McHenry Times

Senator Craig Wilcox is set to host a REAL ID event in McHenry on August 5, in collaboration with the Secretary of State’s office. Registrations are required for this event, and walk-ins will not be accommodated. Interested individuals are encouraged to call the district office at (815) 455-6330 to reserve a time slot and ensure they bring all necessary documents.

Other upcoming events in the 32nd District include:

- August 17: District Office Open House at Wilcox Office, Woodstock.

- September 11: Medicare 101 at Nippersink Public Library, Richmond.

- September 19: Barks & Brews at Kishwaukee Brewing Company, Woodstock.

- September 25: Conversations Untapped at Richmond Brathaus, Richmond.

- October 2: Conversations Untapped at The Grove Pub and Grill, Spring Grove.

- October 15: Senior Health Fair at Crystal Lake Park District Grand Oaks Building, Crystal Lake.

House Bill 5465, which aids child victims of human trafficking by simplifying the process for expunging or sealing juvenile records related to compelled criminal actions, has been signed into law. Senator Wilcox expressed pride in supporting this legislation that received unanimous support in both chambers.

House Bill 5128 has also been signed into law. This legislation amends the Emergency Telephone System Act to include sheriffs as eligible members of local 9-1-1 boards. Governor JB Pritzker signed the bill on July 19 after it garnered unanimous support.

Illinois has been awarded over $430 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program application. The funds will be allocated towards decarbonization projects, freight electrification, climate-smart agriculture, and renewable energy deployment. These initiatives aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly by 2050.

A global technology outage caused by a routine update from CrowdStrike affected all DMV locations in Illinois recently. Residents are advised to check operational status before visiting DMV facilities and utilize online services where possible.

Illinois has experienced more than double its typical annual average of tornado incidents this year. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency urges residents to prepare for severe weather events year-round and offers resources on their website for hazard preparedness.