Newsletter: School Safety, LGBTQ Equality, Veterans Breakfast and More
I am excited to be working in here at home for the whole month of October, giving me a wonderful opportunity to visit with neighbors throughout the district. Last week I visited several local schools from elementary to high school. I'm always impressed by the questions asked by our young people at these events, and the students at Big Hollow Elementary (Ingleside), North Chicago High (North Chicago), Prairie Elementary (Buffalo Grove), Viking Middle (Gurnee), and Murphy Elementary (Round Lake) were no exception. It was in the midst of these school visits that I learned Mundelein won a grant to improve school safety – including a program I introduced to allow schools to install panic buttons. I'll continue working with all our area schools to ensure they have the resources needed to keep our students safe.
This week's newsletter also has details about new legislation I introduced to address the deadly "Charleston Loophole" in our gun laws, and how I led more than 100 of my colleagues urging the Administration to reverse its discriminatory new visa policy targeting the partners of LGBTQ diplomats.
Lastly, I'm excited to announce that a month from today on Friday, November 9, I am hosting a breakfast to honor all Tenth District veterans on the start of Veterans Day weekend. Find details below and please RSVP to attend!
$260,000+ TO IMPROVE SCHOOL SAFETY IN MUNDELEIN
Last week, I was thrilled to announce the award of $262,699 to the Village of Mundelein to improve the safety and security of local schools.
The Mundelein Police Department will use the funds to create secure entry vestibules and install panic buttons with direct access to the dispatch center at both Mundelein High School (District 120) and the middle and elementary schools in District 75.
I was proud to introduce the bipartisan legislation with Rep. Mike Bost that created the panic button grant program, and am gratified to see these security measures already benefitting communities in our district.
LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS "CHARLESTON LOOPHOLE" IN BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM
Did you know that hundreds of thousands of firearms are sold annually before the results of a federal background check – and that this is perfectly legal?
That's because gun dealers and other federal firearm licensees (FFLs) may automatically go forward ("default proceed") with the sale of a firearm if an FBI background check is not completed after three business days. Equally troubling, the FBI has no way of knowing if the sale was made unless they eventually complete the background check and then contact the dealer.
I've long supported legislation introduced by my colleague, Rep. Clyburn, to permanently close this loophole, but unfortunately the NRA has stalled that effort. Last week, I introduced legislation because there are commonsense, incremental steps we can take today to ensure the default proceed sale process is safer and more transparent, such as requiring FFLs to first report to the FBI when they sell a firearm to someone whose background check was not completed, and directing the FBI to prioritize completion of those background checks.
"Default proceed" sales have a deadly history. Despite a previous arrest, Dylann Roof was sold the handgun he used to kill nine churchgoers at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston under such a sale because the FBI could not acquire his relevant court records within three business days.
We in Congress have the power to save lives, and I will continue urging my colleagues to find the courage to act.
Learn more about this legislation on our website.
SPEAKING OUT AGAINST DISCRIMINATORY LGBTQ VISA POLICY
Last week, I led 119 Democratic Members of Congress urging the Trump Administration to reverse its recent decision to impose cruel and discriminatory visa requirements on the same-sex partners of LGBTQ diplomats.
Earlier this month, the State Department began implementing its policy to no longer issue diplomatic visas to the same-sex unmarried partners of foreign diplomats, and officials and employees of international organizations like the United Nations and World Bank. All current same-sex unmarried partners must now present proof of marriage by December 31 or risk potential deportation.
The Trump Administration's new policy places a heartless burden on the service of LGBTQ diplomats and undercuts our American values of equality and acceptance. A mere 13 percent of UN member states have legalized same-sex marriage, and requiring diplomatic couples to marry could put individuals at risk in their home countries. I urge Secretary Pompeo to reconsider the ramifications of this policy and return to the previous visa system that respected the dignity of partners in same-sex relationships.
Learn more and read the full letter on our website.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL VETERANS BREAKFAST – Friday, November 9
Photo from Congressman Schneider's 2017 Veterans Breakfast at College of Lake County.
This Veterans Day weekend, I'm hosting a breakfast to honor those in our communities who served, and share some of the ways my office and local veteran organizations can be of assistance.
The breakfast is free and open to all veterans in Illinois's Tenth Congressional District. I hope to see you there.
Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep
3106 Belvidere Road
Waukegan, IL 60085
RSVP
NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICE HOURS
This week, our constituent service representatives will be in Waukegan, Zion, Grayslake, and North Chicago. If you need assistance with a federal issue, please come see us!
View the full schedule on our website.
CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE DEADLINE APPROACHING – OCTOBER 15
The Congressional App Challenge national contest encourages middle and high school students to learn science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills by coding their own app for any digital device.
The Challenge is open to all middle and high school students who live or attend school in the Tenth District, regardless of skill level. Students can choose to participate individually or as part of a team of up to 4 students, as long as two of the team members meet eligibility requirements.
To enter, participants must upload a video showcasing their app and an explanation of what they learned throughout the app-making process.
App submissions will be accepted through Noon EST, Monday, October 15, 2018. Try to register before September 10, 2018 (registration indicates your intent to compete). Early registration significantly increases the chances for a successful challenge. Early registration does not obligate you to submit an app.
I can't wait to see what you create!
More information is available on our website.
WEEKLY WRAP-UP
I chatted with constituents who dropped by our #NeighborhoodOfficeHours last week at the Waukegan Public Library.
A little rain didn't stop people from enjoying The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival this weekend.
Our Congress on Your Corner in Highwood was the 28th so far this term. Thanks Highwood Public Library for hosting!
I was glad to join more than 1000 neighbors out this morning at the Walk to #EndAlz with Alzheimer's Association in Libertyville. I'll continue to support federal research funding toward a cure.
Thanks for reading!