In the News
U.S. House finally moves on guns, and voters need to remember
Amid the news of Chicago's mayoral vote and Michael Cohen's testimony, what the U.S. House did this week deserves to be noted, if only for the political courage it displayed—and I don't use that phrase lightly. The House approved the first major piece of gun-control legislation that has advanced in Washington since what seems like the dawn of time. With every Democratic House member from Illinois voting in favor and every Republican voting against, it sent the Senate a common-sense … Continue Reading
February 11, 2019
Family Shelter Service director is Casten’s guest at State of the Union
Judie Caribeaux, executive director of the Family Shelter Service in DuPage County, was the guest of U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, D-Downers Grove, at the State of the Union address.Caribeaux is a survivor of domestic abuse and has spoken publicly about the negative consequences of the government shutdown for abuse victims who depend on the federally supported aid the Family Shelter Service provides. Among Casten's top congressional priorities is advocating for women's rights and protecting women … Continue Reading
February 11, 2019
Pelosi names U.S. Rep. Sean Casten to climate crisis committee
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has selected U.S. Rep. Sean Casten as one of nine Democrats to serve on the new Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.Before winning election to serve the 6th Congressional District, the Downers Grove Democrat received an undergraduate degree in molecular biology and biochemistry and master's degrees in engineering management and biochemical engineering. "This new Select Committee will spearhead Democrats' work to develop innovative, effective solutions to prevent … Continue Reading
February 11, 2019
Two Locals Are Guests of Honor at the State of the Union
At five years old, Allie Bland ran in the kids Marine Corps marathon in Washington D.C. It was in honor of her marine dad, who died when Allie was just seven months old.On her return trip home, an idea sparked to spread the kindness her father was remembered for."So I decided to put candy inside the little bags with my sentences and then pass them out on the plane," said Allie.Now seven, Allie has passed over 5,000 "Little Blessings" throughout the community.Executive director of Family … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
An Ocean Engineer and a Nuclear Physicist Walk Into Congress …
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — From a couch on the back deck of a dockside restaurant, the Beatles playing in the background and a breeze blowing off the water, Joe Cunningham gestured to Shem Creek."This could be the reality here, of oil rigs and oil spills off the beach," Mr. Cunningham said. "An oil spill could just decimate the area, and all of a sudden instead of people coming to Charleston, South Carolina, they high-tail it down to Florida or somewhere else."Offshore drilling might not captivate … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
U.S. Rep. Casten: Thousands affected locally by government shutdown
Thousands of federal workers and constituents in the 6th Congressional District are being directly burdened by the partial federal government shutdown, U.S. Rep. Sean Casten said, and there's no immediate end in sight.Addressing a standing-room-only crowd Sunday at the Wheaton VFW Post 2164, Casten said ending the standoff has been top priority for the 116th Congress since taking office more than a week ago. He focused on legislative procedure and services affected by the shutdown, rather than … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
Hundreds attend Casten’s district swearing-in ceremony
WHEATON – Hundreds of people gathered Jan. 26 to see the district swearing-in ceremony for U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, D-Downers Grove, in the auditorium of the DuPage County JTK Administration Building in Wheaton. Casten, a scientist and businessman, defeated Peter Roskam in the Nov. 6, 2018, election for the 6th Congressional District, which includes parts of Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane and McHenry counties. The last Democrat to hold the seat was George W. Collins, who was killed in a plane … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
Underwood, Casten call for IRS to help with local tax burden
Members of the House of Representatives are voicing their concerns about the local and state tax burden on Illinois families due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville, and Rep. Sean Casten, D-Downers Grove, are urging the Internal Revenue Service to address what they call the disproportionate tax burden on Illinois taxpayers due to the changes in the law, which limit the state and local tax deduction, according to a news release. Underwood and Casten wrote a letter … Continue Reading
January 03, 2019