Jan's Plans & Pans - September 20, 2023

Dear John xxxxxx,

I am sorry that I am not writing to you with better news, but Congress remains at a standstill. We are now only 10 days away from the September 30th deadline to pass our federal funding bills. House Republicans continue to make extreme demands and are still plotting a government shutdown unless they can inflict their radical agenda on the American people. Extreme MAGA Republicans have done nothing to make life better or more affordable for everyday Americans. Now, they are wasting time with political stunts instead of working with Democrats to prevent our government from coming to a grinding halt, hurting working families and endangering our national security. 

Last Congress, when Democrats had the same small vote margin, we were able to fund the government, lower prescription drug prices, cap the price of insulin for seniors at $35, lower out-of-pocket costs for health care, invest in our roads and bridges, bring clean water and high-speed internet to more communities, and strengthen advanced manufacturing and clean energy. Democratic policies have created more than 13.5 million jobs since President Joe Biden took office. Democrats remain committed to delivering results for everyday Americans. We must extend government funding. Please stay tuned for the latest updates.

Talk soon,

Schakowsky Introduces Legislation to Ban Surveillance Advertising

Sensitive information consumers never chose to disclose – like their behavior, medical history, or sexual orientation – has been put up for auction, literally. I introduced legislation to help safeguard consumers online. For too long, online platforms have used surveillance advertising to capitalize on consumers’ private information. My bill removes the financial incentive for companies to exploit consumers' personal information.

Schakowsky Calls for the Swift Passage of Gun Storage Law

Over 4.5 million kids in the US live in a home with at least one unlocked and loaded firearm. We must do more to protect our children. I signed the discharge petition for Ethan’s Law, which would finally set a federal standard for safe gun storage. We must vote on this bill now. 

Schakowsky Urges National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to Act on Underride Crashes

Underride crashes, which occur when a car slides underneath the body of a truck, have tragically become all too common on our highways. These crashes are preventable. Underride guards on large trucks save lives. I urge the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to implement stronger protections without delay. I would be remiss if I did not mention all the survivors and family members who are turning their personal tragedy into advocacy. We could not do this without you.

Upcoming Neighborhood Office Hours with Constituent Advocates

The Constituent Advocates in my Skokie office are here to help constituents who need assistance with federal agencies or issues including: Social Security, Medicare, passports, immigration, the IRS, the VA, and the USPS. Call my office, 773-506-7100, to speak with a Constituent Advocate and get help with your case.

If you would like to meet with a Constituent Advocate in person, my Skokie office located at 4500 Oakton Street is open Monday-Friday from 9 AM-5 PM. If Skokie is not convenient for you, my staff hold neighborhood office hours at the libraries listed below:

Outreach Calendar

Click the link below to view my outreach calendar! On this calendar you will find the most up-to-date information on Neighborhood Office Hours, Town Halls, and other events taking place throughout the 9th District! 

Outreach Survey

Help my team help you! Constituent Advocates in my Skokie office are available to meet with 9th Congressional District constituents Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM. In order to make my office more accessible to those who do not live near Skokie, my staff travels to various libraries throughout the district to hold regular office hours. We want your feedback on whether these locations and times are beneficial for you, and feedback on how we can improve. Please take some time to fill out the following survey at the link below.

The Constituent Advocates in my District office worked with the local Social Security office to help Mr. Rabari correct an SSI error 

Mr. Rabari came to my office last year for help with a visa issue. He was diagnosed with cancer and was in search of a job that could offer him health care to pay for his treatment. My office was able to assist him with obtaining a visa so he could then get a job.

Most recently, his 10-year-old disabled daughter’s Supplemental Security Income benefits came to a halt. Mr. Rabari had been working with the local Social Security Administration office since June to no avail. He was so thankful that we were able to provide assistance to him during two trying points in his life.

Register for the 2023 Congressional App Challenge!

The Congressional App Challenge is a competition aimed at encouraging middle and high school students to learn how to code by creating their own applications. The Challenge is intended to highlight the value of computer science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education. This competition is open to all students, regardless of coding experience; students are able to work in teams or individually. 

To learn more about the competition, register or submit an app please click here.

Emergency Relief for Recent Severe Storms and Flooding 

To all those in Cook County impacted by July's severe flooding, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is here to help. Grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help homeowners and businesses recover from the flooding are available.

To learn more information, please click here.

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.