10th News: Standing With Ukraine
Vladimir Putin's horrific war against Ukraine continues. Last week Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed both the House and the Senate in an emotional and compelling video session. Today President Biden flies to Brussels for an emergency summit of NATO leaders to reinforce a united front pressuring Putin to end the war, and seek ways to advance desperately needed security and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine.
Last week, in addition to President Zelensky's speech, the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Europe Subcommittee held a hearing exploring Russian war crimes in Ukraine. We must ensure that the United States, in conjunction with the entire international community, does everything necessary to hold Putin and all those complicit in his war accountable. That starts with shining a light on, and collecting explicit details of, Russian violations in real time.
Also last week, the House passed several pieces of legislation, including a bill suspending normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus, and the FAIR Act which prohibits pre-dispute arbitration provisions that force arbitration of future employment, consumer, antitrust, or civil rights disputes.
Beyond Ukraine, it was a busy week on the Foreign Affairs Committee. The Middle East Subcommittee held a hearing on the Syrian civil war—which just marked the beginning of its twelfth year. We also received classified briefings from the Administration on the ongoing negotiations to restore Iranian compliance with the 2015 nuclear agreement, and a classified briefing on the war in Yemen. One common thread through all we discussed is that, while the United States cannot police the world, our leadership on the world stage is vitally important to protect our national interests and advance prospects for peace.
Though I was in Washington most of the week, I did have time at home to visit some local businesses. I had a wonderful tour of StoryPoint Senior Living in Libertyville and Novelis, an aluminum processor in Lincolnshire. I also had several in-person and virtual meetings with constituents and local organizations. But my personal favorite was an evening gathering at Cooke Magnet School in Waukegan to celebrate the young readers who participated in my annual Brad's Bookworms program. Congratulations to all of this year's Bookworms, and a special call out to Janani Srikanth, a 3rd grade student from Millburn Elementary School, who won this year's book mark competition.
Finally, please join me on Saturday, March 26th for a Congress on Your Corner town hall in Round Lake Beach. I will give an update about my work in Washington and answer questions from attendees. Register at schneider.house.gov/events.
Keep reading for more information about what's happening in Washington and around the district.
Around the District
Bridging the Digital Divide with the American Rescue Plan
I am proud to announce that the Tenth District has received $8.2 million from the American Rescue Plan I helped pass last year to provide students with access to reliable internet. Kids without internet access at home are often left behind, without the basic tools they need to thrive. This critical funding from the American Rescue Plan will bridge the digital divide in the Tenth District by ensuring that all students in our area, from Round Lake to Wheeling, have reliable internet access.
The following schools and libraries in the Tenth District received funding from the Emergency Connectivity Fund:
Facility Name | Amount Received |
Bannockburn School District 106 | $18,000.00 |
Beach Park School District 3 | $31,830.48 |
Big Hollow School District 38 | $520,000.00 |
Community High Sch Dist 128 | $16,598.88 |
Deerfield School District 109 | $610,905.00 |
Glencoe School District 35 | $60,000.00 |
Grayslake School District 46 | $15,720.00 |
Hawthorn School District 73 | $318,475.00 |
Highland Park Public Library | $2,520.00 |
Lake Bluff School District 65 | $98,540.60 |
Lake Co Special Educ Coop | $112,000.00 |
Lake Forest School District 67 | $190,080.00 |
Libertyville Elem Sch Dist 70 | $190,080.00 |
Mundelein Cons H S Dist 120 | $12,000.00 |
Mundelein Elem School Dist 75 | $10,800.00 |
N Chicago C U Sch Dist 187 | $460,725.00 |
North Chicago Public Library | $6,590.62 |
Northbrook Public Library | $3,326.32 |
Northern Suburban Spec Ed Dist | $32,906.00 |
Northfield Twp H S Dist 225 | $567,650.00 |
Prairie Crossing Charter School | $97,000.00 |
River Trails School Dist 26 | $131,644.00 |
Riverwoods Montessori School | $9,975.00 |
Round Lake Area Sch Dist 116 | $1,810,164.20 |
Stevenson School District 125 | $9,716.76 |
Township High School Dist 113 | $564,727.57 |
Waukegan Public Library | $103,320.00 |
Wheeling School District 21 | $1,925,427.00 |
Local Manufacturing at Work: Novelis
Thanks to companies like Novelis in Libertyville, innovation is alive and well in the Tenth District. As an aluminum roller and recycler, Novelis leads the way creating good-paying jobs in Lake County. In Congress, I'm working on bipartisan legislation to invest in creating more domestic manufacturing like Novelis and fix our supply long supply chains while investing in more good-paying American jobs.
Meeting with Local Labor Leader TJ Hill
Local labor leaders like TJ Hill are helping to reduce racial disparities in the contractor field. TJ shared with me what it's like to consistently be the only African American at his job sites, and how those experiences encouraged him to start a training program for disadvantaged youth and ex-offenders in construction trades work.
Touring StoryPoint Libertyville
Last week I toured StoryPoint, a senior housing facility in Libertyville, to hear firsthand what issues matter to Tenth District seniors. I was impressed by the recent enhancements and remodel of the facility and truly enjoyed visiting with residents and hearing their stories.
Talking Student Loan Debt
I met with constituent Mike McHugh to discuss how student loans have impacted his kids' financial future. Mike's kids have significant student loans and we met to discuss the status of student loan forgiveness.
Meeting with DaVita
As I work in Congress to help address our nation's ongoing supply chain issues, it's helpful to hear from constituents how the supply chain is affecting them. I met with representatives from DaVita, a dialysis provider with several clinics across the Tenth District. We talked about how supply chain issues and the current nursing shortage have put a strain on their operations.
Meeting with Civil Air Patrol
I met with Civil Air Patrol, including C/1Lt. Bijawat Animesh of Mundelein High School, to talk about funding for their defense objectives and youth training.
What's Happening in Washington
A Note on President Zelensky's Address
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week called on Congress and the United States to continue and expand our actions to help the people of Ukraine defend themselves against the unprovoked, illegal and barbarous Russian invasion. During his eloquent, emotional address, President Zelensky told us that America is not only helping Ukraine, we are helping defend Europe and all those in the world who believe in democracy. I agree.
Congress has steadfastly stood beside our friends in Ukraine and will continue to help them with both the resources to fight the Russian onslaught and humanitarian relief to assist the millions of people suffering the direct impacts of Putin's war. To date, Congress has already taken bipartisan action approving $13.6 billion in humanitarian, military, and economic support, banning imports of Russian oil, and crafting legislation to revoke Russia's permanent normal trade relations with the U.S. President Zelensky's impassioned words today will only bolster our steadfast support for his country and their cause.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion and ongoing assault on Ukraine and its people are war crimes, which the House Foreign Affairs Committee on which I serve is actively investigating. Congress will continue to support Ukraine, pressure Russia, and take all appropriate actions to hold Putin to account for his atrocities.
We must lead, and we must join with our allies to stand with Ukraine and ensure Putin loses. Peace depends on us. Watch more on my thoughts above.
COVID-19 Update
Governor JB Pritzker has lifted the mandatory mask mandate in most public settings in Illinois. Masks are still required in spaces like public transportation, airports and congregant living facilities. Masks are now optional in schools. While this is good news and a sign of how far we've come in beating back the virus, we must remain vigilant by getting vaccinated and testing frequently to keep case numbers low.
- We are moving forward safely: Over 200 million people are vaccinated and 2 out of 3 eligible Americans are boosted. As a result, nearly 70% of Americans now live in an area where the CDC no longer recommends universal masking.
- Every American is now eligible to receive free, at-home COVID-19 tests. Eligible Americans can order up to 4 free tests at covidtests.gov. Tests are expected to ship in 7-12 days.
- The vaccine is safe and effective. If you are unvaccinated, you are 17 times more likely to be hospitalized and 20 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than those who are vaccinated.
- All Americans ages 12 and up are eligible for COVID-19 booster shots. As long as you are six months past your last Pfizer or Moderna shot, you can now get a booster by visiting your local doctor's office or pharmacy.
- The vaccine is saving lives. So again, tell your loved ones, your friends, neighbors and coworkers, join the fight and get your shot!
Resources
Tax Season Runs from January 24 - April 18, 2022
This year's tax filing season will open on January 24 and close on April 18 – starting earlier than last year in order to give Americans more time to file their returns. The IRS recommends filing your taxes electronically as soon as possible and opting for direct deposit. You can prepare your federal income tax returns online for free using the IRS partner site, Free File.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in IRS office closures and staffing issues, which are expected to continue into the 2022 season. As a result, the IRS is still processing a significant backlog of 2020 returns as we begin this next filing season. You can still file your 2021 returns even if you are waiting for 2020 returns to be processed.
Unincorporated Residents Eligible for Flood Insurance Premium Discounts
If you live in unincorporated Lake County, you may be eligible for up to $297 in savings per year on flood insurance policies. Through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS) program, residents within unincorporated Lake County – who meet certain requirements – are eligible for up to 20 percent savings on flood insurance premiums
Contact your insurance agent for coverage information, pricing and CRS flood insurance discount information. You can also visit Lake County's flood coverage website for more information.
LONG WAITS FOR PASSPORTS: Look Before You Book
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 5-7 weeks from submission to receipt, with regular processing taking 8-11 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.
Lake County: COVID Rental Assistance Programs Open Now
Lake County is offering rental assistance programs for those who face financial hardships related to COVID-19 and are struggling to pay rent. The deadline to apply for rental assistance in Cook County has passed.
Learn more and apply here for the Lake County Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
In Closing
This week I wanted to share an inspiring video from Ukrainian President Zelensky. Throughout this devastating war, President Zelensky has stepped up to unite his people and stand strong. This type of leadership embodies the Ukrainian spirit and we will keep doing everything we can to stand with Ukraine. Watch the video here.
Onward,
Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress