News from the 10th: House to Pass More COVID Relief This Week

I suspect you are as happy as I am that it's starting to warm up a bit. I've seen two early signs of Spring: training camp has started for both the Cubs and the White Sox, and the robins have returned to my backyard bird feeder. Even better, we are seeing increasing supplies of vaccines, though we continue to need to accelerate getting shots in people's arms.

The Lake County Health Department announced late last week that it will receive 71% more vaccine doses in the coming weeks than previously expected, thanks to increased shipments promised by the federal government (3,340 this, 4,800 next week and 9,680 the week of March 8). Lake County also recently announced 11 new additional providers who are taking vaccination appointments. We are also seeing more providers in Cook County.

Meanwhile, after two busy weeks of committee work, Congress goes back into session this week to vote on some key bills. The focus is passing the American Rescue Plan to provide more COVID relief for struggling Americans, small businesses, and our local communities. In the same week that our nation marks 500,000 lives lost to the pandemic, it's imperative for Congress to pass the relief package to help the country begin its recovery.

We are also voting on the Equality Act this week, an important civil rights bill that prohibits discrimination in areas of employment, eduction, housing, credit, jury service, and federal funding based on sexual identity or orientation. This bill is a priority for President Biden. It passed two years ago in the House. I am hopeful the Senate will this year help us send the bill to the President for his signature.

In other news, last Tuesday I hosted one of my favorite events: Brad's Bookworms. Every year I challenge local elementary school students to read books with the help of family and friends. To celebrate our fourth annual Brad's Bookworms, K-9 Reading Buddies founder Carole Yuster joined us with her dog, Simba, to read a story about dog safety. I look forward to more Bookworm programs ahead.

Keep reading below for more information on how to get your vaccine, updates on passing President Biden's American Rescue Plan, and what's been happening in the district.

VACCINE INFORMATION

From the start of the pandemic, I've been fighting for our communities and am doing all I can to help people to get vaccines and information as soon as possible. That's why, especially since it became clear that Illinois was behind the curve on distribution, I've been on the phones with mayors, health department officials, and pharmacy leaders to try to help speed up distribution. As of today, it's being reported that more than 1 in 8 people in Illinois have now received their vaccine.

If you have not yet registered on your county website, please do so soon. Lake County residents should be using AllVax and Cook County residents have their own portal here. Once you are registered, you will be notified when your group is up to be vaccinated. And when it is your turn, please get vaccinated. The vaccines are safe, effective and our best hope to beat back the virus and get back to "normal."

How to get vaccinated:

Currently only people in Phase 1A and Phase 1B are eligible to receive the vaccine. Please know that demand far exceeds supply and it could be weeks before an appointment opens.

Register for a vaccine appointment with the government:

• Cook County: https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov/
  • Hotline: 833-308-1988 (answered M-F 7am – 7pm)
• Lake County: https://allvax.lakecohealth.org/
  • Hotline: 847-377-8130

You can also register for a vaccine appointment with a pharmacy. Links to the different pharmacies are available on our website. As well, your local hospital may also have appointments. And if you are a veteran and receive your medical care from the VA, you can register at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center. They also have a hotline number: 224-610-3899.

North Chicago and Waukegan Seniors age 65+ can register for a vaccine appointment at Greenbelt Community Center; 1215 Green Bay Rd in North Chicago. Please call (847) 582-136 or email vaccine@northchicagocommunitypartners.org with your full name, phone number and birthdate.

Waukegan seniors 65+ who reside within a 10-mile radius of Oak Street Health Clinic can now also make vaccination appointments at Oak Street Health Clinic, 3210 Grand Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60085. Call 847-244-9242 with your name, address, phone number, and date of birth to make an appointment.

Again, you can find more information, reference data regarding COVID and various assistance programs on my website.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON

Passing Bold COVID Relief

The economic crisis caused by COVID-19 is accelerating, and it's crucial that we take urgent action to restore our economy before things get worse. Moody's estimates that if we don't enact President Biden's American Rescue Plan quickly, we could end up with 4 million fewer jobs this year and it could take another year to return to full pre-pandemic employment.

The good news is that, after committee markups last week, my colleagues and I in the House are set to pass President Biden's American Rescue Plan this week. After the Senate votes on it as well, Congress will send the final package to President Biden to sign before unemployment benefits expire on March 14.

The American Rescue Plan will speed up vaccine delivery, deliver direct $1400 checks, ensure access to child care for working families, help protect nursing home patients, and support the hardest-hit small businesses. It will help get people back to work and our students back to school. I will keep working tirelessly until this package is passed so that we can deliver the relief that Americans need.

Providing Tax Assistance Help

Especially during the pandemic, it's crucial that people can access the tax preparation help they need to navigate the complex process of filing taxes. At last week's Ways & Means Oversight Subcommittee hearing, I asked Rebecca Thompson, the Taxpayer Opportunity Network Director from Prosperity Now, how we can expand these vital tax services to reach more people. Watch the clip here.

To help increase awareness about the options available, I am hosting a webinar with the IRS on Wednesday, March 3 to help constituents learn about tax preparation services in our district (more details toward the end of this email). Lake County residents can call 211 to find local VITA sites. Residents in Cook and Lake County can use the IRS location finder or the AARP location finder linked below to find tax help.

For more detailed information on tax assistance options available in the district, please visit my website.

AROUND THE TENTH

Application for Congressional Art Challenge Now Open

Last year's winning artwork, submitted by Janette Martinez-Tolention from Waukegan High School.

Applications for this year's Congressional Art Competition opened today! This year's theme is "Unity," and students are encouraged to interpret the theme however they wish. The winner will have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

Applications are due April 16^th. For more details and the link to the application form, please visit my website.

STEM Scholars

Over the weekend my STEM Scholars program had a wonderful session with Siemens Building Technology based in Buffalo Grove. Unfortunately, we could not meet in person, but every cloud has its silver lining. We were joined on our zoom call by Siemens USA CEO Barbara Humpton. She and her team generously shared background on the company, details about their business, and thoughts and lessons from their career experiences. As always, the students carried the day with their insightful questions.

Conversation with Retired Teachers

COVID-19 has laid bare many of the educational disparities that have existed for a while now, and teachers have been the ones on the front lines working to support students. I caught up with several retired teachers and Illinois Education Association last week to discuss plan for reopening schools, improving the vaccine rollout and the state of education today.

Meeting with North Chicago Business Leaders

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for many workers to make ends meet, especially in communities of color. I sat down with North Chicago community leaders from the North Chicago Chamber of Commerce last week at Forecast North Chicago to discuss the American Rescue Plan, which will help restore our economy. We must work urgently to pass President Biden's plan so we can improve vaccine distribution and get people back to work.

Speaking to our Local Chapter of National Organization of Women

I discussed Paid Family Leave with the National Organization for Women at their forum last week. We must ensure that working families can take the time they need to care for a new child or ill family member without having to sacrifice their income or careers.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday, March 2^nd at 6:00 pm: Fireside Chat Reflecting on Black History

Join me for a discussion with Waukegan mayor Sam Cunningham, North Chicago mayor Leon Rockingham and other special guests about Black History makers in our community. Register here.

Wednesday, March 3^rd at 6:00 pm: Tax Assistance Webinar

Next week I will host a tax assistance webinar with the IRS to help constituents learn about tax assistance resources in the district. IRS representatives will give a short presentation and be available to answer questions. Register here.

IN CLOSING

I've always believed that a hearty laugh is good medicine for everything from the doldrums of winter to pains of unrequited love. Over the weekend I came across this video performance from the not so distant past. The performance is remarkable, but what stood out to me was how the people in the audience were able to share a laugh together. Seeing President Ronald Reagan, Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill, and Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker sitting comfortably together should inspire us all. Let's work together to create a more civil, dignified, and unified politics to take our country forward!

As always, stay safe, stay strong and stay healthy, and may we all find a way to laugh and be together, regardless of political party.

Sincerely,

Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress