Around the Capitol

So much going on around the Capitol on the floor, in committees and with visitors! Had the pleasure of visiting Sparc with our very own House page Brandon. Attended the annual Police memorial ceremony and had the honor of visiting with several hometown heros. Thanks to the Chicago FOP for providing lunch to everyone! On Friday I wore green on the house floor for mental health awareness. Also spent time with my COWL colleagues and many girl scouts to help teach them about the legislative process on the House floor!

Fallen Firefighter Memorial

we paid tribute to the Illinois firefighters who have given their lives in the line of duty at the Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony in Springfield. May their bravery and sacrifice never be forgotten.

Governor's Hometown Awards

Applications for the 2024 Governor's Hometown Awards are now open! This program gives formal recognition to projects that improved a community’s quality of life from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. The due date for applications is June 14, at 5pm CST!

Here

Youth Police Camp

The Team Illinois Youth Police Camp is a week-long program that challenges young adults to better themselves through the philosophy of "Teamwork, Commitment and Pride.”

Here

This Month We recognized

• National Foster Care Month
  • Foster Care Month reminds us of the over 390,000 children living in foster care. This year’s theme highlights the importance of creating a foster system that supports the children preparing to leave foster care.
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• National Skilled Trades Day
  • National Skilled Trades Day raises awareness about the value of skilled trades and honors the hardworking men and women who work in these professions. Thank you to all the skilled trades workers!
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• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
  
  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrates the contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander Americans to the rich culture and history of the United States.
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• Jewish American Heritage Month
  • Jewish American Heritage Month recognizes and honors the important contributions of Jewish Americans. This month, individuals from all backgrounds will celebrate the Jewish American experience throughout our history!
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• Monarch's Day
  • Start Seeing Monarchs Day is celebrated on the first Saturday in May to raise awareness for the preservation of Monarch Butterflies to ensure they do not join the endangered species list!
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• Cinco De Mayo
  • Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. You can honor this holiday by celebrating the heritage, culture, and history of Mexico!
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• Teacher Appreciation Day
  • Happy Teacher Appreciation Day! Thank you to all of the incredible teachers across Illinois for your hard work.
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• National Fentanyl Awareness Day
  • Fentanyl is a national public health crisis. People, especially young people, are ingesting illicitly manufactured fentanyl without knowing it and dying at alarming rates as a result. Learn the facts and how to start the conversation about fentanyl below.
  • Here
• Lyme Disease Awareness Month
  • Lyme Disease Awareness Month is a chance to bring awareness to the tickborne disease that affects millions of Americans. This month, learn more about how to identify, prevent, and treat Lyme Disease by clicking the link below.
  • Here
• Military Spouse Appreciation Day
  • Military Spouse Appreciation Day reminds us of the sacrifices made by military spouses in the United States. Their contributions and support of their spouses often go unnoticed, despite its critical importance for the members of our armed forces. Thank you to military spouses for all that you do!
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• Happy Mother's Day
  • Happy Mother’s Day to all of the incredible mothers who do so much for others! Make sure to show your appreciation for the mothers in your life today.
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• National Police Week
  • National Police Week honors the incredible sacrifice and contributions of law enforcement officers across the nation. Thank you to all police officers for your continued dedication to the safety of our communities!
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• National Preservation Month
  • National Preservation Month reminds us of the importance of preserving historic sites and recording our history. You can celebrate this month by visiting one of Illinois’ preserved historic sites. To find one near you, click the link below!
  • Here
• Peace Officers Memorial Day
  • Peace Officers Memorial Day honors the local, state, and federal law enforcement officers who have died or been injured in the line of duty. Thank you to all law enforcement officers who continue to put their lives on the line each and every day.
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• Rescue Dog Day
  • Every year nearly 3.3 million dogs enter shelters across America. National Rescue Dog Day reminds us of the importance of adopting from shelters!
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• EMS Week
  • EMS Week honors the important work of all Emergency Medical Service workers. Their continued work saves lives and helps our communities every day. I am so proud of my husband and all of his colleagues for the outstanding work they do every day! Thank you to all EMS workers for your hard work, dedication, and sacrifice.
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• National Road Trip Day
  • Happy National Road Trip Day! Whether you are traveling across the state or the country, road trips are a fantastic way to see the incredible sights and locations all around us.
    You can find road trip itineraries to see the amazing sites our state has to offer on the Illinois Department of Tourism website below!
    HERE
• Missing Children's Day
  
  • National Missing Children’s Day brings attention to the hundreds of thousands of children that go missing in the United States every year. While most children who go missing eventually return home, even one child not returning is too many.
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• Happy Memorial Day
  
  • Memorial Day is a reminder of the brave men and women who died while fighting in the U.S. Armed Forces. While Memorial Day is usually a holiday marking the beginning of summer, we must also remember the heroes who made our freedom possible.
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• National PTSD Awareness 
  
  • June is National PTSD Awareness Month. PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, affects an estimated 9 million Americans who have been exposed to life-threatening and traumatic events. This month you can learn more about this condition and advocate for those who have been diagnosed and affected by PTSD.
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• CPR and AED Awareness Week
  • CPR and AED Awareness Week remind us how many lives can be saved if more adults learn how to perform CPR and use an AED. Every second counts when it comes to administering this emergency aid and knowing how to use them can save a life!
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• National Cancer Survivors Day
  • National Cancer Survivors Day honors the resiliency and courage of cancer survivors and offers support to those who are still battling this disease. This day brings together those who have survived cancer, family members of survivors, and healthcare providers as an important reminder that life after cancer is possible.
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• National Home Ownership Month
  • National Homeownership Month highlights the value and benefits of home ownership! Owning a home is a powerful way to build generational wealth and deepen your roots in the community.
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