[o] Welcome back to another Newsletter! The deadline to pass House Bills out of Committees is March 10th. This means that if you are interested in offering your opinion on bills you should file a witness slip before this date. Witness slips can only be filed on bills when they are assigned to a committee. You can file a witness slip on behalf of yourself, or an organization you represent, through the ILGA Dashboard. My office has put together a step-by-step guide to help you through the filing process, which can be found here. Filing witness slips is the most direct and effective way to have your opinion heard.
them to create more jobs across the metro-east region and further their impressive work to reduce harmful emissions. I value the input we received from these representatives and look forward to working with them to grow the already significant economic impact they have on our region in an environmentally responsible manner. I always encourage feedback on legislation from individuals and local businesses. If you are interested in hosting a business tour, please use my district office’s contact information at the bottom of the newsletter to set up a visit. Best,
Katie Stuart State Representative 112th |
Witness Slip Seminar | I will be hosting a Witness Slip Seminar on March 8th to explain how to file a witness slip and answer any other questions individuals may have about the process. The seminar will be held via Zoom from 6 pm - 7 pm and can be accessed via this link. |
Women’s CAC | I will be hosting a Women’s Issues Citizens’ Advisory Committee on March 20th. I encourage women of all ages to join me for this town hall-style discussion regarding the challenges women are facing in our community. This event will be held at Edwardsville Public Library from 6 pm to 7 pm. |
I - Cash | On March 21st, I will be holding an I-CASH event at the Edwardsville Public Library from 10 am - 1 pm. If you have any questions or need help retrieving unclaimed property, a representative from the Treasurer's Office will be there to assist you, along with someone from my district office. |
Satellite Office Hours | On March 23rd I will be hosting Satellite Office Hours. This event will be held at Granite City City Hall from 1 pm to 4 pm. If you have questions or concerns or require assistance, I encourage constituents to use this convenient location to stop by and speak with someone from my office. |
HR57 - MS AWARENESS WEEK & DAY Placed on Calendar Order of Resolutions Multiple sclerosis is a devastating disease that an estimated 2.5 million people worldwide are currently living with. House Resolution 57 would designate the week of March 12th - 18th as Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week, and March 18th as Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Day. This resolution would give recognition to those living with this disease, along with their families, caregivers, medical professionals, and the researchers searching for a cure. HB3911 - SCH CD-MINIMUM SALARY Assigned to Labor & Commerce Committee Teachers are with our children through the most formative years of their lives, yet Illinois continues to struggle to keep schools staffed. Simply filling these positions - so important in our children’s future - should not be our goal. Our goal should be to fill them with the best and brightest candidates we can find. I am working with stakeholders to clarify language about the implementation of the cost of living increases to the teacher minimum salary, and I expect to be filing an amendment to that effect shortly. HB2189 - ACCESS TO AFFORD INSULIN ACT (Co-Sponsor) Assigned to Prescription Drug Affordability & Accessibility Committee In January 2020, Illinois became only the second state to cap monthly insulin expenses at $100, providing long overdue relief to those who suffer from diabetes. House Bill 2189, which I have co-sponsored with Rep. William Guzzardi, will lower that cap even further, to $35 for a 30-day supply of covered prescription insulin, which would match the federal cap on insulin. No one should have to go without the lifesaving medication they need while drug manufacturers are having record profits year after year. HB1384 - INS-RECONSTRUCTIVE SERVICES (Co-Sponsor) Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate I have co-sponsored this bill with Rep. Kelly Cassidy to amend the Illinois Insurance Code to require that accident and health insurance policies cover medically necessary reconstruction services for victims of violent assault. Assaults can all cause levels of disfigurement that cause them to relive their trauma everytime they look in the mirror. No person should be denied medically necessary treatment resulting from a domestic assault, just because they cannot afford it. HB1397 - CRIM CD-COERCIVE CONTROL (Co-Sponsor) Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate Coercive control is a form of domestic abuse wherein threats, manipulation, and intimidation are used to exert control over a person. This bill will add coercive control to Illinois’ Criminal Code, as well as sexual assault by means of coercive. The outward physical symptoms of emotional and sexual abuse are often absent in situations involving coercive control, but coerced participation does not diminish the criminality of the act or the psychological scars it leaves behind. I hope that my involvement with this Bill will provide authorities a clearer path to prosecuting these heinous crimes and eventually lead to much, much fewer victims. HB2267 - DENTAL PRACTICE-VARIOUS Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in staff shortages in dental practices across the state of Illinois. House Bill 2267 will help combat this shortage by allowing dental hygienists to perform the education and cleaning procedures they already are, but absent the direct supervision of a dentist. Additionally, practicing dentists will now be allowed to oversee four dental hygienists at a time, rather than the previous two. Dental health is important; this bill is an agreement between dentists and dental hygienists that will help to relieve wait time for appointments by allowing dental practices to see more patients. HB3909 - SCH CD-COMP SCI MICROCREDENTIAL Assigned to Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee Degrees in computer science remain extraordinarily sought after and lead to some of the highest-paying jobs directly out of college. Yet many high schools are ill-equipped to prepare students for these in-demand college programs because educators do not possess adequate training themselves. House Bill 3909 will amend the School Code to ensure teachers receive training in how to best teach introductory and intermediate computer science. This Bill will put Illinois students at a competitive advantage when entering post-secondary education in this competitive and lucrative area. |
OPERATION DIAPER DROP! The MetroEast Diaper Bank needs your help reducing the struggle for diaper needs. All month of March, they are collecting diapers (sizes 4, 5, and 6) at the convenient locations listed in the infographic to the left. Additionally, donations directed to my office in Collinsville will be forwarded to the diaper bank! |
Event | Date & Time | Location |
Witness Slip Seminar | March 8th 6 pm - 7 pm | |
Women’s CAC | March 20th 6 pm - 7 pm | Edwardsville Public Library 112 S Kansas St Edwardsville, IL |
I - Cash | March 21st 10 am - 1 pm | Edwardsville Public Library 112 S Kansas St Edwardsville, IL |
Satellite Office Hours | March 23rd 1 pm - 4 pm | Granite City Hall 2000 Edison Ave Granite City, IL |
Email: repkatiestuart@gmail.com Facebook: Representative Katie Stuart's Facebook Website: https://repstuart.com District Office: 2105 Vandalia St. Unit #16, Collinsville, IL 62234 Phone: (618) 365-6650 I appreciate all feedback from residents who are engaged in our community and want to improve it. If you have questions or comments about state or local issues, upcoming events, or this newsletter, feel free to let me or my office know. You can also fill out the survey here to express your thoughts. Thank you for all of the support and feedback! [Facebook] [Twitter] |
