DeWitte Appears on Mass Transit Panel on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight
I was pleased to join my Senate Transportation partner Sen. Ram Villivalam last week for Chicago Tonight segment about the ongoing Senate hearings into fiscal issues at the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). We need a truly regional and well-coordinated mass transit system that works for its riders across the six-county region.
Click here to watch the interview.
Thank you to WTTW for the invitation. It’s always a pleasure to talk with the Chicago Tonight reporters and in-studio staff.
There’s Still Time to Donate to Senator DeWitte’s Coat Drive
Coats have been trickling in for my third annual coat drive, but there is still a tremendous need for new and gently-used coats for this year’s drive. Coats of all sizes will be collected through October 16 at the following four locations:
- Sen. DeWitte’s District Office: 641 South 8th Street, West Dundee (8:30 AM-4:30 PM, M-F)
- St. Charles Municipal Building: 2 E. Main Street, St. Charles (8:00 AM-4:30 PM, M-F)
- Salvation Army of St. Charles: 1710 S. 7th Avenue, St. Charles (8:00 AM-4:00 PM, M-F; also open 5:00 PM-7:00 PM on Tu; 10:00 AM-12:30 PM, Su)
- Algonquin Village Hall, 2200 Harnish Dr, Algonquin (7:30 AM – 5:00 PM, M-F)
The coats we collect will be distributed to Kids in Need-McHenry County, Lazarus House in St. Charles, the Elgin Wayside Center, and the Salvation Army. All of these helpful organizations have expressed a need to provide coats to families in need, and I am glad to host an event to help replenish their supplies. For additional information about this event, please call my office at (847) 214-8245.
Senior Fair Scheduled for Tuesday in Crystal Lake
Senator Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) and I are bringing dozens of agencies that cater to the needs of seniors under one roof for an October 15 Senior Resource Fair in Crystal Lake.
This annual event has been incredibly popular because seniors are able to visit with representatives from a variety of agencies that can help them navigate issues that affect their lives. In addition to receiving information from vendors, seniors will have an opportunity to get flu shots and blood pressure checks and visit an ICASH Unclaimed Property desk to see if cash or property is waiting to be claimed. Best of all, everything is free.
Wilcox-DeWitte Senior Resource Fair
Tuesday, October 15
10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Crystal Lake Park District’s Grand Oaks Building
Participating agencies/organizations include Aetna, Algonquin Township, Ardenrose, Assure Home Assist, Bose Home Health, Crystal Lake Park District, Cycling Without Age- McHenry County, Fair Oaks/Carriage Health, Honor Flight, Venturi & Associates, IL Attorney General’s Office, IL Secretary of State’s Office, IL Treasurer’s Office, IL Comptroller’s Office, Independence Health, James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center, Village of Lake in the Hills, Molina Health Care, PACE Bus Service, Prairie State Legal, Regional Transportation Authority, Senior Care Volunteer Network, Senior Lifestyle Solutions, St. Croix Hospice, The Pearl of Crystal Lake, Transitions Care, Veterans Assistance Commission of McHenry County, Visiting Angels, Walgreens, Harvard Senior Center, Woodlands, and Meridian.
For more information about this senior resource fair, please call my office at (847) 214-8245.
IPASS On Demand Returning to Area for Another Event
The response to my IPASS on Demand events has been phenomenal, so Senator Wilcox and I are bringing a Tollway mobile team back to one of our shared communities for another event. We will be at the Algonquin Township Building in meeting room #1 from 3:00 – 7:00 PM on Monday, October 28. The Township building is located at 3702 Northwest Highway (Rt. 14), in Crystal Lake.
At these IPASS on Demand events, Tollway employees can help residents switch out their plastic IPASS transponders for the new sticker technology the Tollway is using. Plastic transponders will work until the expiration date printed on the transponder, but these local events help people make the switch in a convenient location so they can avoid long lines at the DMV.
Please visit the Events Page on my website to learn more about this and other events.
IDFPR Warns of Increased Scams Targeting Students
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is making families with children who are currently attending or have attended college aware of an uptick in scams targeting those who have taken on student loans.
Due to recent challenges to federal relief programs, scammers have taken this opportunity to attempt to scam students by promising lower rates, loan forgiveness, and requests to sign over power-of-attorney. Most often, there will be a request for immediate action, which is a red flag. Students should also be wary of claims that the servicer has ties to the government.
Scammers commonly communicate through the use of telephone calls, text, email, or physical mail.
Those who believe they may have been a target of a student loan scam should immediately contact the Illinois Attorney General’s Student Loan Hotline by calling 1-800-455-2456. The Attorney General’s website can also be a valuable resource to file a complaint for those who believe they have been targeted.
Senate Republicans Honor Veterans with Wall of Honor
To pay tribute to veterans and honor their legacies and sacrifices, I am encouraging constituents to submit a photo and story of their loved one who served our nation so it can be displayed in the rotunda of the Illinois Capitol from November 11 to 25 in honor of Veterans Day.
The tribute honors the brave men and women who have served their country, preserving their stories and sacrifices for future generations. Families are asked to submit a photo and written story (max: 250 words) along with the following information: name, military branch (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy) and conflict served (Afghanistan, Iraq, September 11, Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea, WWII, WWI, Peacetime, other). Military photos are preferred but not necessary.
Submissions should be emailed to veteransday@sgop.ilga.gov by November 8 to be included in the Veterans Day Display at the Illinois State Capitol. Submissions can also be mailed to Veterans Day Wall, 110 D Statehouse, Springfield, IL 62706. For questions, please call (217) 782-1154.
Celebrating Women-Owned Businesses
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is celebrating National Women’s Business Month by highlighting the valuable impact of women-owned businesses throughout the state.
With more than 450,000 women-owned businesses in Illinois, this month is focused on empowering women entrepreneurs and supporting their continued growth and success.
Throughout October, DCEO will offer free events to highlight the various resources, opportunities, and tools available to help women-owned businesses thrive. For more information on resources and events offered from DCEO, click here.
Return of Illinois Deer Season
Illinois deer hunting season is officially underway, with archery season starting on October 1 and running through January 19 for counties east of Route 47. In counties west of Route 47, the archery season will also run during this period, with breaks for firearm seasons beginning in mid-November.
General firearm deer season for those with the appropriate tags and accompanying license takes place from November 22 to 24 and from December 5 to 8. A separate muzzleloader-only season will occur from December 13 to 15. The lottery drawings for firearm season tags are complete, and over-the-counter sales will begin on October 15, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
To ensure safety and avoid legal issues during deer hunting season, hunters should keep the following in mind:
- Have a valid Illinois Hunting, Sportsmen, Youth or Apprentice License in addition to a deer permit.
- Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
- When in the field, be sure to wear pink or orange outer garments to make yourself more visible.
- Drive with caution in areas where deer crossing signs are posted, as hunting season can cause deer to be more active.
For more information on safe hunting in Illinois, visit: https://dnr.illinois.gov/hunting.html.