Dear Neighbors, Happy Fall and Happy Halloween! The 85th District has many Halloween events this month, and I will be highlighting them later in this newsletter. I would like to address an important issue that we have been hearing about. My office has been engaging in conversations with constituents who have reached out to our office to dispel the misinformation on the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act (SAFE-T Act). While there are multiple provisions included in the law, the one that is causing the most questions is bail reform. Bail reform gives judges more power to hold dangerous offenders in jail because they’ll be making decisions based on a public safety assessment – not simply the defendant’s access to cash. That’s why domestic violence groups and crime survivor advocates support this smart approach. Bail reform is about making our system smarter and making our communities safer. Under the new system, a judge will decide whether to hold defendants in jail before trial on a case-by-case basis, after conducting a public safety evaluation. In fact, this is the same system federal courts have used to make custody decisions for decades. Federal courts do not release defendants on cash bail, but make an evaluation of the effect on public safety. If you would like more information I invite you to check the following article: For factual information about the SAFE-T Act, check out the following articles from trustworthy news sources and reporters below: As always, if you have questions, concerns, or need assistance with anything, please reach out to my office. My staff is available to answer questions on legislation and assist with Illinois agencies. You can reach us by call, text, or email: 815-372-0085 - info@repdagmara.org Sincerely, |
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OUT AND ABOUT If you would like to invite me to an event, meeting, or to tour your facility, please reach out to my office at info@repdagmara.org. |
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Our wonderful intern, Dulce, ended her time with us in September. During her time in the office, she researched recycling in Illinois. She was able to talk to stakeholders in the environmental justice world, and spent her last day presenting a bill idea to the team about improving recycling in Illinois. We're wishing Dulce a wonderful semester back at Stanford! |
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My office joined SSIP at their Medicaid enrollment event. Thanks to the work of the General Assembly this year, Medicaid was expanded to include people aged 42+, regardless of immigration status. SSIP and their partners were able to help over 75 people apply for health coverage! |
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I joined the Community Service Council for their annual gala. The Community Service Council is a nonprofit located in Bolingbrook that assists people with different counseling and support programs. They offer individual and family counseling, housing and financial counseling, employee assistance programs, and more. Click here to see their website. |
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I joined Romeoville at their Hispanic Heritage event at Deer Crossing Park! It was a beautiful celebration of Hispanic culture with music, performances, and delicious food. |
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My team and I joined the United African Organization for their Will County Outreach Day. We met and talked with many constituents while they were connected to resources throughout Will County. It was a great day of community! |
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I joined Congressman Bill Foster and SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman for a roundtable on Hispanic owned small businesses in the area. We discussed how the SBA assisted throughout the pandemic and how we can continue to support their businesses. |
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I was honored to be the Keynote Speaker at the ICDI (Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants) Gala. ICDI has a long history of supporting and advocating for immigrant rights. They provide transit, housing, and other wrap around services to immigrants and asylum seekers. It was a beautiful afternoon of supporting ICDI and their services. |
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We ended September with a joint shred event hosted by myself, Senator Mattson, Senator Cappel, and Representative Walsh Jr.. It was a beautiful day of collaboration by elected officials to assist their constituents. We shredded over 1,000lbs of documents safely and securely! |
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Events and Hours in Bolingbrook |
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Kick off the annual Halloween Walk on October 14th from 5-9pm! The event will also have food, games, hay rides, and more for a great family friendly Halloween event! Harvest on the Hill will take place at 375 W. Briarcliff Rd. Bolingbrook. |
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Visit the Spooktacular Halloween Festival on October 22 from 4-6pm at the Promenade. There will be character meet and greets, candy, trackless train rides, vendors with Halloween and Fall items, a costume parade, and much more. After the costume parade, the giant Halloween tree, with 250,000 LED lights, will be lit! |
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Halloween Walk: Friday, October 14-Monday, October 31 at the Village of Bolingbrook Town Center (375 W Briarcliff). More details to come from the Village of Bolingbrook. Click here to stay up-to-date on details. |
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Trick or Treating hours will be on October 31st from 4-7pm. Be sure to turn your porch light on if you want to be visited by trick-or-treaters! Click here to see additional safety reminders from Bolingbrook! |
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Events and Hours in Romeoville |
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Join the Village of Romeoville for their annual Halloween Fest on October 21 from 4:30-7:30pm at Deer Crossing Park! Children of all ages can head down the Trick-or-Treat Trail, join the costume contest, and much more! The first 400 children will receive a free pumpkin. |
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My office, in collaboration with After the Peanut, will be hosting a STEM focused Halloween event at Lewis University on October 27 from 5-8:30pm. Follow our social media to stay updated on more information: @repdagmara |
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The Romeoville Branch of the White Oak Library is hosting their Halloween Haunted House Trunk-or-Treat on October 27 at 5pm. There will be trunk or treat, a food truck, games, and more! |
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Scene 75 is hosting their HalloScene on October 27 from 5-8pm. Their free family friendly trick or treat event will welcome children 12 and under to trick or treat throughout the building. Game cards will be available for purchase if families want to stay and play their 150+ arcade games. |
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The Romeoville Halloween Hangout is on October 28th from 5:15-8:30pm at the Romeoville Recreation Center! Kids aged 4-12 are invited to come play games, eat pizza, play on the obstacle course, and more! Click here to register. |
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Halloween Decoration Registry: Did you put a lot of work into your Halloween decorations? Join the Halloween Decoration Registry! If you are interested in having your home be listed on the registry, click here. Homes must be submitted by October 14th to be included. |
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Trick or treating hours will be from 3-7pm on October 31st in Romeoville. |
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Events and Hours in Lockport |
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Join Grand Dental, Shepherd of the Hill, and Lockport Township Park District as they host a Trunk or Treat on October 15th from 4-7pm. There will be 50+ cars, a pet costume contest, food trucks, and more! The trunk or treat will take place at 916 E 7th Street in Lockport. |
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Coldwell Bank is hosting a Trunk or Treat and Family Fun Day at 1165 E 9th St. Lockport on October 22 at 12pm. Join them for pumpkin giveaways, kids activities, and more! |
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Trick or treating hours in Lockport are from 4pm-7pm on Monday, October 31st. |
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Events and Hours in Woodridge |
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Woodridge Public Library is hosting a Halloween themed Stories in the Park on October 7 at 10am. Join them at Sunnydale Park for not-so-scary Halloween stories, songs, and crafts! Visit the Library website for more information and to register. |
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Join Hummingbird Pediatric Therapies for their Sensory Friendly Halloween Party on October 15 from 10am-12pm at 9018 Heritage Parkway #600, Woodridge. There will be touch-a-truck, games, and an open gym. |
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The Woodridge Public Library is also hosting a Teen Halloween Hangout on October 28 from 6:30-8:30pm. There will be a Halloween themed craft, candy, pizza, and a Stranger Things episode viewing. Click here to register and pick your pizza topping! |
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Visit the Woodridge Public Library all day on Halloween for their trick or treating! Visit the children's department for a Halloween treat, then venture throughout the rest of the library for more treats! |
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The Village of Woodridge has not yet published trick or treating hours, but be sure to check here for updates. |
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Will County wants to make it easier for everyone to get where they need to go. Access Will County is seeking to improve the experience of using dial-a-ride, paratransit, & demand response services. They want to hear from residents who have and have not used these services. Click here or scan the QR code above to take the survey. |
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