Listed below in alphabetical order are sample questions and our office handles on a daily basis.
If you are experiencing difficulties in dealing with any municipal, state, or federal issue, please call our office and we will try and assist you.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES:
What communities offer transportation services?
Many Villages and Townships have subsidized transportation for the disabled and elderly. We encourage our constituents to call the Human Services Department in their village for the most up-to-date information. If you are unable to reach someone, please call our office at 1-847-656-5414.
EDUCATION CONCERNS FOR COLLEGE:
I have a child attending college next year and I have been told I need to fill out a FASFA form for financial aid. What is this form and how do I obtain it?
In January of your child’s senior year, both parents will need to fill out the FASFA form for all financial aid. This downloadable form is available at www.fasfa.gov, where you can fill the form out on-line to submit your financial information. Your individual information will then be analyzed and you will be informed of the federal and state resources available to you and your family. Once you have completed the FAFSA forms, contact your child’s school’s financial aid office for additional resources.
There is a program called G.W.A.Y.O. (The Greater Wheeling Area Youth Organization). A child can begin as early as junior high school working for a college scholarship. They provide free tutoring and after school activities. The student will need to graduate high school while enrolled in the program. The student will then become eligible for up to a $20,000 scholarship for college. To find out if your child qualifies call 1-847-759-0679.
IRS/TAX QUESTIONS:
Can I receive a tax deduction for assisted living or nursing home services?
Yes, within certain guidelines, assisted living and nursing home service fees can be tax deductible. Be sure and consult with your tax advisor to see if your situation applies under IRS Publication 502 Medical and Dental Expenses. If you still need assistance, please call our office.
MEDICAID BENEFITS (STATE OF ILLINOIS):
DHS is not responding to my application and I need food stamps for my family. I have called my caseworker many times and no one will return my calls. What can I do?
The Illinois Department of Human Services has many resources available for constituents in our legislative district. These include food stamps, medical coverage, IL Kid’s First medical coverage and child support issues. The main office for our 33rd District is located at 8020 Saint Louis Avenue in Skokie, IL. Their phone number is 1-847-745-3200. Application forms are available at their website at www.dhs.state.il.us.
MEDICAL INSURANCE PROBLEMS:
I got laid off from my job and I can’t afford the COBRA payment. I can’t afford to lose the insurance because I have pre-existing health problems that could by used by insurance companies to deny me coverage in the future. What should I do?
There are resources available. If your COBRA premiums are too high, there are two resources available in District 33. First, if you qualify, you may join the National Association of the Self-Employed (www.nase.org). You may also join a Cook County program called “Access To Care” (www.accesstocare.org). The organization is located in Westchester, Illinois, phone number 1-847-531-0680. There is a one-time yearly fee of $20.00. For this fee, you can have medical coverage that will assist with the cost of prescriptions and co-pays for medical office visits. This insurance is also considered as ongoing insurance to protect you from a lapse in coverage avoiding the pre-existing issue with insurance.
I have some insurance but I can’t afford the co-pay for my prescriptions. I need the medicine, but I can’t afford to buy it.
Several prominent pharmacies are offering special programs where many generic prescriptions are offered at a reduced rate. If you have health insurance, your co-pay may be higher priced and override the discount. Call ahead to your pharmacy and see if they offer a special co-pay for generic prescriptions for the underinsured or the uninsured.
I don’t have a car. I can’t afford the cost of a taxi to get to the Doctor’s Office. What can I do?
Many Villages and Townships have subsidized transportation for the disabled and elderly. We encourage our constituents to call the Human Services Department in their village for the most up-to-date information. If you are unable to reach someone, please call our office at 1-847-656-5414.
Since I have retired, I cannot afford to carry dental insurance. I can’t afford to maintain my teeth. What resources are available?
The University of Illinois Dental School offers several dental programs. Work performed by supervised students is offered at a reduced rate. For services, call the following numbers:
- Endodontics 1-312-996-8229,
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery 1-312-996-7496,
- Orthodontics 1-312-996-7505,
- Periodontics 1-312-996-7374,
- Prosthodontics 1-312-996-9223,
- Temporalmandibular Joint Clinic 1-312-996-7496,
- Pediatric Dentistry 1-312-996-7532,
- Urgent Care Dentistry 1-312-996-7555,
- Comprehensive Care Appointments 1-866-600-CARE.
Some Township Offices have a mobile dental clinic associated with Northwest Community Hospital. Call your local township office and see if this is one available to you. Many community colleges offer dental clinics associated with area dental hygiene programs at area community colleges. Contact Harper College (1-847-925-6534) in Palatine and Prairie State College (708-709-3500) in Chicago Heights for details.
PASSPORT PROBLEMS:
I have a family vacation planned overseas and my family applied for passports six months ago. We still have not received our passports. Who should I call and what should I do?
Please call our office for information.
PENSION PROBLEMS:
I have a private pension plan with a large corporation and I was just notified that my pension is disbanding. What should I do? Does the Federal Government offer insurance? What paperwork do I need?
This issue needs to be evaluated on an individual basis. We ask that you call our office and make an appointment for us to review your case.
PROPERTY TAX PROBLEMS:
I just received my property tax bill and my taxes have increased 37%. What can I do?
To check if you are eligible for any tax rebates, visit the Cook County Tax Assessor’s Website at www.cookcountyassessor.com. At the website, you will find the eligibility requirements to see if you qualify for a Senior Exemption, a Senior Tax Freeze or a Homestead Exemption.
If you think that you have been over-taxed, call and make an appointment in our office. You will need to copy your last three years of property tax bills and any and all correspondence so that we may help you.
REAL ESTATE:
I have a different pin number on my property than when I originally bought the property.
You will need to make an appointment and bring all your documents into our office. We will assist you in resolving this problem.
What association rights does our Condo Association have under the Illinois Condominium Property Act? What are the rights of the individual homeowner? Our management company has failed to pay our utilities and is not providing itemized documentation on the monies spent. Our property is suffering crippling damage from poor management via the management company, what can we do?
There is an organization called the Association of Condominium, Townhouse and Homeowners Association, located at 28 E. Jackson Blvd, Room 910, Chicago, IL, 60604. The website address is www.actha.org. This organization sponsors a panel that travels throughout the area studying the weaknesses of associations and the areas that the association’s members feel are detrimental to the association as a whole. They offer training to homeowners that wish to be on a condo board and offer tips on how to follow Illinois Condo Laws. If they are not able to assist you, call our office at 1-847-656-5414. We are active in tracking the problems that homeowners are having with various management companies and associations.
I refinanced my house and now my mortgage company is foreclosing on me. What can I do? I have called the lender many times and cannot get anyone to help me. Am I eligible for a modification of my home mortgage?
This is something that needs to be evaluated on an individual basis. We need to review with you all your closing documents and mortgage paperwork. Call our office for an appointment with our staff.
SPECIAL NEEDS HELP FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS:
Our child is severely retarded and has autism. She also has major health issues. We cannot afford to provide the necessary medical equipment to improve our child’s quality of life. What can we do?
Call our office and make an appointment with the District Director. At that time, you will need to bring in all the documentation and pertinent medical records so that we can match your needs with all community and state resources for your child.
I have a son who started in junior high school in Arlington Heights this year. My family is very aware of the high costs of college and the need for good grades. My son has some learning disabilities that affect his overall grades. He currently has an Individual Education Prescription (IEP) within District 214. Are there any other resources available?
There is a program called G.W.A.Y.O. (The Greater Wheeling Area Youth Organization). Your child can begin as early as junior high. They provide free tutoring and after school activities. The student will need to graduate high school while enrolled in the program. The student will then become eligible for a $20,000 (can vary) scholarship for college. To find out if your child qualifies call 1-847-759-0679.
SOCIAL SECURITY CONCERNS:
I have been declared disabled by my doctors and my employer. Why has the Social Security Administration denied my claim for disability?
Please call our office at 1-847-656-5414 to make an appointment. We will be glad to review your file and documents to discern what is causing the conflict with your claim.
UNEMPLOYED:
I lost my job recently and I am finding it hard to find a position in the area where I am skilled to work. I can’t afford retraining or to go back to school. What can I do? Do you have any suggestions?
The Illinois Department of Employment Security has a program called Workforce Development. This program offers re-training into a field where there is a strong need for skilled workers. There are criteria that you will need to meet in order to qualify. This is a scholarship-based program and is based on financial need. Please call the department of IL Employment Security for more information and to see if you qualify.
You may also contact the following community colleges that have Illinois state employment and training facilities on their campuses. Please contact the following schools: Harper College in Palatine and Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, IL.
VETERAN’S ISSUES:
I’m a disabled Veteran but I have never applied for Veteran’s Benefits. What do I need to do to apply and where do I go?
Visit the Veteran’s Administration Website at www.va.gov. The application to apply for benefits is on-line. You may also call your local Veteran’s Affairs office. If you have having difficulties locating phone numbers of their office locations, please call our office for additional help.
I’m a veteran and I need to find a job. What resources are available for me?
Visit the Veteran’s Administration at www.va.gov. You may also call a local Veteran’s Affairs office in the area where you live, or contact an Employment Counselor at the Illinois Department of Employment Security. One of their offices is located on Algonquin Road in Arlington Heights. Please call 1-847-809-2890.
I have received Veteran’s Benefits in the past, but recently they have stopped. What can I do to reinstate them?
Please contact the Veteran’s Administration’s closed Veteran Affairs office where you live. Visit their website at www.va.gov. If you encounter difficulties, please contact our office for help.
