10th News: Back to School
School has started again in most parts of our district. For me, one of the best things about the start of the new school year is the kickoff for our sixth annual Brad's Bookworms program. Anyone who knows me knows I love reading and Brad's Bookworms is a chance to share that passion with young students in kindergarten through 5th grade. We challenge students to read 10 books by December 12th to explore new worlds and expand their minds through reading. Those who meet the challenge will be recognized and invited to a ceremony early next year.
I encourage all our elementary school teachers, students, parents, and guardians to join us and make this year the biggest ever for the Bookworms program. To learn more about the program and how to sign up, please click here.
Celebrating completion of Brad's Bookworms in January, 2020 with students in Waukegan
The new school year also means meeting with students of all ages to talk about our system of government in general and my work in particular. I love hearing young people's perspective about our world and discussing how our Constitution and form of representational democracy works. Without fail, students' questions are always so inquisitive and insightful that I often feel they're teaching me as much as I am informing them.
Visiting with Mrs. Buckingham's 3rd grade class at Kipling Elementary School in Deerfield last spring
As for the week that was, I continued my travels around our district with two more Congress on Your Corners, this time in Fox Lake and Grayslake and two town hall discussions at Sedgebrook Living Community in Lincolnshire and Bell Flavors and Fragrances in Northbrook. I attended the grand opening of the Northern Illinois Food Bank's new distribution center in Green Oaks / Lake Forest. I facilitated a wide-ranging discussion at my annual "Mayors' Breakfast" with mayors, village presidents and officials from 33 local communities. And I hosted the 6th annual Bike the Tenth—this year riding from Old School Forest Preserve to Independence Grove and back.
I also had a fun visit with Adam Mancuso, national board member of the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) at his dealership in Lake Bluff. A highlight was seeing this one-of-a-kind Corvette that his father had originally purchased in 1971, later sold, then then repurchased a few years ago.
Please continue reading to learn more about what's happening in the district and Washington.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Northern Illinois Food Bank
I was honored to attend and speak at the Northern Illinois Food Bank's North Suburban Center Grand Opening Ceremony. The opening of this new North Suburban Center is a significant step toward ensuring that the Northern Illinois Food Bank will continue to supply our communities with the food they need to live and thrive. This new 28,000-square-foot facility, which is triple the size of the previous facility, will enable the Northern Illinois Food Bank to increase its capacity for volunteer engagement, food processing, distribution, and safe storage of cold, frozen, and dry food.
Last year, I was proud to secure $750,000 in federal funding for this new North Suburban Center through the congressional Community Project Funding process. I look forward to seeing how these funds support the incredible work that the Northern Illinois Food Bank does to serve and help the members of our community.
Grayslake Congress on Your Corner
On Thursday evening, I had another great discussion with constituents in Grayslake. Everyone's insights and comments led to a vibrant discussion on what we can do to support families throughout the district. Thank you to the University Center of Lake County for hosting us.
If you missed the event, you can watch it here.
Mayor's Breakfast
On Wednesday, I hosted our annual Mayor's Breakfast. I was honored to facilitate the wide-ranging discussion on priorities and concerns across the Tenth District. We touched on infrastructure investment, flood mitigation, public safety, gun violence prevention and other issues. Hearing from local leaders and understanding their needs and priorities is critically important for my work in Washington. Indeed, it is one of my greatest privileges to collaborate with and support the work of the mayors, village presidents and other local elected officials with whom I serve.
Brad at Your Business: Bell Flavors and Fragrances
I had a great time touring Bell Flavors and Fragrances and speaking to their employees in Northbrook on Thursday. Bell supplies the food-and-beverage industries, personal care, fragrance, and household care manufacturers with the critical products they need. I want to thank Kelli Heinz (VP Of Marketing) and Lee Brooks (VP of Operations) for coordinating and guiding me on a tour of their facility.
There's no doubt that supply chain constraints, inflation, and the tight labor market have affected many manufacturers like Bell. In Washington, I have been working to tackle these issues by introducing the Supply Chain Resiliency Act and helping pass the CHIPS and Science Act, Ocean Shipping Reform Act, and Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act.
Brad at Your Business: American International Automobile Dealers Association
I joined the American International Automobile Dealers Association in Lake Forest just before the weekend kicked off. We had a great time discussing the future of electric vehicles, the automotive industry's needs, and what Congress can do to support innovation. Thank you to the Mancuso family for organizing this event.
Bike the Tenth
As we have in years past, I was joined by a great group of bicyclists for my sixth annual "Bike the Tenth" ride on Sunday. Things looked a bit iffy in the morning with ominous clouds filling the skies, but the good weather held, and we had a really nice ride. Along the way I had the chance to talk about everything from the economics of inflation to climate change to, not surprising for this group, the need for more safe bike paths. Thanks to everyone who came and rode along.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY
Affordable Internet Connectivity Program
You could save money on your internet bill thanks to a new program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to lower internet costs. The Affordable Connectivity Program provides eligible households up to $30/month off their internet bills, as well as a one-time $100 discount off a laptop, tablet, or computer.
You may be eligible for this program if you meet one of these requirements.
- Your household income is 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or less ($55,500 for a family of four).
- Your household is eligible, regardless of income, if at least one person in the household participates in:
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- SNAP
- WIC
- SSI
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch or Breakfast
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
To apply, visit GetInternet.gov to apply or to print out a mail-in application, calling 877-384-2575, or contacting a participating internet service provider.
Smart 9-1-1
Smart 911 is a voluntary opt-in emergency alert service. It provides information to 9-1-1 dispatchers if you call them from your phone. Information shared with dispatchers would include address, medical conditions, and emergency contacts.
Those who opt in will receive a notification to update their Safety Profile every 6 months. Keeping your information updated is important to ensure first responders always have your most current details.
For more information or to register for Smart911, visit the smart911 website.
9-8-8 Suicide And Crisis Lifeline is Live
After becoming law with bipartisan support in 2020, we now have a new nationwide number to call for suicide prevention, mental health, and substance use crises: 9-8-8. You can call or text to be connected to trained crisis counselors who can help you or someone you know.
How will 9-8-8 and 9-1-1 work together?
Law enforcement officers agree that they're often not best equipped to respond to a mental health emergency. In most cases, a call to 9-8-8 doesn't involve law enforcement. If available, a mobile crisis team may be dispatched to help an individual in need of further support.
9-8-8 for Veterans
Are you a veteran in crisis or concerned about one? You're not alone — the Veterans Crisis Line is here for you. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call 9-8-8 for free and confidential support through the Veterans Crisis Line, 24/7, 365 days a year.
Maternal Mental Health Hotline
The Health Resources and Services Administration has launched a new National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. This new service provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy.
Callers can expect to receive:
- Phone or text access to professional counselors
- Real-time support and information
- Response within a few minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Referrals to local and telehealth providers and support groups
- Culturally sensitive support
- Counselors who speak English and Spanish
- Interpreter services in 60 languages
For additional information, visit the HRSA website.
Uniting for Ukraine
Applications are open for a new streamlined process for Ukrainians seeking asylum in the United States. This represents a key step toward fulfilling the President's commitment to welcome Ukrainians fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Uniting for Ukraine builds on the robust humanitarian assistance the U.S. government is providing as we complement the generosity of countries throughout Europe that are hosting millions of Ukrainian citizens and others who have been displaced. You can learn more here.
Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund
The state is accepting applications from homeowners for grants of up to $30,000 to eliminate or reduce past-due mortgage and property tax payments. The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund Program will provide direct financial assistance to prevent mortgage delinquencies, defaults, displacements, and foreclosures for income-eligible homeowners experiencing pandemic-related hardships. Learn more here.
Unincorporated Residents Eligible for Flood Insurance Premium Discounts
If you live in unincorporated Lake County, you may be eligible for up to $297 in savings per year on flood insurance policies. Through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS) program, residents within unincorporated Lake County – who meet certain requirements – are eligible for up to 20 percent savings on flood insurance premiums.
Contact your insurance agent for coverage information, pricing, and CRS flood insurance discount information. You can also visit Lake County's flood coverage website for more information.
Introducing Ride Lake County!
Lake County, Pace Suburban Bus, and the Lake County Coordinated Transportation Services Committee (LCCTSC) came together with members of the community to launch Ride Lake County, a borderless, countywide paratransit service that provides transportation to anywhere in Lake County for seniors ages 60+ and people with disabilities.
For additional information about Ride Lake County, visit their website.
LONG WAITS FOR PASSPORTS: Look Before You Book
As more and more people get vaccinated, travel is starting to pick back up again. My office has received a major uptick in calls asking to expedite passport renewals lately. If you plan to travel internationally, remember to check the expiration date on your passport before you book your trip. It is taking much longer than normal to renew a passport, so make sure to plan ahead.
Check the passport website to get an idea of processing time -- expedited processing is now taking 5-7 weeks from submission to receipt, with regular processing taking 8-11 weeks.
At this point, expedited exceptions are only being made in case of emergency travel. In other words, apply now for that passport you will need for the trip you might take over Winter Break. Passports last for 5 or 10 years depending on what age you were issued your first passport.
IN CLOSING –
Throughout the year my office hires interns to help answer phones, staff events, and do a million other things that help the office run smoothly. Each intern brings to the office a unique point of view and set of experiences. This SUMMER, one of our interns brought a uniquely fascinating story and background to share with our office. Zeba Mohammad Arif is an Afghan refugee who came to the United States in 2014. Zeba's ambition is to empower women by encouraging them to pursue higher education. Zeba works to assist refugees that are having trouble reconnecting with families and pushing women to start businesses and become self-sufficient.
Zeba's knowledge and dedication to the refugee community she works with is truly remarkable. That's why I'm happy to have had her as a member of my team. I wish Zeba only the best in her future endeavors. I hope to keep in touch about what we can do in Washington to support the refugee community.
Wishing you a joyful week ahead,
Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress