Public Transit Programs and Updates 🚌🚆
Dear Neighbor,
Today I’m reaching out to highlight a few programs and updates involving public transportation. Accessible public transit is essential for our neighbors and us to get to and from our homes, jobs, and school with less environmental impact on the city, so I’m sharing some programs that may help you get around.
One of the state benefits our office helps constituents with often is the Benefit Access Program. Eligible residents over 65 or those with a disability can receive a free transit pass and a discount on their license plate fee. Some eligibility requirements are as follows: you need to live in Illinois, have a Social Security card, and have a household income below the program threshold. Learn more, and apply at ilaging.illinois.gov.
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has partnered with the Cook County Government and Metra to introduce Access, a pilot program extending reduced fare to Metra riders experiencing low incomes. The pilot program will be available to those in Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry, and Will counties who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Learn more at https://www.rtachicago.org/riders/access, and apply directly at GetAccess.org.
On the legislative side, the Transportation Benefits Program Act went into effect on January 1. It requires certain employers with more than 50 full-time employees to offer their employees a pre-tax transit benefit. Also, since November, the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault RTA Public Transportation Assistance Program has aimed to address transportation needs of those affected by domestic or sexual violence. Ventra cards are available at service providers throughout the city and are also available through the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline, (877) 863-6338.
If you have questions about these programs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at will@repguzzardi.com or give us a call at (773) 853-2570.
All my best,
Will
Know Your Tenants' Rights Workshop in Spanish
In partnership with the Metropolitan Tenants Organization, Northwest Center is hosting Conoce tus derechos de los inquilinos, a three-part workshop in Spanish for tenants to learn about Chicago laws, ordinances, and laws that protect against housing discrimination and support tenants’ rights. The workshop will take place once a month from January to March at Parent University at Steinmetz High School, 3030 North Mobile Avenue. Learn more and register here.
After School Matters Spring Program Applications
Chicago nonprofit After School Matters is now accepting Chicago teens’ applications for their spring programs running February 26 - May 11. Teens ages 14-18 can choose from hundreds of programs in the arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM, to discover their passions, develop new skills for life beyond high school, and earn a participation stipend in the process.
Teens can apply for an ASM spring program and earn money to explore their future here: https://afterschoolmatters.org/apply/.
For more information about ASM and how you can support Chicago teens, visit: www.afterschoolmatters.org.
Secretary of State Modernization Procurement Summit
Join the Illinois Secretary of State for two virtual Technology Procurement Summits to raise awareness and share information about future opportunities to provide technological solutions as the office continues its modernization transformation. Interested vendors can click here to register for either of the following sessions on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 11:00am to 12:30pm and Thursday, February 22 at 2:00pm to 3:30pm.