When SB3016 passed the House this week, it felt deeply personal to me. Before public office, before Springfield, before any title, I was simply a mom trying to help my daughter navigate a world that often overlooked children with disabilities.
Watching Ashlynn live with cerebral palsy changed the way I saw accessibility, inclusion, and community. I experienced the heartbreak of inaccessible playgrounds, public spaces filled with barriers, and moments where families like ours felt left out. Those experiences eventually pushed me into public service because I knew families across Illinois deserved better.
SB3016 encourages communities to prioritize accessibility and universal design in parks and recreation projects so children, seniors, families, and individuals with disabilities can fully participate together. This mission has been part of my journey for years, from helping create Homer Glen’s Ability Awareness Committee to advocating for accessibility across the country during my time as Mrs. America.
This legislation represents the voices of families who have fought to make their communities more welcoming and inclusive. I know the parents behind this bill. I know the children who have watched from the sidelines because spaces were never designed with them in mind.
Every child deserves the chance to laugh, play, connect, and feel included. Seeing this legislation move forward was a moment I will never forget.
Spring Photo Contest
Love photography?
I’d love to invite you to participate in my Spring Photo Contest!
This contest is a great opportunity to share the photos that capture the spirit and character of the area we call home.
The winning photo will be featured on my official website, shared on social media, and displayed in my District Office.
All submissions must be received by June 19 and can be emailed to [email protected]. For more information, please contact my office at 630-755-4296.
National Blue Ribbon Schools in D82
District 82 has two out of the four schools in Illinois that were given this award! That’s huge!
Big congratulations to two outstanding schools in our district for earning the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Schools Program Gold Star recognition.
Hadley Middle School in Homer Glen and Pleasantdale Elementary School in LaGrange continue to set the standard through hard work, dedicated educators, supportive families, and students who strive for excellence every day.
As a mom with a son at Hadley Middle School, this recognition feels especially meaningful to our family. Achievements like this reflect the strength of our communities and the incredible commitment happening inside our classrooms across the district. I’m proud to celebrate these schools and everyone who played a role in this accomplishment.
Congratulations again on this well-deserved honor!
Neonatal Intensive Leave Care Act
A big thank you to the Associated Press for highlighting such an important issue facing families across our country. This story shines a light on the emotional and financial strain parents face when their newborns are fighting for their lives in the NICU.
No parent should have to choose between being there for their baby and protecting their job or paycheck. Illinois took an important step forward with NICU leave protections. I’m proud to be co-sponsor of the Neonatal Intensive Leave Care Act (HB2978), legislation that recognizes the realities families are living through during some of the hardest moments of their lives. This bill, now signed into law, goes into effect June 1st.
Read more: Parents push for NICU leave after wins in Colorado and Illinois | AP News
Another outstanding student from our community is making us proud.
Congratulations to Ava Amato of Lemont High School on being recognized by Patch and T-Mobile as a featured Star Student!
Ava’s dedication in the classroom, leadership in journalism, involvement in track and field, and commitment to excellence have clearly made an impact on her community and peers. She serves as co-editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, earned recognition from the English Department at her school and multiple honor societies, and represents the very best of our next generation.
I’m wishing Ava continued success as she prepares to study public policy at UIC. Great things are ahead for her! Congratulations, Ava!
Read more: Lemont Senior Balances Journalism, Honors Societies And Track Success | Lemont, IL Patch
Resources
The Illinois Department of Transportation has launched a new student loan repayment program that will provide up to $60,000 in assistance for eligible civil engineers who graduate from Illinois schools and commit to working at IDOT. The program is designed to help attract talented young engineers into public service careers while strengthening Illinois’ infrastructure workforce for the future.
Programs like this can help open doors for students who want to pursue engineering but are concerned about the financial weight of higher education. At the same time, it helps ensure Illinois has the skilled professionals needed to improve roads, bridges, and transportation systems across our state.
Illinois needs more engineers, and this new initiative is a smart way to help build that workforce while easing the burden of student loan debt for young professionals. This initiative comes as Illinois continues major infrastructure investments through Rebuild Illinois and other transportation improvement projects statewide.
Learn more: New student loan repayment program offered for IDOT engineers
If you’d like to receive these updates directly to your inbox, sign-up below!