State seal 
Senator Heather Steans
 Springfield Update
July 3, 2008 
Special Session Update
 Dear Neighbor,  
 

The Governor has officially called the legislature back for Special Session next week on July 9th and 10th.  As you may recall, the legislature passed a budget that is about $2 billion out of balance and did not pass a capital plan for the State.  While the Senate passed revenue bills and the capital plan, the House did not.  The Governor wants the House of Representatives to vote on at least one of the revenue bills the Senate passed (the ability to take unspent dollars from certain special funds).  He also wants the House to pass the bills that provide for a new capital plan.  It is not clear that the votes for these bills are there, however, so the Governor may still be required to veto the budget bills outright or amendatorily veto the budget (line item cuts) to bring the budget into balance.  If the Governor amendatorily vetos the budget, it appears he will not cut the additional $400 million for education.    
 
I will send an e-mail next week with an update on the news from special session.
 
Sincerely,
 

Heather Steans 
State Senator - 7th District

In This Issue
Special Session Update
Aid Flood Relief in Quincy, Illinois
7th District Farmers Markets
Attend your local CAPS meeting
Summer Interns
Help Flood Relief Efforts in Western Illinois!
Areas of western Illinois, including Quincy, Illinois have been declared disaster areas by the state because of the overflowing of the Mississippi River.  Many residents' homes, farms, and businesses have been damaged or destroyed.
 
If you would like to donate directly to flood relief efforts in Quincy, IL you may do so through the Red Cross. The Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund allows donors to designate that their donations go to a specific disaster. 
 
To do so, call 1-800-HELP-NOW and let the operator know you would like your donation directed to Quincy, IL flood relief.  If you would like to mail your donation you can send it to:   American Red Cross PO Box 37243 Washington, DC 20013   Remember to specify in the mailing that you would like the donation to go towards Quincy, IL flood relief.  You can also mail your donation directly to the Quincy chapter of the Red Cross. 
 
Send donations to:   Adams County Chapter American Red Cross 3000 N. 23rd Street Quincy, IL 62305
 
7th District Farmers Markets

Lincoln Square Farmers Market
Lincoln/ Leland/ Western
Tuesdays from 7:00 am- 2:00 pm, June 10- October 28
 
North Center Farmers Market
Belle Plaine/ Damen/ Lincoln
Saturdays from 7:00 am- 2:00 pm, June 14- October 18
 
Uptown Farmers Market
1145 W Wilson
Thursdays from 8:00 am- 3:00 pm, June 19- October 23
 
Edgewater Green Market
6034 N. Broadway
Saturdays  June 28-Oct. 18, 2008
7 a.m.-Noon

 
Attend your local CAPS meeting
 
 The City of Chicago police department hosts CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy) meetings in each police beat monthly or bi-monthly.  These meetings allow the community to be involved with policing by sharing their safety concerns and identifying problem areas.
 
To find which beat you live in, visit the City of Chicago Police Department's website at www.cityofchicago.org/police
 
Police beats in the 7th district
 
1911  - Tuesday, July 22 at 7:00 pm at 2544 W Montrose
1923  - Tuesday, July 8 at 7:00 pm at 4015 N Ashland
 
2012  - Wednesday, July 16 at 7:00 pm at 5437 N Clark
2023  - Thursday, July 10 at 7:00 pm at 5225 N Kenmore
2031  - Tuesday, July 29 at 7:00 pm at 2751 W Winona
2032  - Thursday, July 31 at 7:00 pm at 2125 W Foster
 
2311  - Tuesday, July 1 at 7:00 pm at 1145 W Wilson
2312  - Monday, July 14 at 7:00 pm at 4715 N Sheridan
2313  - Wednesday, July 9 at 7:00 pm at 4501 N Clarendon
2322  - Thursday, July 3 at 7:00 pm at 929 W Buena
2323  - Wednesday, July 16 at 7:00 pm at 3656 N Halsted
2324  - Saturday, July 19 at 7:00 pm at 3656 N Halsted
 
2413  - Tuesday, July 15 at 7:00 pm at 1820 W Granville
2422  - Thursday, July 10 at 7:00 pm at 7450 N Rogers
2423  - Wednesday, July 16 at 7:00 pm at 1400 W Greenleaf
2424  - Thursday, July 24 at 7:00 pm at 7340 N Rogers
2431  - Monday, July 21 at 7:00 pm at 1530 W Morse

Heather Steans' Summer Interns
Kay Tamillow, originally from Long Beach, California, received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Chicago, and recently graduated with a Master's Degree in International Studies from Claremont Graduate University in California.  Kay's background in international relations drives her desire to reach out to immigrant and refugee populations in Chicago.  Kay is fluent in Spanish.
 
Eric Brilliant will be a junior at Latin School in the fall.  Eric is a resident of the Edgewater area.  Outside of school he plays hockey and tennis and plays the piano, saxophone, guitar, and drums.  Eric helps with local issues in the office, including CAPS meetings and parks.

Roxana Crasovan is a Chicago native with a strong European cultural background; she has always actively integrated her American and Romanian cultures and has remained involved in the Romanian community. Roxana is currently a senior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on road to complete a dual Bachelors degree in Psychology and Spanish which has sparked interest in mental health advocacy as well as mental health legislation. After graduating in the spring of 2009, Roxana plans to attend law school to continue her education.