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John -- Happy New Year and welcome to my January 2025 newsletter. I hope everyone had a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season. I am honored to officially begin my third term in office in just a few days when we are sworn in for the 104th General Assembly on January 8th. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve you and I look forward to another productive year as your Representative! As always, please contact my District Office with any questions or concerns regarding state issues. We're here to help! FIGHTING FOR YOU!Lame Duck Update
Saturday, January 4th was the first day of our 2025 'Lame Duck' session. This refers to a legislative session that occurs between the election and subsequent inauguration of a new General Assembly. Unfortunately, Illinois legislators have a bad record of misusing a Lame Duck session to pass poor (and oftentimes unpopular) public policy. One example of this was the passage of the SAFE-T Act back in 2021. While we don't know what to expect with the upcoming Lame Duck session, I will fight against tax hikes and bad policies that will hurt Illinoisans. Stay tuned to my website or next month's e-newsletter for updates on what occurs during Lame Duck. Around the District & Under the DomeNovember Local Business Spotlight
For my November 2024 local business spotlight, I am honored to recognize Garden of Prayer Youth Center because of the work they do with youth in our community. Garden of Prayer serves over 250 children and youth from 6 weeks to 21 years of age by providing daycare, before and after school programs, summer camp, foster care, and more. I am truly proud to honor an organization that ensures children have a safe place to learn and grow, all while doing everything they can to keep families together. Village of Peotone Ribbon Cutting
Congratulations to the Village of
Peotone on the ribbon cutting to open up the new streetscape in
downtown Peotone! Tree of Honor Lighting Celebration
I had a great time at the Tree of Honor Tree Lighting Celebration to honor active military, veterans, and first responders hosted by the Kankakee Valley Park District. Such a wonderful celebration to kick off the holiday season! 🇺🇸🎄 Community Behavioral Healthcare Association's 2024 Conference
It was wonderful to attend the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association’s 2024 Conference with many of my colleagues in the behavioral health field and in the General Assembly! I was honored to sit on their legislative panel and speak about my work in the General Assembly to improve mental and behavioral healthcare across Illinois, as well as so many more issues we will continue to work on into the next GA. Thank you to CBHA for all the work you do! 46th Annual Gallery of Trees
It was a fun and festive night at the 46th Annual Gallery of Trees preview party, hosted by the Kankakee County Museum! I loved seeing so many beautifully decorated trees from our wonderful community organizations! Kankakee Tree Lighting
My team and I had a great time at the Kankakee Tree Lighting
event! This is such a fun annual tradition for our community to come
together and celebrate the holidays!
Village of Bourbonnais Rockin' Around the Tree I enjoyed the Village of Bourbonnais Rockin’ Around the Tree
lighting ceremony! Such a festive evening with wonderful entertainment
and friendship!
Village of Monee Lighting Ceremony Great time at the Village of Monee tree
lighting ceremony! Was great to see Santa, and all the kids loved that
too!
Crete County Christmas I made a stop at Crete County Christmas! Enjoyed the wonderful
festivities, music, and company!
Illinois Manufacturers' Association Annual Luncheon Had the pleasure of attending the Illinois Manufactures’
Association Annual Luncheon. Always a pleasure to support Illinois
business and manufacturing! Great to see several GA colleagues as
well!
Bradley Christmas Parade A fun night at the Bradley Christmas Parade! Thanks to
everyone who came out in support of our community to celebrate the
holiday season!
Visit Kankakee Grand Opening Congratulations to Visit Kankakee on the grand opening of
your new space, located at the Kankakee Train Depot!
New Bill Roundtable Thank you to everyone who came out for my new bill
roundtable! It was great to hear ideas and feedback from constituents
on how to best represent our community in the upcoming General
Assembly.
Mistletoe Market and Miracle on the Grove Had a great time enjoying the Christmas season at the
Mistletoe Market and the Miracle at the Grove! So many wonderful local
vendors, ice skating, food vendors, and even got to see a
reindeer!
KACC Progress Update I attended a progress update at the Kankakee Area Career
Center to learn more about the work they are doing and their vision
for the future. This is a much-needed center that provides hands-on
training for the next generation of our workforce. They’ve got some
really exciting new things going on here! Thank you for having
me!
Funding Opportunity – OSFM Grants
Learn more here.
2025 Legislative Survey
My 2025 Legislative Survey is here! I encourage all constituents to take this short survey requesting your input on legislation and policy issues. This is one way for me to remain accessible and ensure that every voice is being heard. To complete this survey, please click here. Mark Your Calendar!Traveling Office Hours
Monee Village Hall | 5130 W. Court Street | 9 AM – 12 PM
Monee Village Hall | 5130 W. Court Street | 9 AM – 12 PM
Park Forest Public Library | 400 Lakewood Blvd. | 10 AM – 1 PM
Talk to you soon, |
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Jackie Haas State Representative, District 79 |
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Local Fire Departments looking to
rehabilitate or build a fire station may be interested in $5 million
in grant funding available to fire departments across the state.
Applications are due by February 28, 2025.
January 15th – Monee