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I'm constantly amazed by the sheer number of incredibly talented people in our communities. Our local artists and arts organizations make our villages more vibrant and more fun, and they also make a major contribution to our local economies.
So I was very pleased to invite Danielle Heal, Program Director for the Illinois Arts Council’s Northern Region, to come to our district and talk with local artists, non-profit arts organizations, community leaders, and village officials about upcoming grant opportunities from the State of Illinois.
The event, which I co-hosted with State Sen. Laura Ellman and State Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, was held at the Spring Avenue Recreation Center in Glen Ellyn yesterday afternoon. Ms. Heal gave an overview of the Illinois Arts Council’s wide range of grant opportunities, as well as their newly streamlined and simplified application process.
Earlier this year, the Council made sweeping changes in the ways it provides funding to support the arts in Illinois. These changes include:
- Adoption of a regional model for grantmaking, to enable more equitable funding across the state’s communities.
- Establishing a three-year grant cycle for the General Operating Support grant, which serves organizations and communities.
- Ending the cash match requirement for applicants, to ease the burden on small and emerging organizations.
- Updating the Youth Employment in the Arts program, which will fund organizations looking to provide paid internship opportunities for individuals from ages 14-22.
The Illinois Arts Council also is launching a new grant program for individual artists, called the Creative Accelerator Fund, to provide holistic support to Illinois artists and help to bolster the state’s creating workforce.
If you were unable to attend this session, you can find a list of online, drop-in, and in-person informational sessions on the IAC’s Workshops and Webinars page.
Please let me know if you need help in filling out a grant application for yourself or your organization. When our artists thrive, our communities thrive.
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Got personal documents? Shred 'em SATURDAY
My office is joining forces with State Senator Laura Ellman to host a Shred Event from 9 a.m. to noon (or until the truck is full) this Saturday, June 29, at the Lisle Park District Recreation Center, 1925 Ohio Street.
You can drop by to safely destroy any documents that contain personal information, including credit card statements, medical records, tax returns, and bills. Limit two bankers boxes per car.
For more information, please reach out to my office at 630-812-9292 or email Reptch42@gmail.com. We hope to see you there!
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Bring your child and learn about early childhood resources TOMORROW at the Wheaton Library
The Wheaton Public Library is inviting you to a playdate!
The library, in partnership with the Wheaton/Warrenville Early Childhood Collaborative and World Relief, will hold a Community Partners Playdate from 9:30 to 11:30 tomorrow (Friday) at the Wheaton Public Library, 225 N. Cross St.
While children and families socialize, DuPage County community partners will talk about local resources for young children, including developmental screenings, early childhood programming, and more. For more information, you can click here.
If you can't make it tomorrow, the Library offers these playdates on the fourth Friday of every month. So mark your calendars today!
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Enjoy a free concert with Music on Maple Street in Lombard TOMORROW
After another stressful work week, you can kick back tomorrow (Friday) evening with Music on Maple Street, from 7 to 8 p.m. at 23 W. Maple St. in Lombard.
Tomorrow's featured artist is Angela James, a Chicago-based singer-songwriter whose style reflects her upbringing in Tennessee.
James will present this FREE concert in the William J. Mueller Gazebo. Please bring your own chair. You can click here to learn more.
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Start your weekend right with Summer Break at the Lake TOMORROW night
Need a little getaway? Everyone is invited to Summer Break at the Lake, from 5 to 10 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) at Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road in Glen Ellyn.
There will be live music by 7th Heaven Band and drinks from Glen Ellyn vendors (The Beer Cellar, Two Hound Red, Ko-ze Wine, and Common Good Cocktail House). Food will be available for purchase from a variety of local food trucks.
You can bring your own chair or blanket and hang out on the lawn or sit and relax at a picnic table or on the Boathouse deck and patios. No coolers, bags, or outside food/ beverages will be permitted in the gated area. Gates open at 5 p.m., and the music will begin at 7 p.m.
This event is for adults ages 21 and over. Limited tickets will be available at the door for $15 (cash only) To learn more, you can click here.
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Pride Month Spotlight: Thomas Chiola
Springfield native Thomas Chiola was the first openly gay public official ever elected in the state of Illinois.
A graduate of Illinois State University and the University of Illinois College of Law, he began his career as an attorney for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and then spent five years prosecuting environmental cases for the Illinois Attorney General.
After working in private practice for a few years, Chiola spent six years as the chief administrative law judge for the Illinois Department of Professional Regulations.
In 1994, Chiola made history when he was elected as a judge for the Circuit Court of Cook County, where he served faithfully until his retirement in 2009.
Throughout his career, he was a valiant advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. To protect the rights of people with HIV and AIDS, Chiola helped start a volunteer legal clinic at Howard Brown Health Center in Chicago. He was also a volunteer driver for Vital Bridges, a meals-on-wheels program for people with AIDS. Today, he is regarded as a trailblazer whose work has inspired many LGBTQIA+ people to careers in public service.
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Where's Waldo? All over Downtown Glen Ellyn!
You'd think that a tall guy wearing a red-and-white hatand a red-and-white striped shirt would be easier to find. But despite his eye-catching outfit, Waldo remains an elusive master of hide-and-seek, both in his eponymous books and now in the streets of Glen Ellyn.
From now until the end of July, we'll be looking for Waldos throughout Downtown Glen Ellyn. Just grab your "Where's Waldo Summer Scavenger Hunt Passport" and start searching. Participating businesses will help you solve the tricky puzzle in your passport. When you have the answer, you can turn in your passport (by August 1) to the Bookstore of Glen Ellyn for a Waldo goodie bag.
Even if you don't find all the Waldos, everyone is invited to the Scavenger Hunt wrap-up party on August 3 at the Glen Ellyn Public Library. For more information, click here.
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What's black and white and needed by the Willowbrook Wildlife Center?
If you still enjoy reading a hard copy of the newspaper, but feel a little guilty about wasting paper, the Willowbrook Wildlife Center can help.
They're asking for donations of old newspaper to line the cages of the native wild animals they're rehabilitating.
The Center can accept your newspapers from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday and on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until noon.
The Center also may be able to help if you find a wild animal that needs help. You can call them at 630-942-6200 for advice and assistance.
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If it's MONDAY, it must be Paws in the Park Day at Cantigny in Wheaton!
Calling all dog lovers! Mondays are now “Paws in the Park Days” at Cantigny Park, 1s151 Winfield Road in Wheaton.
Your dog will need proof of up-to-date vaccinations, and dogs must remain on leashes and accompanied by their humans at all times. You’ll find sanitation stations throughout the park, so please clean up after your pet. Dogs must remain outside only.
Cantigny Park is open until sunset. For more information, you can click here.
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Downers Grove Summer Concert Series continues TUESDAY
You can get an early start on your Fourth of July weekend next Tuesday, July 2, in Downers Grove.
The Tuesday evening Summer Concert Series will present Johnny Russler & the Beach Bum Band at Veterans Memorial Pavilion in Fishel Park, 1036 Grove St.
These FREE concerts are held every Tuesday evening through August 13. Doors open and food and beverage sales begin at 6 p.m., with music from 7 to 8:30 p.m. View the full season lineup and vendors here.
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Upcoming Events
We have lots of events coming up, so please take a look and mark your calendars today!
July 4: Glen Ellyn Park District’s Freedom Four 4-Mile Run/Walk, at 7:30 a.m. at Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road
July 4: Wheaton 4th of July Parade, at 10 a.m. on Main Street in Downtown Wheaton
July 4: Glen Ellyn 4th of July Parade, at noon along Fawell Boulevard
July 4: Lisle 4th of July Parade, at 10 a.m. beginning at Lisle Junior High School, 5207 Center Ave.
July 4: Downers Grove 4th of July Parade, at 1 p.m. stepping off from the corner of Main and Grant streets
July 4: Lombard 4th of July Fireworks, at dusk at Madison Meadow Park, 550 E. Madison St.
July 9: Glen Ellyn Park District’s Family Fun in the Neighborhood, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Maryknoll Park, 845 Pershing Ave
July 10: Movie in the Park in Glen Ellyn, at 7:30 p.m. at Babcock Grove Park, 324 Linden St.
July 13: Unplug Illinois, from 10 a.m. to noon at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road in Glen Ellyn
July 14: Glen Ellyn Park District's Sportswap, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road in Glen Ellyn
July 17: Jazz in the Park, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Newton Park, 707 Fairview Ave. in Glen Ellyn.
July 17: Santa at Sunset, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Sunset Pool, 483 Fairview Ave. in Glen Ellyn
July 20: Tour of Lake Ellyn Family Fun Ride, from 2:20 to 2:50 p.m. at Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road in Glen Ellyn.
July 23: Lombard Cycling Classic, at 10 a.m. in Downtown Lombard.
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,
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Terra Costa Howard
State Representative
42nd District
913 S. Main St.
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 812-9292
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