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What’s Happening in the 49th District!

Updates from Representative Hirschauer

Contents
Reflection
In Springfield

Around the District
District Office in Action
Upcoming Events
Notices of Funding Opportunities
Scholarships Available
Internships Available
Employment Opportunities

Reflection

March was Women’s History month and I spent time reflecting on important contributions that women made throughout our history. I want to share one very special reflection.
I often say that I am who I am because of the strong women who came before me. These two fierce young women – who came after me – also play a huge role in shaping me not only as a mom, but as a leader and legislator. I would like to take time today to honor my daughters, who push me out of my comfort zone, hold my feet to the fire on tough issues, and show me everyday what leadership looks like.
 
“Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.” – Unknown

In Springfield

March was a busy month for passing legislation through the House. My bill HB5193, a bill to add safe gun storage to the school safety curriculum code passed with bi-partisan support on the house floor and has now passed Committee in the Senate and is headed to the floor. Promoting positive messages about keeping children and communities safe through safe gun storage is a key strategy to reducing unintentional gun injuries and death, death by homicide, and suicide. 

HB4332, a bill that will tackle our ongoing nursing shortage by breaking down barriers and opening pathways to future employment in the nursing sector, also passed the House with bipartisan support. The COVID-19 pandemic has proved to be an opportunity to re-examine the way we do many things here in Illinois. The CNA/MA workforce has provided critical care to our homebound and elderly community during the COVID-19 pandemic and their numbers are waning. This bill will help increase our nursing pipeline and help medical professionals reflect the communities they serve.  The bill has passed the Senate Executive Committee and is headed to the floor.

Reproductive health care is under attack across the country and we cannot count on the Supreme Court to uphold our fundamental right to make personal decisions about our reproductive health. That is why I passed HB1464 to protect qualified Illinois health care providers from attacks on their licensure from extreme politicians in neighboring states. Illinois sits as a beacon of safety for reproductive freedom and we must stand strong behind our providers who are committed to providing safe, accessible reproductive health care. My colleagues and I were proud to pass this bill to protect health care providers and shine our beacon of reproductive freedom a bit brighter.

Finally, we recently took necessary action to address the ongoing issues regarding the unemployment trust fund, which took a hit due to the pandemic. By doing so we made a clear commitment to good government and fiscal responsibility by paying off debts early to yield significant savings for Illinois taxpayers. 
SB2803 dedicates $2.7 billion of ARPA funds to help replenish the unemployment trust fund after a global pandemic forced businesses to shut down. The bill also supplements our current FY22 budget with new payments for pensions, the Prepaid Tuition Fund, and the state’s group insurance plan — yielding more than $1 billion in savings. All told, this is another step toward stronger credit, paying down debt, and developing the financial stability we need to get to work for families.

I am here to listen to the needs of all constituents. Feel free to reach out to my office at 331-465-9661 for any issues or concerns. I am here to serve.

Maura

Around the District

District 49 Chiefs of Police Roundtable March 14, 2022
Representative Hirschauer met virtually with the Chiefs of Police from IL-49 to talk about their concerns and learn about the ongoing issues in our police departments. The Chiefs brought attention issues that impact their departments along with recommendations to move forward as a state. Rep Hirschauer is committed to continue listening and learning from our local police departments to better serve the IL-49th district and to taking that feedback to Springfield. Thank you Chief Passarelli, Chief Ullrich, Chief Krawczyk, Chief Fisher, Chief Cross, Chief Eul, and Deputy Chief Shackelford for taking time to talk about your police departments.
Representative Hirschauer joins Lieutenant Governor at the Wilma Rudolph Learning Center to Celebrate Women’s History Month March 14, 2022
Rep. Hirschauer had the privilege of representing not just the 49th, but women throughout the state and history as part of Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton‘s Women’s History Month visit at Wilma Rudolph Learning Center. Students from William H. Brown School of Technology also joined the assembly.
With their school’s namesake as a role model demonstrating that they can do anything, these kids show every day that they’re advocating for themselves and ready for the next challenge.
Schools are Maura’s favorite places to visit because, as a former teacher, she knows that investment in the education of tomorrow’s leaders is essential to the health and prosperity of our state.
Moms Demand Action Advocacy Day March 23, 2022
Representative Hirschauer was a panelist for Moms Demand Action Advocacy Day. The Representative informed constituents about ongoing legislation to prevent gun violence in the community. She emphasized the need for education on safe gun storage to prevent further death of young children and suicide. Representative Hirschauer says that now is the time to advocate for bills like HB5193  for schools to have safe gun storage information more available for families and HB4729 to fund gun storage campaigns to reduce gun violence all throughout Illinois.  Rep. Hirschauer is grateful for all the work Moms Demand Action does in our community to reduce gun violence and save lives.

District Office in Action

March 24th, 2022
Batavian Ethan Tarver completed his Eagle Scout Project in collaboration with Suicide Prevention Services of America and Chief of Staff Miguel was present to witness.  The informative event included a screening of The S Word, a film that amplifies the voices of attempted suicide survivors, followed by a live panel that talked about ways to reach out to people who are in need of help. The overarching message was, “Do not fear using the word suicide.” We are proud of Eagle Scout Ethan for having this difficult conversation with the Batavia community. This is what advocacy looks like!
District 49 is expanding our staff! If you have a passion for serving the community and are interested in the ways our state office can serve constituents, then this could be an opportunity for you! We are currently accepting local applicants for a Constituent Service and Community Outreach Coordinator, as well as for Fall Interns. Contact the office at 331-465-9661 with questions or submit a cover letter, resume, and references to office@repmaura49.com.

Upcoming Events

April 27 – Mobile DMV
with Senator Karina Villa
10am-2pm
West Chicago Public Library
118 W Washington St, West Chicago
Whole Family Health Fair
Food Distribution and Health Resources
Saturday Apr 30, 8am-12pm
St. Andrew Church
155 N Prince Crossing Rd, West Chicago
Veterans’ Breakfast
Saturday June 4, 9am-11am
VFW West Chicago
431 N Neltnor Blvd, West Chicago

Around the State

Notices of Funding Opportunities

Description Deadline
IDOA Specialty Crop Block Grant April 15
Illinois BioDiversity Field Trip Grant January 31, 2023
DCEO (State + Federal) Various
Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance Various
Upcoming: IDOA Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA)
 

Scholarships

Description Deadline
Conference of Women Legislators (COWL) April 15
Aspiring Black CPA Scholarship May 1
 

Internships

DCFS Academic Internships – Fall April 15
District Office Academic Internships – Fall Submit resume & cover letter to office@repmaura49.com
 

Employment

Illinois Solar Energy Association Virtual Solar Job Fair April 14
Work For Illinois – State Employment Portal
Constituent Service and Community Outreach Coordinator ongoing until position is filled