10th News: Out and About in the District
Mayors and Village Presidents Listening Tour
It’s been wonderful having an extended time at home meeting with constituents and traveling around the district. Last week, I kicked off my Mayors and Village Presidents Listening Tour with visits to Wilmette Village President Senta Plunkett, Lake Bluff Village President Regis Charlot, Libertyville Mayor Donna Johnson, and North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham. I wrapped up the week at the Whistle Stop Café with Mayor Donny Schmit of Fox Lake, Scott Gartner of Antioch, Scott Nickles of Round Lake Beach, Stephen Henley of Volo, and Village Presidents Rick Mack of Ringwood, and Toni Wardanian of Richmond.
Top row from left to right: Wilmette Village President Senta Plunkett, with Director of Engineering and Public Works Brigitte Berger-Raish and Village Manager Mike Braiman; Libertyville Mayor Donna Johnson; Village Manager Drew Irvin and Lake Bluff Village President Regis Charlot;
Bottom row from left to right: North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham with Alderman Bobby Allen and Interim Chief of Staff David Kildare; Volo Mayor Stephen Henley, Round Lake Mayor Scott Nickles, Ringwood Village President Rick Mack, Fox Lake Mayor Donny Schmit, Ringwood Village President Toni Wardanian, and Antioch Mayor Scott Gartner.
It was a pleasure to connect and hear directly from local leaders about their communities’ priorities, plans and challenges. I look forward to continuing these important conversation across the district.
State Representative Nabeela Syed
I also met with new State Representative Nabeela Syed, who is not only one of the youngest members ever elected to the Illinois state house, but also the first Indian American and Muslim woman. Besides learning more about Nabeela’s story, I particularly enjoyed talking about our shared goals for our communities and state. (Check out these stories about Nabeela from Chicago Magazine and NPR.)
President Biden Projects American Global Leadership
Source: Department of Defense
President Biden’s surprise trip to Ukraine on Monday was a bold, strong message to Vladimir Putin and the world. It was the first time a modern U.S. President has visited a war zone without the presence of U.S. military forces. Walking the streets of Kyiv with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as air raid sirens blared, President Biden gave a much-appreciated lift to the Ukrainian people, and just as important, clearly demonstrated American commitment to ensuring Putin will never achieve a strategic victory.
One year after Putin illegally invaded the country, after a year of Russian war crimes and crimes against humanity, because of the incredible bravery and resolve of the Ukrainian military and public, and with the unified support of America and our allies, President Biden was able to proclaim: “Kyiv stands. Ukraine stands. Democracy stands. America—and the world—stands with Ukraine.”
And yesterday, in Poland, President Biden reiterated that American and allied support for Ukraine “will never waver.” Despite Putin’s longstanding efforts to divide the West, over the past two years, the Biden Administration has diligently worked to strengthen NATO and build our relationship with other allies. As the war in Ukraine enters a second year, and almost certainly will become ever more complicated, American leadership is ever more important.
That’s why I was proud to see Vice President Kamala Harris at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday where she announced that the United States has determined Russia committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine. At the same time, Secretary of State Antony Blinken toured a province in Turkey devastated by the recent earthquake and pledged additional resources to aid those affected by the disaster.
Keep reading for more information about happenings here at home and in Washington.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Spreading “Valentine’s Love” to Veterans
Clockwise from Top Left: At James A. Lovell Federal Health Center, Navy Exchange in North Chicago, Lake County Veteran’s Assistance Commission in Gurnee, and the American Legion Post 1170 in Round
At Lake County Veterans and Family Services At Starbuck’s Military Family Store in North Chicago
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this year’s Valentine for Veterans drive. We collected thousands of mostly handmade Valentines, many with beautifully written personal notes. With so many cards to distribute, we did an “impromptu” Tour of the Tenth presenting Valentines at locations around the district.
Bingo with Vets
Last Thursday, I was honored to join veterans at Lovell for Bingo. Besides thanking the veterans for the service to our country, I had the chance to call numbers. Everyone left a winner!
Meeting with Constituents in our Office
You don’t need to travel to Washington to meet with me or my team. Last week I had wonderful meetings with several individuals and groups, including representatives from School Districts 103 (Lincolnshire) and 109 (Deerfield), and virtually with the Chicago Board of Rabbis. If you want to request a meeting with me or someone from my team, please visit my website.
Deerfield Superintendent Michael Simeck and Board Member Maureen Wener
Superintendent Dr. Warren and staff of Lincolnshire-Prairie View School District 103
Lake County Chamber of Commerce 15th Annual Economic Forecast Luncheon
Despite Thursday's snowy weather, I had a great time attending the Lake County Chamber of Commerce 15th Annual Economic Forecast Luncheon at Rosalind Franklin University in North Chicago. Leslie McGranahan from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago gave an informative assessment of the economy and answered insightful questions from the audience. You can read more about the event here.
Touring CLC's Advanced Technology Campus
CLC’s new state-of-the-art Advanced Technology Center (ATC) continues to make great strides. I was excited to visit the center with CLC officials and get an update of how the Federal Community Project Funding my team secured last year would be applied to programs, students, businesses, and the community. The ATC is an excellent resource for both students wanting to learn new skills and create a great career path, and the local companies desperately seeking talented and ambitious employees.
Neighborhood Office Hours
While you are always welcome to schedule a visit to our District Office in Lincolnshire (111 Barclay Blvd), we are working to make it easy to connect with our team closer to home. Last week we officially kicked off our Neighborhood Office Hours in Zion, Round Lake Beach, Wheeling, Fox Lake and Johnsburg.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON
Problem Solvers Caucus
Last week the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus that I was proud to help initially launch in 2017, welcomed 26 new member (13 Democrats and 13 Republicans). I am proud that we continue to grow our ranks and for the 118th Congress we now number 66 Representatives from across the country. I look forward to sharing more about our work.
Earthquakes in Turkey
The death toll from the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria is approaching 50,000 with many more injured, and hundreds of thousands now without homes. I was please to help introduce a resolution last week supporting the victims and will continue to
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY
Please visit my website to find resources available for everything from saving money on your internet bill to locating your local food bank, various help lines, and even help Ukrainians refugees fleeing the war.
CONSTITUENT SUCCESS STORIES
I want to share with you another constituent casework success story. Navigating the federal agency bureaucracy can be challenging, but my excellent casework team in Lincolnshire is ready to help you. If you need help with a federal agency, fill out a Privacy Release Form or call my Lincolnshire office at (847) 383-4870 so my casework team can assist you.
In Closing—
Whether you are a Jeopardy fan or not, we can all celebrate a local winner! Libertyville’s Isabella Pagana is a college freshman making her second trip to the game show set. She first appeared in 2018 as a participant in the show’s teen tournament. Her latest appearance airs this Friday, February 24. I wish Isabella the best of luck!
You can read all about Isabella’s story in the Daily Herald here.
Wishing you and yours a good week.
Sincerely,
Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress