In the News
Democrats ask Raimondo to step up enforcement on CHIPS funding
WASHINGTON — A group of Democrats are raising concerns as to whether companies that received federal funding for semiconductors used the money to support stock buybacks — and criticizing their own party over how the awards are given. In a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo obtained by CNBC, four lawmakers flagged that BAE Systems commenced a round of buybacks in the same period it will be paid a $35 million award from the CHIPS Act. The letter, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren of … Continue Reading
June 26, 2024
Congress Urges Treasury to Share Unclaimed Bond Data with States
A total of 25 members of the House of Representatives, led by Representatives Sean Casten, D-Illinois, and Ann Wagner, R-Missouri, wrote to the Treasury Department on Thursday, urging them to share more data to help unclaimed savings bonds to be claimed. There are approximately $30 billion in unclaimed federal bonds. Section 122 of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 requires the Treasury to share information with state governments so that they can use that data to locate the bond owners in accordance … Continue Reading
June 20, 2024
Democrats criticise US financial regulators for falling short on climate risk
A group of 20 US lawmakers criticised American financial regulators for falling behind on addressing climate change risks and potentially thwarting efforts to make climate risk a main focus of global financial rules. “The United States’ lack of progress and innovation in establishing robust measures to address the financial and economic risks from climate change places us behind our international peers and is counterproductive to American interests,” the Democratic and independent lawmakers … Continue Reading
June 18, 2024
Warren, Casten press bank regulators over climate risks
Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois are urging federal banking regulators to take “decisive action” on climate-related financial risks and accusing the agencies of thwarting a global agreement on the issue. In a letter released Friday, the Democratic lawmakers wrote that they were “alarmed by the weaknesses” revealed in the Federal Reserve’s recent pilot program to assess how the nation’s six largest banks were looking at climate change risks. The Fed … Continue Reading
June 14, 2024
Democrats call on US financial regulators to do more on climate
Nineteen Democrats and one independent are calling on U.S. financial regulators to do more to address financial risks posed by the changing climate. The lawmakers, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.), wrote to leaders of the Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) on Thursday to call for more action. “The United States’ lack of progress and innovation in establishing robust … Continue Reading
June 08, 2024
Come on and take a free ride as Pace turns 40
It’s Pace’s 40th birthday but the agency is the one giving out gifts this weekend with free trips. The milestone special is a chance to experience “the convenience and benefits of public transportation at no cost,” officials said Friday. The freebie dovetails with a similar offer Saturday and Sunday on Metra, also marking its 40th year. After passenger numbers tanked during the COVID-19 crisis, Pace has climbed back to 78% of 2019 ridership levels. Travel on paratransit has surpassed … Continue Reading
June 03, 2024
Contractor Emissions Rules Near Release, Navigating GOP Hurdles
The Biden administration is on track to finalize emissions disclosure requirements and other climate reporting mandates for federal contractors as soon as this summer, despite Republican roadblocks intended to derail the initiative. The Defense Department plans to have a draft of the final rules by July 17, even as a Republican-led effort bars the agency from requiring emissions disclosures for months, according to US government records. The White House is expected to give the regulations a … Continue Reading
May 21, 2024
Casten sets proposed funding for Sutherland
On May 16, U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-6th) announced his Community Funding Projects for the 2025 fiscal year, and Sutherland Elementary School in Beverly could be receiving a major upgrade in the next year. In total, Casten proposed 15 projects that would bring more than $40 million in federal funding to the Chicago area, including $1 million to Sutherland, 10015 S. Leavitt St. The funding would be used to build an artificial turf field at Sutherland. The project would also include stormwater … Continue Reading
May 07, 2024
Casten pushes for 2-year ban on crypto mixers with new bill
by Declan Harty
A group of House Democrats led by Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) introduced a bill Tuesday that would temporarily bar financial institutions such as cryptocurrency exchanges from dealing with funds that have been funneled through digital assets mixers. During the two-year-long prohibition, Treasury, the SEC, CFTC and Justice Department would then be required to study the use of such crypto mixing services and what role they play in helping to facilitate illicit finance, according to the … Continue Reading
April 26, 2024
Governor announces $156M federal grant to support solar power development
The EPA Solar for All grant supports residential solar projects for low-income and disadvantaged households Governor JB Pritzker recently announced that Illinois has been selected as a recipient of the U.S, Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Solar for All grant. ? Illinois will receive $156 million from the EPA through the Illinois Finance Authority to expand existing solar programs and increase solar adoption rates. The program, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, provides … Continue Reading
April 09, 2024
Giving people a place to go for help: DuPage County breaks ground on new crisis center
DuPage County officials are breaking new ground to make mental health care services more accessible to residents. County leaders on Monday will celebrate the start of a $25.8 million project to build the DuPage Crisis Recovery Center. The new 24/7 center will be on the grounds of the DuPage County Health Department and will act as a behavioral health triage center where patients experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis can be assessed and provided a plan of action within 24 … Continue Reading
March 19, 2024
US Rep. Sean Casten: Gun control legislation is effective. Why haven't we done more?
by Rep. Sean Casten
During my six years in Congress, I have received countless messages from parents and teachers concerned for their children and students’ lives in the classroom, at church, in the mall and at parades. They are terrified of what has become a reality for parents in Uvalde, Texas; Parkland, Florida; Highland Park; and countless other cities and towns across America. I know my colleagues across the aisle receive these letters, too. But every time I see them walk into the Capitol proudly wearing an … Continue Reading
March 19, 2024
Oak Brook Park District using $1.4 million federal grant for bridge replacement project
by Chuck Fieldman
The Oak Brook Park District has been awarded a grant of more than $1.4 million that will be used for the Ginger Creek Accessible Pedestrian Bridge and Shoreline Improvement Project. Specifically, the grant is from the HUD Community Project Funding Package included in the Federal 2024 Appropriations Bill and will be used to replace the existing bridge at Central Park. The Park District’s executive director, Laure Kosey, said the grant funding will be used to replace the existing bridge … Continue Reading
March 07, 2024
Reworked SEC climate rule fails to assuage Hill critics
by Emma Dumain
The Security and Exchange Commission’s decision Wednesday to dilute a long-awaited rule to compel major companies to disclose their carbon emissions ultimately did little to neutralize the political response on Capitol Hill. As lawmakers learned the details of the SEC’s so-called climate disclosure rule, their reactions signaled just how politicized environmental policies have truly become — and how dug in members remain in their positions. “The SEC was bullied by corporate interests, … Continue Reading
March 06, 2024
Here are the guests of Illinois members of Congress for Biden's State of the Union address
by Lynn Sweet
When President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address Thursday to a joint session of Congress, the gallery above the House chamber will be filled with guests invited by him, the first lady and House and Senate members, with many of them there to put a human face on a policy, cause, tragedy or heroic act. Here’s who members of Congress from the Chicago area — they are all Democrats — are bringing: U.S. SENATE With access to in vitro fertilization now an issue, Sen. Tammy … Continue Reading
March 05, 2024
'Humbled' Bridge Teen Center Founder Invited To State Of The Union
by Lauren Traut
The leader of an essential and beloved south suburban social services agency for teen will get a glimpse inside the nation's capitol this week. On Thursday, March 7, Priscilla Steinmetz, Founder and Executive Director of The Bridge Teen Center, 15555 71st Ct, in Orland Park, will attend the historic State of the Union address in Washington D.C. as the invited guest of Congressman Sean Casten. The State of the Union address is delivered by the President every year to members of both the House … Continue Reading
March 05, 2024
There's A Reason Why Stock Buybacks Used to Be Illegal
by Charles P. Pierce
For a few years now, Senator Professor Warren has been at war with the notion of stock buybacks, the process by which top executives at a company reward themselves handsomely for not producing what their company is alleged to produce. Most recently, working with Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois, she has called out BAE Systems for engaging in a stock buyback scheme while it also was receiving $35 million in federal money through the CHIPS and Science Act. From Financial Regulation News: “We are … Continue Reading
February 20, 2024
Wheaton Sanitary District to upgrade with $2.6M in federal EPA funding
by Jenny Whidden
The Wheaton Sanitary District — which treats wastewater for parts of Wheaton, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn and Winfield — is set to receive $2,655,400 in federal funding to begin construction on treatment improvements, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten recently announced. The upgrades coming to the district represent one of Casten’s 14 community funding projects that the Downers Grove Democrat secured in fiscal year 2023 through the Environmental Protection Agency. Other projects included $1 million … Continue Reading
January 14, 2024
Sean Casten Holds First 2024 'Tele-Town Hall'
by Lorraine Swanson
Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) will host his first telephone town hall of the year to discuss his goals for 2024, as well as his work in Washington DC and the Illinois’s 6th Congressional District. In 2023, Casten hosted 12 town halls. To view his 2023 year in review click here.Casten will take questions from constituents throughout the town hall. IL-06 includes all or sections of the suburban Cook Count communities of Alsip, Chicago Ridge, Palos Heights, Worth, Crestwood, Oak Forest, Oak … Continue Reading
December 18, 2023
Congressman Casten Plans Last 'Tele-Town Hall' Of Year On Tuesday
by Lorraine Swanson
Join Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) for a telephone town hall at 6:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, Dec. 19. Casten will discuss his work in Washington and the 6th Congressional district throughout 2023 as the year comes to a close, so bring your questions. IL-06 includes all or sections of the suburban Cook Count communities of Alsip, Chicago Ridge, Palos Heights, Worth, Crestwood, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Tinley Park, Orland Park, Orland Hills, Palos Hills, Palos Heights, Hickory Hills, Justice, and … Continue Reading