Media

WEST CHICAGO—Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood announced Karly Quarnstrom, Oswego High School, as the winner of the 2021 Congressional Art Competition for the 14^th District of Illinois. For over 30 years, the Congressional Art Competition has showcased the art of high school students from across the country. The 2021 virtual competition included over 70 submissions from talented students from the 14th District. Quarnstrom's artwork will be displayed in the U.S.

WEST CHICAGO— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) announced the projects in the 14th District selected for Community Projects Funding (CPF) through the Committee on Appropriations. CPF is a new initiative for Fiscal Year 2022 that allows Members of Congress to request direct funding for projects that benefit the communities they represent. All of the projects selected increase safety, economic development, health, and livability and convenience of communities in northern Illinois.

WEST CHICAGO – Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) announced Audree Hall as her virtual guest for President Biden's Joint Session of Congress address on Wednesday, April 28. Hall is a mother from Lake County, who was laid off in August 2020 and had to choose between affording her mortgage and paying for COBRA premiums which left her family to make the hard choice to go without health insurance.

WEST CHICAGO— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) announced the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Member Designated Projects selected for the 14th District of Illinois. Member Designated Projects is a new initiative for Fiscal Year 2022 that allows Members of Congress to request direct funding for projects that benefit the communities they represent. This new initiative is coupled with stringent eligibility, ethics, and transparency requirements.

WEST CHICAGO– Today, Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14) announced that more help is here for Illinois businesses and jobs as the Small Business Administration's Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program is accepting applications. Underwood helped secure additional funding for the program as part of the American Rescue Plan's support for small businesses. The program includes a total of over $16 billion in grants for shuttered venues. Underwood recently met with Ron Onesti, Owner of ArcadaTheatre in St.

WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) led 30 Sophomore and Freshmen House Democratic Members in an effort urging President Biden to prioritize health care coverage and affordability policies in upcoming recovery legislation, including a permanent expansion of advance premium tax credits (APTCs) used to purchase Marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act.

WASHINGTON— Today, Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Chairs Julie Brownley (CA-26), Frank Mrvan (IN-01), Mike Levin (CA-49), and Chris Pappas (NH-01) reintroduced legislation to address the veteran suicide crisis. The Lethal Means Safety Training Act would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to expand its evidence-based lethal means safety training to all VA employees regularly interacting with veterans, as well as community care providers and family caregivers.

WASHINGTON—In a hearing with the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) advocated for programs to support nutrition assistance and improve maternal health. In the hearing with Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Underwood discussed her recent visit to the Northern Illinois Food Bank in Geneva, Illinois which has helped keep Illinois families fed throughout the pandemic.