GURNEE, Ill. – Continuing her fight against climate change by growing renewable energy in Illinois, State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, co-sponsored legislation recently signed into law to help people in a homeowners association install solar panels on their house.

“Solar panels are a great way for homeowners to do their part in the switch to renewable energy as we continue to fight climate change,” said Mason. “As more and more people are considering placing solar panels on their homes, it is important that systems are in place to protect the interests of everyone involved.”

Mason co-sponsored House Bill 644 recently signed into law by Governor Pritzker. The Mason backed bill helps determine how groups such as home owners associations can work with home owners as they add solar panels to their house. The new law allows associations to create a policy regarding the location of solar panels as long as it does not interfere with their effectiveness. The Mason backed legislation passed both houses of the Illinois General Assembly with bipartisan support along with the support of the Illinois Environmental Council.

“Homeowners should not be prevented from installing solar panels on their property or be forced place them in a less optimal spot,” said Mason. “This law helps protect the rights of homeowners to have effective solar energy for their home.”

GURNEE, Ill. – State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, and her Women’s Advisory Council recently assembled “Birthday in a Bag” kits to be distributed to local domestic violence shelters as a way to help children celebrate their birthdays while recovering from dangerous situations.

“It’s easy to forget how women and children sacrifice everyday luxuries while escaping dangerous situations at home. Oftentimes, domestic violence survivors have just minutes to leave their homes and leave most of their belongings behind. Children who are facing a domestic violence situation have enough to worry about and enough to sacrifice, and giving them an opportunity to maintain the normalcy of something as routine as a birthday party is so important to helping these kids heal and move forward,” Mason said. “The birthday in a bag kits are a small gesture to ensure that, even during the most difficult times, children being served by our local domestic violence shelters are able to celebrate their birthday with their families just like every other kid.”

The “Birthday in a Bag” supplies were donated by Mason, members of her Women’s Advisory Council and members of the community. The bags will be donated to A Safe Place and distributed to children and families in need.

GURNEE, Ill. – Continuing to support public services in her community, state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, visited the Zion-Benton Public Library opening to celebrate the library’s new Sunday hours.

“For the first time in 20 years, the Zion-Benton community will be able to visit the library on Sundays, which means a lot for local patrons. Our library is much more than books. It serves as a community center, hosts informational sessions and events, teaches technology, inspires creativity, provides a safe place for kids, and offers job search resources. The staff works so hard to make this a special place, and I’m committed to supporting them in their efforts to provide stellar services. And now, for the first time in 20 years, the library will be open on Sundays, which will allow them to expand their service even more.”

Mason frequently collaborates with the Zion-Benton Public Library including hosting her traveling “Read with your Rep” event to read books to children about the importance of civic engagement.

​

GURNEE, Ill. – A resolution introduced and passed by state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Illinois.

“Bringing Domestic Violence Awareness Month to our state is just one way I’m working to reform how we handle situations of domestic abuse in Illinois and help survivors thrive,” said Mason. “I’m also fighting for new laws, resources and advocacy that will bring life-saving support to victims of domestic violence across the state.”

Mason is currently serving as a board member for A Safe Place, a domestic violence shelter that serves Lake County. Mason was also recently recognized by the Northwest Suburban Alliance on Domestic Violence for her work addressing domestic abuse.

“I am honored to have been able to bring this month of awareness to Illinois, but for the countless victims still suffering from abuse, we must do more. We must ensure our state’s domestic violence resources are fully funded; we must continue bringing awareness to the issue of domestic abuse, and we must pass legislation that addresses the harmful flaws in our justice system that inadvertently perpetuate these crimes,” said Mason. “These victims deserve laws that adequately protect them from these heinous crimes, and I will continue fighting in Springfield until we give that to them.”

GURNEE, Ill. – As October marks the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, is sponsoring a Birthday Party Supplies Drive in conjunction with her Women’s Advisory Council through Oct. 16. Children’s birthday party supplies can be brought to any of Rep. Mason’s upcoming events, or dropped off at her district office at 36100 Brookside Dr., Suite LL 60 in Gurnee.

“It’s easy to forget how women and children sacrifice everyday luxuries while escaping dangerous situations at home. Oftentimes, domestic violence survivors have just minutes to leave their homes and leave most of their belongings at the home. Children who are facing a domestic violence situation have enough to worry about and enough to sacrifice, and giving them an opportunity to maintain the normalcy of something as routine as a birthday party is so important to helping these kids heal and move forward,” Mason said. “The birthday in a bag kits are a small gesture to ensure that, even during the most difficult times, children being served by our local domestic violence shelters are able to celebrate their birthday with their families just like every other kid.”

Recently, Rep. Mason received the Friends of the Alliance Award from the Northwest Suburban Alliance on Domestic Violence. Mason has worked tirelessly in her community as a volunteer and board member of Zion’s A Safe Place, and in Springfield as a vocal advocate for survivors. This year, she helped to pass a bipartisan, balanced budget that includes $21 million in funding for domestic violence shelters across Illinois.

“I have always been a strong advocate for survivors of domestic violence and their families, because I understand how important community-based and government support is to helping survivors and their families get back on their feet and thrive,” Mason said. “I am committed to continue fighting to ensure that survivors of domestic violence have access to potentially lifesaving services.”

For more information on how Rep. Mason is fighting for survivors, please contact Mason’s full-time constituent service office at 847-485-9986 or email info@repjoycemason.com.

​

GURNEE, Ill. – Residents are invited to join state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, for a seminar called How to Start a Small Business in Lake County. The seminar is free and open to the public and will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at Warren-Newport Public Library located at 224 O’Plaine Road in Gurnee.

“I know from starting my own consulting business that launching a personal venture can be a daunting task; it can be difficult to know where to begin,” said Mason. “To address those challenges, I wanted to host a seminar that gives residents the resources and empowerment to take those bold first steps into entrepreneurship.”

How to Start a Small Business in Lake County will be led by Mitch Bienvenue of the Illinois Small Business Development and International Trade Center. Mason also maintains a business of the month program to recognize existing operations that go above and beyond by serving and giving back to the community.

“I’m proud to have sponsored several pieces of legislation that make Illinois a better place to start and grow a small business, and I am excited to be offering this seminar,” said Mason. “I look forward to meeting with residents at this event, and I’m grateful to the Illinois Small Business Development and International Trade Center for being such an enthusiastic partner on this event.”

​

GURNEE, Ill. – State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, visited the Gurnee Fire Department to offer her support and to hear feedback from firefighters at 4580 Old Grand Avenue in Gurnee on Friday.

“We owe so much to the brave men and women who go to work every day to protect our homes and our lives,” said Mason. “I learned a lot about the day-to-day operations of our fire station in Gurnee, and I’m grateful to Fire Chief John Kavanaugh for giving me a better understanding of what it means to be a first responder in our community.”

Gurnee Fire Department responded to 6,819 calls in 2018, two-thirds of which were car accidents, rescues and various emergency situations; the other one-third of calls were in response to fires. Mason was instrumental in securing capital funding for the installation of a traffic signal needed for Gurnee’s third fire station, scheduled to be built near the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Manchester Drive.

​

GURNEE, Ill. – Working to ensure that her constituents receive the property tax relief they deserve, state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee hosted a Property Tax Relief Seminar at Zion City Hall on Tuesday.

“During my first term in office, I’ve been fully committed to ensuring that my hard-working constituents aren’t overly burdened by high property taxes, which is why I’m eager to serve on the state’s Property Tax Relief Task Force,” Mason said. “This property tax relief seminar was a great way to help local homeowners learn how they can reduce their tax burdens as we explore creative new ways to give families meaningful and lasting relief on their property tax bills.”

Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim and Zion Township Assessor Larry Wicketts partnered in presenting information at the seminar. Attendees learned how the property tax relief assessment process works and which money-saving exemptions are available to homeowners and how to file a property tax appeal.

​

GURNEE, Ill. – The Northwest Suburban Alliance on Domestic Violence recognized state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, for her work on domestic violence by presenting her with the Friends of the Alliance Award at the Wendell Jones Award Luncheon at Harper College in Palatine.

“The domestic abuse resources in our community changed my life forever, and I’m unspeakably proud and humbled to now be writing legislation to expand those same resources so that every woman and child can access the help that I did,” said Mason. “I am grateful to the Northwest Suburban Alliance on Domestic Violence for honoring me with this award, and I am deeply thankful to them for the work they do to fight domestic abuse every day.”

The Friends of the Alliance Award is presented to an individual each year to recognize his or her contributions to combatting domestic violence. Mason is currently serving on the board of A Safe Place, a domestic violence shelter in her district, and introduced legislation to raise awareness of all forms of domestic violence and make it easier for survivors to access critical resources.

GURNEE, Ill. – State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, stopped by Zion Cyclery to hear from business owners Mary and Chris Daisy in Zion.

“Like many of the business owners I’ve met with recently, the Daisys offered great feedback on how new laws and changes in our region’s economy have impacted their day-to-day operations,” said Mason. “I’m grateful to Mary and Chris for sharing about the needs of their business with me, and I look forward to using what I’ve learned from them to support comprehensive legislation that truly addresses the needs of small businesses in our state.”

Zion Cyclery, located in the heart of Zion, has been owned and operated by the Daisy family for nearly 40 years. Zion Cyclery hosts year-round community bike rides that are free and open to the public. To further assist entrepreneurs seeking to set up shop in Lake County, Rep. Mason is hosting a free “How to Start a Business in Lake County” seminar with the Illinois Small Business Development and International Trade Center on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Warren Newport Public Library located at 224 O’Plaine Rd. in Gurnee.