Dear Neighbor,

It is March and we are in full session swing in Springfield. I shared my committee assignments a few weeks ago, including being the Vice Chair on the Counties and Townships committee. My time on the McHenry County Board gave me a deep appreciation of what we do at the State level that affects local governments. I also have the pleasure of knowing many well qualified professionals that I can call with questions when I want to understand issues better.

I am also proud to share that I was nominated by my colleagues to be the co-chair of the Conference of Women Legislators. The mission of COWL, is to work in a bipartisan, bi-cameral (meaning both Senate and House) way to advance the interests of women throughout the State of IL. Collectively our voice is a powerful one. Politically speaking, this is a difficult time to be in public office. It takes courage and grit to be in these roles. As women leaders, we can support each other as we look to improve our communities and represent our districts. I believe this role will also provide me with an opportunity to elevate issues that matter to my district and add another level of advocacy on behalf of those I serve. I can’t wait to share more.

Our office has been busy! You can read more about it below. In the meantime, if you happen to visit Springfield during the week, let me know. I’d love to show you around the Capitol! It’s nice to be in person again.

Sincerely, Suzanne

Keep track of the legislation bills I’m
sponsoring and co-sponsoring this session!

MARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Valentine’s Day Event

Frontline healthcare workers at Sherman Advocate had an early morning Valentine surprise of handmade cards of gratitude and thanks written by students and community members and fresh flowers.

Thank you to the Algonquin and Fox Valley Libraries, the Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township, and local schools for creating the cards to donate.

Thank you to Rep Moeller’s office for partnering with us. We were sad Rep Ness was under the weather and was unable to attend, but Nan and Alexis from our office organized and attended on her behalf.

Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce State Event

I attended the 2023 Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce State of the Community event. It was great to learn about all of the positive things happening in Crystal Lake and the Village of Lakewood!

So proud to be the Representative of these two amazing communities! I ran into some friends as well. McHenry County Board Members Kelli Wegener and Gloria Jean Van Hof. Lovely meeting Stacy and running into an old friend from my Marengo High School Days Brian Dibona.

D300 Ceremony

My office and I attended the D300 Food Pantry Award Ceremony. Thank You D300 Food Pantry for our Community Partner of the Year Award! We appreciate your dedication to the community you serve. Your hard work does not go unnoticed.

Elgin Community College
Black History Month Event

My office stopped by to listen to a Black History Event at Elgin Community College. The presentation highlighted ways to help black families by resisting stereotypes and institutional racism in our communities.

Spring Hill Mall Black History Month Event

My office staff and I were pleased to attend the Black History Month event at
Spring Hill Mall in Carpentersville. Tish Powell from Elgin City Council,
Marcus Banner from Our Neighborhoods Empowered, and Beverly Johnson from Broken Chains Counseling featured as speakers at this educational event.
A big thank you to all the guest speakers for sharing their stories;
I enjoyed listening to all the presentations!

Thank you to the following groups for setting up the informational table booths:
• African American Coalition of Kane County
• Elgin History Museum
• Dundee Township Historical Society
• Gail Borden Public Library

Jackson Hewitt Ribbon Cutting

I had the pleasure of attending Jackson Hewitt’s Tax Service Ribbon Cutting at 56 S Kennedy Dr, Carpentersville, IL!

Ray Graham Association

We had a fantastic breakfast with our state legislators to advocate for Illinoisans with disabilities and a well-trained, fairly compensated, and respected direct support professional (DSP) workforce. Thank you to all who attended and supported our mission!

Adoptable Pet of the Month

Meet Bennu

Bennu is a petite 2-year-old gal named after a large asteroid. The name is quite fitting! Like her namesake, she moves quietly and has vast depth (you can see it in her eyes). She enjoys exploring her surroundings at night when the house is quiet. She is cautious of new things but curious. She enjoys the company of her furry foster siblings and can often be found either sleeping in her hide spot or hanging in the cat tree. https://hoofwoofmeow.org/adoption/

Please learn about the process and complete an application at: https://hoofwoofmeow.org/adoption/

UPCOMING
COMMUNITY EVENTS

Shred Day Event

Saturday, April 8th, 2023
9:00 am – 12:00 pm or until the truck is full
Century Plaza
8th Street (Rt 31) , West Dundee 60118

Join State Representative Suzanne Ness, in partnership with AMS Store & Shred, for a secure document-destruction event. This event is free to any residents in District 66. Please note that there will be a strict two-banker box limit for each participant and constituents will be served on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Hosted by:
State Senator Don DeWitte
State Rep Suzanne Ness
Northern Kane County Chamber

D300 Food Pantry will have a truck for can good donations!

Hawthorne Hill Nature Craft Day

Join the Hawthorne Hill Nature Center each month the nature center will have a different theme for nature crafts! Please register in person
(at the Centre of Elgin), online, or with the QR code above.
– – –
¡Acompañe al Centro de la Naturaleza de Hawthorne Hill para una manualidad de la naturaleza! Cada mes, el centro tendrá un tema diferente para esta actividad.

YWCA & Claire’s Cinderella Closet 2023

Cinderella’s Closet is a fun formal-wear boutique where high school students
can shop for dresses, jewelry, purses, shoes, and make-up; for a $25 donation
or free with a referral from your high school guidance counselor.

Saturday, March 11th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sunday, March 12th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
There is no entry fee for the event, but it is by appointment only.

RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Environmental Defenders Composting Program

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County are working on a program with local businesses to encourage composting in Crystal Lake and the greater McHenry County Area. Please share with anyone you think would be interested!

You have a few days to sign your business up for the program restaurants are encouraged to sign up for this program using the link below.

Kane County Recycling Program

Kane County is piloting a new recycling program that accepts obsolete media items including tapes (cassette, VHS, BetaMax) and discs (CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, laserdisc, etc.)

These items can be dropped off at the Kane County Recycling Center (517 Fabyan Parkway) in Batavia on Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. There is no charge for recycling these items, but if you have more than an armful, please pack them in a box you can leave behind.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Your local Habitat For Humanity ReStore can pick up your donation.
Visit your local ReStore website or give them a call!
They help you move it and you’ll help them fund the construction of
affordable housing in your community.

Dundee Township

Do you have a pending eviction case against you?
There is help!

Elgin Hispanic Network Scholarship

Attention high school students of Hispanic Heritage!
Here’s your chance to win a scholarship to attend an accredited non profit college or vocational school! Don’t miss the opportunity to pursue your educational dreams.
Apply Now!