Dear Terra,

Illinois is home to some of the greatest museums in the world. These cultural institutions draw tourists from around the globe and make an immeasurable contribution to quality of life in our communities.

Because the State of Illinois provides funding to make sure that these museums are accessible and well-maintained, every state legislator is provided with "all-access" cards for the use of our constituents. That means that, as a resident of the 42nd District, you can get free access to museums by using our District Museum Pass, which you can use for yourself and up to three guests at these great cultural institutions:

• Adler Planetarium
• The Art Institute of Chicago
• Brookfield Zoo
• Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
• Chicago Botanic Garden
• Chicago Children’s Museum
• Chicago History Museum
• DuSable Black History Museum & Education Center
• The Field Museum
• Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
• Lincoln Park Zoo
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• Museum of Science and Industry
• National Museum of Mexican Art
• National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
• John G. Shedd Aquarium

The passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Just fill out the form on our website (at www.reptch42.com) and submit it at least three days before your planned museum visit. We’ll send you a virtual pass that you can present at the museum entrance, along with your ID. Please note that the pass is non-transferable.

GPS kicks off the new school year TONIGHT with '5 Principles of Parenting' webinar

Glenbard Parent Series Programs will kick off a new year of programming at 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday) with developmental psychologist Aliza Pressman, who will share “The 5 Principles of Parenting."

As you may know, GPS is a locally based educational consortium dedicated to presenting distinguished, relevant, high-profile authors, clinicians, and educators who share research-based knowledge and practical wisdom.

The group's mission is to enhance the resilience and well-being of all students by helping them build relationships, develop coping strategies, and forge responsible decision-making skills.

For more information about GPS and their 2024-25 programs, as well as the link to tonight's webinar, you can click here.

WIC Mobile Clinic at Helen Plum Library in Lombard TOMORROW

The WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Mobile Clinic will be at the Helen Plum Library, 411 S. Main St. in Lombard, tomorrow (Friday) from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The mobile clinic brings WIC services to you, with programs that include nutrition education, healthy food benefits, breastfeeding support, and other community referrals.

You can learn more about eligibility and appointments through the DuPage County Health Department or by calling (630) 682-7400. Please note that priority will be given to scheduled appointments. Walk-in appointments will be based on availability. For more information you can click here.

Family Bingo Night in Glen Ellyn TOMORROW

You're invited to an evening of bingo, pizza, and prizes tomorrow (Friday) from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road in Glen Ellyn. Several rounds will be played, and small prizes will be awarded at the end of each round.

No registration required – just drop in! Bingo is open to all ages, but children ages 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Bingo cards are $1 each. For more information, you can click here.

Enjoy the Festival of Arts on the banks of Lake Ellyn this SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

It looks like we'll have a beautiful weekend to enjoy the art show, live music, and other entertainment at the 55th Annual Festival of Arts this weekend at Lake Ellyn Park, at 645 Lenox Road in Glen Ellyn.

This juried Fine Art show, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 24 and 25, will feature a wide array of fine art as well as live music, children’s entertainment, local food and beverages, and even the Cicadas on Parade exhibit.

While you're there, you can also enjoy the beautiful walking paths around Lake Ellyn. To learn more, you can click here.

Lombard Cruise Nights presents summer season finale SATURDAY

The Village of Lombard will host the season finale of the 2024 Cruise Nights and Summer Concerts this Saturday, Aug. 24, from 6 to 9 p.m. in Downtown Lombard.

The concert will feature 7^th Heaven, a pop/rock band, as well as free games, face painting and balloon twisting in the Kids’ Corner. The Lombard Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association will be selling popcorn and water, to support Lombard’s Shop-With-A-Cop program. For more information, you can click here.

Enjoy Lisle Uncorked, a Wine Event SATURDAY

The Lisle Area Chamber will present Lisle Uncorked from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Museums at Lisle Station Park, 921 School St.

The event, which is for people 21 and over, will include wine tastings and bites from food vendors.

Advance tickets are available online now. General admission is $50 a person, with $15 for designated drivers (does not include wine tasting.) The event also includes "VIP" tickets that provide early entry, at 3 p.m. Each ticket includes a souvenir wine glass and a raffle ticket.

To learn more about Lisle Uncorked and other Chamber events, please visit here.

Test your speed at the Tiny Tots Track Meet in Downers Grove SUNDAY

Calling all future Olympians! The Downers Grove Park District will host a Tiny Tots Track Meet for children 3 to 6 years old on Sunday, Aug. 25, from 10 a.m. to noon at Downers Grove North High School, 4436 Main St.

Children will participate in a variety of running events and field events, organized by age. All of the little athletes will receive prizes! The fee is $30 for residents and $40 for non-residents. You can click here to register.

Enjoy a Nature Walk in Wheaton MONDAY

The Wheaton Public Library invites people of all ages to a guided nature walk around Adams Park this Monday, Aug. 26, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at 225 N. Cross St.

You can meet up with your guide on the West Plaza. The walk will include fun activities such as scavenger hunts, nature journals, sensory experiences, and more.



Please note that the event is weather dependent, so visit the library's online calendar for updates. To learn more, you can click here.

Impact DuPage offers webinar on substance use disorder, harm reduction WEDNESDAY

Impact DuPage and local experts will offer a virtual learning session focused on harm reduction and substance use disorder on Wednesday, Aug. 28, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., via Zoom.

The session will cover the importance of harm reduction for for people with substance use disorder, treatment options, and local data related to substance use in DuPage County.

There is no charge, but advance registration is required. To register, you can click here.

Need assistance with a professional license? We're offering on-the-spot help on Sept. 17

If you're having trouble getting a professional license from the State of Illinois, help is on the way. We're bringing the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to Lombard!

From 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, we'll be at the Helen Plum Library, 411 S. Main St., to provide on-the-spot assistance with your professional license application. IDFPR staff will be on hand to help with new applications and renewals and to untangle delays with existing applications. 

To sign up for the event, you can click here. For more information, please reach out to my office at 630-812-9292 or Reptch42@gmail.com.

DuPage County will hold its first Mental Health Summit and Expo on Sept. 7

The DuPage Council on Strengthening the System for Mental Health and Substance Use Care will host its inaugural Mental Health Summit and Expo from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 7 at the DuPage County Administration Building, 421 County Farm Road in Wheaton.

At the expo, you can talk with representatives of local mental health and substance use treatment organizations and hear from a panel of mental health experts, practitioners, and policymakers.

The event will feature former U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy. During his time in Congress, Patrick J. Kennedy led passage of the landmark Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which requires insurers to provide coverage for mental health and substance use disorders. For more information and to register for the event, you can click here.

Do you know an amazing senior? Nominate them for Lombard Senior Man & Woman of the Year

The Village of Lombard is seeking nominations for the 19th Annual Senior of the Year Awards, which honor people over 65 who go above and beyond to make Lombard a better place.

Residents are encouraged to nominate seniors who live in Lombard and who have demonstrated a commitment to serving others. Nominations should include a short biography of the nominee and a brief statement (50 words or less) highlighting why that person deserves recognition.

The deadline for nominations is 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6. The Community Relations Committee will vote for the winner on Monday, Sept. 9. Nominees and winners will be notified and announced publicly. 

Nominations can be submitted via email at communications@villageoflombard.org or by mail to Village of Lombard, Attention: “Senior of the Year,” 255 E. Wilson Ave., Lombard, IL, 60148. You can click here to learn more.

Upcoming Events

We have lots of events coming up, so please take a look and mark your calendars today!

Aug. 26: Presence: Using Body Language and the Mind to Boost Confidence, Performance under Stress and Social Bravery, with Dr. Amy Cuddy and Glenbard Parent Series, at noon and 7 p.m.

Aug. 29: Active Adult Summer Social, at noon at Downers Grove Township Center, 4341 Saratoga Ave.

Sept. 6-7: Family Camp Out, from 5 p.m. on Friday to 10 a..m. on Saturday, at the Log Cabin at Four Seasons Park, at Main and 16th streets in Lombard

Sept. 9: B.R. Ryall YMCA’s 25th Annual Golf Classic, at 11:30 a.m. at the Prairie Landing Golf Club, 2325 Longest Drive, in West Chicago

Sept. 9-15: Glen Ellyn Park District's Fitness Free Week, at Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road

Sept. 10: Skills to Be Your Best Self – Focus and Communication to Win the Day, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Glenbard District Office, 596 Crescent Blvd. in Glen Ellyn

Sept. 13: Family Bingo Night, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road in Glen Ellyn

Sept. 13-14: Family Campout, from 6:30 p.m. on Friday to 8 a.m. on Saturday, at Maryknoll Park, 845 Pershing Ave. in Glen Ellyn.

Sept. 14: NAMI DuPage's Run for the Mind, at 8 a.m. at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road in Wheaton

Sept. 14-15: 40th Annual Lisle Depot Days, from noon to 5 p.m. at The Museum at Lisle Station Park, 921 School St.

Sept. 15: Wheaton Festival of Cultures, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Memorial Park, 225 Karlskoga Ave.

Sept. 15: Lake Ellyn 1-Mile Classic and Kids Dash, with 8 to 9 a.m. start times at Lake Ellyn, 645 Lenox Road in Glen Ellyn

Sept. 20: Kids Night Out in Lisle, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Gentle Learning Preschool, 1925 Ohio St.

Sept. 28: Shred Event and Paper Drive, from 9 a.m. to noon at Lombard Village Hall, 255 E. Wilson Ave.

If you have any questions about pending legislation or other issues related to your state government, please don't hesitate to contact my office at 630-812-9292 or RepTCH42@gmail.com.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay strong,

Terra Costa Howard

State Representative 

42nd District

913 S. Main St.

Lombard, IL 60148

(630) 812-9292