waste that’s available in West Dundee, East Dundee, Carpentersville, Kane portion of Algonquin, Sleepy Hollow, Elgin Township…pretty much the whole area other than City of Elgin, which has its own program. It’s at no cost to residents. It’s somewhat under-utilized, especially in Carpentersville, so I’d love to get the word out about it. Residents can book by calling 866-466-5060 during normal business hours. More info here.

Visit www.hoofwoofmeow.org to meet our pets of the month and other adorable pets up for adoption. 

Angora is a stunning long haired tortoiseshell cat with a charming personality and a unique look.  Contrary to the usual tortie, she does not reflect typical torti-tude. She loves face scratches, a good brushing, and quiet time with her foster mom.  She is super chill, approximately 4-5 years old and would prefer the slower pace of a quieter home. Are you looking for a couch cuddle buddy? Angora's adoption fee is $175 which includes core vaccinations (age appropriate), microchip & spay/neuter (completed). *HWMAR presents the information in these bios based on our foster observations and any information presented to us regarding prior living conditions, breed specifications. While we aim to be as accurate as possible, each animal is individual and their behaviors and personalities can change in different surroundings.  HWMAR holds no guarantees to personality, behavior or breed*   Please review our adoption process & complete an application on our website -  https://www.hoofwoofmeow.org/adoption-faqs-and-requirements   We adopt within 150 mile radius of Elgin, IL **We are a 100% volunteer rescue.  All of our cats are in Foster Homes**Submission of an application does not guarantee adoption of any specific animal as they may have applications pending or might not be the right match for you*