10th News: Coming Together and Demanding Change

The swirl of emotions after the murderous attack on the Highland Park Independence Day Parade is something unlike anything I've ever experienced. All the senses are distorted. Things don't sound quite right. The world doesn't look quite right. Time stops. Grief wells up from a deep, dark reservoir, only to be supplanted by waves of white-hot anger.

It's been over a week since evil attacked Highland Park, yet our hearts still ache for the families who lost their loved ones and everyone else touched by the events of that day, and the days that followed.

As last week came to a close, I had the chance to personally share my condolences, as well as on behalf of our community, with several of the families of the people murdered at the parade. I want them to know that our entire community is grieving and we are standing behind them in their painful time.

These visits also provided the privilege of learning more about the lives of the people we lost. They were loving parents and grandparents. They were active in their communities. They had remarkable passions and interests, and all loved life. Each one had a special spark that will remain amongst the people with whom they lived and loved. I know their memories will forever be a blessing.

Reflecting on the week that was, I am increasingly grateful for the rapid action of the heroic first responders, as well as the many local residents who immediately stepped in to assist the wounded and save lives. I am thankful for law enforcement and first responders from communities across the area, the state of Illinois and the federal government who mobilized with remarkable speed and professionalism to identify, locate and apprehend the shooter. As well, I appreciate the incredible health care professionals at multiple hospitals who urgently worked to treat all who arrived at their doors, and the countless mental health workers now helping our community navigate these difficult times.

I also want to call out the dedication and leadership of Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, Police Chief Lou Jogmen, Fire Chief Joe Schrage, as well as Lake County Sheriff John Idelburg, State's Attorney Eric Rinehart and all the others working to ensure our community recovers and justice is served.

My utmost priority as your Representative is to effect positive change to keep our kids, schools, houses of worship, and all community gatherings safe. There's no one single action that will solve the many challenges we face from gun violence. There are, however, most certainly steps we can take now, while working to fill in the gaps in the future.

One such step is the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed by the House and the Senate and signed into law by President Biden. The passage of this law shows we can work together to tackle the epidemic of gun violence across the nation. The legislation will provide support for state crisis intervention orders, close the boyfriend loophole, create new penalties for straw purchases, and require new enhanced background checks for people under 21.

But we must do more. For starters, we should immediately pass legislation to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines that allow 80 shots to be fired in less than a minute. These are weapons of war, intended to kill as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. Such guns have no purpose on our streets or in our community. House Resolution 1808, introduced last year, would do just that; and I will do all I can to bring this bill up for a vote. The House has also twice passed legislation to require universal background checks. The Senate should bring the bill forward, pass it, and send it to the President for his signature.

And we have to do more to deal with the mental health crisis that is also underlying much of the violence we are experiencing. The Safer Communities Act is a step in the right direction here as well. Still much more action is necessary to fully address the challenge. I will continue to promote investment in resources, including training and deploying more mental health professionals, and supporting the services needed for our young people still struggling from the impact of the pandemic.

As for Highland Park, our community is strong, and we are fortunate to be supported by our neighbors and friends both near and far. We will heal, and we will recover, but we will never forget.

Resources Available in Response to the Highland Park Attack

I want to remind everyone that many organizations have mobilized to help the community cope with last week's tragedy. My team has put together as long list of resources for those seeking assistance in both English and Spanish. No is alone in this pain, if you need assistance, please make use of these resources available for you and you loved ones.

You can find resources on my website or link directly here in English and Spanish.

CONGRESS ON YOUR CORNER JULY 23RD IN LIBERTYVILLE

Before diving into the rest of this week's newsletter, I want to invite you to my next Congress on Your Corner town hall discussion in Libertyville on Saturday, July 23rd. As always, this will be an opportunity to talk about what's happening at home and in Washington, DC.

Please register here to join us on the 23rd.

Please keep reading for more information about activity around the district and in Congress.

AROUND THE DISTRICT

Sharing Our Grief

Over the past week, our community gathered to express our shared grief and support for one another. As time passes, please keep in touch with neighbors and loved ones affected by this tragedy. There is strength in the connections built with each other and our town. Listening, sharing, or just spending time with each other are some of the most important things we can do.

I also want to share that I believe it is important that we process our reactions to what happened. We are all affected in our own way and each of us will react in distinct ways— in both the short and the long term. Please know that no one has to process this alone. We are stronger together and, as we have seen this past week, our community is there for each other.

I was asked by the Daily Herald to share my personal experiences, which was not easy. But I am glad I did. You can read that piece here.

Again, you can find resources on my website or link directly here in English and Spanish.

Vice President Harris, Governor Pritzker and Cardinal Cupich Visit Highland Park

Our elected and faith leaders can be some of the most significant pillars in our communities and personal lives. I was honored to join with Vice President Harris, Governor Pritzker and Cardinal Cupich as they visited Highland Park to express support for our community. Cardinal Cupich also shared a message from the Pope.

Mundelein's New Park Street Gathering Space

I was proud to stand with my friend, Mundelein Mayor Steve Lentz, at the ribbon-cutting for the beautiful new Park Street gathering space. When the pandemic locked things down, Mundelein created a temporary outdoor space for summer dining, and it quickly became a hub for the community. I was grateful to secure $600,000 in federal funding to help Mundelein build on its success and make this beautiful space a permanent centerpiece of this vibrant community.

BRAD AT YOUR BUSINESS

HydraForce, Inc. — Innovation is Alive and Well in Lake County

Two weeks ago, I visited Hydraforce's manufacturing facility in Lincolnshire. The company creates high quality fluid control components (sophisticated valves and manifolds) used in industrial and mobile equipment around the world. Innovation is critical to the company's success and an area in which their engineers excel. In fact, Hydraforce develops a new product design every 4 to 6 hours!

HP Tuners and the CHIPS Act

Last Thursday I visited HP Tuners' facility in Buffalo Grove. I toured their offices, labs, and warehouses, where they develop and manufacture hardware and software to help auto-owners tune, diagnose, and calibrate their cars. The product put out by HP tuners is an excellent example of our district's manufacturing and innovative might.

One critical message from my visit was the importance of getting the CHIPS Act to President Biden's desk and signed into law. HP Tuners is paying up to nine times what they used to for the advanced computer chips used in their products. Bringing chip production back to our shores would help companies' like HP Tuners lower costs, accelerate innovation, and remain competitive globally.

Veteran Play Day at Pine Meadow Golf Course

I was honored to speak to a group of local Veterans enjoying a day of golf Pine Meadow Golf Course in Mundelein. The special outing was put together by the PGA Helping Our Patriots Everywhere (HOPE) program and the Mundelein Park District's Healthy Mind Health Bodies program. It was a great way to say thanks to some of the great people who put on the uniform of the United States and defended the freedoms we all enjoy.

Protecting Lake Michigan

During the last week of June, I joined State Rep. Rita Mayfield, State Senator Adriane Johnson, and Mayor Ann Taylor to call on NRG to protect Waukegan. Waukegan has worked for NRG for many years, and now it's time to return that favor. Last year NRG, in a significant first step, announced its retirement of the coal-fired units at its Waukegan plant. NRG now needs to remove coal ash ponds that are a stone's throw away from one of our most precious resources: Lake Michigan. NRG needs to remove these toxins. I will do what I can in Washington to help Waukegan face this challenge and continue to support local leaders fighting for their environment.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON

Responding to Mass Shootings

The House is voting this week on the bipartisan Active Shooter Alert Act, which would create an AMBER Alert-like system for active shooter situations. Like the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, it is a step in the right direction to help our communities respond to these terrible tragedies.

I am spending the week advocating for an assault weapons ban and will be meeting with constituents in Washington who are protesting to make their voices heard on the issue.

First Responder Fair RETIRE Act

This week the House is expected to vote on a bill that would allow disabled federal first responders to continue federal retirement benefits in the same manner as thought they had not been disabled. Currently, federal first responders are required to retire at 57, which means they must pay a larger amount towards retirement. If passed the bill would allow first responders to pay continue to pay into their retirement at the same rate despite being placed into another civil service position after injury or illness.

You can read the full bill here.

Bills on Women's Health and Reproductive Rights

This week the House may vote on two separate bills that will attempt to protect and restore a woman's right to reproductive health services, such as abortion. One bill introduced by Rep. Judy Chu of CA, seeks to prohibit governmental restrictions on the provision and access to abortion services. The second bill introduced by Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, aims to protect a healthcare providers ability to provide an abortion that is lawful in the State in which they are providing the service from other restrictive state laws. Seeing my colleagues keeping the work going to protect women's is encouraging.

You can read Rep. Chu's bill here and Rep Fletcher's bill here.

First Images of The James Webb Telescope

On Monday, NASA unveiled the first full-color image from its powerful James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The photo is just one of a handful of photos NASA will release as the JWST begins its science operations. At the unveiling event, NASA administrator Bill Nelson and President Biden discussed what they had unveiled. Bill Nelson framed the awesomeness of this new image best when he said, "Mr. President, if you held a grain of sand on the tip of your finger at arm's length, that is the part of the Universe that you're seeing."

I look forward to the upcoming images and congratulate the talented folks at NASA who bring us a little closer to understanding our universe every day and show off the incredible knowledge and ability of Americans.

Resources

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
• Resources
• 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 –

Over the weekend, I came across a beautiful Hymn by poet and activist Amanda Gorman. This moving hymn invokes feelings of sorrow for what has transpired but also leaves you with a burst of hope. Initially written after the tragedy in Uvalde, I found this piece relevant to our community and comforting. Not only is Amanda's hymn a sincere expression of emotion it is also a great example of the youth's strong reaction to these tragedies. It's a reassuring sign that our young people are determined to make a change, and I stand by them. Please take a moment to read the hymn below or read it here.

Everything hurts,
Our hearts shadowed and strange,
Minds made muddied and mute.
We carry tragedy, terrifying and true.
And yet none of it is new;
We knew it as home,
As horror,
As heritage.
Even our children
Cannot be children,
Cannot be.

Everything hurts.
It's a hard time to be alive,
And even harder to stay that way.
We're burdened to live out these days,
While at the same time, blessed to outlive them.

This alarm is how we know
We must be altered —
That we must differ or die,
That we must triumph or try.
Thus while hate cannot be terminated,
It can be transformed
Into a love that lets us live.

May we not just grieve, but give:
May we not just ache, but act;
May our signed right to bear arms
Never blind our sight from shared harm;
May we choose our children over chaos.
May another innocent never be lost.

Maybe everything hurts,
Our hearts shadowed & strange.
But only when everything hurts
May everything change.

Amanda Gorman is a poet and the author of "The Hill We Climb," "Call Us What We Carry" and "Change Sings."

Stay strong, stay safe, stay healthy.
Sincerely,

Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress