Senator Seth Lewis Leads Bipartisan Illinois Trade Delegation to UAE Emirates to Build Relationships and Attract Investment to Illinois
I recently had the privilege of leading a bipartisan delegation from Illinois to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to strengthen relationships and advance opportunities for investment, tourism, and cultural and educational exchange between Illinois and the UAE. We spent three days in Abu Dhabi and three days in Dubai.
The delegation included elected officials from both the Illinois Senate and House, representatives from the City of Chicago, and leadership from World Business Chicago. The trade mission was coordinated by the Illinois Association for Global Trade. No taxpayer funds were used to support my participation in the trip.
Meetings with senior economic and business leaders in Abu Dhabi and Dubai focused on relationship-building and long-term collaboration, with a clear emphasis on attracting investment to Illinois and highlighting the state’s strategic advantages. I personally outlined more than $20 billion in U.S. investment opportunities and discussed Illinois’ strengths in infrastructure, workforce readiness, logistics, tourism, and innovation.
The goal of the visit was straightforward: to introduce Illinois to leaders in the UAE and explain why Illinois is a great place to invest. Discussions also explored opportunities to expand tourism, foster cultural and educational exchanges, and create lasting partnerships that benefit communities across Illinois.
I am committed to making Illinois a place where people want to live and not leave. That means working hard to seek and secure investment and opportunities for job growth, especially high-paying construction and other jobs for the people of Illinois. The UAE delegates are well aware of Illinois’ potential and its strategic opportunities. They were just waiting for someone to come over, start the conversation, and ask for the partnership.
Illinois is strong because of what I call the Four L’s: Labor, with a highly educated workforce; Location/Logistics, as the crossroads of the Midwest with comprehensive rail, road, and airport infrastructure anchored by the City of Chicago; Land, with fertile farmland that supports food production and global markets, and Lake Michigan, with its abundant water resources. These strengths make Illinois uniquely competitive and ripe for investment.
It was a very productive mission and an educational experience for everyone involved. I look forward to continued conversations and partnerships that will deliver real investment, economic growth, and lasting benefits for the people of Illinois.
Internship Opportunities in Senator Lewis’ Office
It may not feel like it now, but summer will be here before we know it! I will be continuing my internship program this year, and I have many opportunities for paid internship positions for high school and college students.
These internships offer hands-on experience and provide direct exposure to how a legislative office works. Interns also gain valuable professional skills in the areas of communication, community outreach, and constituent services, and develop meaningful connections with elected officials and public service professionals that can support future careers in law, government, or advocacy.
To learn more about my paid internship program, please call my office at (630) 349-0645. You can click here to be taken to the application form.
Youth Summer Job Fair Set for March 18
Students and young adults aged 16-21 who want to jumpstart their careers or find summer work and internships are invited to attend a free Summer Job Fair that will be held in Bloomingdale on March 18.
Through the opportunities available at this job fair, students can gain valuable work experience that will help build confidence and look great on college applications, resumes, and future job applications.
Senator Lewis’ and Rep. Sanalitro’s Summer Job Fair
Wednesday, March 18
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Bloomingdale Park District
172 S. Circle Avenue, Bloomingdale
Several area businesses that are actively hiring for summer help, year-round employment, and/or internships will be under one roof for this high-impact hiring event. Business representatives will be able to build talent pipelines for entry-level positions and network with other businesses to boost visibility in the region.
Those who attend are encouraged to bring resumes, dress for success, and be prepared for on-site interviews. By connecting eager job seekers with area employers, young people can jumpstart their careers, and businesses can tap local talent for hard-to-fill positions and other job vacancies.
Those with questions about this job fair can contact Abby at amccarthy@sgop.ilga.gov, or call my legislative office at (630) 349-0645.
Lewis Events Calendar Offers Something for Everyone
While legislators will be spending much of the next four months in Springfield, my staff and I have been working hard to put together a comprehensive list of outreach events across the 24th District. The list below includes events that are already on the books, but additional events will be added and will be shared in future newsletters. Please mark your calendar now for the following outreach events:
- March 18: Youth Jobs Fair in Bloomingdale
- April 22: Mobile DMV in Wheaton
- May 1: Mobile DMV in Roselle
- June 24: Senior Expo in Wheaton
- July 30: Senior Expo in Roselle
- August 20: Disability Resource and Job Placement Fair in Carol Stream
- August 29: Children’s Safety Expo in Bloomingdale
Detailed information for each event will be available as the dates approach, and additional events will be added as they are scheduled. Please check the Events page of my website regularly to learn about events taking place near you.
IDNR Announces Grants for Local Park Projects
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has announced that $36 million in grant funding has been awarded to 67 local park projects throughout the state. A total of $2,692,800 is being allocated for projects in DuPage and Suburban Cook County in or around the 24th District. Projects include:
DuPage County
- Glen Ellyn Park District, Village Green Park – $600,000
- Naperville Park District, Nike Sports Complex – $600,000
Suburban Cook County
- Bartlett Park District, Tallgrass Park – $292,800
- Hanover Park Park District, Ranger Park site improvements – $600,000
- Village of Schaumburg, 90 North Park, phase 3 – $600,000
The funding was distributed through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program, a state-funded initiative that helps local administrations acquire land and develop parks, nature areas, and other outdoor recreational spaces. Grants can cover up to 50 percent of a project’s total cost, and up to 90 percent for under-resourced communities.
Since OSLAD was established in 1986, the program has provided more than $675 million to support park projects across Illinois.
IDHS Shares Resources as SNAP Work Requirement Rules Change in 2026
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is sharing updated information and resources for SNAP recipients as new federal policy changes take effect in 2026.
Under the updated federal rules, the definition of Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) has expanded. Previously, it applied to adults ages 18–54 with no disabilities and no children under 18 living at home. It now includes individuals ages 55–64 with no disabilities, as well as adults with children in the home when the youngest child is age 14 or older. As a result, more SNAP recipients may be subject to work requirements moving forward.
Beginning February 1, 2026, ABAWDs who are not meeting work requirements and do not qualify for an exemption may receive SNAP benefits for only three months within a three-year period before losing eligibility. In Illinois, the current three-year period ends December 31, 2026, meaning some individuals could begin losing benefits as early as May 1, 2026.
To help individuals better understand the changes and determine whether they may be impacted, SNAP customers can use the ABE SNAP Work Requirements screener to check their status, confirm compliance, or see whether they may be eligible for an exemption.
IDHS also highlighted outreach materials created by the Greater Chicago Food Depository, including a toolkit with flyers, social media resources, and presentation materials designed to help share information ahead of the February deadline.
IDHS will also continue providing updates through snapfederalimpact.illinois.gov.
Dept. of Aging is Seeking Senior Illinoisans for Hall of Fame
The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame, a program that recognizes Illinois residents aged 65 and older for outstanding lifetime achievements and contributions.
Each year, four older adults are selected for induction, with honorees representing accomplishments in areas such as arts, sports and entertainment, community service, education, and the workforce. Nominations are open to the public, meaning anyone can submit a candidate for consideration.
To qualify, nominees must be at least 65 years old at the time they are nominated and must either currently live in Illinois or have spent most of their life in the state. The Department also accepts posthumous nominations, as long as the individual was 65 or older and an Illinois resident at the time of their death.
To be considered for the 2026 class, nominations must be submitted by June 2, 2026. For more information or to submit a nomination, please click here.