10th News: It Feels Like Summer Again
I am back in Washington after a much too short weekend home. I hope you had a good weekend, and were able to get out a bit. As COVID-19 cases continue to fall thanks to the vaccines, it is so wonderful to be able to once again be together with neighbors and friends to celebrate life.
On Saturday, I had the great privilege of joining Gideon Baptist Missionary Church in Waukegan in celebrating their 2021 graduates. To Blaire who finished preschool and is looking forward to starting kindergarten, to LuLu who graduated high school and will be studying broadcast journalist at Western Illinois University, and to every student in our community who navigated the challenges of remote learning and everything else related to the pandemic, congratulations! I know you will go far and you should know that I am doing everything I can to ensure your future prospects are bright.
In-person events are possible again because the American Rescue Plan has helped us vaccinate over 153 million people in President Biden's first 150 days. At this point, nearly all the COVID-19 deaths in the United States are people who were not vaccinated. 99% of hospitalizations for COVID-19 are those who are unvaccinated. The vaccines are safe and have even proven to be effective against the Delta variant, which is spreading around the world.
This week Congress is in session, which is why I am in Washington. The House will vote on the INVEST in America Act, a transportation improvement bill which includes local transportation projects like supporting Metra, improving Pace bus access at the Lovell Federal Health Care Center, and building. This legislation will bring quality, good-paying jobs to Illinois while at the same time addressing the existential threat of climate change.
Keep reading for information on what's happening in Washington and around the district.
What's Happening in Washington
Welcoming Back Office Visitors Again
My first visitors back in-person and in the office last week were my friends and Lincolnshire environmental activists, Lewis and Milt King. Already, at 12 years old, Milt and Lewis work hard to save our planet. And they're vaccinated!
Calling Constituents
I spend time every week calling back some of the constituents who call and write into the office. Please do not hesitate to reach my DC office at 202-225-4835 or my Lincolnshire office at 847-383-4870 if you have comments, questions, or concerns.
Defending LGBTQI+ Rights Abroad
Last week the House Foreign Affairs Committee had a hearing about advancing and protecting LGBTQI+ rights abroad. I had the opportunity to ask Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Scott Busby about our progress in this area and what we've achieved through working with our international allies so far. Watch his answer here.
Congress has a role and responsibility to make a difference and defend the rights of the LGBTQI community globally. Thank you to Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Busby for coming to the committee last week to share the Biden administration's commitment to do the same.
Around the Tenth
West Side Community Center Garden Grand Opening
Following Saturday's graduation celebration students, parents and volunteers walked next door to officially open their West Side Community Garden. The garden will provide a valuable source of community, support and healing, particularly as our communities continue to rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic. It was so impressive to see the hard work of the community coming together to grow what will no doubt be a cornucopia of healthy vegetables.
Happy 11th Anniversary to the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago
On Sunday I was in Glenview to participate in the 11th anniversary celebration of the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago. The KCCoC is a treasure within our community, promoting and preserving Korean American culture and traditions across generations.
Against the backdrop of rising prejudice against Asian-Americans in this country, it is more important than ever to honor and celebrate Korean and Asian-American heritage. The tremendous success of the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago over the last eleven years exemplifies the values of community, education and civic engagement that make our country strong. I look forward to continuing our longstanding partnership to support the Tenth District's thriving Korean-American community.
Apply Today for the Congressional App Challenge
In less than a generation, apps have come to touch every aspect of our lives. The Congressional App Challenge is an opportunity for Tenth District students to demonstrate and develop their STEM skills by designing their own app and presenting their work on a national stage. I look forward to seeing the remarkable apps that this year's students create. View the application and learn more on my website.
Resources
LONG WAITS FOR PASSPORTS: Look Before You Book
If You're Traveling Internationally Soon, Remember to Check Your Passport Expiration
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 12 weeks from submission to receipt, regular processing 18 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.
COVID-19 Rental Assistance
Illinois Tenant Rental Payment Program Now Open
The Illinois Housing Development Authority has now opened applications for the Illinois Rental Payment Program for tenants. Applications are due at midnight on Sunday, July 18. Applicants may be eligible for up to 15 months of assistance.
Learn more and apply now on the IHDA website.
Apply for Lake County COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program
Lake County renters who face financial hardship related to COVID-19 can now apply for the new Lake County Federal Emergency Rental Assistance (FERA) Program, which provides help for individuals paying rent and/or utility bills.
To qualify for help, residents must: pay rent in Lake County, have a COVID-related financial hardship, be at risk of homelessness or housing instability, meet income guidelines based on household size, and provide appropriate documentation.
More information and the application can be found here.
Mortgage Help for FHA-insured Borrowers
The Federal Housing Administration launched a COVID-19 mortgage forbearance program to help those struggling to pay their mortgage. If you are one of the many FHA-insured borrowers in communities across the country having difficulty paying your mortgage due to the pandemic, visit the HUD website to learn more.
Low-Income Households Can Now Apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit
The Emergency Broadband Benefit helps struggling families with the cost of Internet service. If you are enrolled in Medicaid or SNAP benefits, have lost a job or seen your income reduced in the last year, or make 135% below the federal poverty level, you may qualify to receive $50/month for your broadband service.
Apply now and learn more about eligibility requirements on the FCC website.
Avoid Phishing Scams
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) continues to monitor new phishing schemes targeting individuals. Bad actors posing as IDES representatives are trying to trick individuals into disclosing their personal information through text, email, and social media messages. Learn how to recognize fraud and avoid phishing scams on the Federal Trade Commission's website.
Small Business Community Resources
The Illinois Small Business Development Center is offering training programs through TAD (Training Assessment and Development) and BizHub through funding from the CARES Act passed last year.
- BizHub: BizHub offers Q&A with local entrepreneurs and experts, access to a network for small businesses, a startup knowledge center, and opportunities to share your startup story or get tips from other small businesses.
- Register your business now at www.lakecountybizhub.com
- TAD: CLC offers TAD, an affordable cloud-based integrated system, to employers of any size in Lake County. TAD is a high-quality, results-oriented training designed for any-size organization. They offer training and workshops on a variety of topics including business writing, communication, ESL, leadership, and more.
- Visit clcillinois.edu/solutions to learn more.
FEMA Providing COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
Beginning today, FEMA will start accepting applications for financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to COVID-19. The assistance is limited to a maximum financial amount of $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per application. Please find more information at FEMA's COVID-19 Funeral Assistance website or call 844-684-6333 for help.
In Closing
I hope that you are looking forward to the holiday weekend. The 4th of July is always a time to come together to celebrate our country, but this year Independence Day takes on a special meaning as we also grow more independent from COVID-19 and have life return to normal.
President Biden promised we would be able to enjoy backyard barbeques again by Independence Day, and thanks to the American Rescue Plan, we can do even more than that. We can once again safely watch fireworks as a community, we can cheer on community groups at in-person parades and we can see our family and friends in larger groups than we all thought possible.
This is all possible because the American Rescue Plan has helped us vaccinate 153 million people in President Biden's first 150 days.
I look forward to seeing you around the district at a 4th of July parade this weekend!
Onward,
Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress