I am heavily into the new Legislative Session with more than 15 legislative bills introduced. The majority are focused on assistance for the unemployed (HB 5018, HB 5047), jobs creation and growing green collar jobs (HB 6030, HB 6031), protecting our environment (HB 5338, HB 6201), supporting small businesses (HB 5094), promoting campaign finance reform (HB 6200) and pension reform (HB 5186, HB 5297). In addition, I introduced HB 5454 proposing a requirement that all cell phone use while driving be hands-free.

I will keep you apprised on the progress of these bills and provide more background on each in the weeks to come. Click here to access the State of Illinois General Assembly website for additional information that may be of interest.

It's not too late! Please join Michael Hoffman and me at Michael's Chicago Style Red Hots this Friday, February 19 for a Haitian Relief Benefit from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. featuring cocktails, music and Michael's delicious menu. All funds raised will fully and completely go towards the Haitian earthquake relief effort. Survivors of the earthquake will be with us to discuss their experiences firsthand.

Please let us know you'll be joining us by calling 847-432-3380. Can't attend, but want to contribute? Click here to contribute. The evening is entirely underwritten by Michael's.

Lake County residents who are at least 65-years old by June 1, who have resided in Illinois for at least the last three years and have an annual household income of $50,000 or less can apply for a deferment of property taxes on their primary residence. The program is a state loan with 6% simple interest that must be paid upon death or sale of the home.

The balance of any loan or line of credit where this deferred property is being used as collateral can not exceed 80% of the Fair Market Value shown on the homeowner's yearly tax bill.

Applicants must apply annually through the Lake County Treasurer's Office before March 1st. For further information, residents can call 847-377-2323.

Additional information about the program and sample applications are available online here .

My office is now accepting applications for the 2010-2011 General Assembly Scholarship. I believe that pursuing a university degree is the best investment a student will ever make and I am pleased to offer the opportunity to help students attain their educational goals with this scholarship program. I encourage all of those who are eligible to apply.

Given the cost to our universities, I support abolishing this program, but will continue to offer these scholarships until all legislators cease the practice so as to not disadvantage my constituents.

Eight one-year scholarships are available to qualified students attending an Illinois state university in the fall. Students will be selected based on academic achievement, community involvement and economic need and must be permanent residents of the 58th District (which includes all or part of: Bannockburn, Deerfield, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Northbrook and Riverwoods).

All applications will be reviewed by the IL-58th District Legislative Scholarship Committee, comprised of teachers, school board members and community leaders. This independent volunteer panel thoroughly reviews all applications received and will select recipients by April 30, 2010.

Applications are available online here or by calling 847-433-9100. The scholarship is a full tuition waiver for the entire academic year including the summer of 2010. Room, board and university fees are not included. The completed application and all supporting documentation must be received by the district office at 427 Sheridan Road, Highwood, no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, April 9, 2010.

State Senator Susan Garrett and I will be holding Town Hall meetings on Saturday, March 20 in Highland Park and Lake Bluff and Sunday, March 21 in Northbrook. I will forward the time and place details as they become available.

Local high school students Jonny Cohen, Azza Cohen, Talia Segal, Mollie Krent, Blake Harwood, Ben Johnston and Jordan Kraviz are working on a project called GreenShields. Jonny invented a way to retrofit the square fronts of buses to reduce drag and make them more aerodynamic, thus improving energy efficiency. The team is in the running to receive a $25,000 grant from Pepsi that they will use to build a prototype. The grant is awarded to the top ten teams that get the most votes during the month of February and people can vote daily. Click here to vote and support these creative students.

email: karen@repkarenmay.org

phone: (847) 433-9100

web: http://www.repkarenmay.org