Welcome to my January wrap-up newsletter!

Dear friend,

Welcome to my January wrap-up newsletter. From meeting with constituents to participating in congressional hearings and celebrating community investments, it has been an exciting start to the new year. Here are a few highlights!

At the bottom of this email you will find information on a few important deadlines and upcoming events my office is hosting.

Supporting Community-Led Violence Intervention Organizations

The violence intervention work that Metropolitan Family Services does in our community is urgent and invaluable. Their new Peace Academy will enable them to hire and train more caseworkers, advocates, and other professional staff.

I celebrated this achievement and will continue my work in Congress to support community-led organizations that build safer, stronger neighborhoods.

Eliminating Rail Grade Crossing

Chicagoland is the hub of the nation’s freight rail network. Many people in our district live with the daily reality of rail crossings blocking roads. Pedestrians are forced to duck under massive trains to get where they’re going in a timely manner.

At a recent Transportation & Infrastructure Committee hearing, I asked the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration for more funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to continue improving and eliminating rail grade crossings. You can watch a clip from the hearing by clicking here or by clicking below.

Improving Teacher Diversity

25% of students in Illinois are Latino, and students deserve to see their diversity reflected in their educators.

I joined the Illinois Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents to talk about my legislative work to improve representation in the classroom, including by advancing the DIVERSIFY Act I introduced in Congress.

February 7th Application Deadline: Affordable Connectivity Program

Part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Affordable Connectivity Program is a benefit program that helps ensure low-income households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, health care, and more. Eligible households can access discounts on monthly internet service and new computer purchases. For more information and to apply, please visit GetInternet.gov.

Upcoming Events

February 7th: Riverside Satellite Office Hours
My team will be at the Riverside Village Hall (27 Riverside Road Riverside, IL 60546) from 9am to 4pm to help you navigate federal agencies and answer questions on Social Security, VA Benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, and more.

February 14th: McKinley Park Satellite Office Hours
My team will be hosting satellite office hours in McKinley Park (1836 W. 35th St. Chicago, IL 60609) from 9am to 1pm. We can help you navigate federal agencies and answer questions about Social Security, VA benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, and more.

February 22nd: Riverside Town Hall
I’m excited to announce that my first town hall of 2024 will take place on February 22nd in the Village of Riverside. Stay tuned for more details.

Need Help with a Federal Agency?

Our office has a dedicated team of caseworkers that assist constituents with many federal services. Some services we can help with:

Social Security claims
Medicare and Medicaid claims
Passport requests
SBA loans
Veterans benefits
Immigration case inquiries