Happy New Year! Thank you for being a part of an incredible, powerful 2023!❄️🎆
Dear Neighbor,
Happy new year! Our team hopes you had a wonderful holiday season and that 2024 will be a year filled with justice, peace, and good health for all. Of course, at the start of a new year, several new laws have taken effect, and you can check out a full list of new Illinois laws here.
Before diving into the new year fully, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on all we accomplished throughout the 39th district in 2023.
Our office moved to Avondale to be more centrally located in the district, and we started with a wonderful new team that continues to provide services to thousands of residents.
Over the summer, we passed out over 1000 backpacks to neighborhood families, and over 30 community resources and elected officials and over 20 Mercado vendors joined us at our annual Back to School Fair + Mercado with the Kelvyn Park Advisory Council.
With the help of sponsors and volunteers, we distributed COVID tests, fresh fruit, masks, and hand sanitizer to over 100 neighbors and provided free health services like blood pressure checks, blood glucose checks, and dental exams, and administered vaccines at our Fall Family Health Fair.
Thanks to the support and advocacy from neighbors like you, we were able to achieve significant policy wins this year. These are the new laws I led the way on enacting this past year:
HB 1120: Charter operators can't provide anti-union propaganda to their employees who are organizing.
HB 1122: The Freelance Worker Protection Act guarantees timely pay to freelancers and provides them protection from discrimination, intimidation, and harassment from hiring parties. It also requires employers to provide freelance workers with written contracts.
SB 2195: The So Kids Can Move Initiative expands pathways to equitable healthcare by providing children and their families access to certain prosthetic and custom orthotic devices.
HB 1119: In working towards restorative justice, it is now required that two members of the IL Criminal Justice Information Authority Board be individuals who were formerly incarcerated.
HB 1363: If an employer knows its employee is committing sexual or gender-based violence and does nothing to stop them, it can be held liable.
HB 3314: Helps consumers get legal representation against debt collectors by allowing attorney’s fees for defendants.
HB 3400: Revisions to the Prevailing Wage Act include required updates to demographic reporting for public employees in Illinois.
We worked with neighboring offices and organizations on town halls on FEMA assistance, public safety, and legislative updates, and we connected with seniors and youth at bingo events and celebrations in parks across the district.
2023 concluded with our Winter Clothing Drive, where we collected and distributed hundreds of coats, scarves, gloves, and hats thanks to the generosity and support of neighbors and local businesses. We were able to serve over 100 families with these donations.
Thank you for being part of this incredible community! As the second year of the 103rd General Assembly begins, I’ll be sure to share with you my priorities for the upcoming session.
Be well and stay warm,
Will
Office Closure
Our office will be closed on Monday, January 15 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 16 from 9:00am - 5:00pm. Please contact us at (773) 853-2570 or at will@repguzzardi.com for assistance. Here are ways to celebrate and honor MLK Jr. throughout Chicago.
IL Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Proposals
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is committed to streamline service and strengthen efficiency with a new licensing system. IDFPR is seeking proposals for a new, online regulatory licensing system until 2pm on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.
CPS Roundtables on Educational Master Facilities Plan
Chicago Public Schools will host 16 roundtables across the city through February to discuss its Educational Master Facilities Plan (EMFP). The EMFP roundtables are a version of capital/facilities engagement to improve the District’s strategy for an optimal student experience. Please view the flier above to learn more about upcoming roundtables.
HNA Homeowner Empowerment Workshop
Join the Hermosa Neighborhood Association, Northwest Home Equity Assurance Program, and Home Achieved Realty for a free workshop to empower prospective homebuyers and property owners. You can find more information and register to attend here.
Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability
The Community Commission is a seven-member body tasked to increase transparency and public safety and oversee the Chicago Police Department, the Police Board, and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. Applications to serve as a commissioner are open until Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 12:00pm.