Updates from Springfield's "lame duck" session
I hope this newsletter finds you well, and that you had an enjoyable and restful Martin Luther King Day.
This year I reflected on Dr. King's time in Chicago in 1966, where he was met with thousands of Nazi flags, attacked with bricks and bottles, and hit in the head with a rock. “I have seen many demonstrations in the South," said Dr. King of his time in our city, "but I have never seen anything so hostile and so hateful as I’ve seen here today.”
He came to Chicago, of course, to demand an end to housing segregation in our city. Fifty-five years later, the housing crisis remains acute for Chicagoans of color — shut out of homeownership, facing skyrocketing rents in gentrifying areas, and experiencing homelessness at levels much higher than their white counterparts.
We desperately need leadership at the city level that's focused on housing. But I'm proud to report that in the recent "lame duck" session that just ended in Springfield, we were able to secure major additional resources to tackle the housing crisis.
We added $40 million in new investments for non-congregate shelter housing with wraparound services — not just cramming unhoused people into gyms or church basements, but securing them stable, decent housing and the supports they need to get back on their feet. We made significant investments in down payment assistance for low income homebuyers.
And we secured $5 million for a project of vital importance right here in our neighborhood: the Here to Stay Community Land Trust. Here to Stay is a project that will purchase homes in our area and guarantee that they're sold below market price in perpetuity, making sure that lower-income families in our community can stay here.
We made a few other major policy changes in Springfield that you've probably heard about. We passed a ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines. We passed a minimum of five paid sick days for all workers in the state. And in response to the Dobbs decision this summer, we passed a law protecting patients and providers of abortion care in our state.
Once again, our progressive majorities in the state legislature are delivering for our communities. Next week I'll share more about the upcoming spring session and some of my top priorities for the next several months.
Until then, I hope you're having a wonderful new year. And as always, please stay in touch with our office going forward.
Take care —
Will
SECRETARY OF STATE CLINIC IN THE PARK
I'm partnering with the Secretary of State's office and Senator Pacione - Zayas to put-on a Mobile Secretary of State Clinic at Kilbourn Park (3501 N Kilbourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60641) on Saturday, Feb. 25th from 10am to 2pm.
The following DMV services will be provided to constituents with appointments:
Renewing or correcting driver's license
Applying for a new state ID or correcting a current ID*
Purchasing license plate renewal stickers
Completing motor voter registration
Updating organ donor registration information
How to Request an Appointment:
Please fill out this Google Form to request an appointment. You will receive an email from Rep. Guzzardi's office to confirm your appointment time prior to the event.
COOK COUNTY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) is seeking applications for it's Internship Program which offers a range of paid internship positions including:
Budget Analyst Intern
Civil Engineering Intern
Law Intern
Mechanical Engineering Intern
Public Affairs Intern
Paid interns are limited to 119 working days per calendar year and receive $18.00 per hour.
To apply visit the Online Employment Center at www.districtjobs.org.
MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CLOSING ON JAN 31
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) reopened their mortgage assistance program designed to assist homeowners financially impacted by the pandemic.
The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) provides up to $60,000 in mortgage assistance to eligible homeowners. This grant can cover overdue mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and association fees.
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.
Applications, program information and updates can be found at www.illinoishousinghelp.org.