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10th News: The New Normal

June 23, 2021
Brad's Newsletter

I hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend, and just as important, that you were not adversely affected by the recent storms. The stories and pictures from the western suburbs show the power of Mother Nature and I was relieved that no one was killed. I was also inspired by the many stories of neighbors helping neighbors. And I wasn't alone: The Daily Herald ran an editorial about how we step up for each other in times of need. Here's the link if you want to read it.

Across the nation and here in the Tenth District, we marked Juneteenth for the first time as a national holiday. I was proud to join with my House colleagues last Wednesday, Democrats and Republicans, to make June 19th National Juneteenth Independence Day following a unanimous vote in the Senate. President Biden signed the bill into law on Thursday. Though all previously scheduled, our local Juneteenth events in North Chicago, Waukegan and Highland Park all took on new meaning under the new law.

On the pandemic front, we are continuing to make progress. Nationwide, more than 53% of Americans have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Thanks to the help of the American Rescue Plan, the U.S. has administered an incredible 300 million shots in President Biden's first 150 days in office. Last week, vaccinations were up 11% from the previous week, which is a hopeful sign as we continue to get the majority of Americans fully vaccinated.

At the same time, we see a concerning rise in the number of cases involving the Delta variant of the COVID virus. The vaccines have shown to be effective against this variant so it's more important than ever that everyone who can do so, does get vaccinated as soon as possible. Just as we help our neighbors recover after storms, we can do our part to keep our neighbors safe from the virus.

On Monday, across the country, we highlighted the expanded, refundable child tax credit passed as part of President Biden's American Rescue Plan. Beginning in July, eligible families will begin receiving monthly amounts, up to $300 per child under 17. This provision is expected to lift half of all American kids living in poverty above the poverty level, many for the first time in their lives. Just in our district, that means 8,500 children lifted out of poverty!

Shifting gears, I am back in Washington, DC as Congress continues in session. This week the House will vote on several pieces of legislation, including a bill to make standards of discrimination under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) more accessible, a bill to strengthen regulations against dangerous methane emissions that exacerbate the climate crisis, and, finally, legislation to rein in predatory lenders and ‘rent-a-bank' schemes. All of these bills have already been passed by the Senate.

Keep reading for information on the Child Tax Credit, as well as what's happening in Washington and around the district.

AROUND THE TENTH

Child Tax Credit To Lift 8,500 Tenth District Children Out of Poverty

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On Monday I had a wonderful conversation on Facebook Live with Bobbie Vergo, a mother from Gurnee. In honor of the National Child Tax Credit Day of Action, we talked about how the Child Tax Credit, newly expanded under the American Rescue Plan, will help Bobbie and other families in the Tenth District. Watch our conversation here.

How to Register for the Child Tax Credit

The American Rescue Plan increased the Child Tax Credit (CTC) to $3000 per child ages 6 – 17 and $3600 per child age 6 and under through the end of 2021. The IRS has started sending letters to more than 36 million American families who, based on tax returns filed with the agency, may be eligible to receive monthly Child Tax Credit payments. The IRS will begin distributing CTC payments in July. If you have already filed your 2020 taxes, you do not have to do anything to receive a CTC payment.

Learn more on the IRS website.

How To Register for a CTC Payment As a Non-Filer

If you are not required to file a 2020 tax return, didn't file one and don't plan to, you can still register to receive a Child Tax Credit using this tool here.

Celebrating the New U.S. Customs Building at Waukegan National Airport

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On Friday I attended the ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony for the new U.S. Customs Building addition at Waukegan Airport. The addition will strengthen the community's assets as a global economic hub by enabling the airport to receive international flights for the next 20 years.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON

Supreme Court Upholds Affordable Care Act for the Third Time

With more than 1.2 million Americans signed up in the Affordable Care Act's special enrollment period, the law is an essential piece of our nation's pandemic response. Despite repeated efforts to kill it, the Supreme Court sided with the American people last week by ruling that the Affordable Care Act is here to stay!

Repealing the 2022 Authorized Use of Military Force

The 2002 AUMF has been misused as justifications for broad actions across the globe without authorization. I was proud to cosponsor the legislation repealing AUMF, which reasserts Congress's constitutional authority to determine if and when we send our troops to war.

RESOURCES

Mortgage Help for FHA-insured Borrowers

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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.

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 an 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 go. Passports last for 5 or 10 years depending on what age you were issued your first passport. It can take 6-8 weeks to renew a passport, so make sure to plan ahead.

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.

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.

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.
  • 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.

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

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Over the weekend, our community lost a true hero, Fritzie Fritzshall – an Auschwitz survivor, the president of the Illinois Holocaust Museum, and an incredibly courageous and kind soul.

I had the great honor of speaking with Fritzie just a few weeks ago about antisemitism and the Holocaust. I am so grateful to have known her and will forever be inspired her remarkable story. My condolences go out to her family and the many that knew and loved her.

With antisemitism rising globally and in the U.S., I hope Fritzie's memory will serve to be a blessing. Her story should be a reminder to all of us about the need to speak out against hate – in any form – whenever we see it.

You can read more about Fritzie's life here.

As always, I hope that you and your loved ones are healthy and well.

Onward,
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Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress