10th News: Stopping Violence at Its Root

Another week, more mass shootings. More than 250 already this year. More than 30 just since Uvalde. As so many others have said, other countries have mental health problems, but only the United States has daily mass shootings. More on that below.

Community Project Funding Update

Before returning my focus to our efforts to reduce gun violence, I want to first update you on some important investments in our district. Previously I shared that all 10 of the Community Project Funding requests we submitted for fiscal year 2022 received federal money to proceed this year, totaling nearly $20 million. This success was a combination of outstanding project ideas from our local communities and incredible teamwork throughout the appropriations process.

I am proud to announce that this year, for FY2023, we are submitting 15 Community Project Funding requests from across the Tenth District, covering everything from safe drinking water and storm water management to early eduction programs and mental health resources. These community projects represent programs that, should they be funded by the Appropriations Committee, will benefit wide areas and large numbers of people in the Tenth District. These projects would generate economic growth, improve access to mental health services, reduce flooding, and enhance community safety. Funding any one of these projects would be a great lift for all of the Tenth District and reason to celebrate.

Here are the projects for which I am advocating:

• Waukegan Water Works Improvement Project
• Wheeling School District Federally Qualified Health Center
• Community Partners for Affordable Housing's (CPAH) Lake County Affordable Housing
• Development in Libertyville
• Josselyn Center Mental Health Expansion in Northbrook
• North Chicago Economic Redevelopment at Sheridan Crossing
• Cedar Lake Road Realignment and Downtown Round Lake Improvement Project
• Lake County Gun Violence Prevention Initiative
• Lake Bluff Downtown Flood Mitigation Project
• Nicasa Round Lake Behavioral Health and Telehealth Center
• Lake County Early Learning Center in North Chicago
• Zero Emissions Pace Bus Fleet
• PADS Lake County Homeless Shelter
• Beach Park Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Project
• Chain O'Lakes Economic Development in Fox Lake
• Waukegan to College Onsite School Expansion

Federal Grants and Constituent Service Accomplishments

I can also share some good news about federal grants received by several organizations and entities within the Tenth District. So far this year, more than $95 million in federal grants have been awarded, including more than $1 million for the Lake County Health Department, $50,000 for art programming for veterans at the Brushwood Center in Ryerson Woods, and $245,000 in "Safe Summer Recreation Beach Grants" to keep our beaches beautiful.

And while I am on the topic of helping people, our team works hard every day to assist constituents dealing with different federal agencies—everything from passports to tax refunds to social security checks. This year alone we have helped area residents recover almost $3,500,000 from the Federal government.

Lake County Gun Violence Prevention Initiative

This seemingly accelerating epidemic of gun violence affecting communities throughout the nation only intensifies the necessity to act to keep all Americans safe, including passing common-sense gun safety legislation and investing in gun violence reduction programs.

On the legislative front, last week the House Judiciary Committee worked on the "Protecting our Kids Act," legislation introduced by Rep. Nadler, of which I am a cosponsor. This bill would raise the age from 18 to 21 for buying a semi-automatic weapon, ban the sale of large-capacity magazines, clamp down on gun trafficking and straw purchases, and require firearms to be securely stored when minors may have access to them. These actions are designed to help reduce the frequency and deadliness of mass shootings, and are the first of many actions needed to address the epidemic of violence in our country.

Closer to home, last Friday, Lake County leaders stood together to say we have had enough with the uptick in violence seen in our communities. At a standing room only press conference, Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart announced a bold, new Gun Violence Prevention Initiative (GVPI) to introduce trained "interrupters" to connect with young people in our local communities and use direct engagement and conflict mediation. Breaking the cycle of violence before it escalates is a key element to reducing the tragic stories we've seen all too often. You can read more about the Lake County Gun Violence Prevention Initiative (GVPI) here.

Please keep reading for more information about what's happening in Washington and around the district.

Around the District

Keeping our Neighborhoods Dry

It was great to visit with leaders from Prospect Heights to break ground on the Arlington Countryside Storm Water Management Improvement Project. This project is finally getting underway thanks to $2.1 million in direct federal assistance (part of a total $131 million to the Tenth District). The stormwater project has been the city's goal since the 1980s. Completion is expected in September.

Celebrating the Military Academy class of 2026

One of my favorite responsibilities as a Representative is meeting and nominating students interested in attending one of our nation's five service academies. It's a 18 month long process beginning with an information session for high school juniors in the winter/spring and culminating with a send off for the select students that ultimately are accepted and decide to attend an academy. This week I met personally with four of our appointees (Tess Clark, Anderson Walkes, Tuguldur Erdenebat and Owen Ray) to wish them, and their families well.

Congratulations to all our appointees. We are all proud of their decision to serve and wish them only success in their future.

This years' appointees are:

U.S. Militray Academy - West Point

• James Delia of Lake Forest High School
• David Kwon of Glenbrook High School
• Joseph Morris of the U.S Military Academy Preparatory School (USMA)
• Owen Ray of Vernon Hills High School (USMA)

U.S. Air Force Academy

• Tai Gopaul of Adali St
• Raymond Holt Oliphant of Lawrence Academy
• Anderson Walkes (USAFA)

U.S. Naval Academy

• Samantha Clark (USNA)
• Tuguldur Erdenebat (USNA)
• Robert Vedra (USAFPS)

Remembering Representative John Porter

I was saddened to learn this weekend that former 10th District Representative John Porter passed away at 87. John was dedicated to public service and believed that our nation achieved progress by working together rather than against. However, John and I belong to different parties; he immediately reached out to me when I first took office and was a valued advisor and friend. When the government shut down in 2013, he offered advice I have carried with me throughout my time serving Illinois's 10th District. Aside from his time in Congress, John had an impressive background. He was an advocate for the National Institutes of Health, which named its Neuroscience Research Center to recognize his decades of dedication. He was also a leader in defending human rights around the world. I extend my condolences to John's family and pray that his example of civility, leadership, and public service can be a model for what Congress can do when it operates at its best. May his memory be a blessing.

More on the Lake County Gun Violence Prevention Initiative

I was happy to stand with State's Attorney Rinehart, State Representative Rita Mayfield, State Senator Adriane Johnson, Lake County Board Member Mary-Ross Cunningham, Chris Patterson, IDHS Assistant Secretary, Office of Firearm Violence Prevention Chris Patterson, and Marcus McAllister. A Lake County native, Marcus McAllister runs a consulting firm that has trained violence interrupters nationwide, and he will help lead Lake County's new program. With 15 violence interrupters and three supervisors to facilitate mediations, Marcus will help Lake County provide a holistic approach to gun violence. Job placement, therapy services, and survivor groups are just some of the ways we can stem the violence. No one level of government, agency, or person can answer the nation's needs. However, we can answer the need by working collectively across communities and governments.

Federal funding played a critical part in funding this program, with $560,000 coming from the American Rescue Plan, a bill meant to put our local communities to work. I am also pleased to say I am working on securing an additional $750,000 in funding to expand this program with more violence interrupters. That money is in its first steps now. It faces hurdles between now and next year, but rest assured that I am working in Washington to fund our law enforcement here at home and keep our communities safe.

You can watch Thursday's announcement here.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON

Community Project Funding Submissions

I am excited to have announced this Monday the fifteen special projects that I will be supporting for funding in Washington through the appropriations process.

Keeping Guns Out of The Wrong Hands

A significant part of tackling the Gun issue in this country is keeping weapons out of the wrong hands. Every tragedy that occurs, we learn of the previous history of danger assailants had to themselves or others. We need a way to identify those folks for everyone's safety. This week the House is considering Rep. Lucy McBath's bill, H.R. 2377, the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2021. This bill would allow courts to issue extreme risk protection orders, or "red flag laws," to block certain people who are considered a danger to themselves or others from possessing firearms. Here in Illinois, we have these laws, but now is the time to bring this to the national level. This bill will provide a court-ordered means to safely remove firearms from those who should not have them while preserving an individual's due process rights.

You can read the full bill here.

Covid-19 UPDATE

• 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

Uniting for Ukraine

Applications are open for a new streamlined process for Ukrainians seeking asylum in the United States. This represents a key step toward fulfilling the President's commitment to welcome Ukrainians fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Uniting for Ukraine builds on the robust humanitarian assistance the U.S. government is providing as we complement the generosity of countries throughout Europe that are hosting millions of Ukrainian citizens and others who have been displaced. You can learn more here.

Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund

The state is accepting applications from homeowners for grants of up to $30,000 to eliminate or reduce past-due mortgage and property tax payments. The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund Program will provide direct financial assistance to prevent mortgage delinquencies, defaults, displacements, and foreclosures for income-eligible homeowners experiencing pandemic-related hardships. Learn more here.

Introducing Ride Lake County

Lake County, Pace Suburban Bus, and the Lake County Coordinated Transportation Services Committee (LCCTSC) came together with members of the community to launch Ride Lake County, a borderless, countywide paratransit service that provides transportation to anywhere in Lake County for seniors ages 60+ and people with disabilities.

Previously, there was no cohesive paratransit system in Lake County. Now, residents in need of paratransit services have one number to call, 1-800-201-6446, to enable them to travel around Lake County.

As a reservation-based program, Ride Lake County vehicles don't travel in a fixed route each day. Instead, riders schedule their trips in advance and the vehicles provide curb-to-curb service from the rider's desired pick-up and drop-off destinations.

Before scheduling their first ride, residents must register through Pace by calling their call center at 1-800-201-6446. Residents can register as either a senior ages 60+ or as an individual with a disability.

Riders can schedule a trip any day of the week from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the exception of certain holidays. Riders can reserve a trip as far as seven days in advance or as little as two hours in advance.

Ride Lake County is sponsored by Lake County and Pace Suburban Bus. The service is funded in part by grants from the Regional Transportation Authority. Local matching funds for these federal grants are provided by Lake County.

For additional information about Ride Lake County, visit their website.

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 June is Pride Month! I will always stand up for the countless LGBTQIA+ neighbors in our community. While the strides have been great, we continue to fight for the rights and dignity of all Americans - regardless of who you are or whom you love. Efforts to keep the LGBTQIA+ community silent will not deter us but energize us to fight for what's right. The LGBTQIA+ community of the 10th district is growing only stronger, and they have my full support in Washington.

Stay strong, stay safe, stay healthy.
Sincerely,

Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress