10th News: Standing Up for Our Values
I hope you had a good Thanksgiving and holiday weekend, whether here at home, or, like millions of other Americans, traveling around the country. I had a very nice, mostly quiet weekend at home with family. I did make time on Wednesday to visit with seniors in Waukegan and sailors at Naval Station Great Lakes to enjoy an early Thanksgiving meal.
I also visited a number of local small businesses in honor of Small Business Saturday. During the holidays, and throughout the year, our favorite restaurants, specialty boutiques and providers of services for our homes and our families are central to the vibrancy and prosperity of our communities.
This week I am back in Washington working to wrap up important legislation before the end of the 117th Congress. We are working to finalize government funding bills and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), among other items. At the same time, both Democrats and Republicans are welcoming new member-elects and organizing for the 118th Congress. (I will expand more on this next week.)
Meanwhile, last night, in a historic vote, the Senate voted to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. This bill will now come back to the House, which passed our version in June. Once the House votes again, the bill will go to President Biden for his signature.
I am also still watching closely for Senate action to pass other bills that the House has already passed, including an Assault Weapons Ban, for which the President has called for action as well. I proudly helped pass the Assault Weapons Ban bill in the House following the July 4th shooting in Highland Park this summer. Americans deserve to know where their Senators stand on the bill and who is standing in its way.
Please keep reading for more information about what is happening in Washington and at home.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Thanksgiving
I was honored to join the USO at Naval Station Great Lakes with volunteers from Abbvie and Combined Insurance to prepare meals and serve sailors who were not able to go home for the holiday.
As always when talking to the sailors from NSGL, I was impressed with the poise and passion of these young people. They are all early in the service to our country, but they are already making our nation proud.
I also had a great time helping serve local seniors at the annual Mikey’s Thanksgiving Dinner for Seniors in Waukegan.
Small Business Saturday
On Small Business Saturday, I got my morning coffee at Astra Coffee in Ravinia, I visited Green Bay Cycles in Winnetka to buy a winter jersey for my son, Book Bin in Northbrook in support of Northbrook Rotary’s annual Operation Santa Claus that gifts books to elementary students in North Chicago, and finally Max and Benny’s in Northbrook for some sweets pastries. There are more than 27,000 businesses in our district, each making a difference in their community.
Supporting Local Farms
I started the holiday week with a wonderful visit to Midwest Dairy in Hebron to learn more about their work in nutrition and innovation. Katie and David gave me a great tour of the operation and introduced me to some very sweet cows.
What's Happening in Washington
Combatting Recidivism
This week, the House will vote an several bills, including a new, bipartisan Justice Department grant program for community-based nonprofits to create one-stop reentry centers for individuals who have been released from prison. Grant funding could be used for finding and maintaining employment, job training and mentorships, obtaining driver’s licenses and ID cards, and medical services, among other uses. The bill passed Judiciary Committee mark up by a 31-8 vote, with all Democrats and 8 Republicans supporting the bill.
Supporting Women’s Health Care
We’ll also be voting to ensure that appropriate services and programs are provided to address the health and safety needs of incarcerated pregnant women in federal prison and ban the use of restrictive housing and solitary confinement in the third trimester.
Resources to Help You and Your Community
Please visit my website to find resources for the following services, and more
- Affordable Internet Connectivity Program
- Smart 9-1-1
- 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 9-8-8 for Veterans
- Maternal Mental Health Hotline
- Uniting for Ukraine
- Unincorporated Residents Eligible for Flood Insurance Premium Discounts
- Ride Lake County
Now Open: Holiday Card Design Competition
My office is accepting entries for our seventh annual Holiday Card Design Competition. Elementary school students in the Tenth District are invited to submit artwork to be featured on the cover of my office Holiday Card.
This year's theme is "Home for The Holidays," participants are encouraged to express what this phrase means to them through their card design. Students should submit their entries to jared.rose@mail.house.gov.
Last year's winner (pictured below) was designed by Buffalo Grove student Lucille Holloway.
Now Open: Holiday Cards for Heroes
This holiday season write a handwritten card to our nation’s heroes! My office has launched its annual “Holiday Cards for Heroes” program to help say thank you to the Americans serving our country, offer encouragement, and share holiday cheer.
Constituents can drop off or mail holiday cards for those serving in our armed forced to my Lincolnshire office: 111 Barclay Blvd, Ste 200, Lincolnshire IL 60069 by December 12th, 2022.
Still Open: Brad’s Bookworms
There is still time to participate in our sixth annual Brad's Bookworms program. I love reading, and Brad's Bookworms is a chance to share that passion with young students in kindergarten through 5th grade. We challenge students to read ten books by December 12th to explore new worlds and expand their minds through reading. Those who meet the challenge will be recognized and invited to a ceremony early next year.
To learn more about the program and how to sign up, please click here.
Still Open: Congressional Intern Positions
Our Lincolnshire office is accepting applications for internships. On a day-to-day basis, district interns help with writing letters, district-based projects and may help with constituent casework. If you are motivated and passionate about helping your community apply today here.
Contact My Office
As always, I want to hear from you. Please email me on my website or call my DC office at (202) 225-4835 if you’d like to share your thoughts on any matter. And 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 –
Congratulations to the United States Men's National Team on advancing to the World Cup Round of 16 in Qatar. The US team is the youngest team in the tournament and they are doing a remarkable job representing our country. If you had a chance to watch any of the first round games, including yesterday’s 1-0 victory over Iran, you know how hard this team works every minute of the game. May their great play and success continue on Saturday in their game against the Netherlands.
Sincerely,
Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress