Jan's Plans & Pans - May 21, 2024

Fans are incredibly frustrated by how hard it has become to buy event tickets. With every ticketing debacle, from Beyoncé to Taylor Swift, and so many more, their frustration grows. Help could soon be on the way! My bill, the TICKET Act, just passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming support and would help make the ticketing process easier for all. Consumers deserve to be protected from fraudulent tickets, surprise costs, and excessive fees.

This consensus legislation will end deceptive ticketing practices that mislead consumers who simply want to enjoy a concert, show, or sporting event by restoring fairness and transparency to the ticket marketplace. After years of bipartisan work, we will now be able to enhance the customer experience of buying event tickets online. I urge my Senate colleagues to pass this common-sense bill quickly so that we can send it to President Joe Biden so he can sign it into law.

I will continue to work in a bipartisan manner to pass legislation that will implement pro-consumer guardrails on bad actors. People must always come before profits.

Be well,

Schakowsky Helps Unveil Progressive Caucus Agenda

My colleagues and I on the Progressive Caucus have a plan that will raise wages, lower costs, improve education, fight the climate crisis, and help rebuild the American dream for the poor, working, and middle class. Americans are counting on us, we must deliver! To read more about our plan, please click here.

Schakowsky Hosts Congressional Art Competition Reception

I am delighted to announce that 31 students from eight high schools submitted artwork to my 2024 Congressional Art Competition! This year was one of the largest galleries we have ever had! I had a fabulous time meeting with the students, viewing their artwork, and hearing each student discuss their art! 

My district office helped a constituent obtain a travel document to visit family during an emergency:

“We want to express enormous gratitude for all the support provided by Rep. Schakowsky and her team. We were in a very complicated situation with the loss of a family member, and they gave us their help to obtain a permit to travel to support our family in such a painful moment.

We were in a moment of great sadness as a family, and we wanted to be close to them. We thought this was going to take a long time, but thanks to the help and concern of Rep. Schakowsky's office, it only took one week to be reunited with my family. We will be forever grateful for all the help provided.”

Michael & Geraldine

Chicago Passport Acceptance Event

To help meet the summer travel rush, the Chicago Passport Agency will be hosting a special passport acceptance day on Saturday, June 1, 2024*. 

To schedule an appointment, please call (877) 487-2778.

*In order to obtain an appointment, you must have proof of travel within 14 business days.

Passport Renewal

Remember to check your passport validity before booking any 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.