SPRINGFIELD – To protect vulnerable older adults from abuse, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, sponsored a measure to increase reporting and investigation on elder abuse as a culmination of her work on the Illinois Elder Abuse Task Force. The governor signed Stuart’s measure into law on July 26.

“Over the last two years, I have worked with a variety of stakeholders to understand the cause of elder abuse and what we can do to better protect seniors in our communities,” said Stuart. “I want to thank everyone who worked on the task force and everyone who was involved in crafting this landmark legislation.”

Stuart sponsored Senate Bill 701, which makes several changes to the Adult Protective Services Act. The measure designates abandonment as a form of abuse, extends the statutes of limitations for financial fraud, creates a risk assessment tool to identify individuals at risk for abuse, adds friend or acquaintances as a person of trust for financial exploitation and increases trauma-informed training for caregivers. 

 “The work on the Elder Abuse Taskforce, along with improvements realized through this legislation, will improve identification and reporting to prevent cases of underreporting and help keep our seniors safe,” continued Stuart. “I look forward to continued work to fight elder abuse and neglect within our community.”

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is informing residents that the Secretary of State has extended the expiration dates for driver’s licenses and state ID cards to Jan. 1, 2022. 

 “This extension helps individuals who do not want to rush to the DMV, especially as facilities face a high volume of customers as offices reopen,” said Stuart. “This extension helps to create a safer environment at driver facilities for both visitors and staff.”

 Stuart backed Senate Bill 2232, which authorized the Secretary of State to extend driver’s licenses and ID card renewals to Jan. 1, 2022. The extension covers expiration dates up until December of this year, but does not cover commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) and CDL learner’s permits. The Secretary of State strongly encourages residents to consider using their online services for basic needs, including the purchase of license plate stickers or for renewing a license. The driver services website can be accessed at www.cyberdriveillinois.com.

“I encourage everyone to visit the Secretary of State’s website to see if they can avoid making a trip to the DMV,” said Stuart. “Our state offers a number of convenient services online nowadays, and I hope residents are able to take advantage of them not just during the pandemic, but down the road as well.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –  State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, worked to deliver immediate property tax relief for homeowners by supporting a plan to suspend late payment penalties and tax sales and to allow a one-year reapplication deferral on all senior, veteran and disabled homeowner exemptions.

“The current crisis has placed many homeowners in a difficult financial situation, forcing families to make tough decisions with their bills,” said Stuart. “It was important that we pass a plan to ease some of that burden, and immediately suspending late payment penalties on property taxes was one quick action we could take.”

Stuart helped pass Senate Bill 685, which allows for immediate property tax relief by permitting counties to adopt measures that suspend late payment penalties and tax sales. Recognizing the pandemic risks for older adults who are required to regularly apply for property tax exemptions, the bill creates a one-year application deferral for seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities so that they do not have to go through a reapplication process.

“Make no mistake, more needs to be done to lower property taxes for all residents,” continued Stuart. “These were steps to provide immediate relief, but we need to continue to work to identify and implement long-term solutions.”

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – To combat the opioid crisis and misuse of prescription drugs, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is encouraging residents to take advantage of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, Oct. 26. Various locations around Stuart’s district will be taking back prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Earlier this year, I fought for the Illinois Department of Public Health to adopt new guidelines for prescribing painkillers to curb prescription drug and opioid abuse,” Stuart said. “Over prescribing painkillers and other medicine has contributed to prescription drug abuse, and events like the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day are essential to combat prescription drug abuse across Illinois.”

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Agency in order to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths. The drop off locations throughout Stuart’s district include the Maryville Police Department at 2500 N. Center Street in Maryville, the O’Fallon Police Department at 287 N. 7 Hills Road in O’Fallon, the Edwardsville Police Department at 333 S. Main Street in Edwardsville, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Department at 405 Randle Street in Edwardsville. Residents can visit https://takebackday.dea.gov/ to find additional drop off locations.

“A majority of abused prescription drugs come from the medicine cabinets of family members or friends,” continued Stuart. “To decrease drug misuse among the nearly 10 million Americans that have reported this issue, I encourage residents to be proactive and take advantage of opportunities like this to safely dispose of their prescription drugs.”

For more information, contact Rep. Stuart’s Constituent Services Office in Collinsville at 618-365-6650 or at RepKatieStuart@gmail.com.

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – To remain accessible to constituents, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, will hold Satellite Office Hours on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Granite City – City Hall, located at 2000 Edison Ave. in Granite City.

“I know it’s not always easy for constituents to make the time to stop by my office and take advantage of the services my office provides,” Stuart said. “By hosting Satellite Office Hours in Granite City, I hope to bring my office services, like getting help with a FOID card or professional license, to them.”

Stuart typically holds Satellite Office Hours for constituents that may not be able to make it to her Collinsville office during normal business hours. This is a great way to connect with constituents from around Granite City and in different areas of the 112th District. This event is meant to give the community an opportunity to talk with Rep. Stuart’s office about issues they may have. This event is free and open to the public.

“I encourage anyone who has questions about what I do as a state representative to attend the Satellite Office Hours,” continued Stuart. “My office is readily available to help individuals who need assistance with state or local agencies. I would encourage anyone who needs further assistance to please stop by or contact my office.”

For more information, contact Rep. Stuart’s Constituent Services Office in Collinsville at 618-365-6650 or at RepKatieStuart@gmail.com. 

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – To connect veterans with local, state and federal resources, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, will be holding a Veterans’ Fair in conjunction with a Community Blood Drive. The event will be held on Thursday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the American Legion Post 365, located at 1022 Vandalia St. in Collinsville.

“Those who have served our country deserve to be aware of all of the programs and services we can offer to them here at home,” said Stuart. “In Springfield, I work on legislation to improve professional, educational, and health services for veterans’ and their family members. However, it’s equally important to raise awareness about the great resources we have locally for veterans to get help as soon as they need it.”

Stuart’s Veterans’ Fair will host various local program and service providers. While the services are primarily for veterans, people of all ages can attend to receive information that can benefit their families and neighbors. While at the fair, attendees can donate blood through the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. Appointments to donate can be made at www.bloodcenterimpact.org/donor. In addition to vendors, a representative from Stuart’s office will be collecting old cell phones to donate to the program ‘Cell Phones for Soldiers.’ This event is open to the public and free to attend, no RSVP required.

“By gathering all of these organizations and services under one roof, the Veterans’ Fair will act as a one-stop-shop for a variety of questions anyone may have,” said Stuart. “I’d like to thank all of the organizations dedicating their time to set up a table at the fair and educate our community.”

If you are interested in registering your organization as a vendor, contact Stuart’s constituent service office at RepKatieStuart@gmail.com or 618-365-6650. Vendor registration will end on Oct. 30.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To ensure much-needed local capital infrastructure projects come to fruition, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, was recently appointed to the Legislative Advisory Committee for the Southwestern Illinois Regional Planning Commission.

“Illinois cannot wait any longer to address crumbling infrastructure throughout the Metro East and across the state,” said Stuart. “Our region has a lot of untapped potential with our close proximity to St. Louis. We have the opportunity to grow our regional economy, create jobs and attract visitors by investing into transportation infrastructure projects.”

Stuart supported the first capital infrastructure plan that Illinois has seen in a decade. Her plan will create 500,000 high-wage jobs while generating over $8 billion in economic activity.

The Southwestern Illinois Metropolitan and Regional Planning Commission provides planning, zoning, project development and technical assistance services for community and economic development, transportation and other areas. As a member of the Legislative Advisory Committee, Stuart will work with local leaders to develop plans to address and implement local infrastructure improvement projects.

“Passing an infrastructure investment plan was a step toward making desperately needed improvements and repairs to infrastructure throughout our state, growing our economy and creating new, high-wage jobs,” continued Stuart. “I will be a strong voice for the Metro East on the Legislative Advisory Committee and work to ensure that this plan is executed for local projects.”

GRANITE CITY, Ill. – State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, will be hosting a free document shredding event on Saturday, October 19 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the parking lot of Granite City High School, located at 3148 Fehling Rd. Stuart is hosting this event in partnership with state Rep. Monica Bristow, D-Alton, and state Sen. Rachelle Crowe, D–Glen Carbon.

“I know that old documents, bills, or records can pile up at home, but no one has the time to individually shred all the materials that come into their home, so dropping a box off at the shred truck is really valuable,” said Stuart. “Residents will not have to worry that their private documents such as previous medical records, banking receipts, or files containing personal information will be at risk to be exposed. My shred day will allow for simple, proper discarding at no expense to the resident themselves.”

Stuart’s event is free of charge and available to the public. As the shred truck has a maximum capacity, residents will be served on a first-come, first-serve priority order. Items will be locked away on the shred truck to ensure confidentiality and secure disposal of personal information. After the shredding event, the truck transports materials to a facility to destroy documents under video surveillance. The event is open to residential shredding only, and residents are asked to limit themselves to two boxes of shredding material.

“The opportunity to shred documents free of charge while also protecting your identity allows for safety, confidentiality, and peace of mind,” continued Stuart. “I encourage anyone that wants to take part in this event to attend.”

CASEYVILLE, Ill. – To promote healthy living and increase awareness for public health, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, will be collaborating with local service providers to offer a number of free health services to community members. The event will be Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Caseyville Public Library, located at 419 S. 2nd Street.

“As we head into cooler weather, it is important to keep tabs on our health and wellness,” Stuart said. “This event will provide a multitude of health screenings and consultations that will give attendees a better vision of their health before cold and flu season begins.”

The Springfield Urban league will be at Stuart’s event with a mobile unit outside the library to provide Hepatitis C and HIV screenings. There will also be representatives from SIHF Healthcare to provide blood pressure and glucose screenings, along with diabetes consultations.  The Caseyville Public Library will have free feminine hygiene products available for women and girls that attend Wellness on Wheels. This event is free and open to the public. 

“It is incredible to see our community health service providers step up and offer these screenings for no cost to attendees,” continued Stuart. “I encourage everyone to come and take advantage of these free health services.”

 

For more information, contact Rep. Stuart’s Constituent Services Office at 618-365-6650 or at RepKatieStuart@gmail.com. 

GRANITE CITY, Ill. – Due to her advocacy to increase access to human breast milk for medically fragile infants, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, received an appreciation award from Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes. Stuart was the primary House sponsor of House Bill 3509 to ensure that families receive insurance coverage for babies that need donated human breast milk to receive the proper nutrition and recover from medically fragile conditions. The measure is now law.

“This law will positively impact many families across Illinois by removing the financial burden if an infant needs donated human breast milk,” continued Stuart. “I would like to thank the Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes for their work on this legislation and for the award.”

Stuart’s law requires donated human breast milk to be covered under insurance for infants that are critically ill and the mother cannot produce maternal breast milk to meet the infant’s nutritional needs. This law will help infants that are born with congenital heart disease, those with a weight below 1,500 grams at birth, and many other serious medical conditions. This law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2020.