Dear Friends, 

Happy Friday! This week, I have several important updates for you from Washington DC, and here in Illinois' Second Congressional District. In addition, I want to make you aware of some upcoming grant opportunities and events. 

Dixmoor Water Main Groundbreaking 

On Monday, I joined Congressman Jonathan Jackson, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Village of Dixmoor to break ground on a new water main project. This is a much-needed project for the residents of Dixmoor who, two years ago, were left without water for two weeks, due to an extended water main break. The project would build a new 3,700 ft. 12-inch water main in Dixmoor, and cap five other water mains to help prevent future water main breaks. I’m proud to have helped the project secure over $2 million dollars in federal funding, including funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

Introducing Legislation to Expand Medicare Dental Coverage

In Washington DC, I worked with U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (MD), and Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA), to introduce the Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2023. I believe that proper dental care is not a luxury; it's a basic necessity for maintaining overall health. This legislation would create a specific dental benefit under Medicare Part B, and repeal the statutory exclusion of Medicare coverage for most dental care and dental prostheses. This legislation is necessary to expand Medicare’s dental benefits, and improve the lives of millions, especially seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Upcoming Grant Opportunities

• USDA Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA): Due June 20
• Safe Streets and Roads for All: Due July 10
• Passenger Ferry Grant Program and Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program: Due July 17
• Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant: Pre-Application Due July 31
• Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program: Due August 18
• Clean School Bus Competitive Grants: Due August 22
• Open Federal Funding Opportunities with a Job Quality Focus: (Multiple Deadlines)

Upcoming Housing Expo in Kankakee

On June 24th, from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM at the Kankakee Public Library, my Housing Task Force is hosting a housing expo to disseminate information and coordinate resource sharing among constituents and stakeholders about the programs and initiatives available to assist homeowners and renters with issues that may arise in their homes and/or apartments. Whether you're a prospective first-time home buyer or have experienced housing insecurity, there will be information on a range of programs at the local, state, and federal levels that might be able to provide assistance.

RSVP using this link bit.ly/IL02KankakeeHousingExpo

If you would like to share your thoughts with me, feel free to visit my website, at https://robinkelly.house.gov/. You can also keep in touch through Facebook and Twitter. 

Please know that my door is always open to you.

Sincerely,

Robin L. Kelly
Member of Congress