Jan's Plans & Pans - September 8, 2025

Dear John xxxxxx,

President Donald Trump even considering deploying the National Guard to Chicago is outrageous and is nothing but political theater. We are a hardworking community made up of workers, families, and organizers.

This is not the first time Trump has used the National Guard as a political weapon. We all remember when he ordered a militarized crackdown on our nation’s capital in 2020 and then failed to deploy the National Guard on January 6, 2021, Washington, D.C.’s most lawless and violent day. 

Now, five years later, we are seeing history repeat itself, this time, under the guise of a public safety emergency. Crime rates in Chicago have gone down. Our communities need investment, not intimidation. Sending troops into our neighborhoods will not help public safety, it will only escalate tensions.

We are a nation of immigrants and our diversity is our greatest strength. It is crucial that you KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. Stay informed so that you can protect yourself and your loved ones. Please go to my website for more info or call my office, (773) 506-7100, if you need assistance.

No American city should be ruled through force, surveillance, and intimidation. We will not stand by as our city is used to score political points. Chicagoans do not want, or need, our city turned into a military state.

Be well,

Schakowsky Attends Naturalization Ceremony at Wrigley Field

Make no mistake, immigrants make our country great! Congratulations to the 977 new U.S. citizens, coming from 109 different countries! It was an honor to be part of such a special day and Naturalization Ceremony.

Schakowsky Secures Funding for Apna Ghar Mobile Advocacy Program

Too often, we see worthy projects in our community go underfunded. One of the best parts of my job is bringing back federal funds for the 9th District. I secured $300,000 for the Apna Ghar mobile advocacy program to better reach and assist survivors of gender-based violence.

Schakowsky Stands Up for Social Security 

For 90 years, Social Security has kept millions out of poverty. Now, GOP extremists want to privatize and gut it. We will not let them. Not now, not ever. As we celebrated this hard-earned benefit, I made clear that it is time to EXPAND Social Security, not destroy it.

Schakowsky Breaks Ground at Oakton College Health Careers Education Center

Care infrastructure is infrastructure! I joined Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Endeavor Health for the opening of the Oakton College Health Careers Education Center. This state-of-the-art facility will train the next generation of health workers and is a vital step toward expanding access to care.

Follow Me on BlueSky

During this fraught time, it is more important than ever that we stand together and stay connected. Follow me on Bluesky to keep up with my latest work on behalf of the 9th Congressional District of Illinois. Click here to follow.

Passport Renewal

Remember to check your passport validity before booking any travel plans! Current processing times for passports are: 4-6 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.