Senator Seth Lewis’ October E-Newsletter

Senator Seth Lewis Earns “A” Ranking on IMA Legislative Scorecard

In recognition of the votes I have taken in the legislature that benefit manufacturers and the broader business community in Illinois, I am proud to announce I was recently named a “Champion of Manufacturing” by the Illinois Manufacturing Association (IMA). I earned an “A” in the ranking.

The IMA awarded the title based on its 2024 Legislative Report Card, which highlights lawmakers who consistently support Illinois’ manufacturing industry. The Report Card rates lawmakers based on their voting record on key bills that impact the state’s manufacturing sector.

The manufacturing industry is vital to the Illinois economy, and I am proud to be recognized for my work on this industry’s behalf. I look forward to working collaboratively to enact policies that help these critical job providers grow and thrive.

IMA Vice President of Government Affairs Donovan Griffith had this to say upon making the announcement:

“Senator Lewis is a strong supporter of manufacturers, advocating for measures that will strengthen investment and spur economic growth in our communities. We thank Senator Lewis for standing with job creators as we work to build a more prosperous Illinois for generations to come.”

To see a full list of bills evaluated by the IMA for the 2024 Legislative Report Card, click here.

Senator Lewis and Representative Grant to Partner on Electronics Recycling Event

September was an extremely busy month in the 24^th District with a variety of successful events that included a REAL ID/Mobile Secretary of State event, a senior fair, a Medicare information seminar, and traveling office hours. All of the events were very well attended, and I thank everyone who came out!

Two very popular events are coming up in October that you won’t want to miss.

With a goal of protecting the environment by keeping electronics out of Illinois landfills, State Representative Amy Grant and I are hosting an Electronics Recycling Event on Saturday, October 5 in Wheaton.

This free event offers the perfect opportunity to safely recycle electronic items. It is an efficient way for you to dispose of most old, non-functional, or unneeded electronics. More importantly, it keeps these items out of landfills.

Those who participate can remain in their vehicles as event volunteers unload items to be recycled. Items that will be accepted include cell phones, computers, computer keyboards, computer monitors, computer mouses, computer printers, digital converter boxes, satellite receivers, fax machines, portable digital music players, scanners, small servers, TVs, and video game consoles.

Then, on October 24, Representative Grant and I are bringing a mobile team from the Illinois Tollway to Carol Stream to help people switch out their existing plastic IPASS transponders with the new sticker technology.

Officials from the Illinois Tollway will be on hand to help people transfer over to the new sticker technology and ensure people can make the switch without disruption to their IPASS account activity,” said Lewis. “Along with providing this service, the tollway officials can help people with questions they may have about their IPASS account and with ‘Pay by Plate’ issues.

Once activated, the sticker tag can be used on the Illinois tollway and on E-Z Pass roadways in other states within 24 hours of activation. There is no deposit required for the sticker and the $10 transponder deposit that was paid when a transponder was purchased will transfer to the new account when it is activated.

For additional information about these events, please contact my district office at (630) 349-0645 or email Abby at amccarthy@sgop.ilga.gov.

Girls Lead Program Now Accepting Applications

For the second consecutive year, the Illinois Council on Women and Girls is inviting girls in grades 5 through 12 to apply for the Illinois Girls Lead Program, a job shadowing and mentoring opportunity designed to connect students with women leaders in state government.

The Illinois Girls Lead Program offers a chance for young students to witness firsthand the impact women have on shaping Illinois. Participating mentors come from different areas of state government and serve in various leadership roles, including elected General Assembly women, policy directors, general counsels, chiefs of staff, agency directors, and more.

The shadowing opportunities are tailored by grade level, as follows:

• 5th Grade: One day of shadowing a female leader in state government, followed by a short reflection on what each participant learned.
• 6th-8th Grade: One day of shadowing a female leader, accompanied by an essay written by each participant on their mentor’s role, the office shadowed observed, and key leadership lessons.
• 9th-12th Grade: A minimum of three days shadowing a female leader and learning from her team. Participants will select an ongoing policy topic and write a research paper offering personal recommendations for solutions.

Applicants should demonstrate a strong desire to learn about the inner workings of state government. Applications are due by the end of the day on October 20^th. To apply, visit the State Board of Education’s application page.

Lewis Partners with Bipartisan Coalition on Purse Drive for Domestic Violence Survivors

I’m pleased to announce that during the month of October I am partnering with a bipartisan group of legislators from DuPage County for the “Love Purse Collection” to benefit domestic violence survivors in women’s shelters.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the office I share with State Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro in Carol Stream will serve as a drop-off location for donated new purses.  New purses can be dropped off between the hours of 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, through the end of October. Our office is located at 962 West Army Trail Road in Carol Stream.

Please note that only new purses can be donated for this event. Purses are filled with a variety of toiletries before they are distributed to domestic violence survivors.

DuPage County Organizations Receive Intervention Grants

Several organizations in DuPage County recently received a share of $1.03 million in Immediate Intervention grants by the DuPage Community Transformation Partnership (DCTP). The grants will help fund the work of 16 social service not-for-profit organizations serving DuPage County residents in the areas of food insecurity, housing instability, mental health, and substance use disorder.

The DCTP was established in 2022 and is a $10 million grant program between DuPage County and DuPage Foundation to support social service not-for-profit organizations helping DuPage County residents.

The following organizations were selected to receive funding:

Food Insecurity Grants: $197,000

• DuPage Senior Citizens Council: $70,000
• Hope’s Front Door: $20,000
• Milton Township Food Pantry: $22,000
• People’s Resource Center: $85,000

Housing Instability Grants: $473,144

• Catholic Charities: $113,700
• DuPagePads: $75,000
• ICNA Relief: $20,000
• Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans: $100,000
• WeGo Together for Kids: $34,444
• World Relief Chicagoland: $130,000

Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Grants: $362,633

• Alive Center: $19,700
• DuPage Health Coalition: $50,000
• Easter Seals DuPage & Fox Valley: $50,000
• Mercy Housing Lakefront: $51,933
• NAMI DuPage: $126,000
• Samara Care: $65,000

Visit this link to see project descriptions for each of the grantees:
https://dupagefoundation.org/grants/dupage-community-transformation-partnership-grantees.html

LIHEAP Energy Assistance Program Applications Now Being Accepted

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers one-time help to income-eligible homeowners and renters. This can help pay energy bills or restore shut off energy services. LIHEAP customers of Nicor Gas will also get a monthly discount on their natural gas bills through the new Low-Income Discount Rates.

DuPage County Community Services started taking applications Oct. 1 for adults aged 60 or older, individuals with disabilities, families with children under the age of 5, and households that have had their utilities disconnected or have received a disconnection notice. Residents can make an in-person appointment by calling Community Services at (630) 407-6500 or (800) 942-9412. Appointments began on Oct. 1. All other income-eligible households can apply starting Nov. 1.

To qualify, household income must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Income limits can be found online at www.dupagecounty.gov/liheap. To apply, you will need to provide:

• Proof of household income from the past 30 days.
• Social Security Numbers (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for all household members (you can still apply if you don’t have an SSN or ITIN).
• A copy of your current heat and electric bills within the last 30 days.
• If you rent, a copy of your rental agreement that shows utilities are included, the rent amount, and your landlord’s contact info.
• Other documents may be needed based on your situation.

Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis through Aug. 15, 2025, or until the funding runs out. Applications will be accepted at DuPage County Community Services, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, and at the following offices:

• Access DuPage/DuPage Health Coalition – 511 Thornhill Drive, Unit C, Carol Stream; (630) 510-8720
• Addison Township – 401 Addison Road, Addison; (630) 530-8161
• Bloomingdale Township – 123 Rosedale Ave, Bloomingdale; (630) 529-7715
• Downers Grove Township – 4340 Prince St., Downers Grove; (630) 719-6610
• Lisle Township – 4711 Indiana Ave., Lisle; (630) 968-2087
• Loaves & Fishes – 1871 High Grove Lane, Naperville; (630) 355-3663
• Naperville Township – 139 Water St., Naperville; (630) 355-2444
• People’s Resource Center – 201 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton; (630) 682-5402
• Wayne Township – 27W031 North Ave., West Chicago; (630) 231-7140
• West Suburban Community Pantry – 6809 Hobson Valley Drive, #118, Woodridge; (630) 512-9921
• Winfield Township – 130 Arbor Ave., West Chicago; (630) 231-3573
• Milton Township – 1492 N. Main St., Wheaton; (630) 653-5220
• York Township – 1052 S. Meyers Road, Lombard; (630) 627-3354

For more information, visit www.dupagecounty.gov/liheap or liheapillinois.com.

For those living in Cook County, the Community & Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA) has a web page dedicated to utility assistance. That page can be accessed here.

Senator Seth Lewis Named Champion of Free Enterprise by Illinois Chamber of Commerce

I am happy to announce that I have been named a Champion of Free Enterprise by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce for strongly defending free enterprise and advocating for the furtherance of economic opportunities for all Illinoisans.

The Illinois Chamber’s staff and Government Affairs Committee rated all members of the 103^rd General Assembly based on legislators’ votes on the key business legislation. The Champion of Free Enterprise Award was given to members who demonstrated through their voting record a commitment to legislation that frees the entrepreneurial spirit and supports Illinois’ job creators. The ranking bills in the Senate and House were selected based on their impact on the business community.

I have been proud to show support for the business community through the votes I have taken in the Senate over the last two years and am honored to receive this distinction from the Illinois Chamber. These are our job creators, and rather than stifling their ability to grow and thrive, legislators must do everything we can to help current businesses stay here and encourage new businesses to locate here. Through our policymaking, we must make Illinois a place people want to live rather than leave.

Illinois Chamber President and CEO Lou Sandoval had this to say after announcing the champions:

“Senator Seth Lewis has been on the side of Illinois businesses since his start in the Illinois General Assembly. Senator Lewis has been a valuable addition to the Illinois Senate, bringing a thoughtful and collaborative approach to legislating that is essential for businesses in the state. We are pleased to award this first, of what we know will be many, Champion of Free Enterprise Award to Senator Lewis.”

Click here to view the list of award winners and a summary of the bills that were used in the ranking process.

Adult Literacy Grants Coming to District 24 Library Systems

The Secretary of State’s Office recently announced grant allocations for library services and literacy programs, and $240,000 is headed to the 24^th District. The grants for library services include funding to enhance online catalogues, support day-to-day operations, expand interlibrary loan programs and equip vision-impaired individuals with narrations of newspaper content. The literacy grants are designed to promote basic reading, math, writing and English language skills.

Grant recipients in the 24^th District include:

• World Relief Chicagoland: Adult Literacy, $100,000
• Metropolitan Asian Family Services: Adult Literacy, $40,000
• Literacy DuPage: Adult Literacy, $100,000