CHICAGO — State Rep. Mike Kelly, D-Chicago, is inviting community members to a Community Shred Day at Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church, 5106 N. LaCrosse Ave. in Chicago on Saturday, June 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

“Protecting sensitive personal information starts with only keeping necessary copies of it and ensuring that old or unneeded copies are properly destroyed,” Kelly said. “That’s why I make it a priority to ensure that our community has access to safe and secure disposal for sensitive documents.”

The event is open to residential households only. Businesses and organizations will not be served. There is a limit of two (2) boxes per household, and no boxes may be left at the location. Shredding will occur on-site. Staples, paper and other metal must be removed prior to shredding. 

The event is also co-hosted by 39th Ward Ald. Samantha Nugent, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, state Sen. Ram Villivalam, Vice President of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Theresa Flynn, Cook County Commissioners Bridget Degnan and Bridget Gainer, and Chicago School Board District 1B Member Jennifer Custer.

Participants are asked to enter the location using the Foster Ave. entrance and to remain in their vehicles for safety. Staff will be on hand to assist and to direct traffic.

Additionally Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is providing safe disposal for unneeded prescription drugs. Needles will not be accepted. As well as a truck to take old electronics for recycling. 

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Following the end of the 2024 legislative session, state Rep. Mike Kelly, D-Chicago, is highlighting key bills aimed at enhancing public safety—as well as his role in passing Illinois sixth consecutive balanced budget.

Kelly sponsored Senate Bill 2702 in the House, which more tightly regulates licensed fire sprinkler inspectors by requiring that individual inspectors be employed by only one licensed sprinkler inspection contractor at a time.

“Ensuring that the people entrusted with ensuring that critical safety equipment like fire sprinklers are up to code can be held accountable is crucial,” Kelly said. “That’s why it’s important for inspectors to be affiliated with one and only one licensed contractor at a time—we need to know who is responsible for whom, and contractors need to be able to oversee their inspectors without being second guessed by another company they are also working for.”

Kelly also sponsored Senate Bill 3201 in the House, which mandates the creation of training programs for police officers in autism-informed responses, procedures and techniques within 2 years.

“People with autism often have difficulty understanding or responding to others in the same way that neurotypical individuals do, which means that the risk of misunderstandings—that can have tragic consequences—is higher,” Kelly said. “That’s why it’s important for law enforcement to be able to recognize and respond to autism safely and constructively.”

Kelly’s House Bill 4321 would extend the same presumption of full duty disability to downstate first responders disabled by COVID-19 that is currently enjoyed by those in the Chicago-area. Kelly passed the bill unanimously out of the House, but it stalled on First Reading in the Senate, where it was not assigned to a committee.”

“The lack of movement in the Senate is disappointing, obviously, but I’m not done fighting to ensure that every first responder in our state gets the support they deserve after putting their health on the line for their community,” Kelly said. “First responders who can no longer work because of the lingering effects of COVID-19—especially those who fell ill before vaccines were available—were injured in the line of duty and they should be treated as such.” 

More information about Kelly’s legislation is available at ILGA.gov.

Capping off the session, Kelly joined House and Senate colleagues in passing Illinois’ sixth consecutive balanced budget. 

“After a long and diligent process, I’m proud to say that we’ve once again created a state budget that goes line-by-line identifying efficiencies and prioritizing beneficial spending that aligns with the priorities and needs of working families,” Kelly said. “Despite the noisy grumbling from some quarters, the truth is that we’re continuing to move Illinois forward by focusing on basics, identifying and addressing critical needs and mapping out a path to a brighter future for everyone.”

Among the priorities in the budget being sent to the governor’s desk are:

• a $50 million Child Tax Credit that will help families raising young children make ends meet;
• New funding to expand early childhood education opportunities to 5,000 additional Illinois families;
• $350 million for K-12 classroom education—for a five-year total of over $1.5 billion;
• New funding to community birth centers, to help improve outcomes for moms and babies; 
• Expanded funding for innovative approaches to combatting homelessness;
• New funding for local road repair in historically disinvested communities;
• New tools to help local governments control property taxes.

“This is a budget backed by business groups, that gives back to families, all while holding the line on taxes,” Kelly said. “By honoring our commitment to do the people’s business in a responsible manner instead of playing partisan politics, we’re lifting up everyone and planning for a better future.” 

CHICAGO — State Rep. Michael Kelly, D-Chicago, is helping to recognize individuals dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by supporting legislation to have Illinois recognize June 27 as National PTSD Awareness Day.

“As a first responder for nearly 20 years, I’ve seen firsthand the impacts that PTSD can have on an individual,” said Kelly. “People dealing with PTSD deserve our support, and I am proud to be a part of this effort to give their struggle more visibility.”

PTSD affects millions of Americans each year. While estimates vary, some estimates place the rate of PTSD in first responders as high as 1 in 3. Kelly sponsored House Bill 4928, which aims to promote greater recognition of the effects that PTSD has on individuals. The bill was passed unanimously by the House and now moves to the Senate.

“It’s important to destigmatize PTSD for those dealing with it,” said Kelly. “People with PTSD are not dangerous; they are simply struggling to cope with past traumas. There are ways for those living with this condition to get the help they need. We need to make sure individuals can reach out for help, and that is exactly what this legislation will help do. I encourage everyone to recognize and support those with PTSD, both on June 27, and year-round.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Mike Kelly, D-Chicago, is supporting first responders and their families by passing a pair of bills assisting first responders who have been injured, disabled or killed in the line of duty out of the Illinois House of Representatives.

“As Vice-Chair of the Police & Fire Committee and a firefighter for nearly 20 years, I understand the importance of helping those who have sacrificed in the name of protecting their community,” said Kelly. “These bills will play a part in our state’s ongoing efforts to support our first responders.”

Kelly’s House Bill 4321 expands eligibility for disability benefits for those who became disabled from a COVID-19 infection while in the line of duty. Currently, only Chicago has a law guaranteeing this. Kelly’s bill would provide this guarantee to every first responder in Illinois. 

House Bill 5288 introduces specialty vehicle plates that will fund grants to the 100 Club of Illinois, a non-profit charity that provides support to the families of first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty. 

Kelly secured unanimous support for both bills on the House floor. They now move to the Senate.

“First responders and their families need to know we have their backs,” said Kelly. “We need to do everything we can to pay first responders back for the work they’ve done to keep us safe. These bills will help first responders who have been harmed in the line of duty and their families receive the support they need.”

CHICAGO — State Rep. Michael J. Kelly, D-Chicago, is holding a ‘Toys for Tots’ drive, in conjunction with Alderman Samantha Nugent, now through December 15. Donations can be dropped off at Kelly and Nugent’s shared office, 4200 W. Lawrence Ave. in Chicago. Drop-off hours are Mondays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“As the holiday season gets underway, let’s keep in mind the kids in our community whose loved ones may not be able to afford the type of toys that other families often take for granted,” Kelly said. “Please join Alderman Nugent and I in helping more families make their kids’ holiday season special.” 

Acceptable donations consist of new, unopened and unwrapped toys—meaning still in manufacturer or store packaging but without wrapping paper.