Kane County Reporter

Senator Don DeWitte is hosting a “Valentines for Seniors” card drive in an effort to bring joy to elderly individuals in nursing homes and assisted living centers. The program invites students, church groups, and other organizations to create homemade cards, notes, and drawings that will be distributed to seniors on Valentine's Day.

DeWitte emphasized the importance of this program, stating, "Loneliness can be a real issue for the elderly, so it’s nice to bring them some joy so they know we’re thinking of them."

The cards and other items can be dropped off or mailed to Senator DeWitte's West Dundee and St. Charles offices. The deadline for submissions is February 5, 2024. Additional information about the program can be obtained by calling Senator DeWitte's office at 847-214-8245.

In other legislative news, the deadline for Illinois firearm owners to register their "assault weapons" and attachments has passed. The implementation of the state's assault weapon ban has been controversial, and while some gun owners complied with the registration requirement, several court cases challenging the constitutionality of the ban are ongoing.

According to the Illinois State Police, approximately 29,357 people registered their assault weapons before the deadline. This accounts for roughly 1 percent of all gun owners in the state. The State Police also received information about 68,992 firearms and 42,830 attachments.

Turning to the ongoing migrant crisis, over 28,000 noncitizens have been sent to Chicago from the U.S. border since August 2022. The crisis is now spilling over from Chicago to surrounding communities, prompting concerns from local officials about a lack of available resources to handle the influx of noncitizens. Some communities are considering passing their own ordinances to fine bus companies for unscheduled drop-offs.

Senator DeWitte expressed his concerns about the impact of the migrant crisis on the state's financial future, stating, "I am concerned about the impact the crisis may have on the state’s already fragile financial future." He also highlighted the significant costs associated with programs dedicated to noncitizens, including a free healthcare program for undocumented immigrants.

In a separate matter, former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke has been found guilty on corruption charges. Burke faced 14 counts, including racketeering, bribery, and attempted extortion. Sentencing is scheduled for June 19, and Burke could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Senator DeWitte commented on the corruption cases, stating, "These cases are just further examples in a long list of corruption by public officials that has plagued Illinois for far too long. I have always advocated for stronger ethics laws and will continue to do so in 2024."

Lastly, the deadline is approaching for the Community Development Block Grants offered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. These grants aim to provide funding for public infrastructure and housing rehabilitation projects that benefit low-to-moderate income populations. The applications for both grants are due on January 18, 2024.

For more information and to apply for the Public Infrastructure Grant, visit the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website. To apply for the Housing Rehabilitation Grant, visit the same website and follow the provided links.

With these updates, Senator DeWitte continues to work towards addressing the needs of his constituents and advocating for ethical governance in Illinois.

To learn more, click on this link: https://senatordewitte.com/2024/01/08/legislative-news-from-senator-don-dewitte-72/