January 26, 2023

Dear Neighbor,

Have you heard the news? I’ve secured over $20 million in federal funding to support projects in our community.
 
I’m so pleased to bring these federal dollars home, which will go toward 15 important projects in the 14th District. Last week, I returned to a few of those projects to see how our community will benefit.

My first stop was Welch Elementary School in Naperville, where I met with students, learned how to make slime, and celebrated new funding for YMCA’s Safe ‘N Sound program. These federal dollars will help Safe ‘N Sound expand their incredible after school programming to three schools in Aurora West School District 129 and nine schools in Indian Prairie School District 204.

I had so much fun making slime with students at Welch Elementary!

Next I went over to Joliet Junior College’s Entrepreneur and Business Center, which provides no-cost services to entrepreneurs in our community. We know that small businesses are the backbone of local economies, and the $350,000 in new funding I secured will help foster economic growth and enable the Center to serve more entrepreneurs.

At Northern Illinois University’s Microelectronics Research and Development Lab, I heard from students about the projects they’re working on, like creating microchips for use in hearing aid devices for children. NIU’s lab will receive $1.5 million to support more projects like this, address our global microchip shortage, and offer new STEM opportunities to students.

Safety first! Check out my protective gear at NIU’s lab

My last stop was DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport, a transportation and economic engine for our region. The airport plans to use the more than $1 million I secured to replace their fencing and improve safety, so that they can continue serving our community for years to come.

Learn about all 15 projects receiving funding here. I really enjoyed seeing firsthand how the 14th District will benefit from federal resources, and I will continue my work to advocate for our community’s priorities in the new Congress.

See you soon,