|
Nekritz Nine @ Nite Update
I am proud to announce the outcome of my 4th
annual golf outing that took place last month. Great weather and great
company yielded record breaking fundraising. Over $5,300 was raised for the
Des Plaines Community Foundation, a community outreach program that connects
community assets with community needs. Thanks to everyone who attended and/or
donated.
We have continued to grow this event and provide
direct help to our communities over the past 4 years.
Please contact me directly if you know of any possible beneficiary for next
year's event. We hope to continue giving back to our district, and your input
would be invaluable.
E-Waste Bill Signed by Governor
Just yesterday Governor Blagojevich signed Senate Bill
2313 – the E-waste recycling bill sponsored by Susan Garrett
(D-Highwood) in the Senate and myself in House. At no charge to consumers, the law
authorizes the use of a combination of incentives and mandates to reduce the
ever-increasing amount of electronic waste - televisions, printers, computer
monitors, computers, laptops, printers, fax machines and MP3 players - and
their toxic substances, such as lead, cadmium, copper, flame retardants, and
phosphorus, from being disposed in Illinois landfills. It also gives
manufacturers flexibility in the strategies they use to meet their goals,
such as partnering with retailers and local governments to sponsor
collections. Manufacturers, recyclers, refurbishers,
and collectors must also register annually with the Illinois EPA.
I am excited to see this new legislation signed into
law and thankful for the help of my colleagues and environmental advocacy
organizations throughout Illinois that helped work on this project.
Flooding in My District
I am so honored to represent the people of the 57th
District. And the events of this
past weekend confirmed that for me once again.
Record rains last weekend resulted in flooding in
every community in my district.
Basements filled with water, detention ponds overflowed, sewers backed
up and the Des Plaines River once again went over its banks – you name
it, we experienced it.
I was out in the torrential rain on Saturday and
Sunday talking with residents, watching their basements fill and sand
bagging. It was absolutely gut
wrenching to see so many lives so devastated. What was even more amazing, however,
was the attitude of those I spoke with.
They were working hard to keep the flood waters at bay but they knew
that the folks who live in Galveston were even worse off and they were still
in good humor knowing that Mother Nature had thrown them a curve ball.
Those working at the Emergency Operations Centers
along with police and fire personnel were also doing a fabulous job. Many worked for 24 to 36 hours
straight without losing their heads.
The Red Cross quickly opened up a shelter for those in Glenview and
Des Plaines who were forced out of their homes and I was honored by buy
dinner for those "living" at the Des Plaines shelter on Sunday
night. Many thanks to Alderman
Laura Murphy (3rd Ward – Des Plaines) for taking care of both breakfast
and lunch for those folks on Monday.
It was truly the worst of times and the best of
times. Again, I am honored to
serve all of you who proved once again that you are caring, compassionate,
hard working and resilient.
|
