Jan's Plans & Pans - June 20, 2023

Dear John xxxxxx,

Last week, House Republicans continued to push forth their agenda that will harm everyday Americans. The Republican Study Committee, which is composed of over 170 House Republicans, put forward their plan to strip away the Social Security benefits that Americans have worked so hard to earn. This is theft and we cannot stand for it; Americans deserve to retire with dignity and respect.

Further, House Republicans voted in favor of bills to restrict the ability of the Consumer Product Safety Commission to investigate the safety of gas stoves, strip power away from the Biden administration, and delay the implementation of critical public health safeguards. These bills have no chance of becoming law, and the hours that they took up on the House floor should have been spent confronting the real issues facing our country and our world.

Meanwhile, I joined Representatives Delia Ramirez (IL-03) and Mike Quigley (IL-05) in calling on the Biden administration to provide additional resources to Chicago so we can properly care for the migrants being sent to Chicago as part of an inhumane political stunt orchestrated by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The letter also calls on the administration to issue expedited work permits to both newly arrived migrants and undocumented immigrants, which would create a pathway to financial independence for many, in addition to mitigating the ongoing labor shortage in America.

I will continue fighting for the issues that matter most to our community!

Have a great rest of the week,

Schakowsky Joins Women's Health Access Matters to Promote Health Equity

We have come a long way, but there is still more work to be done to guarantee health equity for all. It was great to join Women's Health Access Matters (WHAM), Speaker Pelosi, and so many other health care champions, including Northwestern’s own, Dr. Nicole Woitowich, who are fighting for change. 

Upcoming Neighborhood Office Hours

An immigration attorney that was representing constituents and working with a Constituent Advocate in my District Office wrote:

"In late 2019, Mr. and Mrs. T had been waiting 3 ½ years for an interview on their application for political asylum. They were anxious to complete their interview so their 9 year-old daughter could join them in the U.S. When they fled their country 4 years earlier, in fear for their lives, they left their daughter in the care of her grandmother and great-grandmother.

"After the couple was granted asylum in early 2021, Rep. Schakowsky’s office asked USCIS to give expedited treatment to their petition for their daughter to join them in the U.S. as soon as possible. While that petition was pending, they learned that their daughter was seriously ill. With the help of Rep. Schakowsky, Mrs. T was able to get a travel document so she could go be with her daughter immediately.  

"Rep. Schakowsky’s office then worked with USCIS and the State Department to expedite the processing of their daughter’s visa, as well as a tourist visa for the daughter’s doctor, who flew to the U.S. to ensure the daughter’s safety and comfort during the flight, and mother, daughter, and doctor arrived safely in the U.S. in January 2022. Thanks to Rep. Schakowsky’s unwavering support, the daughter has been receiving cutting-edge medical and therapeutic treatment at one of the world’s best pediatric hospitals, and she is expected to make a full recovery." 

Passport Renewal

As the summer travel season approaches, be sure to check your passport before you book travel! This year, the U.S. State Department has seen an unprecedented number of passport applications. To put things into perspective, last year, my office assisted with 422 passport cases. Since January of this year, my office has already handled 529 passport cases. 

Current processing times for passports are: 10-13 weeks for routine and 7-9 weeks for expedited. These times are subject to change and are posted on the Dept. of State Website.  Please apply well in advance of your travel date – if your travel date is sooner than the current processing times, you may not get your passport in time for travel.

Please remember that emergency in-person appointments at the Chicago Passport Agency are intended for emergencies and availability is not guaranteed unless it is a life or death emergency! These appointments are not and have never been intended for routine renewal. If you have upcoming travel you should NOT plan on receiving an appointment at the Chicago Passport Agency. Passport renewals are intended to go through the mail.

Did you know that many countries require your passport to be valid for several months beyond your date of travel? Depending on your destination, validity requirements can vary from 3 to 6 months beyond the date of travel! You can check the requirements for your destination on the Dept. of State Website under "International Travel" and "Country Information".

If you have planned travel and have a pending application that may not arrive on time, or if you need an emergency appointment at the Chicago Passport Agency, the Constituent Advocates in my District Office are happy to help! Please call the office at 773-506-7100, or you can open a case with my office online.