Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month celebrates hands-on learning that leads to strong careers & brighter futures. We are lucky to have one of the best Career and Technical Education facilities in the Midwest right here in Lake County - the Lake County Tech Campus. www.techcampus.org

My office will be at the Zion Community Hub TODAY, Wednesday, February 4th from 1:30 - 4:30 pm! Swing by the Zion-Benton Public Library (2400 Gabriel Ave, Zion, IL 60099) to connect with my staff or any of the many amazing community organizations that will be there!

🚗 The DMV is coming to YOU! 🚗 I'm thrilled to partner w/ @repjoycemason.bsky.social & the @ilsecofstate.bsky.social to provide mobile DMV services directly to our constituents. Mobile DMV | Winthrop Harbor Village Hall | Feb. 24 at 10-2pm To register, visit: forms.gle/RRPDJ3eoDSGJ...

📢 Upcoming Community Events 📢 Thursday, Jan 29 @ 6:30pm - SNAP Changes Informational Webinar. Join my office, State Representative Laura Faver Dias & the Northern Illinois Food Bank to learn about recent changes to the SNAP program & how those changes may affect you. tinyurl.com/Jan29Webinar

Our area is under an Extreme Cold Warning starting at 3am Friday. With dangerously cold temperatures & windchills dropping to 30 to 40 degrees below zero, frostbite can occur on unprotected skin within 10 minutes. Please take steps to prepare and keep you and your family safe.

Since 1989, the Township Officials of Illinois Scholarship Fund has awarded over $403,500 to students pursuing higher education. Don’t miss your chance: applications are due March 2! Apply here: www.toi.org/2026-scholarship

Our offices will be closed from December 22, 2025 through January 2, 2026 for a short winter break. We will reopen on January 5, 2026. We can’t wait to assist you in the New Year!

📣 EXTENDED DEADLINE 📣 I am deeply moved by how our community shows up for one another and that is why we have extended our Toy Drive. We will now be accepting new, unwrapped toys for families in need this holiday season until DECEMBER 11.

December 2, 1949, the United Nations adopted the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others. We still have work to do to see the end of slavery - it is estimated that nearly 50 million people are in modern slavery in 2025.

During this giving season, I encourage you to review my Charitable Trust Bureau’s tips before making any Giving Tuesday donations and throughout the holidays: tinyurl.com/4a3hc5r4

Approximately 1.2 million people living in the US have HIV, with 87% of them diagnosed. That means 1 out of 7 people living with HIV in the US do not know they have the virus. With modern treatments, many HIV+ individuals can live normal, healthy lives, but early detection is crucial.

Tonight, the Lgbtq+ Center Lake County is hosting a Transgender Day of Remembrance gathering at the College of Lake County to commemorate the lives of those lost to violence and discrimination in the transgender community. No registration required, and all are welcome to join in solidarity.

📣 Happening Tonight! Mano a Mano Family Resource Center is hosting a Know Your Rights informational session in Spanish, available virtually and in person. 📍Mano a Mano Round Lake Office 6 Main St, Round Lake Park, IL

Transgender Awareness Week is time for us to celebrate, uplift, & honor our trans community. Let's work together to create a more inclusive and supportive world. To learn more about Transgender Awareness Week and the community, visit glaad.org/transweek/

“The world is full of kind people, if you can’t find one, be one.” Today on World Kindness Day, let’s all be the kindness we hope to see in the world. For Random Acts of Kindness ideas and to learn more about World Kindness Day, visit www.randomactsofkindness.org

Did you know we have TWO Mobile DMV events coming up in December? Don't miss out - Appointment's are required for Illinois Secretary of State Services, so secure your spot today!

Today we salute the individuals who have bravely served our county. Their unwavering commitment to the safety and freedom of our citizens is admirable. I encourage you to thank a veteran for their service, and remember to honor these heroes not just today, but every day. #VeteransDay

🩸 Don't miss your chance to save a life! Sign up to donate blood NEXT WEEK at our American Red Cross Blood Drive. 🩸 To secure your spot, just scan the QR code or visit tinyurl.com/4zsx6mv5

November is Native American Heritage Month, an opportunity to learn more about Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian history and heritage. Find videos, archival collections and lesson plans to start the conversation about #NAHMonth: NativeAmericanHeritageMonth.gov

Mano a Mano Family Resource Center provides many services to our community, including helping adult learners access resources that can help their families thrive. Abigail & Paulo came to my district office recently to show how they help further career paths for immigrants by looking at transcripts.

Lake County Senators release joint statement regarding a pursuit of individuals involving federal agents near Warren Township High School in Gurnee on Thursday. Read full statement here: tinyurl.com/34u22b3m

I have been made aware of an incident involving ICE in Gurnee in or near Warren High School. I am in contact with the school superintendent and will share more information once available.

Thank you to Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) for sharing your stories with me at the Capitol. Hearing directly from families impacted by harsh sentencing laws reminds me why we must keep working toward a justice system that’s fair, balanced, and focused on second chances.

The 13th Annual Lake County Suicide Prevention Task Force’s 5K Walk/Run held in late September drew a record crowd with over 300 participants! I was proud to run alongside our community to raise awareness about suicide prevention.

"Someone, your type, is out there somewhere, needing your blood." American Red Cross Blood Drive Tuesday, November 18, 2025 1 PM - 6PM The University Center of Lake County 1200 University Center Dr, Grayslake, IL 60030 Sign up here: www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=SSEA

“Revitalizing aging infrastructure is more than just repairing roads and bridges — it is investing in the foundation of our communities and ensuring that future generations thrive on a framework built to last,” said Edly-Allen. Read more: tinyurl.com/sy98xbkd

🚨 NOW ACCEPTING donations for our Diaper and Wipe drive from NOW until Nov. 5! Wipes and diapers of any size/brand accepted. 📍 10 N. Lake Street, Suite 112, Grayslake, IL. ☎️ Before dropping off, please call or email ahead to ensure staff are in the office to receive them - 847-548-5631

Check out the Fall Nature Fest at the Illinois Beach State Park for a free, family-friendly event with guided hikes, hands-on activities including archery and other interactive exhibits for all ages, outdoor recreation,

In Illinois, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. This reinforces the need for continued work to support survivors, address the root causes of abuse, and hold perpetrators accountable.

Protecting our communities isn’t just about keeping them safe — it’s about fostering trust, building connections, and working together to create a place where everyone can thrive. Having these conversations with our local police force is essential in-

Good news, Illinois has launched a new hotline and resource hub for the LGBTQ+ community! ILPrideConnect.org is here for LGBTQ+ Illinoisans in need of affirming support, resources and more. If you’re in need of help, visit their website or call 855-805-9200.

Independientemente de su estatus, usted tiene derechos. Organizaciones comunitarias tienen información y recursos disponibles para ayudarlo. Por favor contacte las organizaciones en la lista o a nuestra oficina si tiene preguntas o para asistencia.

Community health is our collective responsibility. As the federal administration continues to step back from supporting proven science, its more important than ever for each of us to stand up for public health. Vaccines save lives, protect our most vulnerable & help build stronger, safer communities

The Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) released its new fall vaccine guidance this week in lieu of the federal administration’s abdication of providing clear, science-based information to the public and is no longer following-

“Investing in expanding Illinois’ clean energy economy encourages more Illinoisans to purchase EVs, reducing emissions and protecting our environment,” said Edly-Allen. Read more on Gurnee receiving over $590K to create more EV charging stations: tinyurl.com/ya3fjdba

To all celebrating Rosh Hashanah, shana tova! Wishing you and your family a healthy and happy new year.

Winthrop Harbor held its annual Summer Fest last weekend where I ran into Mayor Bruno and Lake County Board member Gina Roberts! It was a perfect way to celebrate the end of a season. ☀️

“From the past to the future — our Constitution remains the beacon of liberty.” On this Constitution Day we are reminded of what the founding fathers of this nation strived for - a country for the people, by the people.

¡Feliz Día de la Independencia! Mexican Independence Day is a celebration of pride, heritage and community, and a reminder of the many contributions of Mexicans and Mexican Americans to our communities.

My office looks forward to attending Office of Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart's Gun Violence Prevention Initiative Town Hall in Round Lake Beach this Thursday, September 18 from 7–8:30 PM. 📍 2007 N Civic Center Way, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073

“Civility, Compromise and Compassion.” Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar was a mentor to many in the public policy sphere. I was honored to be in the Edgar Fellows Class this year where I joined elected and appointed officials from all levels of government and leaders of nonprofit and labor-

¡Feliz #MesDeLaHerenciaHispanica! ¡Únete a mí este mes para honrar la historia, la cultura y la contribución de los hispanos y latinos estadounidenses! Obtén más información sobre esta festividad y las formas en que puedes unirte a la celebración aquí: www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/

¡Hoy es el Día Nacional de Apoyo a los Negocios de Empresarios Latinos! Visite su negocio latino favorito y etiquételo en las redes sociales para mostrar su apoyo. Encuentre más maneras de celebrar con Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity en bit.ly/HHM25Illinois

In Illinois, we stand up for the freedoms and rights of our people – and we won’t stop now. There is no reason to incite fear among individuals simply living their lives.

Today I’m thinking of the thousands who lost their lives 24 years ago, and remembering how Americans helped each other cope, recover and grieve. We will forever remember the courageous first responders and everyday Americans who lost their lives on 9/11.

I am deeply disturbed by the recent shooting involving Charlie Kirk. This act of violence is an abhorrent reminder that no individual should ever be targeted or harmed based on their political beliefs. Everyone deserves to express their views and engage in political discourse-

We can all help prevent suicide. Reach out to someone who may be struggling. Listen without judgment. Help connect them with resources like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: available 24/7 by calling 9-8-8.

‼️New Law‼️ Today I'm spotlighting Senate Bill 1195, also known as Anna's Law. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in five women in the U.S. have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.

I am proud to announce that I received a 100% 2025 Environmental Scorecard rating from the @Illinois Environmental Council! Now more than ever we as a legislative body need to make conscious decisions to protect our environment as the climate crisis worsens.

During the month of July my office was staffed by an incredible group of students. Heidi is an incoming freshman studying Political Science on the pre-law track at Illinois Wesleyan University!