Business Growth & Incentives Committee

Dear Friends,

Business Growth & Incentives Committee

My Business Growth & Incentives Committee met for the first time this week. We heard testimony from Adam Pollet, Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and received written testimony from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. Our discussion focused on how we can get residents of Illinois back to work, help small and mid-sized businesses prosper throughout Illinois, evaluate the state’s disparate tax incentive program, and create a cohesive model that works with federal, state, and local partners to strengthen the Illinois economy.

Pictured in the photo with me (L to R) are Representative Laura Fine, Adam Pollet, and Representative Bob Pritchard.

Food Drive

During the month of March, my district office will be hosting a food drive for non-perishable goods. At the end of the month, we plan to donate all the items we collect to the Vernon Township Food Pantry, which is in dire need of  non-perishable goods and toiletries ranging from cereal to shampoo. If you wish to make a donation to the pantry, please stop by my office located at 430 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Suite 8, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., to drop off your non-perishable goods. Please also use this as an opportunity to stop into my office and say hello. Alternatively, if you have a larger donation or are unable to make it to my office, please give us a call at 847-478-9909 and a member of my team will arrange to pick up the items from your home.

Public Hearing on House Bill 1205

Earlier this week, I had the privilege to meet and hear from many of you during my public meeting on House Bill 1205: Limiting Hitting in Youth Football Practice.

During this community forum, we had the opportunity to hear from a panel of professionals with extensive careers in sports medicine and athletics, in addition to an audience of doctors, coaches, parents, and players.

I also testified before the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee on behalf of this bill on Wednesday. After listening to my testimony, and the testimony of 59th District constituent Dr. Lawrence Robbins, on the growing problem of repeated blows to the head and concussions in youth athletes, legislators expressed a sincere desire to work with me on this issue to ensure the health and safety of our children, while also preserving the sport of football for future generations.  

I thank all of you who were able to attend and/or give testimony at my meeting. I plan to incorporate much of the knowledge that we exchanged into my legislation as it progresses.

Hands Free Driving

On Friday, the House passed a bill banning the use of hand-held electronic communication devices while driving. This initiative will help reduce the number of distracted drivers on the roadways and will increase law enforcement's authority to penalize violators. This initiative was backed by the Illinois Chiefs of Police and State Police, and will increase road safety. GPS devices are exempt. As a co-sponsor of this legislation, I advocated for its passage and I urge our senators and governor to make it law.

Coffee Shop Stop

I would like to thank everyone who came out to my Coffee Shop Stop last weekend at the Buffalo Grove Starbucks. I truly appreciated the engaging dialogue that we shared as we discussed issues currently before the General Assembly including same-sex marriage, Second Amendment rights, and my Budgeting for Results legislation.

It is through meeting you at informal gatherings like these, your emails, and your completion of my opinion surveys, that I am able to better serve you as your legislator, by learning what issues directly concern you. If you haven’t had an opportunity to make it out to one of my coffees during the month of February, I will be hosting my next one on Saturday, March 9th from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., at the Starbucks located at 1240 E. U.S. Highway 45 (Rte 45 & Milwaukee Ave.) in Vernon Hills.

March is Youth Art Month

To celebrate the talent of our young artists, my district office will be hosting an Earth Day Picture Contest. All of the drawings that my office receives will be displayed to decorate my walls throughout the month. Then, right before Earth Day (April 22nd), I will choose one of my favorites (I am sure I will have many) to be framed in my office and announced in my ENewsletter that week. Please mail your 8.5” x 11” entries to my office in Lincolnshire, see address below.

As always, if you have thoughts you’d like to share with me, or if I can be of assistance in another way, please contact my full time constituent service office located at 430 N. Milwaukee Ave., Suite 8 in Lincolnshire, by phone at (847) 478-9909 or by e-mail at RepSente@gmail.com.  I hope to hear from you soon.  If you think someone else would like to receive my E-News regularly, feel free to forward this email to them and encourage them to subscribe.

Sincerely,

Carol