In the News
Casten wants Dems to have a plan
by Shia Kapos
Good Thursday morning, Illinois. Another day, another reminder that the political calendar has no off switch. BON APPETIT: Congressman Sean Casten is feasting his eyes on more than a winning message if voters hand Democrats back control of Congress. He’s energized: The Downers Grove Democrat is promoting a new “Thriving Economy Project,” a year-plus effort aimed at laying out what Democrats could actually do on energy, affordability and climate change if they win the House — and possibly the … Continue Reading
September 13, 2026
Elmhurst University gets federal funding for health sciences studies
by Susan Sarkauskas
Elmhurst University has received $950,000 from the federal government to help pay for instructional, simulation and research equipment in its Health Sciences Building. The money comes from Community Project Funding and was presented Thursday by U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, whose 6th Congressional District includes the university. Opened last year, the building is a hub for the school’s nursing, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and public health programs. The university plans to … Continue Reading
September 10, 2026
U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, Elmhurst U. Celebrate $950,000 in Federal Funding for Health Research Technology
by Office of Marketing and Communications, Elmhurst University
U.S. Rep. Sean Casten and Elmhurst University celebrated an award of $950,000 in federal funding for the purchase and installation of instructional, simulation and research equipment to enhance student learning and support faculty research activities in the Health Sciences Building. “I’m proud to have worked with Elmhurst University to secure this Community Project Funding, which will give students the tools and opportunities they need to learn, grow and prepare for careers serving our … Continue Reading
September 10, 2026
DuPage Water Commission gets more federal money for new Lake Michigan water project
by Susan Sarkauskas
The DuPage Water Commission has received another $500,000 from the federal government for a plan to build a $6 billion system to draw water from Lake Michigan. U.S. Rep. Sean Casten presented the check during a ceremony Thursday at the commission’s office in Elmhurst. Two weeks ago, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi presented a $1 million check to the water commission for the Lake Michigan Regional Water Supply Initiative. Both grants come from the federal Community Project Funding … Continue Reading
August 25, 2026
Casten, officials talk about food insecurity
by Erin Gessert
The rising cost of groceries and changes to food assistance programs are bringing more families to food pantries, an issue at the heart of a recent discussion hosted by U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-6th). On Aug. 19, Casten convened a roundtable discussion at the Lyons Township Office in Countryside that included representatives from 19th Ward Mutual Aid, Northern Illinois Food Bank, St. Cletus Social Concerns Ministry, Elmhurst Walk-In Assistance Network, Food Research and Action Center, The … Continue Reading
August 05, 2026
Hickory Hills veteran presented car for her military service
by Jeff Vorva
Oak Lawn’s Miranda Hobson wasn’t presented with a key to the city, but she was presented with keys to a new electric vehicle Chevrolet Equinox. On July 31, the former U.S. Navy aviation boatswain was honored for her service and sacrifice during a special key ceremony celebrating her military career and continued commitment at Webb Chevy in Oak Lawn. The dealership, Wells Fargo, Congressman Sean Casten and the Military Warriors Support Foundation helped make this happen. Hobson, a Hickory … Continue Reading
July 31, 2026
Stahlak Park transformed into Worth’s newest gem
by Kelly White
What was once little more than an open grassy lot for more than four decades officially became one of Worth’s newest recreational destinations as residents gathered July 30 to celebrate the grand opening of the newly renovated Stahlak Park. Located at 112th Place and Natchez Avenue, Stahlak Park was named in honor of Frank R. Stahlak, the first president of the Worth Park District when it was established in 1965. The property was purchased in 1975 with funding from the Illinois Department of … Continue Reading
July 30, 2026
The climate crisis is here, it’s accelerating, and it demands action
by Rep. Sean Casten and Sam Strgacich
For 24 days in early 2025, the Eaton wildfire swiftly consumed neighborhoods in Los Angeles, moving with devastating precision from street to street, leaving a nasty, toxic environment in its wake. Sam Strgacich had eight minutes to evacuate his home and has been displaced ever since. His ordeal has put his family’s long-term economic security at risk. It doesn’t have to be this way. Meanwhile, two thousand miles west, Illinois recorded 12 separate weather events in 2024 that each caused over … Continue Reading
July 27, 2026
Repeal the whole Big Beautiful Bill
by Rep. Sean Casten
One year after its passage, President Donald Trump's Big Ugly Bill (aka the “One Big Beautiful Bill”) is decimating state budgets and our social safety net: $900 billion in cuts to our healthcare system; $300 billion in cuts to student loans and other education programs; $200 billion in cuts to food assistance. These cuts will make Americans sicker, hungrier and dumber. Moreover, they will make our states poorer, since they depend on those programs to offset state Medicaid and education … Continue Reading
July 15, 2026
Congressman Sean Casten Tours Horticulture Program Facilities
by COD Newsroom
U.S. Congressman Sean Casten recently joined members of the DuPage County Farm Bureau Board of Directors to tour the sustainable urban farm at College of DuPage and talk with students about opportunities in horticulture and sustainability. Attendees also toured labs in the Technical Education Center and discussed how a horticulture degree or certificate prepares students for a variety of careers. View photos from Senator Sean Casten's visit to College of … Continue Reading
June 08, 2026
Illinois Rep. Sean Casten demands Office for Civil Rights release student complaint data
by Peter Medlin
Suburban Congressman Sean Casten recently sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights demanding data on complaints filed by students and the resolutions to those cases. The office's website shows zero sexual harassment or violence case resolutions since Trump took office. It also appears the administration has reached the fewest total resolution agreements in more than a decade. The Democratic House member spoke with WNIJ education reporter Peter Medlin about … Continue Reading
May 29, 2026
This isn't about a few 'bad apples.' Israel is annexing the West Bank
by Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Rep. Sean Casten
In February, we led a week-long congressional delegation to visit Israel and the West Bank, the latest of several trips we have taken in recent years to better understand the region and the needs of the people who live there. What we saw on the ground is clear: annexation of the West Bank is happening before our very eyes. We were planning to visit the village of Ras ‘Ein al-’Auja in the northern West Bank. But three weeks before the trip, all 700 residents of the village fled due to violence … Continue Reading
April 15, 2026
Casten has plan to preserve Social Security for seniors
by Jeff Vorva
During a roundtable discussion, Congressman Sean Casten talked about a stool. The discussion, which took place April 13 in a meeting room at his district office in Lombard, centered around some of the problems senior citizens are facing and that includes some of the uncertainty of retirement security. Casten (D-6th) calls it a “three-legged stool” comprising Social Security, private pensions and personal savings. The Social Security leg is wobbly. Casten said that the issue has him worried … Continue Reading
April 06, 2026
U.S. Rep Sean Caster Hosts Virtual Town Hall Wednesday For IL-06 Constituents
by Lorraine Swanson
DOWNERS GROVE, IL—Congressman Sean Casten is planning a virtual town hall via Zoom at 7 CT, Wednesday, April 8. During the town hall, Casten will share updates about his work in Washington, D.C., and answer questions on what can be done to “make life better in the 6th Congressional District.” Registration is required. Constituents will be emailed a link to the meeting code and password. Register online at Rep. Sean Casten Virtual Town Hall April … Continue Reading
March 19, 2026
Democrats tee up energy affordability debate with new bill
by Kelly Livingston
House Democratic leaders of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition have introduced a lengthy bill aimed at navigating rising energy costs for American consumers. Reps. Sean Casten of Illinois and Mike Levin of California are leading the charge on the 419-page legislative effort unveiled Wednesday that they’ve dubbed the “Energy Bills Relief Act,” which takes aim at much of the Trump administration’s first-year efforts on energy policy. “We had the president during the 2024 election … Continue Reading
March 18, 2026
Democratic House bill aims to overturn Trump electricity policies
by Ethan Howland
Democratic Reps. Sean Casten of Illinois and Mike Levin from California — and 120 other Democratic cosponsors — introduced a broad clean electricity bill Wednesday that would undo key Trump administration priorities, such as providing fast-track grid access for gas-fired power plants and keeping fossil-fueled power plants from retiring through “emergency” declarations. The bill would support renewable energy by restoring clean energy tax credits that were eliminated by the One Big Beautiful … Continue Reading
March 18, 2026
House Democrats to unveil sweeping clean energy bill
by Pavan Acharya
House Democrats plan to introduce a bill Wednesday that would reverse the Republicans' rollback of clean energy tax credits and incentivize new renewable projects. Though the "Energy Bills Relief Act" from Reps. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) and Mike Levin (D-Calif.) stands little chance of becoming law during the remainder of President Donald Trump’s second term, it will boast at least 118 Democratic co-sponsors — representing more than half of all Democrats in the House. With Democrats homing in on … Continue Reading
March 16, 2026
How Congress can — and must — fix the Supreme Court
by Rep. Sean Casten
There is no institution that has lost more trust among the American people since 2020 than our judicial system. This is not surprising. The legitimacy of the court depends upon it being seen as non-partisan arbiters of the law, and ever fewer Americans see them as such. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) started this when he allowed only 28 percent of President Obama’s nominees to be confirmed in the final two years of his presidency — and that was before his double standard with respect to the … Continue Reading
February 23, 2026
Illinois congressman wants more oversight of US weapons going to Israel
by Alex Ortiz
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A congressman from suburban Chicago proposed a bill that would condition U.S. weapons being sent to Israel for military purposes. U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, a Democrat, introduced the Ceasefire Compliance Act that he argued would "bolster accountability and oversight" of American weapons sent to Israel, according to his office. What we know: The proposal calls for a ban on the use of U.S. weapons in Gaza and the West Bank if Israel violates the ceasefire agreement, annexes the … Continue Reading
February 02, 2026
Dems warn oil companies against Venezuela investment
by Amelia Davidson
A group of 13 House Democrats told oil companies to hold off on investing in Venezuela last week, warning that any moves could be rendered invalid after President Donald Trump leaves office. In letters to 21 oil and oil-field services companies, the Democrats — led by Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) — laid out the legal case against the Trump administration’s recent military actions in Venezuela, arguing that any investment would be built on shaky legal grounds. It is the latest attempt by … Continue Reading