John --

Welcome to the September Parkhurst Pulse! 

I hope the month of September will leaf you smiling! 

The General Assembly will be in session October 28 to October 30 for Veto Session.

Please contact my District Office with any questions or concerns regarding any state issue. We are here to help. 

Very truly yours, 
Lindsay Parkhurst 
79th District State Representative 

Fighting for you!

Make Sure Illinois Counts

I stopped by The Valley WVLI 92.7 FM to record a PSA about the upcoming census. It’s so important that you are counted. A low count in 2010 meant Kankakee County alone lost nearly $47 million in funding. Make sure you are counted! #census2020 

Protecting Our River

I went to Aroma Park to tour the Kankakee riverside with Aroma Fire Protection District Chief Luke Shepherd, and representatives from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police, Village of Aroma Park, and Kankakee Valley Park District. The sand build-up in the river has caused another public safety hazard in the Kankakee River. Continued efforts to help our river will help save lives.

Updating Smoke Detectors to Save Lives

In 2018, there were over 100 fire deaths in Illinois. Over 70% of these deaths were in homes without functioning smoke detectors. Illinois has required smoke detectors in dwellings with the Illinois Smoke Detector Act since 1988. This new law updates the requirements to reflect the changes in new technology, aimed at saving lives, while making it easier and more cost-effective for Illinois residents to comply.

The law does not go into effect until 2023, which gives residents time to learn and update their smoke detectors.

Bringing Well-Paying Jobs to the 79th

I joined PILMA and CSL Behring with other legislators at NECA IBEW 134 Chicago to discuss the partnership between organized labor and the pharmaceutical industry and how this partnership brings well-paying jobs to the 79th District.

Around the District 

During the summer, I make sure to make my way around our beautiful 79th District!

Jobs for American Graduates

I spoke to students in the Jobs for American Graduates (JAG) program at Kankakee High School about my role as State Representative and the importance of education.

Summer Reading

Congratulations to our summer reading program recipients. All readers who completed the program received a certificate from the House of Representatives and ice cream at my office. Reading takes you everywhere!

Careers for Students

Ensuring our students are given exposure to the potential career paths and jobs is important. Thank you Kankakee Area Career Center for giving me a tour! It was great to see all the programs available to area students.

Free Shredding

I hosted a Free Shredding Event with Nick Africano Kankakee County Treasurer at Bonfield Grade School from 10 am to 12 pm. This was a great opportunity to have your sensitive and personal documents shred! Thank you everyone who participated.

The St. Anne Greenhouse

On the same day as my Shredding Event, I went to St. Anne to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new greenhouse. Congratulations to St. Anne Community High School for its impressive new Greenhouse! 

Bringing the Zoo to You!

Earlier this month, the Brookfield Zoo came to Kankakee Montessori Elementary School and gave an amazing presentation to the 3rd and 4th grade classes! Thank you for coming down to Kankakee to give the students an amazing experience!

Serving Everyone

I hosted a special Pembroke Traveling Office Hours at Pembroke Public Library District from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. I was here with my staff to talk to constituents about policy and issues with state agencies!

This was a great opportunity for constituents who do not have the means or time to come to my District Office in Kankakee. Thank you everyone who came!

Job Board

Are you looking for a new job or a change in career? Check out my job board for job search resources and local listings. If you are an employer, check out the link above to find out how to send job posting requests.

Mark Your Calendar!

• New Bill Roundtable

On October 22, I will be hosting my New Bill Roundtable. This event allows the people of the 79th District to speak to their representative and suggest legislation to make our community and our state better. In the past ideas have become legislation and ultimately law. The roundtable will be from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the 79th District Office.

• Trunk or Treat

The Kankakee Area Jaycees will be hosting the annual Halloween Downtown on October 20 from 12 pm to 3 pm. This family-friendly event is to bring our community closer together. Find me at Trunk or Treat!

“Like” me on Facebook to keep up to date on future events and drives!!!