10th News: A Summer in Review

I hope you had a nice Labor Day weekend. It seems like summer just started and now it is but a memory. I thought it would be fun to devote this week's newsletter to looking back on the highlights of this summer, reflect on the work we've done here at home and in Washington, and express my thanks to all the people and communities that made this summer so special and memorable.

We finished summer on a high note with Labor Day visits to the Buffalo Grove Days HP Strong Walk and Pancake Breakfast, the Lake Forest Art Festival, and the Mayors Prayer Breakfast in Zion.

Last month, I again hosted my annual Bike the 10th ride through part of our district. We started at Old School Forest Preserve and rode along the Des Plaines River Trail to Independence Grove and back. We all had a great time conversing with each other and taking in the district's natural beauty.

Another favorite tradition of summer is my annual visit to YMCA Camp Duncan and Camp Independence in Ingleside. After two years of virtual camp, it was especially nice to be able to visit in person with participants in the Camp Independence program. These are young people living with Spina Bifida. At Camp Independence, they enjoy all the good things of camp, including swimming, boating, sports and even archery. The highlight of my visit every year is sharing bad "Dad Jokes." (How do you know it's a Dad Joke? It's apparent!)

Ribbon Cuttings

Last year, we successfully advocated to include funding for all ten of our submitted community project requests in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget. It was a great privilege to attend ribbon cuttings this summer for two of these projects.

In Mundelein, I joined my friend, Mayor Steve Lentz, at the ribbon cutting for the beautiful new Park Street gathering space. This outdoor space quickly became a hub for the community. I was grateful to secure $600,000 in federal funding to help Mundelein make this beautiful space a permanent centerpiece of their vibrant community.

I was also proud to secure $750,000 in federal funding for the Northern Illinois Food Bank's North Suburban Distribution Center. I joined CEO Julie Yurko, other NIFB leaders, and Mayors Bernard Wysocki of Green Oaks and George Pandaleon of Lake Forest for the grand opening of their new center. I look forward to seeing how these funds support the incredible work that the Northern Illinois Food Bank does to serve and help the members of our community.

Congress on Your Corner Town Halls

The August district work period meant I was able to host more Congress on Your Corner (COYC) Town Hall conversations with constituents. We had events in Mundelein, Deerfield, Libertyville, Gurnee, Northbrook, Fox Lake, and Grayslake. At each event, I am always grateful for the thoughtful discussions and important questions people raise about their concerns here at home and the various efforts Congress is working on in Washington to support our families and communities.

Telephone Town Halls

While I love visiting with people in person, when I am working in Washington the next best thing is a telephone town hall. We hosted three telephone town halls from my office in DC over the summer. On these calls, people asked important questions and shared personal stories. I'm grateful to everyone who answered the phone and took the time to speak to me.

Brad at Your Business Tours and Employee Town Halls

Throughout the year, I have the privilege of visiting local businesses and nonprofit organizations to learn about their operations and meet with their employees. Between May and August, I visited Cardinal Health in Waukegan, Encompass Health and Rehabilitation Institute of Libertyville, Erie Family Health Center in Waukegan, HydraForce in Vernon Hills, HP Tuners in Buffalo Grove, BD Surgery in Vernon Hills, Oak Street Health in Waukegan, Bell Flavors and Fragrances in Northbrook, and Lake Forest Sports Cars Dealership. Thanks to everyone who so graciously welcomed and shared your wonderful stories!

Businesses like Cardinal Health in Waukegan are critical in ensuring pharmacies are supplied and ready to serve. It was a pleasure to meet with Orlando and Angie, who showed me how they work to keep Illinois healthy.

I toured the Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute of Libertyville. Encompass opened its new facility early this year and was eager to share its success since its opening.

Erie Family Health Center in Waukegan works to assist marginalized groups that have long been denied access to quality health care. Their friendly staff led me on a great tour of their fantastic facility.

HydraForce is an innovation-driven motion control design and manufacturing company based in Lincolnshire with operations around the world. Touring their innovation center, I was impressed to learn that that they develop a new manifold design every 4 to 6 hours!

HP Tuners develops and manufactures hardware and software to help high performance auto-owners (think race cars) tune, diagnose, and calibrate their vehicles. Our discussion in July focused on the importance of getting the CHIPS and Science Act to President Biden's desk. A few weeks after my visit, both the House and Senate passed the bill and President Biden proudly signed it into law.

BD Surgery in Vernon Hills is one of the top five medical technology companies in the world. Their diverse range of products play an important role in helping diagnose and treat diseases as well as working to prevent the spread of infection during and after surgeries.

Oak Street Health in Waukegan has a unique value-based approach to healthcare. Value-Based programs give health care providers incentives based on the comprehensive care they provide to people with Medicare, and a stake in the savings achieved through such holistic care.The facility in Waukegan serves about 2,000 people.

Bell Flavors and Fragrances in Northbrook has been in business for more than 100 years, providing the tastes and aromas for many of the products we use every day. From food, candy and beverages to personal care and household items, Bell provides industries with the solutions they need.

My last tour of the summer was a fun visit with Adam Mancuso, board member of the American International Automobile Dealers Association, at his family's dealership in Lake Forest. I enjoyed learning about his family's three-generation history in the auto business and exploring his perspectives on the auto industry in general, and more specifically, the future of electric vehicles and the ways in which Congress can support innovation. It was also fun looking at his inventory of sports cars, especially the above one-of-a-kind 1971 Corvette that his father had purchased new, later sold, and then repurchased a few years ago.

I look forward to visiting many more businesses this fall and continuing to work to help expand our economy, create quality jobs, and provide new growth opportunities for our communities.

Other Summer Highlights Around the District

There were so many other memorable moments of the summer. Below are just a few more pictures from this summer.

The Waukegan to College Graduation Celebration, June 11th

Juneteenth Bus Tour, June 18th

Korean Cultural Center, June 25th

AbbVie's Playground at North Chicago Early Learning Center, June 30th

Employee Connections Lunch and Learn, July 22nd

National Night Out, August 2nd (Vernon Hills, North Chicago, Highland Park)

Mayors Breakfast in Grayslake, August 17th

HIGHLAND PARK SHOOTING — GRIEF AND RECOVORY

Despite our successes, celebrations, and good times this summer, the tragedy in Highland Park undoubtedly weighed down our hearts. It unquestionably will be the defining memory of the summer. Our community is beginning to heal but we are forever changed. We will always remember Katherine Goldstein, Irina and Kevin McCarthy, Stephen Straus, Jacki Sundheim, Nicolas Toledo, and Eduardo Uvaldo. We continue to pray for the ongoing recovery of all those injured and traumatized.

In the weeks since the horrific shooting, I have joined many vigils and gatherings organized by faith communities, student activists, and other concerned citizens in Highland Park, across our district, and in the Capitol. There is remarkable power in all of these gatherings.

Throughout July, many survivors and allies from across Illinois traveled to Washington and joined with people from Uvalde, Sandy Hook, and other communities affected by gun violence. In private meetings with Senators and Representatives and at rallies at the Capitol, these incredibly strong advocates shared their stories and pressed lawmakers to take action to reduce gun violence. I was deeply touched and inspired by all my interactions with these advocates and channeled their passion into my remarks throughout the summer. One example is my speech at the March Fourth rally at the Capitol (watch here).

Inspired by the pain and strength of my community, I also related the stories from the July 4th shooting to my colleagues at our weekly Caucus meeting. I believe that the power of Highland Park's experience, combined with that of Uvalde, Buffalo, and all the other communities similarly devastated by attacks with what are effectively weapons of war, led my colleagues to move ahead and ultimately pass an assault weapon ban on July 29th. The House vote to ban the sale of assault weapons showed who was putting people over politics and who was on the other side, voting to protect their own power. I am proud of my vote that day. Now the American people wait on the Senate to pass this legislation.

You can watch my remarks on the House floor before the vote here.

Also in July, I was provided the privilege of extended time on the House floor to speak in honor of the victims, survivors, and many brave heroes of the July 4th shooting. You can watch the entire speech honoring our heroes here.

Highland Park is healing, and the recovery of our community uplifts us all. The outpouring of love, care, and support from friends, neighboring communities, and the entire nation has been so important, and even more so appreciated, in keeping us going. HP Strong!

Legislative Accomplishments

In addition to connecting with people at home, this summer has been full of legislative achievements as well. As described in more detail below, Congress wrapped up its summer legislative work by passing the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). We sent the IRA, along with the CHIPS and Science Act and the Honoring Our PACT Act, to President Biden to sign into law. In June, the House passed bills defending marriage equality, protecting access to birth control, and even, for the first time in almost 30 years, gun safety legislation—the Bipartisan Safe Communities Act—which President Biden also signed into law.

Also in June, the House passed an omnibus spending bill for fiscal year 2023. I am continuing to advocate for the maximum allowable 15 Community Project Funding requests and am pleased to tell you all 15 were included in the package the House sent to the Senate.

Please continue reading for more details on the above-mentioned bills.

Inflation Reduction Act

I was so proud when President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law last month. This historic investment will improve the lives of hardworking Americans by lowering the costs of energy and health care, all while reducing our deficit by $300 billion.

This law is crucial in helping the U.S. reduce our carbon emissions by 40% before 2030, making it perhaps the most significant climate change legislation passed in our history. I am especially proud that my bill, the Sustainable Skies Act, is included in this legislation. My team and I, along with colleagues and the full spectrum of stakeholders, have worked on this legislation for almost 3 years.

The IRA will finally allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices and cap out-of-pocket insulin costs for Medicare beneficiaries at $35 per month. My provision that will lower premiums and copays for seniors earning less than 150% of the federal poverty level by enabling them to access the low-income subsidy under Medicare Part D is part of this historic bill.

Best of all, this law is entirely paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes to make sure corporations pay their fair share. The very largest corporations (those earning more than $1 billion a year) will now pay a minimum 15% tax on their profits. Americans who have been crushed by inflation and high health care costs deserve relief, and it's time they get it.

You can read the full law here.

CHIPS and Science Act

One of the key things our country can do to help alleviate the painful inflation we are experiencing is solving the semiconductor chip shortage. Chips are in most of the things we use every day, from our smartphones and cars to our appliances. America invented the semiconductor, yet today we manufacture none of the most critical chips we need at home. I have long advocated that supply chain resiliency is a crucial issue for Congress to address. That's why passing the CHIPS Act is such an important step forward.

The CHIPS and Science Act will:

• Lower costs for American consumers – by making more critical semiconductor components in America, helping end the shortage of chips that have driven up the price of everything from cars to consumer goods.
• Create 100,000 new good-paying jobs – creates strong Davis-Bacon jobs building hi-tech manufacturing facilities here in America.
• End our dangerous dependence on foreign manufacturers – bringing critical semiconductor manufacturing back to America instead of overseas where it can be threatened by our adversaries.
• Turbocharge American R&D – powering America's preeminence in both basic research and next-generation technologies and ensuring that the technologies of the future are made here in America.
• Diversify and expand the innovation workforce – broadening the pool of brainpower and talent so that we are embracing the full potential from all our communities, helping to diversify our STEM workforce and advancing regional technology hubs to ensure communities across the country can help in American research and development.

You can read the full law here.

Honoring Our PACT Act

After some unfortunate political games in the Senate, Congress passed, and President Biden signed the Honoring Our PACT Act into law to provide veterans with the critical health benefits and other support they need and deserve. This legislation delivers on the promises this nation made to our veteran heroes that the increased risk veterans take when serving their country is not something they will deal with alone. The PACT Act proves we can come together to support veterans, and I look forward to the many more actions we'll take to help them.

You can read more about the law here.

Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

Following the horrific murders in Uvalde and Buffalo, Congress worked to craft a compromise bill to address the epidemic of gun violence afflicting the nation. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act enhances background checks for people under 21, allocates $750 million to help states implement "red flag laws," funds violence prevention programs, closes the boyfriend loophole for gun purchases, provide support for state crisis intervention orders, and creates new penalties for straw purchases.

There is so much more we can and must do to fight the epidemic of gun violence in our country, and this legislation is certainly an important first step. I will remain laser focused on fighting for legislation that strengthens background checks, keeps guns out of criminals' hands, and keep military-style assault weapons out of our communities.

You can read more about the law here.

Right to Contraception Act and Respect for Marriage Act

In response to the Supreme Court's recent Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade and the worrisome ideas expressed by Justice Thomas in his concurring opinion, the House acted this summer to protect Americans' threatened rights. I will continue to fight for the right of Americans to marry whom they love and to make their own choices about their bodies and health. Fortunately, here in Illinois, many of these rights are protected by our state government, but I refuse to stand idly by as people in other states suffer.

You can read the Right to Contraception Act here and the Respect for Marriage Act here.

Protecting Our Community's Water

In August, I led 50 Democratic and Republican Representatives in sending a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan urging the agency to give each state its fair share of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding for lead service line replacement. It's unacceptable that all Americans do not have access to safe drinking water without fear of dangerous lead exposure and that young child exposed to lead bear the brunt of the consequences due to lifelong health problems. I strongly supported the provision of $15 billion for lead service line replacement in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Illinois has the most lead service lines of any state in our nation. So, as your Representative, I am working to ensure that allocation is equitable and states with the greatest need, like Illinois, receive the necessary funds to protect our communities from the dangers of lead exposure.

You can read the full letter here.

Community Project Funding

Last spring, I announced 15 community projects for which we requested federal funds in the fiscal year 2023 appropriations process. We reviewed more than 70 community project funding applications and selected the following 15 finalists (the limit allowed by the Appropriations Committee) based on the scope and scale of the project, the projected impact on the community, and the timing for when work could begin.

The diverse range of projects will help address the mental health crises in so many of our communities, provide food for the hungry and housing for the homeless, educate our children, develop training for workers to provide pathways to better-paying jobs, prevent flooding in our streets, and more.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FALL

This summer has been an incredibly busy one. Despite the tragedies we faced, I am optimistic for the future of our nation. Our work over the last few months has shown that we can work together to find commonsense solutions. I look forward to keeping up that work and continuing to connect with you all to learn more about your priorities for Congress.

RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY

Affordable Internet Connectivity Program

You could save money on your internet bill thanks to a new program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to lower internet costs. The Affordable Connectivity Program provides eligible households up to $30/month off their internet bills, as well as a one-time $100 discount off a laptop, tablet, or computer.

You may be eligible for this program if you meet one of these requirements.

Your household income is 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or less ($55,500 for a family of four).
Your household is eligible, regardless of income, if at least one person in the household participates in:

• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
• SNAP
• WIC
• SSI
• Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch or Breakfast
• Federal Public Housing Assistance

To apply, visit GetInternet.gov to apply or to print out a mail-in application, calling 877-384-2575, or contacting a participating internet service provider.

Smart 9-1-1

Smart 911 is a voluntary opt-in emergency alert service. It provides information to 9-1-1 dispatchers if you call them from your phone. Information shared with dispatchers would include address, medical conditions, and emergency contacts.

Those who opt in will receive a notification to update their Safety Profile every 6 months. Keeping your information updated is important to ensure first responders always have your most current details.

For more information or to register for Smart911, visit the smart911 website.

9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is Live

After becoming law with bipartisan support in 2020, we now have a new nationwide number to call for suicide prevention, mental health, and substance use crises: 9-8-8. You can call or text to be connected to trained crisis counselors who can help you or someone you know.

How will 9-8-8 and 9-1-1 work together?

Law enforcement officers agree that they're often not best equipped to respond to a mental health emergency. In most cases, a call to 9-8-8 doesn't involve law enforcement. If available, a mobile crisis team may be dispatched to help an individual in need of further support.

9-8-8 for Veterans

Are you a veteran in crisis or concerned about one? You're not alone — the Veterans Crisis Line is here for you. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call 9-8-8 for free and confidential support through the Veterans Crisis Line, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Maternal Mental Health Hotline

The Health Resources and Services Administration has launched a new National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. This new service provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy.

Callers can expect to receive:

• Phone or text access to professional counselors
• Real-time support and information
• Response within a few minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Resources
• Referrals to local and telehealth providers and support groups
• Culturally sensitive support
• Counselors who speak English and Spanish
• Interpreter services in 60 languages

For additional information, visit the HRSA website.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

IN CLOSING –

One of the great honors of my job is nominating Tenth District high school students for military academy service every year. The students selected for the academies have all shown exceptional leadership, scholarship, and patriotism. Each spring, I get to wish selected students well before they "ship out" to school. And I do my best to follow their progress through school.

This summer, I connected with two recent grads. I bumped into Air Force Second Lieutenant Jack Koch (pictured on the left) at a golf outing honoring a constituent and fallen hero, Army SPC Joey Dimock.

And I connected with Army Second Lieutenant Jamir Gibson (pictured on the right) through his grandmother who I ran into on an unplanned visit to Shiloh Baptist Church.

Jack and Jamir continue to make their families and our entire community very proud. I look forward to learning how more of our district's nominees have been doing and continuing to highlight their great work whenever I get the chance.

If you or a student you know is interested in pursuing a nomination to one of our five service academies (Army, Navy, Airforce, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine), applications for this are open. Please check my website for complete details.

Wishing you a joyful week ahead,

Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress