SENIOR EXPO/SALVATION ARMY DRIVE
Please join us at our upcoming Senior Expo in Pontiac on Wednesday, August 6! The event will be held at the Pontiac Parks and Recreation Center from 9 a.m. to noon. Admission and refreshments are free, and free screenings will be available. Please see the flyer above for more details.
In addition, we are currently collecting items for the Salvation Army to help those in need. If you would like to donate, please see the list of needed items below. They can be dropped off at our Pontiac District Office, 305 W. Madison St. Pontiac.
Items being collected for the Salvation Army: Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Toothpaste, Deodorant (men’s and women’s), Men’s Razors, Hair Brushes/Combs, Tampons, Maxi Pads, Bottled Water, Cereals, Pasta (spaghetti or other noodles), Jelly, and Liquid IV or similar hydration packets.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
Please join us for a Free National Night Out event on Tuesday, August 5, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at South Pointe Park in El Paso.
There will be multiple activities for kids and adults of all ages, including but not limited to: a Sky Diving performance by Skydive-Chicago, displays and demonstrations from local Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, U.S. Army & Air National Guard, U.S. Marines & Navy Reserves, U.S. Coast Guard, Life Flight helicopter, Bi-Plane Air Show, 300’ Zip-Line, a Barnyard Petting Zoo, the 3rd Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest, and much more! In addition, there will be free food, drinks, and a free raffle with great prizes donated by local businesses and residents.
This event, which encompasses the entire El Paso-Gridley School District and beyond, has grown to be one of the largest National Night Out events in our area. Last year’s attendance brought over 2,000 people, and even more are expected to attend this year!
With your support, this event will continue to be a great success in bringing the community and local first responders together for an evening of fun and education for all. For more information, please watch this video.
STATE FAIR
The Illinois State Fair is introducing updated security measures this year. 🎡 Here’s what you should know. More information here: 31499-072525-security-press-release.pdf.pdf
TELECOM TAX
Even though our residents already pay the highest cell phone taxes in the nation, Democrats thought they could squeeze even more out of hardworking Illinoisans. This year’s revenue bill, which took effect July 1, included a tax hike on cell phone service. All House Republicans voted no.
Learn more: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_1fb110b0-3745-4c0f-9196-9069e14fa105.html
PROPERTY TAXES
After years of ranking No. 2 to New Jersey, the latest data shows Illinoisans paid the highest property taxes in the nation during 2023. Worse, Illinoisans also pay steep income and sales taxes.
Illinois homeowners paid an average effective property tax rate of 1.83%, the highest in the nation. On a median-priced home of $250,500, that amounts to $4,584 per year. Neighboring states had significantly lower rates, making the idea of finding a home outside of Illinois appealing.
Read more from the Illinois Policy Institute.
ENERGY RELIEF
Three weeks after launching, the $10 million ComEd customer relief fund has run dry.
ComEd said it has received about 70,000 applications for the one-time grants, which provide up to $500 for residential customers and $1,000 for nonprofit organizations to offset skyrocketing electric bills amid a spike in supply charges and increased demand during the summer heat. The fund is now closed to new applications.
DCFS REFORMS
Agency dysfunction and mismanagement puts our most vulnerable kids in danger. DCFS needs comprehensive reforms to protect children in state care.
Learn more here.
SAFETY VIOLATIONS
The Illinois Department of Labor’s (IDOL) Division of Occupational Safety and Health (IL OSHA) has released a new fact sheet highlighting the top 20 safety violations identified during water and sewer department inspections conducted in recent years.
OSHA inspects municipal water and sewer departments across the state to help ensure employees working in high-risk environments are protected from hazards that can lead to serious injury or death. The fact sheet provides a summary of the most frequently cited standards and offers corrective recommendations that municipal departments can use to improve workplace safety and health.
Learn more here.