Neighbor-

Since session ended last month I have been busy at work in District 37. My goal this summer is to speak with as many constituents as possible to ensure that I am ready to bring solid legislation forward that will help our community. 

SAFE-T Act

On July 18th, the Illinois Supreme Court released their decision to uphold the SAFE-T Act. The decision was disappointing, but not surprising. The current polarization of party politics has led to the passage of extreme legislation, such as the SAFE-T Act, that ends up helping no one. While reform is necessary to our current criminal justice system, this is not the way to do it. We cannot put our citizens, families, and communities at risk by implementing a method with no results to show for itself. 

With out-of-control crime spreading from cities like Chicago into neighboring suburbs, now is not the time to take risks when legislating public safety policies. Instead, we should focus on supporting our law enforcement and protecting our communities.

July Local Business Highlight

For my July 2023 local business highlight, I am highlighting Clancy Bros. Coffee in Mokena. I chose to honor Clancy Bros. Coffee because they offer a quality product and experience to our community. Their cafe is a welcoming space for residents to enjoy freshly prepared food and drinks off their menu, or to purchase their specialty grade whole coffee beans.

Clancy Bros. Coffee was founded in 2022 by brothers Nick and Chris Clancy. Following a trip to a coffee roastery in Arizona, the brothers were inspired to offer a better quality experience that can only be achieved through small batch specialty coffee. Their cafe offers a wide variety of coffee and non-coffee beverages, as well as food and baked goods. Clancy Bros. also sells whole beans to both customers and wholesale so others can experience a higher caliber of coffee.

It’s encouraging to see a family-owned business thrive in our community. Small businesses like Clancy Bros. are the backbone of our local economy, and I appreciate all the work they have done to make their roastery a success.

Clancy Bros. Coffee is located at 19931 S. Wolf Road in Mokena. They are open from 7 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, 7 am – 5 pm on Saturday, and from 7 am – 3 pm on Sunday.

For more information about Clancy Bros. Coffee, visit their website at ClancyBrosCoffee.com.

To nominate a local business in District 37 for a future highlight, visit RepOzinga.org and select Local Business Highlight Submission Form under Resources. 

Summer Reading Program Ice Cream Party – Thursday, August 24th!

As a father, I have seen firsthand how reading skills can regress during the summer months. It can be hard to keep children engaged with reading, which is why I am hosting my summer reading program. This program is a fun way to get kids excited about reading and rewards them for completing eight books.

To celebrate all the reading students have done this summer, my office will be hosting an ice cream event for any child who submits a completed form on Thursday, August 24th! The event will be hosted at my Mokena District Office, located at 11019 Front St, Suite 1W, Mokena, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Forms must include at least eight finished books and a parents signature.

Any student who submits their completed form before Thursday, August 10th will also receive a personalized certificate for their hard work this summer. 

Completed forms can be submitted online by clicking here, or by mailing or dropping off physical copies to my district office in Mokena, located at 11019 Front St, Suite 1W. 

Heat Safety Reminders

With temperatures reaching almost 100 degrees last week, I want to remind everyone of a few important heat safety tips.

• Limit outdoor activities.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Wear light clothing.
• Wear sunscreen.
• Work outdoors early or very late in the day.
• If it’s too hot for you, it’s likely too hot for your pet! Be sure to use foot protection when walking dogs on paved surfaces. 

Finally, always be sure to check in on your neighbors, specifically those who are elderly, those without A/C, or those with disabilities. We are stronger when we come together and look out for one another as a community!

Keep Up to Date

Click here to visit my website. There you can contact my office, see what legislation I am working on, and more.

I will continue to update you monthly via this e-newsletter about events and programs I will be hosting throughout the summer, as well as important information as we move into our Fall legislative session.