Hello Stephanie,

I hope everyone had an enjoyable short week for those who had Monday off. I was shocked and saddened by the tragedy during the KC Superbowl festivities. It is so sad that we cannot celebrate without fear of senseless violence.

These past couple weeks have been busy in my legislative initiatives with bill filing deadline on Feb 9th. Committees have been assigned several of my bills, including the Transportation Committee conducting a hearing on HB 4171 which designates a portion of I-80 as the USMC Semper Fidelis Memorial Highway—a tribute to the enduring values of the United States Marine Corps. I'm looking forward to getting this legislation through the General Assembly and onto the Governor's desk.

Be sure to tune in on Wednesday, February 21st to listen to the Governor's State of the State / Budget address. I look forward to working with my fellow legislators to review his proposal and maintain our fiscal responsibility. We have received 9 credit upgrades in the past two years, and need to continue improving our state's finances. I will give a budget update on our next Monday Morning Facebook Coffee with Kiffy. Just a quick reminder that we will not have a Coffee with Kiffy on Monday, February 19th due to Presidents Day.

Wednesday marked Valentine's Day, a time to celebrate love and affection with our cherished ones. I hope you had a wonderful day filled with joy and warmth.

Moreover, Monday was Abraham Lincoln's 215th birthday, a reminder of the enduring legacy of one of our nation's most revered leaders. Let us honor his memory by continuing to strive for justice, equality, and unity in all our endeavors.

We are already in the third week of February, the month that brings a focus on heart health. In this American Heart Month, I encourage everyone to make mindful choices that contribute to a healthier cardiovascular lifestyle. Whether it's incorporating a few more minutes of exercise, adopting a balanced diet, or discussing heart health with your healthcare provider, every effort counts. On Feb 20th, we are all going to wear red for Heart Health at the Capitol.

For additional updates and valuable information, please explore the rest of this newsletter.

Take care and be well.

P.S. Read all the way to the bottom to participate in this week's Trivia Challenge!

A couple weeks ago we had our wonderful town hall and Veterans resource fair. It was an honor to answer your questions and discuss the issues most pressing Veterans and servicemen and women in Illinois. I was also Presented with the 2023 Legislator of the Year Award by the Illinois Association of County Veterans Assistance Commissions.

I also had a wonderful time at the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce Annual Jazz Brunch. Congratulations to everyone who was awarded scholarships at the event! and Thank you for having me.

Later in the Day I had the pleasure of attending the Equality Illinois Gala.

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) and Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Terry Prince answer town hall questions.

State Rep. Kifowit and U.S. Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) speak with a constituent.

Kane County VAC Superintendent Jacob Zimmerman presents State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) with the 2023 Legislator of the Year Award.

This session I am proud to introduce a bill to incentivize child care for folks who work odd hours - first responders and labor folks. It was inspired by the Trades Women Build Nations conference I attended last December. learn more here

I am also proud to introduce legislation to outlaw hidden "junk fees", those hidden costs that push up hotel and ticket prices. The price Illinoisans see is the price you should pay. learn more here

Other Legislation I am working to pass:

HB 2053 - Creates Regulations for Self-Driving Vehicles

HB 3027 - funding to serve injured Veterans and their families through AllenForce

HB 3574 - Medicaid: Veterans dental care pilot program

HB 4171 - Designates USMC Semper Fidelis Memorial Highway along I-80

HB 3348 - funding for Financial literacy training for public higher-education employees

HB 3364 - FOIA: public bodies may ask reason for request; limits proxy requests

HB 3796 - Notary Public via e-mail

HB 4656 - Grant to support Kane County State's Attorney operational expenses

HB 2333 - Pensions: Allows Cook County Annuitants to serve as Election Workers

HB 3023 - Clarifies a provision concerning Tax Deed orders.

HB 3138 - HB 3519 - HB 3520 - HB 4098 - HB 4099 - HB 4508 - HB 3136 - Various Pensions

Did you know that our Constituent Resource Card initiative gives you FREE admission to 16 of Chicago's best museums, zoos, gardens, and more?

Visit my website now to learn more and reserve tickets 2-weeks or more in advance! Limited to groups of 4 or less: Reserve Tickets Here

Nominations Due March 8th

If you're aware of an outstanding educator in Kane County who consistently leads, assists, and inspires the community, consider nominating them for Educator of the Year 2024. READ MORE

Key tips for winter heating safety:

• Have heating equipment and chimneys annually & professionally cleaned
• Change furnace filters frequently
• Have a qualified professional install heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturers’ instructions.
• Purchase units with an automatic shutoff
• Test smoke and CO alarms at least once a month and be familiar with the sounds they make.
• Never use an oven or range to heat your home.
• Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on each floor of your home and within 15 feet of each sleeping area.

Learn More Here

Nearly $55 million in state grants are being awarded for 111 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities

Since it was established, OSLAD has awarded nearly $585 million for park projects throughout Illinois.

District 84 Recipients:

• City of Aurora – $600,000
• Fox Valley Park District – $600,000

learn more here

The General Assembly passed numerous bills that impact employment and labor law, with many of these laws taking effect this year. You can read a full rundown here.

Here are the Highlights:

• IL Paid Leave for All Workers Act
• Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance
• Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave 
• Amendments to the Illinois Day and Temporary Labor Services Act
• Illinois Freelance Worker Protection Act
• Extended Bereavement Leave Rights
• Chicago “Ban the Box” Amendments
• Amendments to the Unemployment Insurance Act
• Illinois and Cook County Minimum Wage Increases
• Illinois Personnel Records Review Act
• IL Employee Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act
• Illinois Transportation Benefits Program Act

Illinois high school seniors are encouraged to apply by March 3 for the 2024 Conservation Achievement Scholarship, sponsored by the Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF).

Four scholarships of $2,000 each are available for the current school year.

APPLY HERE

The needs facing our seniors is growing. And while Kane Senior Council is meeting the needs of the seniors on Kane County, they cannot do it alone. They depend greatly on volunteers to help us achieve their mission.

Please consider volunteering a small amount of your time in one of the many areas where they serve seniors.

For More Information on Volunteer Activities with KSC go to kaneseniorcouncil.org/get-involved/ 

The Aurora African-American Heritage Advisory Board's 18th Annual Heritage Dinner is on Friday, February 23. 

This year, the Leader of the Year Award is being renamed the Scheketa Hart-Burns Leader of the Year Award, in honor of the legacy of the late trailblazer who was a founding advisor of the Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board.

Congratulations to 84th District constituent Joy Bowling who is being given the Lifetime Achievement Award!

Tickets are available at www.aurora-il.org/AAHABDinner2024

Tickets and Sponsorships available HERE

For more information on tickets for Veterans and active military,

please call 855-51-STEEL

6:05 PM

Saturday, March 23

Chicago Steel vs. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

Military Appreciation Night presented by Ozinga to benefit Wounded Warrior Project

Chicago Steel

1996 S. Kirk Road

Geneva, IL 60134

LAST WEEK's ANSWER:

The only U.S. President to actually have been born in Illinois was ...Ronald Reagan! He was born on February 6, 1911, in Tampico, Illinois, attended high school in nearby Dixon and later Eureka College. 

CONGRATS to Daniel Clausner, Burton Fletcher, Caroline Bailey!

THIS WEEK's QUESTION:

Watch the most recent Coffee Chat on Facebook!

Or, subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts 🎧!

I continue to host Monday Morning Coffee live via Facebook at 9:00am-10:00am where you can post your comments and questions.

I realize not everyone has Facebook. The good news is that you can still participate. If you would like to join us on Monday mornings, you can join in via ZOOM! Once connected via ZOOM, you'll be able to interact just as if you were on Facebook. Don't worry you will not be on live - your video feed and mic will be muted.

The ZOOM link will be emailed to everyone separately for Monday morning participation.

If you would like to join us, please email Nick@ildistrict84.com or call the

office at 630.585.1308