CHICAGO – As a continuation of their ‘Mental Health Monday’ event series, state Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, and state Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park, recently hosted residents for a tai chi workshop during National Suicide Prevention Month.

“An important lesson many of us have learned over the past year is the importance of mental health and overall well-being. My tai chi workshop provided a good opportunity for residents to decompress and learn tips to implement into their lives to reduce stress,” said Hurley. “September is Suicide Prevention Month, which is a good time to remember to take care of ourselves. I want to thank the residents who joined me for my tai chi workshop and I look forward to hosting more events that focus on the importance of mental health.”

Burke, left, and Hurley, right, are shown at their recent tai chi workshop.

If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, call the free 24 hour suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

OAK LAWN, Ill. – State Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park, and the Evergreen Park Recreation Department are inviting area residents to join them for free Yoga in the Park this summer on Monday nights at 7 p.m. in August and Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. in September at 50 Acre Park, located at 91st and California in Evergreen Park.

“I am thrilled to be teaming up with the Evergreen Park Recreation Department to offer this free and fun activity to all area residents,” said Burke. “Enjoy some fresh air close to home by participating in our Yoga in the Park summer series. Studies show that practicing in yoga can help reduce stress, improve health, and is a fun way to get outdoors and enjoy the summer sun.”

Each session will be led by a certified yoga instructor and attendees should bring their own yoga mats. All area residents are invited to participate but sessions can be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. The dates of the yoga sessions in August are: 16, 23, and 30. The dates of the yoga sessions in September are: 4, 11, 18, and 25.

“The last year and a half have been difficult on all of our social lives and our physical and mental health,” said Burke. “We are fortunate to have such a fantastic recreation department that organizes free and affordable events for families and residents. That’s why I encourage everyone to attend these free yoga sessions so we can all learn from certified instructors who can give us the tools we need to live a healthier life.”

PALOS HILLS, Ill. – State Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park, and state Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, are hosting a Community Shred Day on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Palos Hills Recreation Department at 8455 W. 103rd St.

“Old documents like bank statements, medical records and other sensitive paperwork should never simply be thrown in the trash,” said Burke. “I’m encouraging local residents to protect themselves from identity theft by joining me for a community shred day to dispose of any documents with personal or financial information.”

This event is free and open to the public. Participants are limited to two boxes per car and should remove all paperclips and staples from their documents prior to arriving. For more information, contact Rep. Burke’s district office at 708-425-0571 or email kburke@kellyburkerep36.org.

PALOS HILLS, Ill. – State Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park, and state Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, are inviting members of the community to join them for a conversation on state and local issues at a meet and greet scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Green Hills Library in Palos Hills.

“I’m looking forward to sharing updates on progress to address serious challenges facing local families, such as high property taxes and access to affordable health care,” Burke said. “As we enter the fall season, it’s important for me to hear what residents are concerned about before I return to Springfield.”

For more information, contact Rep. Burke’s district office at 708-425-0571 or email kburke@kellyburkerep36.org.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park, will fight to reform the property tax system and deliver relief for local families as a member of the newly created Property Tax Relief Task Force.

“I have consistently fought for real property tax relief for our area, and this task force is a reflection of the urgent need for a fairer system,” said Burke. “There will be numerous bipartisan solutions that will be brought forward from this task force, but I want to make sure that local residents, especially seniors, get their fair shake too.”

Burke voted to create the Property Tax Relief Task Force by passing Senate Bill 1932, which created the Property Tax Relief Task Force. The measure was signed into law Friday, and Burke was chosen to serve on the bipartisan panel. Within 90 days, the task force will produce a report outlining structural and legislative reforms that will provide both immediate and long-term tax relief for homeowners.

Burke also backed Senate Bill 39, which is the Illinois Property Tax Relief Fund, where eligible homeowners will receive rebates to directly offset their property taxes.

“I am committed to building a stronger middle class, and providing property tax relief is a large part of that goal,” Burke said. “When families have more money in their pockets from lower property taxes, local economies will grow along with new jobs for those communities.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – After the General Assembly adjourned over the weekend, state Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Chicago, discussed the progress made in the House this year and the work left to be done to build a stronger middle-class.

“For far too long, the Illinois legislature used a Band-Aid approach to fixing the holes in our state budget, which has left us with billions of dollars in state debt,” Burke said. “I’m proud to say that this year, we made real progress getting our state back on stable footing after years of crisis. When revenue from tax season in April was unexpectedly high, we used it to pay down a portion of our unfunded pension liability. Last week, we passed a balanced budget that provides critical funding for education and health care services without spending beyond our means.”

Burke voted for a Fair Tax Amendment that would hold the wealthiest in Illinois accountable to paying their fair share of income taxes while 98% of residents in Burke’s 36th District would pay the same rate or less. If approved by voters in 2020, this amendment would allow Illinois to bring in more revenue while providing relief to those who need it most.

“Bringing in more dollars will allow us to continue paying down our debt while funding the job training programs that will grow our economy,” Burke said. “Believe it or not, there is actually a surplus of high-paying jobs in the tech and vocational fields. We simply do not have enough workers with the necessary skills. I’m looking forward to expanding access to affordable educational opportunities that will equip more of our young people with the knowledge they need for a successful career.”

While much progress was made during the 2019 legislative session, Burke is focused on moving Illinois forward despite the federal government’s attempts to remove regulations meant to control the cost of health insurance while shifting the tax burden to those who can least afford it.

“When I talk to families in my district, their top concern is how difficult it is to keep up with the rising costs of living. Reforming our income tax structure will help, but overhauling our property tax system is necessary to provide the relief that middle-class families need to thrive,” said Burke. “Along with the rest of the House Democratic Caucus, it’s my priority to ensure access to affordable, quality healthcare, educational opportunities and to lower the tax burden on working people.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Taking a crucial step toward ending sexual assault and harassment, state Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park, worked to pass legislation through the Illinois House that will require sex education courses to teach students the concept and importance of consent.

“We have to equip young people with the knowledge to set and respect boundaries,” Burke said. “As young men and women go out into the world, they need to know that any sexual activity is only consensual if consent is given freely every time.”

Current Illinois law requires sex education classes to teach students not to make unwanted physical or verbal advances, as well as how to say no to these advances. House Bill 3550 requires instruction to emphasize that a person’s lack of verbal or physical resistance, or their submission to sexual activity because they’ve been pressured by a partner to say yes, does not constitute as consent. The bill passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support and awaits a vote in the Senate.

“Ending sexual harassment in schools and the workplace starts with teaching young people to respect each other, and at its root, consent education is about respect,” said Burke, who co-founded the Illinois House Democratic Women’s Caucus last year to give female legislators, advocates and staffers a voice in the Capitol amidst reports of sexual harassment in Springfield. “I’m proud to have worked with Republicans and Democrats on this measure, which is much needed and long overdue.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In the wake of increasing incidents of suicide in the law enforcement community, state Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park, worked to pass two groundbreaking pieces of legislation providing critical access to mental health resources for first responders.

“The brave men and women putting their own lives on the line to keep our families safe face more stress than most people could ever imagine,” said Burke. “First responders need to know that we have their backs when they’re struggling, just like they have ours every single day.”

Two bills backed by Burke to provide support and resources for all first responders recently passed the Illinois House with unanimous support. House Bill 2767 requires the in-service training that police officers attend every three years to include a course addressing officer wellness, teaching them how to recognize the signs of mental disorders in themselves or others and encouraging officers to seek help if they’re experiencing depression or thoughts of suicide.

House Bill 2766 creates a model for peer support counseling that all emergency service departments must implement. Additionally, this legislation nullifies the requirement that all law enforcement officers must possess a FOID card regardless of if their position requires them to carry a firearm, which has led police officers to avoid disclosing their struggles with mental health for fear of losing their jobs.

“Every person struggling with their mental health should feel empowered to seek help without fear of discipline from their employers. People are better at their job when they take care of themselves. This is especially true for our police, who interact with the public on a daily basis and often face traumatic situations,” Burke said. “This legislation is an important step forward to provide awareness and resources for first responders, so that we never again wake up to the news that a police officer took their own life because they felt they had nowhere else to turn.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – More people with disabilities will gain access to a critical program allowing them to save for their future under legislation passed in the Illinois House with wide bipartisan support by state Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park.

“For people with disabilities and those who care for them, planning ahead and saving for the future is critical,” Burke said. “Without continuous access to medical care, treatments and supplies, it can be incredibly difficult for people with serious conditions to maintain independence and the quality of life that everyone deserves.”

House Bill 2837 makes it easier for people with disabilities who have state-appointed guardians to open, maintain and transfer funds to special savings accounts managed by the Illinois Treasurer’s office. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Accounts are used to save and pay for disability-related expenses. Earnings made from investment in these accounts are tax-exempt, and account-holders are not at risk of losing eligibility for benefits programs based on funds they have saved in ABLE accounts.

“Families of people with disabilities have had the opportunity to open ABLE accounts for their loved ones to help them save for their futures. Unfortunately for individuals with state-appointed guardians, legal red tape has made it much more difficult for them to save,” Burke said. “Every person who can benefit from an ABLE account should have equal access to one, regardless of their family background, and I’m looking forward to expanding this opportunity for people who may need it the most.”

OAK LAWN, Ill. – As college students across the state recover from years of budget instability under Governor Bruce Rauner, state Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Oak Lawn led the charge on a measure to expand access to grants for low-income students and is urging the governor to sign the measure into law.

“Education can help people improve situations for themselves and their families,” said Burke. “We as leaders in this state need to do everything in our power to establish access to education and to make sure the dream of a college education is one that is not exclusive to the wealthy.”

 Burke is the chief co-sponsor of House Bill 5020, a measure that prioritizes students currently receiving funds from Monetary Assistance Program, or MAP grants, to continue their college education. Students that remain eligible for MAP and renew by the established priority deadline each year would receive the grant as long as the program is funded.

“In the wake of the uncertainty created by the recent budget impasse, we need to offer as much positive assurance as we can to students and parents,” said Burke. “By making the process to receive MAP easier, colleges and universities in Illinois will be able to provide more certainty to prospective students regarding their financial aid packages, which could also help our schools to be more competitive with out-of-state institutions.”

House Bill 5020 passed both the House and the Senate without opposition and is expected to be sent to the governor for approval in the near future. The proposal is one of a number of measures to strengthen higher education that came from a bipartisan higher education working group that Burke serves on.

Burke serves the 36th Representative District, which contains parts of Chicago’s Beverly, Mt. Greenwood and Auburn-Gresham neighborhoods and portions of Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn, Chicago Ridge, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Willow Springs and Worth. For more information, please contact Burke’s district office at 708-425-0571 or email kburke@kellyburkerep36.org.