Jan's Plans & Pans - April 3, 2024

Dear John xxxxxx,

After a busy work period in Washington, D.C., I had a great week back home in the 9th Congressional District meeting with constituents and attending community events. 

I started out the week with Senator Dick Durbin and Attorney General Kwame Raoul speaking to University of Illinois Chicago law students about my legislation to stop illegal robocalls. Some constituents I have spoken with said they receive half a dozen or more calls per hour. These intrusive calls must end.

I was also delighted to speak with Senator Durbin’s staff of over 100 people across 5 offices in Illinois and Washington, D.C. as part of their monthly speaker series. It is always great to hear from staffers who are doing the hard work each and every day to make our country a better place for everyday Americans. Team Durbin did not disappoint with their questions!

Later, I visited the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank. There, I heard from experts on the costs of child care here in Illinois. In our state, $12,470 is the average annual cost for center-based care for one toddler. Child care is a necessity for many working families across the country and I will continue fighting until child care is affordable for all.

I closed out the week at a wonderful Iftar hosted by my dear friend, Bushra Amiwala, and the Muslim Civic Coalition. It was great to join around 250 community members at this annual dinner as we approach the end of Ramadan. 

It is always good to be home!

Be well,

Schakowsky Stands with Youth Activists Fighting for a Clean Climate

We are already seeing the devastating effects of the climate crisis, but it is our children and future generations who will be most greatly impacted. I will continue to support the Juliana youth activists as we fight for a safe and habitable climate for all. To read the full Bloomberg Law article, click here.

Schakowsky and Durbin Fight to Stop Illegal Robocalls

We must hold bad actors accountable for violating the Do-Not-Call Registry. Do not call means do not call, period! I am teaming up with Senator Durbin to empower consumers and small businesses to seek damages after just one illegal robocall.

One Week Left - Submit Art to 2024 Congressional Art Competition!

The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional District (IL-09). This competition is open to all high school students that reside in our District. The winners of each District’s competition will have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year, and have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. to take part in a special ceremony with other winners from around the country. 

For students interested in participating in the 9th Congressional District's Competition, please submit this google form. Rules and guidelines for the 2024 competition are available here and the student release form is available here. Additionally, a helpful art submission checklist can be found here.

If you have any questions, please call my district office at 773-506-7100!

My district office helped a constituent with a Social Security and Medicare issue:

"Thank you so much for staying through the entire process to completion of my Social Security/Medicare issue. Its been a long process for me and my wife (nearly two years of obstacles). Your direct support helped make it all successful for us. It couldn't have worked out anymore positively. Your office quickly began the necessary communications to help us resolve our complications. Within approximately a month, during the difficult holiday period, as well. Finding out on our 46th Anniversary made it even more extra special. Your support was instrumental for us. I was having difficulty with all the inherent red tape. Thanks again, for all your support and efforts!"

Arturo Blake Sr., Constituent

Tips for Avoiding Tax Scams

With tax season in full swing, filers need to be on the lookout for common tax scams. 

If you are using a tax preparer this month, be sure to vet your service provider. Unfortunately, not all tax preparers are qualified to assist you. If a preparer makes a mistake, you may face financial and legal repercussions. Be sure to research the qualifications and credentials from the IRS website and cross check any tax preparer with the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers. 

Exercise caution when using third-party websites to “help” you set up an online IRS account. An official account can be made through the IRS website for free. Third-party websites are unnecessary and can put your sensitive financial information at risk!

If you receive an unsolicited message claiming to be the IRS, it may be a phishing attempt! The IRS never reaches out to filers over text, email, or social media. In some cases, scammers pose as IRS officials, sending harmful links which may contain viruses. 

If you encounter any fraudulent activity, be sure to report it to the Treasury Inspector General.

In case you missed the tax webinar I hosted last week with the IRS, feel free to watch the full recording below!

Inflation Reduction Action Prescription Drug Benefits 

• diabetes
• blood clots
• heat disease
• heart failure
• autoimmune diseases
• chronic kidney disease

New Student Debt Relief Initiative

My Congressional Progressive Caucus colleagues and I have made student debt cancellation a priority in Congress. That is why I am excited to share that President Joe Biden announced a major new initiative.

Starting this month, if you took out less than $12,000 in loans and have been in repayment for 10 years, ALL of your debt will be canceled.

That is right — your loan balance could go down to zero.

To get that relief and other options for major monthly reductions to your loan payments, you need to be enrolled in the Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. This is the same plan that ensures no borrower who makes less than $15 an hour will have to make any student loan payments. It will also make sure that interest does not pile up and increase your debt amount, and that your spouse's income can't be used to drive up your payment amount.

Sign up for the SAVE Plan today so you get this relief before your next payment is due.

Passport Renewal

Remember to check your passport validity before booking any spring and summer travel plans! Current processing times for passports are: 6-8 weeks for routine and 2-3 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.