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Happy New Year! It's hard to believe that it's 2024 already!
As we embark on this new year, I wanted to highlight some of the bills I passed in the last session that are now in effect, as of Jan. 1:
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HB1555: Clarifies the role of a guardian ad litem in a child abuse or neglect case, including a requirement for a written report focused solely on the child's best interests. As a longtime guardian ad litem, this law is very close to my heart, because it makes our responsibilities crystal clear, both to families and the courts.
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HB2102: Amends the Health Care Worker Background Check Act to allow a health care employer to hire people who have been convicted of crimes in other states or under federal law, so long as their records do not put patients or colleagues at risk. Previously, Illinois law allowed employers to ask for waivers to hire people who had been convicted for specific offenses in Illinois only.
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HB2861: Requires DCFS to prepare a written report within 30 days after a child is placed in a residential treatment program, and requires a court hearing to consider the report within 20 days of filing.
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HB3097: Helps keep children (and adults!) safer by strengthening the Department of Labor's ability to enforce safety standards at amusement parks and carnivals.
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HB3301: Includes independent contractors in the reporting requirements of the Illinois Department of Employment Security's New Hire registry, to help track down non-custodial parents who are not paying their court-ordered child support.
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SB2288: Requires public universities to grant students full credit for courses in their major subjects that those students completed at Illinois community colleges, so students don't have to spend time and money on re-taking courses they've already passed. This is an incredibly important issue for College of DuPage students and their families, and I'm glad we got it done.
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Recycle your Christmas tree into mulch in Downers Grove, now through Jan. 15
That Christmas tree that's shedding needles on your family room floor can have a new life as garden mulch, thanks to Downers Grove's Christmas tree recycling program.
You can drop off your Christmas trees at McCollum Park, at 6801 S. Main St., or Whitlock Park, at 40th and Fairview, now through Jan. 15. Trees must be free of tinsel, ornaments, and hooks, and should not be placed in bags.
Bins will be set up in the parking lot at each park. Park staff will chip the trees into mulch for landscaping projects throughout the Park District.
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Start your new year with a new job opportunity at Naperville's Community Job Fair SATURDAY
The Naperville Park District and Kids Matter will co-host a Community Job Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6, at the Fort Hill Activity Center, 20 Fort Hill Drive in Naperville.
At the Fair, you can network with area businesses and organizations and learn more about a variety of employment opportunities.
The free event will feature full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions for a wide range of jobseekers, from high school students (age 15+) through senior adults. You can click here to learn more.
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Spice up someone's life with our January Donation Drive for local food pantries
Cinnamon-spiced baked apples. Spaghetti sauce fragrant with basil and oregano. Chili with a kick of cumin and cayenne.
Spices are integral to our cooking and our cultural heritage, but they're often overlooked when people make donations to our food pantries.
In an effort to help provide a full range of ingredients for all, my office is collecting spices for the month of January. Donations will benefit Glen Ellyn Food Pantry, The Outreach House, and West Suburban Community Pantry.
To donate, you can shop our Amazon Wishlist to deliver spices directly to our office, or you can pick up an extra jar or two on your next trip to the grocery store. Contact our office at 630-812-9292 or email reptch42@gmail.com to schedule a time to drop off donations.
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Learn how to "retire ready" at Benedictine University in Lisle SATURDAY
Retirement Wealth Academy and Benedictine University in Lisle will co-host a free retirement course Saturday to help local seniors "retire ready."
The class will address the ways the retirement savings landscape has changed over the past 15 years, as well as potential financial risks in retirement, such as increasing prices for healthcare and other necessities, possible changes to Social Security, and other issues.
The class will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in Goodwin Hall at Benedictine University, 5700 College Road in Lisle. Registration is required. You can click here to register today.
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There's still time to enjoy Lilacia Park's holiday lights now through SUNDAY
Lombard's Holiday Lights in Lilacia Park (150 S. Park Ave.) have been extended through Sunday, Jan. 7. This charming light display illuminates the park from 4:30 to 10 p.m. daily.
If you haven't had a chance to visit the park this holiday season, make sure to stop by this weekend! You can click here for more information.
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You can help keep our communities healthy with a job at DuPage County Health Department
The DuPage County Health Department is hiring! The Department is looking for positive, energetic, hard-working, and passionate candidates to join their team.
Positions available include call center specialists, customer service, accountant, and more.
For more information on applying for available positions, please visit here.
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You're invited to the 19th annual World Peace Day Interfaith Service SUNDAY
The Naperville Interfaith Leaders Association is inviting everyone to take part in a day of unity service, to explore ways to strengthen our commitment to each other and build a more peaceful, just, and safe community.
The event will start at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 7 at the Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave. in Naperville. You can click here to learn more.
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Need to renew your license? The Mobile DMV Unit is coming to Wheaton WEDNESDAY
Have you been putting off getting your license renewed at the DMV facility? Now you don't have to go! The Secretary of State's Mobile Express Unit is coming to the Wheaton Public Library, 225 N. Cross St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
Services available include:
- Renewal/Correction of Driver's License
- New/Renewal/Correction of State ID
- Vehicle Sticker Sales (License Plate)
- Organ/Tissue Donor Information and Registration
- Motor Voter Registration with Driver’s License/ID Renewal
- REAL ID Registration
Registration is required. Call 630-868-7520 or email ce@wheatonlibrary.org to reserve your timeslot. You can click here for more information.
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Learn methods to reduce anxiety and challenging behavior on Jan. 11 with GPS
If you're at your wit's end trying to deal with a teen's challenging behavior, there's help for you and your family.
On Thursday, Jan. 11, the Glenbard Parent Series will present "Changeable: The Collaborative Problem-Solving Method to Reduce Anxiety or Challenging Behavior" in two Zoom webinars, at noon and 7 p.m.
Best-selling author and clinical psychologist J. Stuart Ablon will present a new way of thinking about challenging and unwanted behavior — Collaborative Problem Solving — that builds empathy, helps others reach their full potential, and (most important of all) really works.
Ablon is an award-winning psychologist and founder and director of Think:Kids, a program in the department of psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. He has authored three books: Changeable: How Collaborative Problem-Solving Changes Lives at Home, School and at Work, The School Discipline Fix, and Treating Explosive Kids: The Collaborative Problem-Solving Approach.
As you may know, GPS is a locally based educational consortium dedicated to presenting distinguished, relevant, high-profile authors, clinicians, and educators who share their research-based knowledge and practical wisdom. Their mission is to enhance the resilience and well-being of all students by helping them build relationships, develop coping strategies, and forge responsible decision-making skills.
You can click here for the link to these webinars.
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Upcoming Events
We have lots of events coming up, so please take a look and mark your calendars today!
Jan 13: Frozen Fest from 10 a.m. to noon at Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn
Jan. 15: Animals Around the World from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Main Street Recreation Center, 501 Hill Ave., Glen Ellyn
Jan. 16: Blood Drives in Lombard at Yorktown, 203 Yorktown Shopping Center from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at the First Church of Lombard, 220 S. Main St. from 1:30 to 7 p.m.
Jan. 26: Ackerman Arcade Night from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Ackerman SFC, 800 St. Charles Road, Glen Ellyn
Jan. 27: Grandparents and Me Winter Tea from 10 to 11:15 a.m. at Maryknoll Clubhouse, 845 Pershing Ave., Glen Ellyn
Feb. 3: Winter Fest from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Sunset Knoll Recreation Center, 820 S. Finley Road, Lombard
Feb. 3: Ice-A-Palooza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Central Athletic Complex, 500 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton
Feb. 10: &Rise's 5th Annual Galentine's Brunch: Loving your Authentic Self, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 837 S. Westmore Ave., Lombard
If you have any questions about pending legislation or other issues related to your state government, please don't hesitate to contact my office at 630-812-9292 or RepTCH42@gmail.com.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay strong,
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Terra Costa Howard
State Representative
42nd District
913 S. Main St.
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 812-9292
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