Hello Friends!

The 117th Congress is under way, and I want to remind you that there’s a lot of work to be done. Along with another COVID-19 relief and response package, I plan to continue my pursuit of passing bills dealing with gun violence prevention, improving health outcomes and job creation. The American people deserve legislation that helps our families and our communities.

As we continue to maneuver through this pandemic, please keep wearing a mask, remain socially distant and wash your hands! I know this advice sounds repetitive, but it is critical — and it saves lives!

On that note, I’d like to hear your viewpoint on taking the COVID-19 vaccine. Your responses will help us address the concerns that the public has about the vaccine. To fill out the survey, please click here. The deadline to submit the survey is Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021.

Vaccine registration sites in the IL-02 District are listed below. Please help older family members or neighbors who may not be tech savvy get signed up.

For Cook County residents, COVD-19 vaccine registration is at https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov/.

Chicago residents can visit Chi COVID Coach at https://covidcoach.chicago.gov/.

For Will County residents, COVID-19 vaccine registration is at https://willcountyhealth.org/covid-19/covid-vaccine/.

Kankakee County residents can visit this link  Or, call the COVID-19 automated hotline at 815-802-9311 for updates on vaccine distribution.

PPP Readiness Webinar for Small Business Owners

If you’re a small business owner, I hope you’ll join a PPP Readiness Webinar hosted by my SBA Economic Development Advisory Committee Taskforce. The webinar is on Thursday, February 4 at 10 am. A representative from the Small Business Association will be in attendance, along with representatives from the following banks: PNC, Fifth Third, Providence, People’s Bank of Kankakee County, Seaway and First Trust. You can join via Zoom by clicking here. 

Rep. Kelly-introduced Orange Book Transparency Act signed into law

On January 5th, the Orange Book Transparency Act (H.R. 1503) was signed into law. I introduced this bill that will reduce drug prices by increasing access to generic drugs.

With the passage of this Act, Americans will finally get a break from astronomical drug costs. By getting generic drugs to the market faster, consumers will see lower drug costs and higher quality, lifesaving medicines. At the same time, it will increase market competition.

We have a moral responsibility to close loopholes that allow drug makers to prevent timely access to information that would lead to new generic drug development. This moves us in the right direction toward transparency and affordable drug costs.

Rep. Kelly elected Vice Chair of Energy and Commerce Committee

On January 15, I was elected as Vice Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee for the 117th Congress.

In this pivotal role, I look forward to addressing issues of vital and immediate concern to the American people — issues that had been neglected or mismanaged by the last administration. Those concerns include crushing the virus and restoring our economy, lowering prescription drug costs, access to affordable health care for all Americans, infrastructure, broadband, cybersecurity, combating climate change, as well as privacy and consumer protection.

Re-Introduction of Two Important Bills

Last week, I re-introduced two important bills into the 117th Congress. Alongside my Republican colleague Rep. Adam Kinzinger, I reintroduced the Reducing the Demand for Human Trafficking Act. The bill targets those who purchase or solicit victims of sex trafficking and holds them accountable for their crimes. This in turn will reduce the demand and help put a stop to this heinous crime.

I also reintroduced the Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act alongside my Republican colleague Rep. Troy Balderson to stop scammers from shamelessly targeting older Americans and preying on their COVID-19 fears. The bill would require the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report to Congress on the number and types of scams directed toward seniors, and how to combat them. It also directs the FTC to get the word out to seniors about ongoing scams through its website and the media. We have a moral obligation to stop these con artists by empowering seniors with facts and information.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to get these bills passed into law.

Congresswoman Kelly Announces nearly $477,00 in Federal Grants
for Community Health Centers

Last week I announced that federal grants totaling $476,820 have been awarded to three community health centers on Chicago’s South Side and in the South Suburbs.

During the pandemic and in normal times, our community health centers are on the frontline of healthcare. It is our hometown health centers that our most vulnerable neighbors rely on for preventative services, including the treatment of serious chronic health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. As Vice-Chair of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus’s Health Braintrust, I’m working hard to provide more funding and resources for our community clinics. 

One of the grant recipients, Family Christian Health Center, will use its $150,000 grant to purchase Bluetooth wireless blood pressure monitors for patients to use at home. These Self-Measured Blood Pressure (SMBP) devices will help patients monitor and better manage uncontrolled blood pressure in real time by connecting to Electronic Health Records. Through the grant, patients will also receive pertinent health education, healthy tips, recipes and direct access to fresh fruits and vegetables that can be delivered to their homes. 

Community Health Centers awarded grants were:

     - Family Christian Health Center, $150,000
     - Chicago Family Health Center, $208,260
     - TCA Health Inc., $118,560