Newsletter: Helping Veterans and Job Seekers
Last week I was home for a district work period. The week started with a number of Memorial Day events in Glencoe, Grayslake, and Mundelein. It was a source of pride to see all our local communities commemorate and honor the memories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and the freedoms we all enjoy.
I was pleased to be able to host two major events during the week. The first was a hiring event with Rep. Jan Schakowsky at Oakton Community College. More than 350 people looking for new employment opportunities had the chance to speak with more than 90 employers looking for talented employees. I also was happy to host a Resource Fair for Veterans at Round Lake High School. Here more than 20 local organizations presented information about their services. The good people at Lovell Federal Health Center also provided on-site health screening.
Prior to Memorial Day weekend, Congress wrapped up a productive week legislatively by passing the National Defense Authorization Act, which included five amendments I offered. You can read more about the bill and my amendments below.
Finally, this Saturday, June 9, I'll be in Des Plaines for our next Congress on Your Corner. I hope you'll come out and join me!
HIRING EVENT
Our Hiring Event at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines brought together more than 350 attendees with 90 local employers with current open positions. I was struck by the number and quality of job opportunities and impressed by energy in the room. I'm grateful for the help of our event partners, including Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and National Able Network for helping to make this event a success. And, as always, Oakton CC was a great host. And congratulations to the Oakton Owls men's baseball team for winning the 2018 NJCAA World Series!
VETERANS RESOURCE FAIR
I also hosted a Resource Fair for Veterans at Round Lake High School. This was an opportunity to help veterans in our community get assistance and talk face-to-face with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Lovell Federal Health Care Center, and more than 20 other great local organizations. I heard from Treasurer Michael Frerichs that his office helped a dozen veterans recover more than $10,000 in unclaimed funds at the event. Our team has dedicated constituent service representatives available to help Tenth District veterans - call us at (847) 383-4870 if you need assistance.
FIVE AMENDMENTS INCLUDED IN NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION
Before Memorial Day, Congress voted to pass the annual National Defense Authorization Act. I was proud that this year I could help strengthen the bill through amendments to continue programs that help transitioning servicemembers receive entrepreneurship training and improve our efforts to turn federally-funded research into viable commercial products. I am also pleased to have amendments included that address the threats posed to our national security by foreign election interference and growing Iranian regional influence.
More info on these amendments is online.
CONGRESS ON YOUR CORNER IN DES PLAINES – Saturday, June 9
Please join me this Saturday, May 26 for our next Congress on Your Corner in Lake Bluff. I'm looking forward to hearing from you and answering your questions! No RSVP is necessary.
Saturday, June 9 | 12:00 – 1:00pm
Cumberland Elementary School (Cafeteria)
700 E Golf Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016
BIPARTISAN OP-ED ON REMEMERING THE HOLOCAUST
I was stunned by a study last month that found two-thirds of American millennials could not identify what Auschwitz was. We cannot allow the memory of the Holocaust to fade. The questions of the how and why the Holocaust happened should always haunt and challenge us. By continuing to ask the difficult questions, and by reexamining Americans' role in the tragedy, we will be better prepared to fight against hatred and confront the challenges of our own time. Read my op-ed with Ileana Ros-Lehtinen about an important new exhibit at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum that addresses this topic.
CONSTITUENT CASEWORK SUCCESS – HELP WITH VA PENSION
Diane came to our office because her mother, the survivor of a deceased veteran, was owed months of back benefits through the VA pension system. I'm glad we could resolve this issue and help Diane's mom – at 96 years old – get the quality care she needed. This is just one example of the ways our constituent service representatives are here to help – contact us at (847) 383-4870. #HeretoHelpIL10
NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICE HOURS
Our office also hosts frequent Neighborhood Office Hours for constituents to more easily meet with caseworkers and staff to discuss any federal issues that they may have and learn more about services our office can provide. This week, we'll be in North Chicago, Waukegan, andNorthbrook.
We've also partnered with the office of Sen. Tammy Duckworth for the Neighborhood Office Hours on Wednesday, June 6 in Waukegan.
Check out the full schedule on our website and come meet with us when we're in your community!
WEEKLY WRAP-UP
Over Memorial Day weekend, I participated in a number of community events honoring our fallen servicemembers. (Clockwise from top) Speaking at the College of Lake County's annual Memorial Day ceremony in Grayslake; greeting participants at the start of the Chicago Ruck March – marchers walk from Glencoe to Chicago to raise awareness about the 20 veterans lost per day to suicide; and with Troop 72 for the re-dedication ceremony of the historic Swan Cemetery in Mundelein, which contains graves of soldiers from the Civil War and War of 1812.
It was good to visit with the team at 1871 Chicago - the home of more than 400 early-stage, high-growth digital startups. I was proud to introduce the Accelerating Our Start-ups Act, which would increase grant opportunities for business accelerators. (Photo credit: Gregory Rothstein)
Protecting DREAMers and reforming our immigration system isn't just the right thing to do - it will also grow our economy and create jobs. I was glad to discuss these issues last week with Illinois Business Immigration Coalition – IBIC.
The Harbour in Des Plaines offers young people experiencing homelessness a safe place to turn. Thank you to their amazing staff for showing me around and sharing more about their work in our community.
I stopped by the Des Plaines Public Library to donate surplus books from the Library of Congress. So far we've donated more than 650 books to local libraries this Congress.
Please continue to stay in touch and share your thoughts, either by calling our DC office at (202) 225-4835 or emailing via our website.
Thanks for reading!