|
Dear Neighbor, Summer is officially here and it has arrived with a vengeance! I hope that all of you are staying as cool as you want to be. High temperatures can be dangerous for people and pets if you aren’t careful. Keeping yourself cool and hydrated is the best way to stay safe and enjoy this beautiful season. I have been enjoying a lot of it recently. I’ve been out knocking on doors, saying hello, and checking in with people across the district. I recently knocked on the door of someone I remembered speaking to about healthcare back when I was first running for this position. She was undergoing treatment for cancer and knew that her prognosis was not good, but she was determined to use her time to make as big of an impact as she could. She certainly left an impact on me. I knocked on her door today and learned that she died about 6 months after I had first spoken to her. She inspired me to support measures that create greater access to healthcare for everyone, regardless of their circumstances and I was happy that I could share the news of SB2969 with her husband, which requires insurance companies to cover glucose monitoring devices. The Governor signed it into law last week. He thought his wife would have liked that. He has had time to mourn and it was one of those conversations where I was sad to learn about someone’s death, but also glad that I could share how her life impacted mine, which will in turn impact so many others. We are all connected. This role continues to teach me humility and a deeper sense of purpose. As I listen to the noise of so much going on around me, I find comfort in connecting with people. Not all of those connections are positive or easy, but it won’t deter me from being the kind of representative that people can approach, feel good about, and respect. We may not always agree, but I will always listen. My office will be out at events across the community this month and I hope you’ll join us! There are so many wonderful things going on in our communities! Be sure to stop by and say hello! |
|
|
Sincerely, Suzanne |
|
 |
|
SB2969 SIGNED INTO LAW |
|
|
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices Now Covered! One of the first doors I knocked on when I first ran for this role was answered by a 20 year old with type 1 diabetes. His number one priority was the cost of healthcare as this was going to affect him his whole life. While IL has capped the cost of insulin, it is only right that we include and make more affordable, life changing devices that improve a person’s quality of life. SB2969 does just that.” On Wednesday June 15th, I had the opportunity to attend the signing of SB2969: a bill that mandates Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices are covered by insurance. Continuous glucose monitoring devices can be life-changing for people living with diabetes. I was proud to be the House sponsor for legislation that will ensure that there are no financial barriers to accessing medical devices that are critical for preventative care. |
|
|
|
 |
|
JUNE HIGHLIGHTS |
|
|
|
|
Summer Reading Kick-Off |
|
|
Our office had an amazing time at the Fox River Valley Public Library District’s Summer Reading Challenge Kick-Off! There was great live music and incredible food courtesy of Duke’s Blues N BBQ and ELDER + OAT! |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
WoofstockWe had a great time at Hoof Woof and Meow Animal Rescue’s Woofstock! My district staff put together a basket to raffle off with the help of Thomas’ Tails, a small business in Crystal Lake. We met many adoptable pets – including June’s adorable adoptee Asha. I saw many familiar faces, as well as new ones; including a family who just moved to the district! |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Flag Day Celebration in East DundeeFlag Day is a special day to commemorate the anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official US flag all the way back in 1777. I |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Flag Day Tour with the
|
|
|
I had the opportunity to tour Flagsource, a woman-owned flag manufacturer based in Batavia, alongside the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and many of my colleagues from the General Assembly. Thank you to Flagsource and the IMA for taking us on an in-depth tour in honor of Flag Day. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Juneteenth Celebration in Elgin |
|
|
June 19th – otherwise known as Juneteenth – commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. In 1865, over two years after Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the emancipation proclamation, a group of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas finally learned that they had been freed. My office and I had a wonderful time celebrating this momentous holiday at Elgin’s Juneteenth Festival! Thank you to the African-American Coalition Kane County for organizing this awesome community event! |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Gilberts Community Days |
|
|
I had a blast volunteering at Village of Gilberts’s Community Days. Thank you to Village President Zambetti for the warm welcome. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Bingo Fun with Senior Services Associates |
|
|
I had a fantastic time calling out bingo numbers over at Senior Services Associates in Elgin. It was a blast spending the morning with this wonderful group. Congratulations to all of the Bingo prize winners! |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Are you passionate about giving back to your community? Are you interested in learning about the inner-workings of a State Representative’s office? Students, as well as recent-graduates who are passionate about public service are encouraged to apply to our Fall Internship Program! Applications are due on July 30th. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
July’s Adoptable Pet of The MonthEach month, we share an ‘Adoptable Pet of the Month’ in our newsletter to promote a pet who is looking for their forever home. Due to increased need in the area, we have the pleasure of promoting not one, but three adorable pets available to be adopted! Thank you to District 66-based Hoof Woof and Meow Animal Rescue for partnering with us! |
|
 |
|
|
Please email adopt@hoofwoofmeow.org with any questions. You can find out adoption procedures and application on our website – www.hoofwoofmeow.org |
|
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Huntley Area Public Library |
|
|
Rep. Ness will be hosting mobile office hour events near you! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Coffee in Your Community |
|
 |
|
|
Resources |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cooling Centers |
|
|
With the recent trend of hot and stormy weather, my office has been making wellness calls to residents across the district to make sure they have access to power and air conditioning. If you are experiencing a loss of power or need a place to cool down, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can find updated Cooling Centers information here: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statement on Roe v. Wade SCOTUS Ruling |
|
 |
