10th News: Holiday Update
First, winter is here (at least according to the calendar, if not the thermometer). To those celebrating on Monday, I wish you a very Merry Christmas. To those who recently marked the Festival of Lights, a belated Happy Hanukkah. For all those who celebrate next week, Happy Kwanzaa. And to everyone, I wish you a Happy 2024! May the new year bring good health, peace, and surprises that are only pleasant and welcome.
You may have noticed a gap between this and my last newsletter. As you may have heard, Julie’s sister, my sister-in-law, Debbie Dann Kay, passed away on December 9 following a long battle with lung cancer. Thank you to everyone who sent condolences and heartfelt wishes. Your support gave our entire family much needed strength at a most difficult time.
Because I was home last week for the funeral and associated mourning period, I was not able to be in Washington as the House wrapped up the first session of the 118th Congress. I did submit an explanation to the Congressional Record of how I would have voted on the items considered, including a “yes” vote for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which now awaits the signature of President Biden to become law.
Congress is now on recess until January 9th, ending the most unproductive legislative year in decades. Over the course of all of 2023, the House passed only 27 bills that were ultimately signed into law, including the NDAA (compared to 248 bills signed by President Biden in 2024). Among the few bills that did become law were one for a coin commemorating the 250th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps, two renaming Veterans health clinics in Michigan and New Mexico, and one to allow the use of electronic instead of physical duck stamps for water hunting licensing requirements.
Despite the fits and starts in Washington, it was a very productive year at home. My team and I traveled to every community and hosted more than 145 events across the district. I always enjoy visiting the communities and talking with the people I am honored to represent in Congress.
Update on the War in Gaza
Earlier this month, the House unanimously (414-0) passed a resolution calling on Hamas to immediately release all hostages. Both Republicans and Democrats condemn Hamas’s terrorism. Currently, Hamas still holds about 130 hostages, including eight or nine Americans. We will not rest until all the hostages are freed.
Yesterday, I spoke with Fabrizio Carboni, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Regional Director for the Near and Middle East, about the situation in Gaza. We both noted that Hamas is illegally holding hostages and should immediately and unconditionally release all of them. I emphasized the imperative for the ICRC to urgently gain safe access to visit the hostages and deliver desperately needed medical care. Mr. Carboni noted the necessity of a pause in fighting to better allow his team to reach the hostages safely.
Israel this week offered a seven-day pause in exchange for the release of around 40 of the 130 hostages, including all women and children still held. As of yesterday, however, Hamas was refusing any deal.
Today, the UN Security Council voted, with the United States abstaining, on a resolution calling for a pause in fighting to allow a significant increase in the flow of humanitarian aide into Gaza. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield worked hard to negotiate constructive language and stated in her remarks at the UN: “We know so much, so much more needs to be done to address this humanitarian crisis and to lay the groundwork for a lasting peace. And let’s be clear: Hamas has no interest in a lasting peace. Hamas is determined to repeat the horrors of October 7th over and over and over again. And that is why the United States supports Israel’s right to protect its people from acts of terror.” (You can read her full remarks here)
In October I lead a letter to, and spoke with, the Egyptian Ambassador to the United States calling on Egypt to open the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza. I also had multiple conversations with Israeli officials about opening the Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel to Gaza. I am pleased that aid is currently moving into Gaza at both locations, and remain hopeful that Egypt, Israel, the United States and other allied countries will continue to do everything possible to ensure sufficient humanitarian relief reaches the civilians caught in the war Hamas started on October 7.
There will never be peace in Gaza as long as Hamas can still control the territory and threaten Israel. But I believe a cease-fire is possible tomorrow if Hamas would release the hostages, cease the rocket fire into Israel, and turn over the people responsible for the barbaric attack that started this current war. Until then, I will continue to do all I can to get relief to those in need, seek paths to end the conflict, and pursue possibilities for a future where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side with security, prosperity, and peace.
Please keep reading for more details on some of my recent visits and activities here at home, and in Washington.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Coming Soon: New Student-Based Health Center in Wheeling
Last year, I was honored to secure $1 million of Federal Community Project Funding to help Community Consolidated School District 21 in Wheeling build an on-site Federally Qualified Health Center. I visited the construction site of this new center to see for myself the progress being made to create a truly special facility. Once completed, this center will remove barriers to quality health care for students and their families by giving them access to quality care right in their community.
McHenry County Sheriff’s New Regional Training Center
Rep. Jan Schakowsky and I joined the leadership of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department and other local leaders to tour their new Regional Training Center in a historic building that previously served as the Cary Village Hall and police station. This new facility has two state-of-the-art classrooms, a mat room, and other facilities to enhance and expand the training resources for the Sheriff’s office and other area police departments. Thanks to Sheriff Robb Tadelman and Alicia Schueller, Communications and Project Manager for McHenry County, and the team for an interesting and informative morning.
Veterans Paths to Hope
I visited the McHenry County Veteran’s Path to Hope — New Horizons Homeless Veterans Transitional Living Program in Hebron to tour their facility and speak with some of the veterans benefiting from their work. Veteran’s Path to Hope offers affordable housing, and programming, for veterans who otherwise wouldn’t have a place to stay or access to many of the support services they need.
Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs & Under Secretary of Defense Lovell Visit
I had a great meeting with Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tanya Bradsher, Under Secretary of Defense Ashish Vazirani, and Dr. Robert Buckley, Director of the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago.
Lovell is the first and so far only joint Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs facility in the nation. I’m happy to have had Deputy Secretary Bradsher and Under Secretary Vazirani visit and see firsthand the work done to care for our veterans, service members, and their families.
Service Academy Nominating Interviews
One of my favorite responsibilities (and honors) as a Member of Congress is nominating deserving students for consideration at the United States Service Academies: Army, Navy, Air Force, and Merchant Marine. This year, 19 outstanding students applied, and we welcomed 16 candidates to our office for in-person nomination interviews (3 were not able to interview in person and did so remotely). Thanks again to my exceptional Service Academy Selection Committee (Jim Hawkins, Ryan Kuo, Joe Mislinski, Kim Vander Yacht, Fred Weber, and, for the first time this year, Naval Station Great Lakes Commanding Officer Captain Steve Yargosz).
Student Roundtable Addressing Antisemitism on Campus
On Monday, I hosted a campus antisemitism roundtable with students from the 10th District to hear about their personal experiences with antisemitism at their college campuses around the country.
In the weeks since Hamas’s October 7th terrorist attack against civilians in Israel, America has experienced an explosion of antisemitic incidents. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has recorded 1,481 antisemitic incidents – 292 of which occurred on college and university campuses – a nearly 300% increase relative to the same period last year. According to a recent survey by ADL and Hillel International, 73% of Jewish college students surveyed have experienced or witnessed some form of antisemitism on campus since the beginning of the school year.
For more about the event, please check out some of the press accounts of the conversation from ABC7 Chicago, Daily Herald, Chicago Tribune, and Chicago Sun-Times.
Reading to Students in North Chicago
I shared my love of reading with students participating in the Reading Power tutoring program at Learn 6 Charter School in North Chicago. Reading Power was founded in 2003 to help young learners in North Chicago and Zion develop reading programs to better prepare them for success in school and life. Today, Reading Power’s more than 300 tutors work with pre-k to 2nd grade students at ten schools in North Chicago, Zion, Waukegan, Wheeling, and Palatine.
In addition to having the chance to talk to a group of dedicated volunteer tutors, I had the distinct honor of reading The Littlest Yak to a wonderful group of students.
Antmound Foundation
I joined Antmound Foundation founder Anthony McIntyre and the foundation’s leadership team for a tour of their new facility in Waukeagan. We had a great discussion about their current programs and ideas for the future, making a difference in the lives of young people and the broader community.
Keumsil Cultural Society’s Photo Exhibition
I was honored to join the Keumsil Cultural Society’s Photo Exhibition ribbon cutting at Northbrook Public Library. It was a pleasure to celebrate this beautiful artwork, which recognizes the 70th anniversary of Korean- U.S. friendship.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON
Stopping Terrorism Funding
American taxpayer funds should never be used to support terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, or ISIS. For his "Common Ground" segment, Bret Baier hosted me and my Republican partner, Congressman David Kustoff, to discuss our bipartisan legislation to prevent taxpayers from directly or indirectly assisting any groups that support terror or hate. You can watch the full interview here. You can read Charles Selle's column on the legislation here.
University of Illinois
I had a great time joining the members of the University of Illinois system for breakfast and a discussion with USDA Under Secretary of Research, Education, and Economics Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young.
President of IPC
I met with Dr. John Mitchell, President of IPC, who represents over 1500 U.S. electronics manufacturers. We discussed the CHIPS Act and the importance that the manufacturing industry plays in the 10th district and broadly for the economic competitiveness of the United States.
Estonian Parliamentary Delegation
Estonia is a valuable ally in Europe, sharing a close relationship with us historically and through the NATO alliance. Therefore, I was happy to welcome Estonia’s parliamentary delegation to the Capitol. We discussed various topics, including our defense relationship, climate change, and Estonia’s lead on cybersecurity issues.
Hungarian Minority in Romania
I met with leaders of the Hungarian Minority in Romania; we discussed European security and the relationship between Hungary and Ukraine. The insights shared during this meeting are appreciated. I look forward to seeing this group's progress in advocating for the rights of their minority group in Romania.
Austrian Members of Parliament
I was privileged to share remarks and moderate a discussion with an Austrian delegation of MPs and Austrian Ambassador Petra Schneebauer. We had a productive meeting discussing Europe and America’s role in the future of the Abraham Accords, rising global antisemitism and our efforts to combat it, and International efforts to support Israel.
Meeting with Pakistan Ambassador Masood Khan
I met Masood Khan, Pakistani Ambassador to the United States. During our meeting, I shared my concerns over recent announcements by the Pakistani government to expel over 1 million undocumented Afghan refugees forcibly. Many Afghans are currently awaiting asylum processing in Pakistan to enter the United States. As we address the backlog of asylum requests, I ask that Pakistan's government do what it can to help the Afghan refugees in their onward movement.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY
Our Satellite Office in Waukegan is Open to Help Constituents Every Monday
I’m excited to share that my team is working to make our Neighborhood Office Hours a better experience for you. If you need any assistance with a Passport, Medicare, Social Security, the Veterans Administration, or immigration, you can now schedule an appointment to meet with our caseworkers and staff to discuss any federal issues you may have.
You can schedule an appointment to meet with my staff at the following locations:
Deerfield
- Deerfield Public Library, 920 Waukegan Rd, Deerfield, IL 60015
- From 9am – 1pm
- Please check our website for available dates.
Richmond
- Richmond Village Hall, 5600 Hunter Dr, Richmond, IL 60071
- From 11am to 1pm
- Please check our website for available dates.
Winnetka
- Winnetka Public Library, 768 Oak St, Winnetka, IL 60093
- From 9am – 1pm
- Please check our website for available dates.
Zion
- Zion-Benton Public Library, 2400 Gabriel Ave, Zion, IL 60099
- From 9am – 1pm
- Please check our website for available dates.
If you can’t make it to an appointment at the above location, you can also visit our following walk-in locations:
Lake Villa
- Lake Villa District Library - 140 N Munn Rd, Lindenhurst, IL 60046
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- January 5th, January 19th
Round Lake Park
- Avon Township Center - 433 E Washington St, Round Lake Park, IL 60073
- 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
- Every Wednesday
Waukegan
- Waukegan Township Office - 149 S Genesee St, Waukegan, Il 60085
- 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Every Monday
Wheeling
- Indian Trails Public Library - 355 Schoenbeck Rd, Wheeling, Il 60090
- 9:30 am - 1:00 PM
- January 4th, January 18th
And, of course, if you have any questions or need help making an appointment, you can always contact my Lincolnshire Office at (847) 383-4870.
In Closing—
Michelle Bauman, Avon Township Supervisor, had an idea to do something special for her daughter, Madeline, that is gaining popularity in our community. Madeline has always dreamed of becoming a canine trainer. When Madeline joined the Air Force, Michelle devised a creative way to stay connected with her daughter by sending her photos of Max and Flat, a stuffed dog and a paper dog, having adventures around the community, just like Madeline would have imagined when she was a child. Max and Flat have visited various places, including schools, a Navy boot camp graduation, and holiday events.
I encourage you to read the Daily Herald's full story on how Michelle and Max are helping build community connections and bring joy to Madeline and other families in similar situations. You can also see Max's adventures on his Facebook page here.
Again, wishing everyone a Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress