Precious Puppies Steal the Show at Wilcox Barks & Brews Event
I want to thank everyone who came out for my annual Barks & Brews event that was held last week at Kishwaukee Brewing Company in Woodstock. It is truly one of my favorite events of the year.
As people arrived, they were greeted by a pen of mixed breed puppies, each one looking for their forever home. A few older dogs were also at the event, and everyone enjoyed holding them and playing with them.
I moved from table to table and talked with those who came out for the event and several people took advantage of the fine craft brews that were on tap at Kishwaukee Brewing Company. It was a lovely evening of casual conversation that was highlighted by the dogs provided by K9s4U, a non-profit dog rescue in McHenry.
K9s4U Dog Rescue was founded by a group of friends committed to saving dogs from high-kill shelters and dire situations and placing them into their forever homes. They are a foster-home based rescue and since their creation they have saved the lives of more than 5,700 dogs. Several dogs remain available for adoption, so if you’re looking to provide a forever home for a four-legged friend, please contact K9s4U at https://www.k9s4u.org/nfp-dog-rescue-illinois.
Conversations Untapped Series Continues with Events in Richmond and Spring Grove
In an effort to connect with constituents while showcasing local businesses, I am hosting two “Conversations Untapped” events over the next two weeks.
These low-key events provide the perfect atmosphere for people to come out and have casual conversations with their State Senator. I hold these annual fall events at local restaurants so people can enjoy some of the great food and refreshments this region has to offer while we chat. Details for each event can be found in the graphic.
The legislature is gearing up for the fall veto session in November and the start of the 104th General Assembly in January of 2025, so I look forward to hearing from my constituents about issues that are important to them and how I can best work on their behalf in Springfield. I’m hoping for large turnouts at both events so I can hear people’s ideas and concerns about their state government.
For more information about these events, please call my office at (815) 455-6330 or email Abby at amccarthy@sgop.ilga.gov.
Other upcoming events in the 32nd District include:
- October 15, Senior Health Fair: Crystal Lake Park District Grand Oaks Building, 1401 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- October 28, IPASS on Demand: Algonquin Township Building, 3702 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake, 3:00 – 7:00 PM
You can visit the Events page on my website to learn more about these events.
Cyberattacks Against Governmental Entities on the Rise
Government agencies across the country, including in Illinois, are facing the difficult challenge of dealing with an alarming rise in cyberattacks. Recent data from the Center for Internet Security reveals a drastic increase in malware and ransomware attacks, with a 148 percent surge in malware incidents and a 51 percent rise in ransomware attacks during the first eight months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
Several government offices in Illinois have been targeted by these cyber threats. Earlier this year, the Illinois Secretary of State’s office experienced a data security breach, and both Henry and Tazewell counties dealt with ransomware attacks that disrupted their daily operations. The growing trend of cyberattacks against governmental entities is of great concern for state and local governments as they strive to protect sensitive information and maintain critical services.
To that end, government agencies throughout the state and nation are strengthening their defenses by upgrading equipment, enhancing security awareness training, and collaborating at both state and federal levels to block known cyber threats.
While these efforts are crucial, cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They target not only data systems but also technologies like drones used by law enforcement.
All government entities must take the threat of cyberattacks seriously and continue implementing proactive measures to prevent future incidents as protecting digital infrastructures from bad actors must remain a top priority.
Bright Start Program Changes Coming Soon
Families enrolled in the Bright Start College Savings Program (Bright Start 529) will see several changes starting September 30, as TIAA, a major provider of 529 college savings plans, takes over as the program manager.
Bright Start is a 529 college savings plan typically sponsored by a state and can be used to save for higher education. Illinois’ Bright Start Program is already recognized as one of the lowest-cost 529 savings plans in the U.S. With the upcoming changes, families will see total average weighted fees reduced by another 13 percent.
Additionally, a new Bright Start 529 mobile app will be introduced. The app will allow account owners to manage their accounts, check balances, and open new accounts for beneficiaries via their smartphones. It will also streamline processes such as sending funds directly to colleges.
Illinois parents or legal guardians can also claim the Illinois First Steps $50 seed deposit online when opening a Bright Start 529 account for a child born or adopted on or after January 1, 2023, eliminating the need for paper forms.
To accommodate the transition, no withdrawals, contributions, or account changes will be processed between 3 p.m. Wednesday, September 25, and Sunday, September 29. Full account access and transaction capabilities will resume at 7 a.m. on Monday, September 30.