MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. – State Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, recently participated in the Illinois Principals Association “Principal for a Day” program at Holmes Jr. High School in Mount Prospect, teaching students about the Illinois General Assembly and his role as a state representative.

“I had a fantastic time meeting with the students, teachers and staff at Holmes,” Walker said. “It’s always a pleasure to talk with our students about government and the importance of being engaged. They were bright and inquisitive and asked some great questions.”

Organized through the Illinois Principals Association’s “Principal for a Day” program, Walker spent the visit teaching 6th, 7th and 8th graders about the Illinois General Assembly and what being a legislator is like. Walker also met with teachers and school leaders to discuss the ongoing state of education in Illinois. Reflecting his commitment to our teachers, Walker supported legislation increasing the teacher minimum wage and has supported increased funding for our schools to hire better teachers, better care for our students and lower residential property taxes.

“We have some of the best schools in Illinois right here in our community,” Walker said. “That’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teachers, staff and, of course, parents. I’d also like to thank the Illinois Principals Association for developing this educational program. I always enjoy meeting with local students. We must do all we can to help grow them into our future leaders.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Committed to meeting with residents of his district, state Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, is inviting the public to a Coffee and Conversation event on Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Panera Bread located at 5 W. Rand Rd. in Arlington Heights.

“With the General Assembly meeting for our fall veto session at the end of the month, my Coffee and Conversation event is an excellent opportunity to meet with me to share your concerns as we take on more legislation,” Walker said. “While the veto session is much shorter than spring session, there are many critical issues that may be addressed, such as climate change, gun control and gambling regulations.”

The Coffee and Conversation event is an informal opportunity for residents to meet with Walker to discuss the issues that matter most to them and any concerns they may have. Additionally, Walker’s office will also be hosting a number of Satellite Office Hours through the rest of the year. Representatives from Walker’s office will be at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library Nov. 6 and Dec. 4, and at the Mount Prospect Public Library Nov. 21 and Dec. 19. All Satellite Office Hours are from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Satellite Office Hours are another opportunity for constituents to express their thoughts about state issues or to receive help with state services.

“Whether it’s a coffee event or our Satellite Office Hours, I’m committed to hosting opportunities to meet with residents,” Walker said. “With a busy spring session and many issues left to address in upcoming sessions, it’s important for everyone to stay involved and informed in the process.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – High school seniors and their families received help applying for college financial aid and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at a workshop recently held by state Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, and state Sen. Ann Gillespie, D-Arlington Heights, in conjunction with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).

“Navigating the financial aid process can be complicated at times,” Walker said. “I’m grateful we had experts from ISAC on hand to help residents through the application. College aid is given on a first-come, first-serve basis, so it’s important students apply sooner rather than later.”

FAFSA applications for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year opened Oct. 1 for high school seniors. Submitting a FAFSA application can also qualify a student for state-level aid such as MAP Grants. If residents could not attend but would like assistance with the process, students and their families can contact ISAC at 847-544-9217.

“I’m proud of the steps we’ve taken in Illinois to make college more affordable for our residents,” Walker said. “We’ve increased access to our world-class higher education institutions by increasing funding for MAP grants and investing in Illinois’ AIM HIGH grant program. It’s important that as we increase access we also make sure students and their families can navigate the process effectively. I’m thankful for the work ISAC does to help us with that goal.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Reflecting his commitment to a green environment and economy, state Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, along with state Sen. Ann Gillespie, D-Arlington Heights, recently met with members of the Northwest Cook County chapter of the Sierra Club and accepted their petitions urging lawmakers to pass the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA).

“Illinois has a strong record of fighting disastrous climate change, but the fight isn’t over yet,” Walker said. “CEJA is a great bill that will expand on our current benchmarks and, importantly, creates good-paying, high-quality green economy jobs. CEJA will benefit every corner of our state.”

Committing Illinois to run entirely on renewable energy by 2050, CEJA also calls for the creation of a $25 million clean jobs workforce hub and clean energy empowerment zones – both designed to aid communities affected by the transition from fossil fuels. Over recent weeks, the Northwest Cook County Sierra Club has circulated petitions to residents of Walker’s district advocating for the passage of CEJA.

“Having the help of the Sierra Club in this fight has been great,” Walker said. “Their commitment to a healthier and sustainable economy, like so many others, shows why we have to pass CEJA. We have the public’s support to fight climate change. I’m looking forward to voting on this important legislation.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – State Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, is thanking those who donated to his September Women’s Supply Drive in partnership with the area League of Women Voters chapter benefiting Northwest Compass.

“We had a hugely successful supply drive that will surely help many in our community in need of our support,” Walker said. “Northwest Compass does great work helping those experiencing hardship. I’m glad our office could help their important mission, and we certainly couldn’t have done it without the partnership of our local League of Women Voters chapter.”

Northwest Compass, located in Mount Prospect, is a crisis intervention organization helping those experiencing difficult issues like economic and food insecurity, homelessness and near homelessness, and provides many safety-net programs for families, teens and veterans among others. Thanks to the drive’s many participants, Walker’s office collected nearly twenty bags full of various donations for Northwest Compass.

“What an outstanding drive,” Sonia Ivanov, executive director of Northwest Compass, said of the event. “Our clients who are facing economic and housing insecurity and homelessness will greatly benefit from these much-needed supplies. We even plan to deliver some hygiene items to the pilot food pantry for kids in need. We’re overwhelmed by the generosity of our community and the leadership of Rep. Mark Walker and the League of Women Voters and grateful for the support.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Private insurance and Medicaid will now be required to cover several preventative measures to help women detect breast cancer thanks to legislation sponsored by state Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, which was recently signed into law.

“Despite ever growing research on breast cancer and its causes, there are still too many women who don’t take advantage of important preventative measures,” Walker said. “In many cases, women can’t afford the cost of cancer screening or they don’t have access through health insurance. This legislation now requires preventative breast cancer coverage and will hopefully greatly improve access.”

Senate Bill 162, effective Jan. 1, 2020, now requires mammograms, MRIs and ultrasounds to be covered by private insurance and Medicaid if deemed medically necessary by a physician, advanced practicing nurse or physician assistant. The legislation was sponsored by Walker and passed with unanimous support in both the House and Senate.

“Whether it’s guaranteeing women have proper medical care during pregnancy and birth, protecting reproductive healthcare or fighting for equal pay, I’m committed to women’s rights and healthcare,” Walker said. “This legislation is important and will save many more lives from breast cancer. Getting screened is one of the best ways to detect cancers before it’s too late.”

While Senate Bill 162 requires coverage under private insurance and Medicaid, there are still those without insurance in need of screening. Those without coverage are encouraged to call the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Women’s Health-Line at 888-522-1282 for more information.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – To help local high school seniors and their families apply for college student aid, state Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, and state Sen. Ann Gillespie, D-Arlington Heights, have organized a free college aid sign-up seminar in coordination with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) on Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, located at 500 N. Dunton Ave. in Arlington Heights.

“College student aid can sometimes be difficult to navigate,” Walker said. “Students need to apply for aid sooner rather than later. Senator Gillespie and I appreciate ISAC joining us to guide students and their families through the application process.”

Representatives from ISAC will be on hand to help applicants through the financial aid application process. The seminar is free-flowing and will have multiple stations available to attendees. Students and their families need to bring their social security number; alien registration number if the student is not a U.S. citizen; 2018 federal tax returns, W-2’s, and other records of money earned; banking statements and records of investments if applicable; records of untaxed income if applicable; and a list of colleges the student would like to attend.

“FAFSA and student aid applications open Oct. 1 and money is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis,” Walker said. “This event is a great opportunity for high school seniors and their families to complete their aid application on time and correctly with the help of ISAC. I encourage all who are interested to contact my office for more information or to register.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Recognizing the cultural, economic and historical importance of the Arlington International Racecourse for their districts, state Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, and state Sen. Ann Gillespie, D-Arlington Heights, recently championed the Racecourse and its application for an organization license and 2020 race dates to the Illinois Racing Board.

Walker and Gillespie recently sent to the Racing Board a letter advocating for the Racecourse and have issued the following statement:

“Arlington International Racecourse holds important historical and cultural significance in Arlington Heights and the surrounding area. The Racecourse is a national destination for racing fans and the crown jewel of horse racing in Illinois and the Midwest.

The Racecourse is critical to the economy in our communities. The reduction or loss of an organizational license or race dates will impact over 800 working people. Moreover, such a decision would place a significant burden on the tax revenues of the Village of Arlington Heights and our local school districts. The FY20 budgets for the Village and school districts have already been finalized and the loss of this revenue will have an immediate impact on their ability to deliver basic services.

On behalf of our neighbors, we have urged the Illinois Racing Board to support Arlington International’s applications and grant them their requested organizational license and racing dates.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Thanks to the Illinois Farm Bureau’s “Adopt-A-Legislator” program, state Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, recently hosted members of the Crawford County Farm Bureau at the Arlington International Racecourse for a day of relationship-building, discussion and celebration of the importance of Illinois agriculture.

“Hosting the Crawford County Farm Bureau was a great reunion of sorts,” Walker said. “The Bureau adopted me the last time I was in office and I really enjoyed getting to know them and Crawford County then. So, I was thrilled when I got the chance to work with them again.”

The Illinois Farm Bureau started the “Adopt-A-Legislator” program in 2001 to build long-term relationships between urban state legislators and farmers from around the state. These connections are appreciated as they educate participants on the needs of people around the state and farmers become valuable resources when important agricultural issues arise in the General Assembly. To date, almost every legislator in Cook County has joined the program.

“Agriculture is Illinois’ number one industry, and hearing directly from farmers is important as we try to support and grow farming in the state,” Walker said. “While we may not have much farmland here in the 53rd District, we benefit greatly from growers and producers like the Crawford County Farm Bureau. I’d like to thank them for making the over 250 mile trip here to Arlington Heights for a wonderful day.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Continuing his outreach efforts, state Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, is inviting residents to join him for coffee and conversation on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. at the Mount Prospect Public Library, located at 10 S. Emerson St.

“I enjoy putting on events allowing residents to meet with me in a more informal setting to talk about the issues that matter most to them,” Walker said. “There’s no agenda for my coffee events so residents can guide discussion and learn more about what’s happening in the state and in our district. Our coffees are also a great time to learn more about upcoming events my office hosts to keep residents informed and to take advantage of useful state services.”

In addition to Walker’s monthly “Coffee with Mark” events, the Representative is hosting seminars helpful to constituents throughout Sept. and Oct. including a Women’s Supply Drive to benefit NorthWest Compass in Mount Prospect in Sept., a “Dealing with Fake News” seminar on Sept. 19 at the Mount Prospect Public Library from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., and a College Student Aid seminar at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 8.

“Being able to talk with constituents one-on-one about their concerns on issues like legislation or property taxes is important,” Walker saud. “I’ve had many great conversations at my coffee events. I encourage residents of the 53rd district to join me for a cup of coffee and learn more about the big things happening in our state.”

No reservation is required to attend this event. For more information, please contact Walker’s full-time constituent service office by phone at 847-749-1137 or visit his website at www.StateRepWalker.com.