10th News: Some Good News on Global Climate Action
While the official start of Spring is just around the corner, Spring Training is in full swing. For what it’s worth, both the Cubs and the White Sox have winning records at the moment.
Meanwhile, back here in Illinois, it’s been unseasonably warm. Today’s high temperature will again be above average, and the last day the high was below freezing was February 24. This winter, Chicago O’Hare experienced only 18 inches of snow, about 20 inches below normal. Whereas you and I may celebrate the daily high temperatures and earlier floral blooms, and this year’s weather is affected by the La Niña climate cycle, countless biomes across the planet are experiencing global climate change as a mass extinction event. This is particularly true for our oceans. We depend on our oceans as a source of food for our planet and a frontier for science. Their flow affects the weather we’ve come to find predictable. Yet, they are one of our most fragile environments in the face of climate change.
Source: U.S. National Park Service
I am pleased to share that we have just received some very good news: for the first time in 40 years, the world’s nations have come to a new and historic agreement on how to work together to protect the oceans we all count on. Called the “High Seas Treaty,” the new agreement brings together more than 190 countries to protect 30% of the world’s oceans. It will create deep sea sanctuaries (areas more than 200 miles outside national territorial waters) and require an assessment of the potential impact of commercial activities. You can read more about the treaty here.
Global challenges like climate change require that all of us do our part while rowing in the same direction. Success requires bold leadership. I am committed to saving our planet and fighting climate change. Last year, Congress enacted the largest package of climate legislation in world history – including my own bill to help decarbonize aviation with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). I continue to explore more ways to help advance our work in Congress, and we have a lot more work ahead of us around the globe. But every time the world can come together for a win like the High Seas Treaty or the Inflation Reduction Act, it’s worth celebrating.
Turning back to home, I had a fun day last Sunday, traveling across the district, celebrating the Jewish holiday of Purim at seven Purim Carnivals, and finishing my day at a Turkish American Society of Chicago (TASC) Taste of Cultures event in support of the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria.
Keep reading for more information about happenings here at home and in Washington.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Celebrating Queen Esther
Purim is the annual holiday celebrating the saving of the Jewish people of Persia from a decree issued under the influence of the evil Haman, as retold in the book of Esther. The holiday was Monday/Tuesday. On Sunday, synagogues around the district hosted Purim Carnivals with kids in costumes, carnival games, and “Purim Schpiels,” acting out the story of Esther’s and her uncle Mordechai’s heroic actions.
I was honored to visit seven local congregations, consumed way too many Hamantaschen, and even gave Rabbi Steven Lowenstein a haircut (ok, it was more of a shave) to help him raise money for St. Baldrick’s Foundation in memory of Sam Sommer.
Supporting Earthquake Survivors – Celebrating Turkic Culture
On Sunday, the local Turkish community hosted an incredible Taste of Cultures with foods from different Turkic countries including, of course Turkey, but also places like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan. It was wonderful talking to people about their cultures and tasting the different foods. And making the day even more special, all proceeds were going to help the survivors of last month’s earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
Congress on Your Corner
I recently hosted my first Congress on Your Corner (COYC) Town Hall of the year in Winnetka. The event was engaging as always, and I appreciated hearing everyone's thoughtful questions and ideas—ranging from common sense gun safety to protecting our environment.
Our next COYC is in Johnsburg on March 21st. I intentionally scheduled our first gatherings to be in the new parts of the Tenth District to hear for people who perhaps have not attended one of our town halls in the past. I hope you can join us.
Please join me for a Congress on Your Corner on Tuesday, March 21st at 6 pm in Johnsburg. RSVP today using the link to join the conversation.
2023 Artis Yancey HBCU Experience Event and Tour
I visited the 2023 Artis Yancey HBCU Experience Event and Tour at Waukegan High School. It’s always great to see students and educators engaged in sharing educational opportunities and working to make higher education more diverse and inclusive.
Waukegan Historical Society Honors Black History Month
I joined State Senator Adriane Johnson and Lake County Board Vice-Chair Mary Ross Cunningham at the Waukegan Historical Society to visit the Society's Black History Month exhibit. I appreciated hearing the remarkable stories about the contributions Black Americans have made in Waukegan itself.
Visiting Elementary Students in Vernon Hills
I was honored to be hosted by Hawthorne School District 73 to tour two elementary schools (Hawthorne North and South) and the School for Young Learners kindergarten campus. I enjoyed answering the many questions from the students about the federal government and what it’s like to be a Representative in Congress.
Black’s Academy of Excellence
I spent a wonderful morning with Juanita and Charles Black touring and learning about their Black’s Academy of Excellence in Zion. They are having a great impact on the community through their work with young people.
Northbrook Cultural Fair
The North Suburban YMCA and the Northbrook Community Commission hosted an excellent Cultural Fair celebrating the rich diversity of heritage and traditions within the community. I loved seeing multiple generations enjoying sharing and learning together.
Taking on the Opioid Epidemic
I met with Felica Miceli, Chelsea Laliberte, founder of Live or Lali and Kyra Jagodzinski, and to discuss Louie's Law (named for Felicia’s late son Louie). Louie’s Law is state legislation that would develop drug education standards to help our schools and communities to help fight back against the opioid epidemic affecting our nation. Last year more than 100,000 people died from drug-involved overdose, with 70,000 dying from synthetic opioids (mostly fentanyl).
Touring the UMMA Food Bank in Waukegan
I stopped by to meet the people making possible the new Urban Muslim Minority Alliance’s food bank in Waukegan. They are just getting started and already having a positive impact in the community.
Neighborhood Office Hours
My team hosted another great Neighborhood Office Hours at the Avon Township Center. We love being out in our community and helping you navigate the federal government. If you missed the team, don't worry, you can catch them in Round Lake Park every Wednesday. Additional locations and times can be found here.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON
Last week was a short one in Congress as the House adjourned on Wednesday for the Democratic Issues Conference. (The Republican retreat is scheduled for March 20-21.) Congress voted, among other things, on legislation to help survivors of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, a bill to better inform consumers about the cameras in their various smart devices, and a bill regarding cybersecurity.
Fighting Antisemitism
I was proud to help kick off the House Bipartisan Antisemitism Task Force for the 118th Congress. We were joined during our first meeting by Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, and international envoys from the European Commission, Organization of American States (OAS), Germany, The Netherlands, and Norway.
Staying in Touch
I start every week in D.C. by calling back people who have written to my office. Last week I connected with Dierdre, a lifelong teacher, about what Congress can do to support our world-class educators better.
$104 Million for Illinois Water Infrastructure
I’m proud to share that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has allocated more than $104 million for Illinois through this year’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). The funding will support Illinois communities in upgrading essential water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies. Nearly half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans helping underserved communities across Illinois invest in water infrastructure, while creating good-paying jobs.
To read more about this announcement click here.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Taking Off
One of my proudest achievements of the 117th congress was including my Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) bill in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Air travel accounts for as much as 2.5% of global carbon emissions, while my SAF bill would cut aviation's carbon emissions in half. A recent New York Times article highlights the IRA's historic investments to combat climate change and how the SAF industry is taking off, especially with Chicago-area leaders like United and LanzaJet. I invite you to read the article and learn more about the exacting work being done to address the climate emergency.
Call for UN to Disband Commission of Inquiry and Fire Francesca Albanese
Representative Ann Wagner (MO-02) and I led 16 colleagues in a call for the dismissal of Francesca Albanese and the disbanding of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into Israel. The letter, addressed to United Nations Secretary-General António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, asked that the U.N. “work towards ameliorating the deep-seated antisemitic and anti-Israel bias” at the organization.
To read the complete letter click here.
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—
Health Care in America Just Got a Little More Affordable.
In case you missed it, Eli Lilly is dramatically cutting the cost of insulin, a change that was unthinkable before Congressional Democrats and President Biden capped prices for seniors on Medicare.
Wishing you and yours a good week.
Sincerely,
Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress