Dear Friends, 

Happy first official week of Summer! This week, my office has been busy working on gun violence prevention legislation that will keep our communities safer, as well as working with the VA to ensure that Veterans in Illinois’ Second Congressional District can get the healthcare benefits they need. Also, I want to remind you about an exciting event that my office is hosting in Kankakee on Saturday. 

Introducing Legislation to Reduce Firearm Deaths of Children

This week, I introduced the Safe Storage Saves Lives Act alongside my colleagues, Reps. Rashida Tlaib (MI), Rosa DeLauro (CT), and Maxwell Frost (FL). The Safe Storage Saves Lives Act would require a firearms seller to provide each purchaser with a compatible secure gun storage or safety device (commonly known as a “gun lock”) for every firearm they buy. It is critical that gun owners have these inexpensive devices for each of their firearms to prevent accidental shootings and deaths. When used correctly, a gun lock, or similar secure gun storage or safety device, makes it impossible for a gun to be fired. These relatively inexpensive devices have already saved countless lives, and ensuring their use is key to combatting America’s gun violence crisis.

Meeting with VA Secretary Denis McDonough

This week, I met with United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough, alongside my colleagues on the Regional Leadership Council, to discuss how the PACT Act is helping Veterans in Illinois get the health benefits they need. Since becoming law last year, the PACT Act has helped Veterans get treatment for illnesses incurred during their service from hazards like toxic exposures. I am committed to delivering even more for Illinois Veterans.

Upcoming Housing Expo in Kankakee

On Saturday, June 24th, from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, my Housing Task Force is hosting a housing expo at the Farmer’s Market in Kankakee 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.

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