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John -- Happy April! I hope everyone has enjoyed the beginning of Spring! Work in Springfield has finally begun ramping up with our recent committee bill passage deadline in the House. Back at home, my office has been keeping busy with traveling office hours and our recent IDFPR event, which helped 25 residents. We have also been working to plan more outreach events for the coming months. As always, please reach out to my district office with any comments, questions, or concerns. I am here to serve you! FIGHTING FOR YOU!Legislative Updates
I am proud to have recently passed four bills through committee.
All of these bills now await further action on the House floor. Response to Committee Passage of the 'Homeschool Act'
HB 2827, also known as the “Homeschool Act,” passed a committee vote over the objection of tens of thousands of home and private school families. This bill mandates that non-public elementary and secondary schools register annually with the Illinois State Board of Education, and also requires homeschools to fill out a Homeschool Declaration Form or risk fines and even imprisonment. It further requires administrators to submit personal information about themselves and their students to state and local authorities. Illinois lawmakers should be empowering parents to make the best educational decisions for their children, not adding more hurdles and regulations. With a laundry list a mile long of issues we are facing in Illinois, home and private schooling is not one of them. This is an unfortunate example of the majority party creating an issue out of nothing instead of focusing on real solutions to benefit all Illinoisans. The public has been vocal about their opposition to this overreach. Over 48,000 motivated residents filed witness slips in opposition to HB 2827. Thousands of Illinoisans took to the State Capitol to express their opposition and speak to lawmakers about their positive experience with homeschooling. I am also incredibly concerned with the way the voices of Illinoisans were silenced. Not only were the over 48,000 slips in opposition ignored, but they only allowed four opponents to testify at this hearing. I condemn this attempt to restrict and silence parents and remain dedicated to fighting for all parents to make the best choice for their children in Illinois. To sign my petition in support of homeschool freedom, click here! Around the District & Under the DomeMCA Adult Day Center
I stopped by the MCA Adult Day Center in Kankakee to take a tour and meet some of the seniors who utilize this great facility. Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak with me! Kankakee State of the County
My staff attended the Kankakee State of the County Address while I was away in Springfield. This is always a great annual event to discuss the accomplishments and future plans for our county! Visit with French Canadian Delegates
I had a wonderful time visiting with the French delegates at the French Heritage Museum in Kankakee! It was a great opportunity for us to continue strengthening the relationship between our community and French Canadians! Advocates in Springfield
It's always a great time in Springfield meeting with constituents, advocates, leaders, and more! It was great to see friends from Community Health Partnership! I also had the pleasure of meeting Bin Lau, Alberta Representative to the US Midwest Government of Alberta; Consulate General of Canada. Thank you all for taking the time to meet! Grundy Economic Development Council and Grundy County Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner
Thank you to my staff for attending the Grundy Economic Development Council and Grundy County Chamber of Commerce annual dinner! This is always a great event to celebrate the work our local organizations are doing to support business and strengthen local economic development! Lights on Kankakee and Tall Grass Arts Association Beaux Arts Ball
So fun to attend and support a couple of wonderful events
recently: Lights on Kankakee Part 2 and the Tall Grass Arts
Association Beaux Arts Ball Georgie's Closet
It was such a pleasure to meet with Georgie's Closet! What an
incredible organization with a drive to protect our most vulnerable.
Georgie’s Closet is a nonprofit dedicated to providing children in
foster care in Kankakee County with clothing and essential items.
Georgie’s closet is working on a storefront location.
United Way Women United Breakfast My staff
attended the United Way’s Women United Breakfast while I was down in
Springfield. This is a wonderful annual event that empowers and
connects women in our community!
Springfield Visitors   We had
another busy week in Springfield meeting with constituents, advocates,
and local leaders, including members of ABATE, Leading Age and reps
for their members across Illinois, and Circuit Clerks from around the state,
including two from the 79th, Corri Trotter of Grundy County and Sandi
Cianci of Kankakee County. Thank you to everyone who came to
Springfield to make your voices heard!
IDFPR Event
Thank you to everyone who came out to our IDFPR licensing event! We were able to assist 24 constituents, with 15 of them receiving their licensing on the spot! More Springfield Visitors!
Our last week this month was a short but busy week in Springfield! I met with two groups of social work students from SIUE, spoke on the House floor about Equal Pay Day, attended the Right to Life Rally, and met with women from the Illinois Federation of Republican Women, including our very own from the Kankakee County Republican Women Organization. Ribbon Cuttings
February Local Business Spotlight – Rubber Rose Books & Print
For my February Local Business Spotlight, I am honored to recognize Rubber Rose Books & Print in Kankakee. Rubber Rose provides affordable books and a great space for our community to come together. Because they accept used books, Rubber Rose is able to sell books at a discounted price and even offer some outside for free, ensuring reading remains accessible to everyone. Rubber Rose Books & Print was bought by current owner Nicole Barnett in 2022 after she decided to change career paths. Aside from book sales, Nicole creates and distributes the weekly Kankakee and Iroquois County Public Records Bulletin and offers basic copy and print services. Rubber Rose also offers free coffee and tea in the store’s back lounge. Nicole’s dedication to providing a community space and affordable books for everyone has improved the lives of so many residents in our area. I truly commend her work and mission to build up our community. Rubber Rose Books & Print is located at 111 E. Court Street in Kankakee. They are open from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM Wednesday through Friday and 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturday. For more information, visit their website at RubberRoseBookshop.com. March Local Business Spotlight – Candy & Cake
For my March 2025 local business spotlight, I am honored to recognize Candy & Cake in Bourbonnais. Candy & Cake is a great local business that offers delicious treats and food to our community. They were even voted ‘Best Dessert’ in this year’s Daily Journal Reader’s Choice Awards! Candy & Cake was founded by Christeen Raymon Botros and Moheb Emil Takla in 2017. What began as a home bakery that sold goods at the Kankakee Farmers Market has grown into a brick-and-mortar store. Their new location allowed them to expand their menu to include food items such as burgers and pasta, along with Egyptian cuisine. Christeen and Moheb immigrated from Egypt to be close to family and are living the American Dream. I appreciate their love for our community while still appreciating their Egyptian roots by offering authentic dishes at their new location. Cake & Candy is located at 596 William R Latham Senior Drive in Bourbonnais. The store is open from 11 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday. They offer online ordering and delivery curbside via their website at CakesBourbonnaisIL.com. ICASH Event
Join my office for an upcoming ICASH event! Representatives from the Illinois Treasurer's Office will be on hand to assist constituents with unclaimed property. Rx Drop Off Drive
Help keep our community safe by dropping off any unused or unwanted medications at our upcoming Rx Drop Off Drive! 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. Museum Resource Card Request Form
Looking to visit one of Chicago’s world-class museums for free? Utilize my office’s new Museum Resource Card Request Form to request your card for up to four (4) people. Submissions must be completed at least three days in advance of the date being requested. Click here to access the form. Mark Your Calendar!
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Jackie Haas State Representative, District 79 |
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Two recent ribbon cuttings in
Kankakee, one at Stefari Coffee House and another at Special Waste
Disposal. Congratulations to all and welcome to the
community!
April 9 – Monee Office Hours