Jan's Plans & Pans - April 16, 2024

Dear John xxxxxx,

For my entire career, I have worked to advance reproductive freedom. I will always remember the horrifying story of my friend’s back-alley abortion pre-Roe v. Wade. Roe was not the beginning of women having abortions, it was the end of women dying from abortions.

Last week, the Arizona Supreme Court gave the go-ahead to enforce an antiquated law that bans nearly all abortions in the state. This cruel ban was first enacted in 1864—more than 150 years ago, before Arizona was even a state and well before women had secured the right to vote.

For me, the fight to protect reproductive freedom is about ensuring that everyone has access to the health care they need, regardless of their income or where they live. In Illinois, abortions remain legal, but the overturning of Roe has dramatically impacted our providers. Planned Parenthood of Illinois reported a 54% increase in patients seeking abortions since Roe was overturned and has seen patients travel from 38 states to get the care they need.

I will always defend Americans’ fundamental right to health care. As important as opening new clinics in pro-abortion states and recruiting additional providers is right now, it is not the long-term solution. We need to pass federal legislation to codify bodily autonomy. When we fight, we win!

Have a great rest of the week,

Schakowsky Introduces Legislation to Make Wealthy Corporations Pay Fair Share

As corporations continue to rake in record profits, many families are struggling to put food on the table. I introduced the Corporate Tax Dodging Prevention Act with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to help put the interests of everyday Americans ahead of billionaires and transnational corporations. 

We live in the richest country in the world, yet many Americans are unable to feel the magnitude of our wealth. Thanks to President Joe Biden. we are growing the economy from the bottom up and the middle out, but we must go even further. To read more about my bill, click here.

Schakowsky Meets with Congressional App Challenge Winner!

Our young people impress me every day!✨I was pleased to welcome Ali Alchikh Ibrahim, the 9th District’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge winner, to DC! Ali created an app called ZoneMaze, designed to help those living with ADD, like his brother. I am so proud of you, Ali!

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

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.

If you have taken 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.