Weekly Update | May 31, 2020
Bipartisan Meals on Wheels for Kids Act Introduced
I introduced the bipartisan Meals on Wheels for Kids Act to establish a pilot grant program to deliver healthy meals to children in rural and difficult-to-reach areas who often rely on nutritious school-provided meals during the school year, but given their geographic location, are unable to get to summer meal sites while they’re not in school.

Meals on Wheels is such a successful public-private partnership that helps adults in rural areas have access to nutritious meals that we want to create a similar program to help kids in rural or hard-to-reach areas when they're not in school. In Illinois, there are 35 counties, six within my district alone, without a summer meal site and many more counties are under-served. Our bill will help fill in these gaps when schools are closed and could help if congregate feeding sites are unable to operate due to a pandemic like the one we're experiencing now.
The People's House Needs to Show Up
We were not elected to Congress to give our vote to someone else. Allowing proxy voting sets a dangerous precedent. It shuts out the voice of our constituents and gives all the power to a select few, namely Speaker Pelosi.

Federal Resources Update
This week, I announced my district offices will reopen for in-person meetings for constituents on Monday, June 1st after assisting constituents via phone, email, and video conferencing since Illinois' Stay-at-Home order was put in place. As offices reopen, we are taking safety precautions based on guidance provided by the U.S. House of Representatives' Attending Physician.

  • Constituents with cold/flu like symptoms can reach us by phone or e-mail.
  • Maximum capacity of 4 people including staff per office; those exceeding this limit will be asked to wait outside the entrance.
  • Face coverings will be required for all visitors.
  • Hand sanitizer will be provided and its use is required upon entry.
  • CDC social distancing guidelines of at least 6 feet will be followed.
  • Disinfectant will be used on frequently touched surfaces daily.
  • Health of staff will continue to be monitored.

As constituents have been staying at home, my office has utilized nearly every technology available to ensure our outreach and assistance has continued during this difficult time. We're going to continue these methods of outreach as well as start back with in-person meetings for constituents who want to come to our office. Many people in Illinois continue to struggle with unemployment and we need to help people get back to work as the state continues to reopen. My staff and I are looking forward to once again serving constituents in person and I continue to encourage Congress to reopen so we can pass legislation that is critical to this district.



Note for Social Security and SSI Beneficiaries with Representative Payees: The IRS began issuing your Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) via direct deposit and Direct Express on May 22 to the same direct deposit account or Direct Express card as the recipient’s monthly Social Security or SSI payment. Paper check EIPs were mailed starting May 27. Click here  to learn about EIPs and representative payees.
C onstituent Service Spotlight
Helping Constituents Cut Through Red Tape in Grafton
“They were great and so nice to me. Phillip even said he had my name written in a book and if he heard anything more to do with the situation he would call me. Jenny was great too. No improvements needed!”

-Marilynn in Grafton, IL
More Important Updates
Coronavirus Live Q&A Episodes w/ the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-1)
I recently hosted two Coronavirus Live Q&A episodes on Facebook where I host a special guest to discuss issues impacting either you or others in your community. I was joined by American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) CEO Randy Moore to discuss my bill the Nurse Workforce Protection Act and Congressman Trent Kelly from Mississippi on Memorial Day. I serve with Trent in the U.S. Congress, but Trent also currently serves as a Brigadier General in the Mississippi Army National Guard. He has spent 34 years as a Combat Engineer. We discussed the importance of recognizing Memorial Day and honoring those who've lost their lives in service to this country.
USPS Honoring Logan S. Palmer
Last May, we dedicated the U.S. Post Office in Harristown in the memory of fallen Navy sailor Logan S. Palmer following the passage of legislation I sponsored. At the time a plaque was installed inside the post office indicating the new name. Recently, the naming was placed prominently on the outside of the building. Fitting tribute ahead of Memorial Day to one of our heroes who gave all in service to his country.
Capping Cost of Insulin for Seniors
President Trump and his administration announced this week they were capping the cost of insulin for seniors. They have reached an agreement with more than 1,750 Medicare Part D plans to cap insulin at $35 per month. The prescription drug bill (H.R. 19) I support in Congress would not only cap insulin costs for seniors, but also cap total out-of-pocket prescription drug costs. This is great news for our seniors who rely on taking insulin everyday for their health.

Illinois Residents Have Received Almost $10 Billion in Economic Impact Payments
The IRS has announced that 5,729,351 Economic Impact Payments have been made to Illinoisans totaling $9,630,495,809. Click here for more information.