October 9, 2026

Hill’s Highlights: Lowering Utility Costs, Fighting for Affordability, Grant Opportunities

I hope you enjoyed your weekend! Fall is officially in the air, and the leaves are starting to change colors across our communities. It’s such a beautiful time of year, and I hope you’re finding a little time to get outside and enjoy it!

It’s been another busy week here in the 26th District, and I’m excited to share some of what we’ve been working on!

As always, I’d love to hear from you. If you ever have any questions, you can always respond to this email!

Topics below include:

Helping Families Find Relief from Rising Utility Costs
Connecting Residents with Important Medicare Resources
Fighting to Make Owning a Home More Affordable
Giving Back to Our Community at Shred Day and Food Drive
$1.8 Million in Grant Funds for Local Food Infrastructure Across Illinois
Illinois Expands Restaurant Meals Program for Eligible SNAP Recipients

Helping Families Find Relief from Rising Utility Costs

I hear from families across our district who are frustrated by how much they’re paying for electricity and natural gas. When you’re already trying to keep up with groceries, property taxes, and other household expenses, a higher utility bill is the last thing you need.

That’s why I partnered with the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) to host a free Utility Bill Clinic on October 6 in Mundelein. Residents had the opportunity to sit down one-on-one with counselors, review their bills, identify potential savings, and learn about rebates and assistance programs that could help lower their monthly costs.

But my work doesn’t stop there. In Springfield, I’m working on legislation to address rising energy costs, protect our resources, and give local communities a stronger voice:

SB 2687: Creates the Home Utility Relief Act to provide rebates for families struggling with rising utility bills.
SB 3580: Creates a task force to monitor energy reliability and support emerging technologies, including carbon capture.
SB 3582: Streamlines permitting for new energy infrastructure to help bring additional electricity generation online.
SB 3578: Prevents foreign-owned data centers from overloading our electric grid and driving up costs for consumers.
SB 4203: Requires data centers receiving state tax incentives to provide direct benefits to host communities and local homeowners.
SB 4004: Protects Illinois water resources and increases transparency surrounding data center water usage.
SB 1050: Gives local communities a stronger voice in where data centers are built and how they operate.

I know how important it is for families to be able to afford to stay in their homes. I’ll continue working to connect residents with resources that can help today while pushing for long-term solutions to make energy more affordable.

Thank you to CUB and Fremont Township for helping make this event possible!

Connecting Residents with Important Medicare Resources

Medicare can be confusing, and I know how important it is for our seniors and their families to have the information they need to make the best decisions about their healthcare.

Last week I hosted a Medicare 101 Seminar at the Barrington Village Hall, where residents had the opportunity to hear directly from a representative of the Illinois Department on Aging.

We covered everything from Medicare eligibility and coverage options to resources that can help with out-of-pocket expenses. Most importantly, residents had the chance to ask questions and get answers about issues that directly affect them and their families.

One of my favorite parts of serving as your State Senator is getting to connect with residents and help them navigate the resources available to them. I want our seniors to feel informed, supported, and confident when making decisions about their healthcare.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to the Illinois Department on Aging for sharing this valuable information!

Fighting to Make Owning a Home More Affordable

Home should be where you build memories, raise a family, and put down roots. But with property taxes, insurance premiums, mortgage costs, and utility bills continuing to rise, it’s getting harder for Illinois families to afford the place they call home.

That’s why I’m supporting legislation to provide real relief for homeowners, seniors, and first-time buyers. From property tax credits to utility bill rebates, I’m fighting to make Illinois a more affordable place to call home.

Senate Bill 4029: Increases the income eligibility threshold for the Senior Property Tax Freeze based on inflation, helping more seniors remain eligible for property tax relief as costs rise.
Senate Bill 3868: Doubles the Property Tax Credit from 5% to 10% of property taxes paid.
Senate Bill 3849: Ties the General Homestead Exemption to inflation so homeowner tax relief keeps pace with rising costs.
Senate Bill 3848: Creates an income tax deduction to help offset rising homeowners’ insurance premiums.
Senate Bill 3959: Creates a tax credit for first-time homebuyers to help offset mortgage costs and make homeownership more affordable.
Senate Bill 2687: Creates the Home Utility Relief Act to provide rebates for families struggling with rising utility bills.

Giving Back to Our Community at Shred Day and Food Drive

It was great to see so many neighbors come out for our Free Shred Day and Community Food Drive on October 3 in Crystal Lake!

I partnered with Algonquin Township to give residents a free and convenient way to safely dispose of old documents and protect their personal information. We also collected non-perishable food donations to help local families in need.

I love hosting events like these because they’re about more than just providing a service. They’re an opportunity to connect with our neighbors, help one another, and make a difference right here in our community. Thank you to Algonquin Township and everyone who came out!

$1.8 Million Available to Support Local Farmers and Food Businesses

I want to make sure our local farmers, food businesses, and nonprofit organizations know about a new grant opportunity through the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

The state is making $1.8 million available through the Local Food Infrastructure Grants program to help strengthen local food production and distribution. Funding can be used for equipment and infrastructure such as refrigerated vehicles, food storage, processing facilities, and community kitchens.

Grants range from $1,000 to $75,000 for individual projects and up to $250,000 for collaborative projects.

Applications open November 2, 2026, and close January 6, 2027, at noon. Interested applicants are encouraged to begin the required pre-registration process now, as it can take two to four weeks.

Learn more and prepare to apply through the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Illinois Expands Restaurant Meals Program for Eligible SNAP Recipients

Illinois is expanding a program that helps eligible seniors, individuals with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness access prepared meals at participating restaurants.

The Restaurant Meals Program allows qualifying SNAP recipients to use their Illinois Link cards to purchase meals at approved restaurants. The program now includes 50 restaurants across 16 counties, with more restaurants encouraged to participate.

If you or someone you know receives SNAP benefits and may qualify, I encourage you to learn more about the program and check participating locations.

Learn More About the Restaurant Meals Program

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

🚗 I-PASS and I-CASH Event

Thursday, October 15 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

The Barn at Village Hall

2 Lagoon Drive, Hawthorn Woods

👵 Senior Health Fair

Wednesday, October 21 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

505 S. Quentin Road, Palatine, IL 60067

🚙 Lake Zurich Mobile DMV

Thursday, October 22 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

380 Surryse Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047

Prescription Drug Take Back