After Successful Senior Fair and Coat Drive, DeWitte Looks Ahead to Shred Truck and IPASS Event
Thank you to everyone who came out to the senior fair I co-hosted with Senator Wilcox last week in Crystal Lake. Attendance exceeded all expectations with more than 200 seniors coming through to visit with vendors, get flu shots, and take advantage of all of the other offerings.
I also wanted to thank everyone who donated so generously to my 2024 coat drive. We collected well over 100 coats that will be donated in the coming days to organizations that serve struggling families in Kane and McHenry Counties.
Looking ahead, I have two more events to round out my community outreach schedule for the month. Please mark your calendars for the following:
- Saturday, October 26: Document Shredding Event, St. Charles North High School, 255 Red Gate Road, St. Charles, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM (partnership with KCT Credit Union)
- Monday, October 28: IPASS on Demand, Algonquin Township Building, Meeting Room #1, 3702 Northwest Highway (Route 14), 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Partnership with Senator Wilcox)
Feds Back Lawsuit Against Illinois Fee Ban
The federal government has stepped into the legal fight over a new Illinois law that could change how banks and credit unions handle transaction fees. The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has filed an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit aimed at blocking the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act.
Passed earlier this year, the law would be the first in the country to ban banks from charging interchange fees on taxes and tips—a move critics say goes too far and could create headaches for retailers and consumers alike. Opponents argue it would force consumers to swipe their credit cards twice—once for purchases and again for sales tax. Federal officials claim the law interferes with their authority and threatens “safe and sound banking” by undermining fees that cover transaction costs and protect against fraud.
Supporters of the law, however, say banks are exaggerating, claiming they can easily separate taxes and tips from the fees without breaking the system. The case is set to be argued in court on October 30th.
Illinois Grocery Initiative Announces $11 Million in Grants for New Stores in Food Deserts
Round two of the Illinois Grocery Initiative’s “New Stores in Food Deserts” program is now open, offering critical grants to improve access to fresh, nutritious food in underserved communities. With $11 million in funding available, the program is designed to combat food insecurity by supporting the development of grocery stores in areas where fresh food options are scarce.
As a proud supporter of this the legislation (Senate Bill 850) I remain committed to ensuring communities facing food insecurity get the resources they need.
Qualifying grocery stores must meet the following criteria:
- Be classified as a supermarket or other grocery retailer in the 2022 North American Industry Classification System under code 445110, a meat retailer under code 44524, a fruit and vegetable retailer under code 44523, or a fish and seafood retailer under 44525.
- Be located in a food desert census tract (as defined in the NOFO).
- Earn less than 30% of revenue from alcohol and tobacco sales.
- Accept SNAP and WIC.
- Contribute to the diversity of fresh foods available in the community.
Awards will range from $150,000 to $2.4 million, with applicants required to meet a 1:3 match in funding. Eligible applicants include local governments and independent grocers or cooperatives with fewer than 500 employees and no more than four store locations.
The deadline to apply for the grant is December 2, 2024. For more information and to view the full Notice of Funding Opportunity, visit the DCEO website.
Stay Safe While You Trick-or-Treat
With Halloween creeping closer, it’s important to be safe and responsible so your night of trick-or-treating is all treats and no tricks!
Please stick to your local community’s designated hours and keep to the sidewalks to avoid any frightful falls. Adults should carry flashlights to light the way through the spooky streets. And before your little goblins dig into their candy haul, be sure to check everything first to keep things safe and sweet.
Additional Trick-or-Treating tips include:
- Choose flame-resistant costumes or use polyester/nylon for DIY outfits.
- Use bright, reflective clothing or tape to increase visibility.
- Opt for makeup over masks to avoid obstructing vision.
- Test makeup 24-48 hours ahead to prevent allergic reactions.
- Avoid decorative contact lenses without a prescription.
When it comes to enjoying Halloween treats and sweets, the FDA offers the following nutritional and safety tips for trick-or-treaters:
- Wait to eat treats until they’ve been inspected at home.
- Avoid unwrapped or homemade treats, and check labels for allergens.
- Parents of very young children should remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys from the Halloween bags.
Let’s make this Halloween a scream—in the best way!
IDPH Updates Respiratory Illness Dashboard as Virus Season Kicks Off
With the arrival of cooler weather, respiratory virus season is just around the corner. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has rolled out updates to its Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard and is encouraging residents to take proactive steps to protect themselves against common seasonal illnesses.
The updated dashboard provides real-time data on respiratory illness trends across the state, including hospital visits, demographics of affected individuals, and outbreak reports from local health departments.
Health officials are also reminding the public that one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses is to stay home when sick. If you’re experiencing symptoms like coughing, a runny nose, or fever, self-isolate to protect others unless medical care is needed.
Stay informed and stay healthy this season! For more information on respiratory virus season or to check out the Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard, visit IDPH’s website.