Friend,
I hope you had a wonderful weekend and stayed warm and safe with all the snow. I spent some time catching up on wrapping presents and enjoying the holiday season, while also reflecting on the work ahead for our community as we head into the new year.
Topics below include:
- Mom & Meals Drive – Thank you to everyone who donated!
- You Asked — We Acted
- Grand Opening of Salvation Army in Lake Zurich
- Holiday Fire Safety Risks
Grand Opening of Salvation Army in Lake Zurich
It was great to join the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce for the ribbon cutting of the new Salvation Army Thrift Store in Lake Zurich! With the Salvation Army brass ensemble, food trucks, and a strong turnout from the community, it was a wonderful celebration and a great addition to our area!
You Asked — We Acted
Our Senior Fraud Prevention events were such a hit this fall, we got a special request to bring one to Ela Township, and we couldn’t say no! The turnout was amazing, and I loved meeting so many of you in person. It’s inspiring to see our community come together, learn, and stay informed about protecting themselves from scams.
Events like this are exactly why I love hosting them. I enjoy getting to connect with you, answer your questions, and provide tools that make life a little easier. I’m excited to keep bringing these events throughout the district, and I’d love to hear your ideas! If there’s a topic you want covered or an event you’d like to see near you, please reach out. We want to make it happen!
Mom & Meals Drive – Thank You!
We’re wrapping up our Moms & Meals Drive, and I want to thank everyone who donated, dropped off items, and helped make this effort such a success. The generosity shown by our community has been incredible!
From individuals who stopped by with a few items to large donations, every contribution made a real difference. Special shoutout to Jessica Cortez for generously dropping off 20 cases of water last week! Pictured above is John, who is a part of my staff! Thank you, John, for helping bring in all that water!
This week, we’ll be delivering everything we’ve received to local food pantries across the district, ensuring these donations reach single moms and families who need support the most. Growing up raised by a single mother, I know how meaningful community support can be. Thank you for coming together to show families in need that they are not alone.
State Fire Marshal Reminds Illinois Residents of Holiday Fire Safety Risks
With holiday festivities underway, the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and its fire safety partners are reminding Illinois residents to keep fire safety at the top of their holiday checklist as they decorate and gather with family and friends in the coming weeks.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles, and more than two of every five occur when decorations are placed too close to a heat source. Nationwide, fire departments respond to an estimated 832 home structure fires each year that begin with decorations, excluding Christmas trees. Meanwhile, between 2019 and 2023, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 145 Christmas tree fires per year.
To help Illinois families stay safe this season, OSFM and its partners shared the following fire safety tips:
- Be careful with holiday decorations. Make sure decorations are either flame-retardant or flame-resistant.
- Keep lit candles at least 12 inches away from decorations or anything that can catch fire.
- Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
- Extinguish all lit candles before going to bed or leaving the house.
- Check to make sure your lights are rated for indoor or outdoor use or both.
- Replace any light strands that have worn or broken cords. Make sure to read the recommendation for the number of light strings you can string together.
- Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.
- If you have a real Christmas tree, make sure to check water levels daily.
- Keep real Christmas trees away from a heat source. It can dry out the tree quickly.
The OSFM is also hosting its annual Keep the Wreath Red Campaign from December 1 through January 2 at offices in Springfield and Chicago, as well as at the Quinn Fire Academy. The campaign raises awareness about holiday fire safety by replacing red wreath bulbs with white ones when a fire-related death occurs. Last year, 12 lives were lost in fire-related incidents in Illinois during the holiday season.
Have a great week! As always, my office is here to help if you have questions or need assistance with anything. You can contact us here or call (224)662-4544.
Only 10 more days till Christmas!
Yours truly,
State Senator Darby Hills