Jan's Plans & Pans - April 10, 2024

Dear John xxxxxx,

Gun violence is one of the most serious public health threats we face. In fact, gun violence recently surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of death for American children. Future generations are counting on us to stop this horrific epidemic.

Last Congress, after nearly 30 years of inaction, Congress was able to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which closed gun law loopholes and implemented new gun violence prevention policies. But our work is far from over - we need universal background checks, safe storage laws, and an assault weapons ban. 

This week, I was honored to give remarks at the Loyola University Community Advocacy and Violence Prevention Summit organized by Loyola Stands Against Gun Violence. There were about 300 attendees in total, including 100 virtual attendees! I was so impressed by the keynote speaker, X Gonzalez, one of the founders of March for Our Lives. They became a leading voice in the gun violence prevention movement following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman-Douglass High School. Listening to them, I became even more convinced that the passion and persistence of our young people demanding change will be the reason we finally end gun violence in our nation.

Together, we can do this – when we fight, we win!

Take care,

Schakowsky Dines with DC Interns!

It was a beautiful day in DC with my fantastic interns! One of my favorite quarterly traditions is taking my cohort of interns to the Members' Dining Room in the Capitol. This is a great opportunity to talk with them about their experience and their plans for the future. I am so grateful for all that Eric, Alejandra, Adam, and Chloe have contributed to my office and I cannot wait to see what is next for them.

Schakowsky Tours 48th Ward of Chicago

I had a fantastic day with Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth traveling all throughout the the 48th ward! We visited Senn High School, attended the ribbon cutting for Dulce de Leche, a tasty, new cafe, and spoke with the seniors of Edgewater Village at the Broadway Armory!

Schakowsky Starstruck by Sullivan High School Singers!

Music is a fabulous way to build community! I was starstruck when I came across these fabulous singers from my alma mater, Sullivan High School. All three students have recently come to Chicago from Venezuela. I am so proud of them for sharing their gift with us all.

Schakowsky Visits Barrington North Elementary School

As a former teacher, I am so impressed with all that our schools are doing to serve their students' needs! While touring Barrington North Elementary School, not only did I see their sensory room for students with ADHD and Autism, but I also saw their STEM rooms, which will further empower our students! Of course, I always enjoy speaking with the students to hear what is on their minds!

Schakowsky Meets with Mayor of Hawthorn Woods and Lake County Treasurer 

It was great to be with the Mayor of Hawthorn Woods, Dominick DiMaggio, and Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim. My office secured $850,000 in Community Project Funding for Hawthorn Woods, and I was pleased to hear more about their plans to utilize those funds. Their Uptown Corridor utility project will allow them to extend necessary water mains and sewers to areas of their village to be developed for economic growth!

My district office helped a constituent with a Social Security and Medicare issue:

"Thank you so much for staying through the entire process to completion of my Social Security/Medicare issue. Its been a long process for me and my wife (nearly two years of obstacles). Your direct support helped make it all successful for us. It couldn't have worked out anymore positively. Your office quickly began the necessary communications to help us resolve our complications. Within approximately a month, during the difficult holiday period, as well. Finding out on our 46th Anniversary made it even more extra special. Your support was instrumental for us. I was having difficulty with all the inherent red tape. Thanks again, for all your support and efforts!"

Arturo Blake Sr., Constituent

Tips for Avoiding Tax Scams

With tax season in full swing, filers need to be on the lookout for common tax scams. 

If you are using a tax preparer this month, be sure to vet your service provider. Unfortunately, not all tax preparers are qualified to assist you. If a preparer makes a mistake, you may face financial and legal repercussions. Be sure to research the qualifications and credentials from the IRS website and cross check any tax preparer with the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers. 

Exercise caution when using third-party websites to “help” you set up an online IRS account. An official account can be made through the IRS website for free. Third-party websites are unnecessary and can put your sensitive financial information at risk!

If you receive an unsolicited message claiming to be the IRS, it may be a phishing attempt! The IRS never reaches out to filers over text, email, or social media. In some cases, scammers pose as IRS officials, sending harmful links which may contain viruses. 

If you encounter any fraudulent activity, be sure to report it to the Treasury Inspector General.

In case you missed the tax webinar I hosted last week with the IRS, feel free to watch the full recording below!

Inflation Reduction Action Prescription Drug Benefits 

• diabetes
• blood clots
• heat disease
• heart failure
• autoimmune diseases
• chronic kidney disease

New Student Debt Relief Initiative

My Congressional Progressive Caucus colleagues and I have made student debt cancellation a priority in Congress. That is why I am excited to share that President Joe Biden announced a major new initiative.

Starting this month, if you took out less than $12,000 in loans and have been in repayment for 10 years, ALL of your debt will be canceled.

That is right — your loan balance could go down to zero.

To get that relief and other options for major monthly reductions to your loan payments, you need to be enrolled in the Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. This is the same plan that ensures no borrower who makes less than $15 an hour will have to make any student loan payments. It will also make sure that interest does not pile up and increase your debt amount, and that your spouse's income can't be used to drive up your payment amount.

Sign up for the SAVE Plan today so you get this relief before your next payment is due.

Passport Renewal

Remember to check your passport validity before booking any spring and summer travel plans! Current processing times for passports are: 6-8 weeks for routine and 2-3 weeks for expedited. These times are subject to change and are posted on the Dept. of State Website.  Please apply well in advance of your travel date – if your travel date is sooner than the current processing times, you may not get your passport in time for travel.

Please remember that emergency in-person appointments at the Chicago Passport Agency are intended for emergencies and availability is not guaranteed unless it is a life or death emergency! These appointments are not and have never been intended for routine renewal. If you have upcoming travel you should NOT plan on receiving an appointment at the Chicago Passport Agency. Passport renewals are intended to go through the mail. 

Did you know that many countries require your passport to be valid for several months beyond your date of travel? Depending on your destination, validity requirements can vary from 3 to 6 months beyond the date of travel! You can check the requirements for your destination on the Dept. of State Website under "International Travel" and "Country Information".

If you have planned travel and have a pending application that may not arrive on time, or if you need an emergency appointment at the Chicago Passport Agency, the Constituent Advocates in my District Office are happy to help! Please call the office at 773-506-7100, or you can open a case with my office online.