FREE Document Shredding Event & Food Drive Coming to Elgin on Sept. 12
State Rep. Dan Ugaste and I are inviting our constituents to safely dispose of old bank records, receipts, and other sensitive documents at a free document shredding event that will be held at Elgin’s Gail Borden Public Library (Rakow Branch) on Saturday, September 12, from 9:00-11:00 AM. Non-perishable foods and toiletries will also be collected for the Food for Greater Elgin Pantry. The shred truck will be on-site until 11:00 AM or until it is full.
Saturday, September 12
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM (or until shred truck is full)
Gail Borden Public Library (Rakow Branch)
2751 W. Bowes Road
Elgin, IL 60124
Participants are asked to follow traffic signs and remain in their vehicles. Shred truck staff will unload cars. Parking will be available for those who wish to see their documents fed into the shredder. While paper folders, staples and paper clips can be fed into the shredder, large binder clips, plastic file folders, and old floppy discs cannot be. Additionally, no electronics will be accepted for recycling or disposal.
For additional information on this event, constituents can call my office at (847) 214-8245.
Senator DeWitte, Representative Ugaste to Co-Host Senior Expo at St. Charles Pottawatomie Center
In addition to the shred event and food drive, Rep. Ugaste and I would also like to invite area seniors, caregivers and family members to attend a free Senior Expo on Tuesday, September 15, at the St. Charles Park District’s Pottawatomie Community Center.
The Senior Expo will bring together more than 30 organizations, government agencies, health care providers and community service organizations offering information and resources designed to help older adults stay healthy, active and independent. Admission is free, and refreshments will be available.
St. Charles Senior Expo
Tuesday, September 15
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
St. Charles Park District’s Pottawatomie Community Center
8 North Avenue
St. Charles, IL 60174
Our goal is to bring valuable resources together under one roof and make it easier for seniors and their families to find the information and services they need. There are so many programs available to help with health care, transportation, utilities, financial assistance and other needs, but knowing where to turn can sometimes be a challenge. This expo gives residents an opportunity to meet directly with the people and organizations that can help.
In addition to more than 30 informational booths, attendees will have access to a variety of free services and resources, including:
- I-PASS on Demand assistance through the Illinois Tollway
- ICASH/Unclaimed Property assistance through the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office
- Senior transportation information from PACE and the Northern Illinois Transportation Agency (NITA)
- Blood pressure checks provided by BrightStar Care
- Optional vaccinations provided by Walgreens
- Utility assistance and energy efficiency program information
- Health and wellness resources from local health care providers
- Home health and senior living information
- And much more
For additional information, contact my district office or email Abby McCarthy at amccarthy@sgop.ilga.gov.
DCEO Now Accepting Applications for Pre-Apprenticeship Program
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is now accepting applications for the latest round of funding through the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program.
Launched in 2021, the program provides training opportunities designed to strengthen the workforce pipeline and expand access to careers in the construction and building trades.
This marks the sixth round of funding for the program, with $25 million available. Funding supports tuition-free training, participant stipends, industry-recognized certifications, and other services intended to help individuals prepare and qualify for registered apprenticeship programs.
Eligible applicants include industry associations, chambers of commerce, local workforce areas, community colleges, technical schools, school districts, and other nonprofit community-based organizations.
Since 2021, the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program has awarded more than $70 million to organizations across the state that provide recruitment, pre-screening, and pre-apprenticeship skills training at no cost to participants.
Grant awards will range from $150,000 to $550,000. Applications will be accepted through October 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. To learn more or to apply for the program, click here.
IDFPR Continues Rollout of New Online Licensing System
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is continuing the rollout of its new online licensing system, the Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment, known as CORE.
Phase 3 of the transition is currently underway, with 131 professions now available through CORE for new license applications. Renewals are also available through CORE for individuals who submitted their original application through the new system.
As Phase 3 continues, IDFPR plans to transition all Division of Professional Regulation license types and functions into CORE. That includes all application types, enforcement functions, and the migration of existing license records from the department’s legacy systems. Phase 4, which is expected to come soon, will transition the Division of Real Estate into the new system.
CORE is designed to provide a more user-friendly and mobile-friendly licensing experience, including a streamlined application process and a more efficient review process for all license applications and fees.
For transactions that have not yet moved to CORE, including certain renewals, restorations, and reinstatements, licensees should continue using IDFPR’s existing process until notified otherwise.
A list of professions currently available through CORE, along with additional information and application instructions, can be found at idfpr.illinois.gov/core.