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Newsletter: Small Business Week and More

May 7, 2018
Brad's Newsletter

Last week the House was not in session, so I was able to be home and travel throughout the district. It was Small Business Week, and I took the opportunity to visit with several small businesses and entrepreneurs in our community. On Wednesday, I joined Senator Durbin talking about the opioid epidemic with pharmacy students at Rosalind Franklin University, engaging Woodland Middle School students in a frank discussion on reducing gun violence, touring the Center for Enriched Living in Riverwoods, and lastly talking with the League of Women Voters in Lake Forest. Finally, with the beautiful weather this weekend I kicked off three wonderful 5k events for A Safe Place, Community Action Partners and the Lake County Municipal League. Hopefully you got to enjoy the great weather as well.

Please read on an invitation to our upcoming Federal Grants Workshop, and for more details on an active week.

JOIN US ON MAY 14 FOR A FEDERAL GRANTS WORKSHOP IN NORTHBROOK

Last Tuesday, I visited with the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District to see firsthand the impact of federal AFG grants, which are helping the district install diesel exhaust systems and acquire new self-contained breathing apparatus equipment. When they applied for the grant, I was glad to write a letter of support to help first responders access these critical resources. This is just one example of more than $7.8 million in federal grants that have been awarded so far this year to organizations and local governments with our district.

On Monday, May 14 at the Northbrook Public Library, I'm partnering with Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Sen. Tammy Duckworth to host a Federal Grants Workshop to share more information on grant availability and how to apply. We'll have two sessions:

10:00am – Noon | Grants for Local Governments – Register here

This morning workshop will focus on resources available to local governments with an emphasis on transportation, infrastructure, flood mitigation and first responders. Panelists will include the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and more.

1:00 – 3:00pm | Grants for Individuals and Non-Profits – Register here

The afternoon session will focus on resources available to community organizations with an emphasis on cultural programming and funding available through private foundations. Panelists will include Forefront, National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) (invited), National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Lake County Community Foundation.

Registration is required. RSVP here!

 

SMALL BUSINESS WEEK IN IL-10

During National Small Business Week, I visited with entrepreneurs and employers across the Tenth District who are growing their companies and creating jobs in our community. At Chicago Green Insulation, Inc. I learned about their home spray-foam insulation that improves energy efficiency, and talked to owner Tom Decker about his work to help formerly incarcerated young people find gainful employment and build a productive future. At Larsen Florist & Greenhouse Inc in Waukegan, I learned about this 142 year old, fifth-generation family-owned business's plans for growth. At Century Electric Supply I heard how this supplier of lighting, electrical, and energy products is reinventing their business to include energy efficiency assessments. At Market Square Food, I found out how the company has grown to distribute Happy Snack brand animal crackers in natural food stores around the country. We also hosted local business owners for a seminar on Government Contracting for Small Business in partnership with the Small Business Administration in Highland Park.

I'm proud to again serve on the House Small Business Committee and I'll continue to support the work of our local small businesses by increasing opportunities to access capital and talent.

 

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 Des Plaines, Waukegan, Grayslake, andZion. Check out the full schedule on our website and come meet with us when we're in your community!

WEEKLY WRAP-UP

The Tenth District was out and about this weekend at races and walks to support great organizations working in our communities. I was happy to help kick things off at the EmpoweRun 5k to support A Safe Place/Lake County Crisis Center in Libertyville, the Anti-Poverty Walk to support Community Action Partnership in Waukegan, and Lake County Municipal League Five-0 5k to support the families of fallen first responders.

 

Congratulations Insha Kittur! Her Doodle is the winning entry from Illinois as part of the national contest to be featured on the Google home page. I joined Google at Half Day School in Lincolnshire to surprise Insha and classmates. You can vote in the national contest at: https://doodles.google.com/d4g/vote.html

 


Thanks to the parents and students who joined our FAFSA information session last week in Round Lake. You can learn more about applying for federal financial aid at https://fafsa.ed.gov/help.htm

I discussed the need to take action to reduce gun violence with Senator Dick Durbin and Elizabeth Porter, a student at Lake Forest, at an event organized by the League of Women Voters. I continue to be inspired by the passion and wisdom of our young people toward making our communities safer.

On Saturday, we hosted our most recent Congress on Your Corner in Long Grove – it was our fifth so far this year.

I had a great time visiting with folks (and posing for photos) at the Greater Waukegan Development Coalition Cinco de Mayo festival!

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!