Caucus News
State Senator Bill Cunningham and other area elected officials hosted two in-district outreach events this week.
Cunningham and State Rep. Kelly Burke (D-Evergreen Park) hosted a burglary prevention workshop in Evergreen Park on Monday.
Local law enforcement officers and a reformed burglar discussed how people can reduce the chances of burglary and educate voters about how to manage the aftermath of a home invasion.
Cunningham also hosted a senior resource fair Wednesday with Burke, State Rep. Fran Hurley (D-Chicago) and U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Western Springs).
The Oak Lawn senior fair brought state, local and private senior programs together under one roof to give out information and answer questions.
Health organizations also provided medical screenings for participating seniors.
Photo: Hurley, Jerry Mulivill from Congressman Lipinski’s office, Cunningham and Burke at the senior resource fair at the Oak Lawn Community Pavilion on Sept. 17.
In conjunction with Hunger Action Month, State Senator Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign) is hosting a food and fund drive to benefit the Eastern Illinois Foodbank from September 15 to 30.
The need for donations does not end with the holiday season. Local food and fund drives are the key sources of food and funding in their effort to alleviate hunger in our community. To make a monetary donation visit eifoodbank.org.
“We are pleased that Senator Mike Frerichs has once again partnered with the Eastern Illinois Foodbank during Hunger Action Month,” said Jim Hires, President and CEO of Eastern Illinois Foodbank. “He has joined the commitment to help solve hunger. The food drive that his office is spearheading is exactly the type of action this month is designed to spur.”
A recent report released by the Eastern Illinois Foodbank and Feeding America noted the following:
- 17.4 percent of households include someone who is a veteran or who has served in the military.
- 82 percent of households report purchasing inexpensive, unhealthy food because they could not afford healthier options.
- 80 percent of households report having to choose between paying for food and paying for medicine or medical care.
Take nonperishable goods to Illinois Bus Terminal, 45 E. University, Suite 206, Champaign, Illinois from Monday, September 15 through Tuesday, September 30; donations will be accepted Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
State Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline) hosted a workshop for local businesses in partnership with the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Illinois Department of Employment Security.
“As we look for economic development opportunities, we need to build and strengthen our partnerships with local businesses,” said Jacobs. “I’m happy we were able to provide local businesses with information on resources to hire new employees and in the process save money.”
With instruction from IDES, local business people learned about available tax credits, the Illinois labor market and how best to navigate the unemployment insurance system. The workshop also included role play activities based on actual cases and unemployment hearings.
“We appreciate the Senator's efforts to help bring state officials to the Sauk Valley to meet with employers one-on-one to discuss unemployment insurance issues,” said Executive Director Kim Ewoldsen. “The Illinois Department of Employment Security has been a good partner to the Chamber and we work hard to provide our members with programs like this they can directly benefit from.”
State Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline) toured construction work at UnityPoint Health-Trinity in Rock Island with President Richard Seidler and Project Manager Bryan Garter. The construction project is using 125 local skilled workers on a daily basis.
Trinity is currently in the process of expanding its Heart Center and emergency department construction will be completed in April of 2015.