Can you believe it’s already the last day of August? Even with a hot week ahead, fall is just around the corner. As we head into a new season, I’m looking forward to continuing to get out into our communities, listening to residents, and hearing what matters most to you and your family. There’s always something happening across our district, and I’m grateful for every opportunity to connect with the people I’m honored to represent.
I hope you enjoy these final days of summer, and as always, I’d love to hear from you.
Topics below include:
- Protecting Kids in a Digital World
- E-Bike Legislation Signed into Law
- Keeping Our Community Safe Through Prescription Drug Take Back
- Prairie State Conservation Coalition’s Regional Conservation Gathering
- Celebrating Students at Summer Reading Ice Cream Social
- Grant Opportunity for Local Transportation Providers
- Mark Your Calendars! Upcoming Events Near You
Protecting Kids in a Digital World
Thank you to everyone who joined us for “Kids in a Digital World” and to the experts from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Illinois State Police, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and our community partners for sharing important information with parents and caregivers.
From social media and cyberbullying to online exploitation, privacy and emerging technology, children and families are facing new challenges every day. These conversations matter, and I’m committed to making sure parents have the tools and information they need to help keep their children safe.
For parents looking for additional resources, a collection of online safety webinars is available here, including “Youth & AI: What Parents Should Know About Generative AI & AI-Generated Deepfakes”: https://vimeo.com/showcase/9108960
I’m grateful we had the opportunity to bring our community together for an important conversation about protecting our kids in the digital age.
Thank you to Steve from the Chicago Tribune for joining us and sharing his perspective, and to everyone who helped make this discussion possible.
Keeping our children safe online takes awareness, education, and all of us working together.
Read the full story on the Chicago Tribune here.
E-Bike Legislation Signed into Law
As a mom, there is nothing more important to me than making sure our kids can get outside, have fun, and get home safely. That’s why I’m so proud to see our e-bike safety legislation, SB3484, signed into law.
I want to thank Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias for helping lead this effort and for being a great partner throughout the process. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside him on legislation that will have a real impact on families across Illinois.
This is exactly what government should look like, listening to people, identifying a problem and actually doing something about it. I’m proud we were able to turn those concerns into action and make our communities safer for everyone.
Click here to watch a video I posted when it got signed into law.
Prairie State Conservation Coalition’s Regional Conservation Gathering
On Friday, I joined local conservation leaders, park districts, and community partners in Barrington Hills for the Prairie State Conservation Coalition’s Regional Conservation Gathering. It was great to connect with the Nature Conservancy in Illinois, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Openlands, Citizens for Conservation, the Barrington Area Conservation Trust, and other local groups
Protecting our open spaces, preserving natural habitats, and keeping our communities connected takes all of us working together. I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the important conservation work happening in our region and discuss how we can build stronger partnerships to protect these spaces for generations to come.
Keeping Our Community Safe Through Prescription Drug Take Back
I was proud to host a Prescription Drug Take Back Event in Palatine in partnership with the Palatine Police Department, Inverness Police Department, and Cook County Sheriff’s Office, giving residents a safe and convenient way to dispose of unused or expired medications.
Too often, medications that are no longer needed can end up sitting in our homes, creating an unnecessary risk for children, family members, or others who may access them. Proper disposal helps prevent misuse and keeps these medications out of our homes and out of our water supply.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by, brought in unwanted medications, and helped make our community a safer place. Events like this are a great reminder that small steps can make a big difference when we all work together.
Celebrating Students at Summer Reading Ice Cream Social
This summer, students from across the district participated in our summer reading program, making time to read and stay engaged while school was out.
Last week, I had the opportunity to celebrate their hard work with an ice cream social. It was wonderful to meet with the students, hear about what they had been reading and recognize their accomplishments with a certificate from the Illinois Senate.
I’m proud of everyone who participated and hope they continue their love of reading throughout the school year. Thank you to all of the students and families who took part in making this summer reading program a success!
Grant Opportunity for Local Transportation Providers
I want to make sure local agencies and nonprofits in our community know about a new grant opportunity through the Illinois Department of Transportation.
IDOT is accepting applications for grants to provide accessible paratransit vehicles to municipalities, local governments, and nonprofit organizations that provide specialized transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
These vehicles can help local organizations expand or maintain reliable transportation services for those who depend on them.
Applications are due September 21, with awards expected to be announced this fall.
If your organization provides specialized transportation services, I encourage you to look into this opportunity and apply. You can learn more and submit an application through IDOT’s transit grant management system.
Applications should be submitted online through IDOT’s transit grant management system at ildot.blackcattransit.com. For more information, please contact Zoe Keller, IDOT’s section chief of consolidated vehicle procurement, at Zoe.Keller@Illinois.gov.
Mark Your Calendars! Upcoming Events Near You
There’s something happening all year long across the 26th District! I am hosting these events to connect residents with valuable resources, services, educational seminars, family activities, and opportunities to get involved.
September Events
💊 Mundelein Medicare 101
Tuesday, September 8 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Mundelein Police Department
221 N. Lake St., Mundelein, IL 60060
🎓 Virtual Financial Aid Webinar
Wednesday, September 9 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Virtual Event
💡 Utility Bill Clinic
Thursday, September 10 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Palatine Senior Center
505 S. Quentin Road, Palatine, IL 60067
💼 Job Fair
Monday, September 21 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Mundelein Park & Recreation District
1401 N. Midlothian Rd., Mundelein
🛡️ Hawthorn Woods Senior Fraud Prevention Seminar
Wednesday, September 23 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
The Barn at Village Hall
2 Lagoon Drive, Hawthorn Woods, IL 60047
🚗 Free Car Seat Safety Inspection
Saturday, September 26 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Algonquin Police Department
2200 Harnish Dr., Algonquin, IL 60102
🚙 Palatine Township Mobile DMV Event
Wednesday, September 30 | 10:00 AM
721 S. Quentin Rd., Suite 101, Palatine, IL 60067
👵 Wauconda Senior Health Fair
Wednesday, September 30 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wauconda Township
505 West Bonner Road, Wauconda, IL 60084
Stay tuned for more events to be added! Visit www.senatordarbyhills.com/events to follow along and learn more details.
Traveling Office Hours
We’re bringing our office to you! Need help with a state agency, have questions about legislation or state government, or want to share your thoughts on issues affecting our community? Stop by one of Senator Darby Hills’ Traveling Office Hours to meet with members of our team.
Our Staff Can Help With:
Assistance with state agencies and services
Questions about legislation and state government
Information about Senator Hills’ legislative priorities
Concerns or ideas affecting our communities
Connecting residents with available state resources
We’re committed to making our office accessible and being available to the people we represent. Stop by one of these locations, say hello, and let us know how we can help.
As always, my office is here to help if you have any questions or need assistance with anything. You can contact us here or call (224)662-4544.
Yours truly,
Senator Darby Hills