 |
 |
|
January | February 2024
|
Hello Neighbor!
Happy New Year! I enjoyed the holidays this year with family and friends. Our family welcomed a new little one on Dec. 30th. My niece Hannah gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Our next generation of family is growing! Her experience reminded me of how important it is that everyone has access to quality health care, doctors they trust, and the ability to take time off after such events.
I’m so excited about this year and all that we have planned. Our team grew last year and we met together as a team to plan out 2024. Look for more mobile office events, coffees with constituents, town halls, and updates, as well as adding more constituent advisory groups. It helps me connect the work we do in Springfield, to the impact it has on people’s lives. We don’t always get it right, and I’m learning how we can make the process better. Look for more of that to come this year.
You’ll see from the video below, a review of last year. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. I am immensely proud of all we accomplished and I continue to be humbled by this opportunity to serve. I look forward to seeing you this year at one of our many events.
Sincerely, Suzanne
|
|
|
 |
2023 District 66 Year in Review
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
 |
|
DISTRICT OFFICE UPDATES
|
|
|
New Year, new views…though as of this writing we are still in the thick of winter, our office took some time over the holiday break to reorganize our office. We love how open and bright it is! Our winter office hours are M-Th 9:00am – 4:00pm, F 9:00am – 1:00pm, if you are in the neighborhood stop in and say Hi!
District 66 Office – Representative Ness
20 S. Grove Street Suite #103
Carpentersville, IL
|
 |
|
|
|
Healthcare for Heroes
|
Our office is partnering with Representative Anna Moeller’s office to show appreciation to our local Healthcare workers. We are collecting Valentine’s Day cards and words of appreciation to be shared with Healthcare workers serving in our community. We will be delivering cards and flowers to our Healthcare Heroes on Wednesday, February 14th!
Please share your kind thoughts and Valentine’s with us and we will pass them along! We have many drop-off locations and several drop-in sites to create cards.
|
 |
If you have a club, organization or group that would like to create a bunch of cards, we will make arrangements to pick up the completed well wishes. We will be collecting cards until February 10th. Reach out to our office to make pick up arrangements.
|
 |
|
|
|
Spotlight on the District
|
New this year, our office will be highlighting hidden gems in the district. If you would like to share a favorite spot, reach out to our office.
Kicking off our 2024 Spotlight of the District is
Raceway Woods Forest Preserves!
|
This system of trails located in Carpentersville, IL has a unique history as it used to be Meadowdale International Raceway decades ago. The old racetrack has been restored to a sweet paved bike track but there are quite a bit of off road trails in and around the track. The terrain is pretty varied for Illinois which makes this trail worth wandering.
|
 |
2 Parking locations:
645 N Western Ave, Carpentersville, IL 60110 (Silo Lot on Rt 31)
550 Huntley Rd, Carpentersville, IL 60110 (Huntley Rd Lot)
|
|
|
|
Mobile Office
|
The District Office is centrally located within District 66, however, we recognize that not all constituents will find our location convenient. Our office will be hosting several Mobile Office Hours and Community Coffees throughout the district in 2024. If you need help with unemployment resources, navigating state agencies, and mental health resources? My office can help. Look for mobile offices to pop in your area in 2024.
The first Mobile Office for 2024 was held at the Crystal Lake Library
on January 29th. Reach out to our office if you’d like us to schedule
a mobile office near you.
|
 |
|
|
|
Coffee in Your Community
|
Coffee in the Community is currently being scheduled in Dundee, Elgin,
Lake in the Hills, and Carpentersville. If you know of a great local coffee spot, let me know! I look forward to having coffee with you in your community!
The year’s first coffee event will take place in March…
extra bonus, there will be BINGO!
|
 |
|
|
CONSTITUENT SERVICES
|
|
|
Scholarship Opportunities
|
The Township Officials of Illinois has announced scholarships to college-bound high school seniors, who are planning to attend an Illinois college or university. Applications are now being accepted and must be submitted by 3/1/24, via mail or online. The application and the requisites of the scholarships can be found here: https://www.toi.org/2024-scholarship-application
|
 |
|
|
The Kane County Farm Bureau is offering up to 8 scholarships to Kane County high school seniors or college students who are pursuing higher education in an agricultural-related field. Applications are now being accepted and must be submitted by 2/15/24. The application and the requisites of the scholarships can be found here: https://www.kanecfb.com/scholarships
|
 |
|
|
The Community Foundation for McHenry County has a website that contains scholarships offered throughout McHenry County for either McHenry County high school senior students or college students from the area. The link can be found here: https://thecfmc.org/receive/scholarships/opportunities/
|
 |
|
|
Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Dollars for Scholars is dedicated to the continuing education, development, mentoring and improvement of chamber members and providing scholarships for High School Seniors and College students affiliated with the Northern Kane County Chamber or residing in the NKCCC market area. The Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce (NKCCC) is an advocate for commerce, industry and development in the northern Fox Valley villages of Carpentersville, East Dundee, Gilberts, Sleepy Hollow and West Dundee, IL.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
McHenry County College was the host of the recent People In Need Forum. Exhibitors showcased essential community resources available to help those in need and presented workshops to address topics such as immigration, senior issues, caregiver resources, LGBTQ, substance abuse and addictions, and homelessness.
|
 |
Please check out the links below for a directory of resources.
|
|
|
|
|
Medicaid Renewal Reminder
|
Since Medicaid has stopped renewing automatically, Illinois will be mailing out annual Medicaid renewal notices. Watch your mail to check for your renewal; check your due date and confirm your eligibility. You can also click on abe.illinois.gov and tap on Manage My Case or call 1-800-843-6154.
|
 |
|
|
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
|
|
|
Bike/Walking Paths along Randall Road
|
As the demand for biking paths has increased in the past few years in District 66, I am pleased to say that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has awarded $3 million to the McHenry County Division of Transportation to construct a new sidewalk and shared-use path along the Randall Road corridor to connect existing regional and local bike/pedestrian sidewalks between Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills. This was made possible through the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan, which I voted on and passed through the General Assembly. This project is part of the Randall Road Corridor Improvement Project, which would widen and reconstruct the last remaining section of Randall Road between Alexandra Blvd and Acorn Ln.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Three Oaks Recreation Area
Receives $200,000 in Grants
|
The city of Crystal Lake received a $200,000 recreational trail grant from the state to improve its trials and create a loop around the lake. If you wish to learn more about this exciting project, please visit https://www.crystallake.org/Home/Components/News/News/5772/.
|
|
|
AROUND THE TOWNS
|
|
|
|
|
A little late in posting but it was lovely helping families “shop” for the
D300 Food Pantry.
Thank you D300 Food Pantry for hosting this wonderful holiday event!
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Sweet Basil Cafe Ribbon Cutting
|
 |
|
|
|
|
McHenry County’s Law & Government
Committee Meeting
|
 |
It was a pleasure to share upcoming legislative initiatives and ideas for the County’s 2024 Legislative Program.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excited to welcome this state-of-the-art warehouse facility to the district.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fantastic Public Works Tour and community development update!
|
 |
|
|
|
|
RESOURCES
|
|
Updated 2024 Warming Centers
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
Clean Energy Incentive Online Seminar
|
The holiday season can be difficult for some.
If you need any support, text 988 or chat online by visiting this link https://988lifeline.org/chat/ whenever you need someone to talk to 24/7/365.
|
 |
 |
|
|
ADOPTABLE PET OF THE MONTH
|
Courtesy of Hoof Woof & Meow
|
 |
|
Meet Fluffer Nutter
|
Fluffer Nutter is housebroken and crate trained and looking for his forever home. He is a very treat-motivated boy and is busy working hard on following commands; he has already learned “sit”, “down” and “wait”. He loves walks and visits to outdoor restaurant patios. Fluffer Nutter is good with other dogs and kids (*we recommend kids 10+ as he is still a puppy). Applicants must be committed to continuing his training and working with him to grow into the best boy possible. He is young and trainable and will be a great addition to the right family. Estimated birth date 12/12/2022.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Meet Dove
|
Dove, a stunning 4-year-old white cat, is a truly gentle soul. Dove’s soft snowy fur and beautiful eyes make her a true beauty, but her loving personality is what makes her truly shine. Dove’s expressive eyes speak of her recent loss of her beloved human. The loss has shaken her world, but she continues to be an affectionate cat who enjoys quiet cuddles and marathon petting sessions. She is seeking a peaceful and loving home where she can once again feel secure and cherished.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
