CHICAGO, IL –

“As animal lovers, it’s important we provide these services to the community in an effort to promote animal wellness and safety,” Berrios said. “This fair will feature free and low-cost services so that everyone can afford necessary care for their pets.”

The Animal Wel-“Fair” will feature a low-cost vaccine clinic administered by the City of Chicago Animal Care and Control and provide local residents with the opportunity to adopt a pet. Pet owners will also be able to take advantage of free services including nail trimming, dog food samples and foster care information.

“I’m looking forward to collaborating with these organizations to provide a fair that offers multiple pet care services,” Berrios said. “This fair is a great way to help inform the community of the various local pet care options available to them, while promoting the importance of responsible pet ownership. I encourage all pet owners to take advantage of these great services and I want to thank Alderman Reboyras and Comptroller Topinka for their help as well.”

Please note the following rules for all pets attending the clinic. This vaccine clinic is open only to City of Chicago residents. All pets over four months old must have a current rabies vaccination, please bring documents to prove updated vaccinations. All dogs intending to receive vaccinations must have a current dog license, otherwise will be subjected to purchase at the time of the clinic. Please bring pets on a leash or in a carrier and all pets requiring a muzzle must be muzzled at the event.

This event is open to the public. For more information, or to RSVP contact Berrios’ full-time constituent services office at (773) 36-3939.

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CHICAGO

“The purpose of this fair is to address women’s physical, mental, and emotional health,” Berrios said. “As an elected official, it is my duty to bring needed resources and services directly to our community. Over the past several years this event has helped hundreds of women.”

The Women’s Wellness and Resource Fair will provide information and resources on a variety of social programs and services available to women. Attendees will have the opportunity to receive free mammogram and pap smear referrals, free blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol screenings along with information on accessing state, county and city health programs.

This year the Women’s Health fair will host a Pin-a-Sister/Examinate Comadre ceremony. This ceremony is done in conjunction with Access Community Health Network to promote, educate and improve Breast Cancer Awareness. Also the 2013 winner of Miss Chicago will be joining us to help promote for women’s health awareness at the Women’s Wellness and Resource Fair.

For more information, please call Berrios’ constituent service office at (773) 736-3939.

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CHICAGO

“The most recent jobs report indicated that there is still much work to be done to put people back to work, and lowering the unemployment rate remains a top priority,” Berrios said. “This event was aimed to help connect the unemployed with businesses and agencies that are looking to hire.”

Approximately 30 employers participated in searching for qualified individuals to fill their open positions. Over 120 local residents took advantage of speaking with those employers and applying for their job openings.

For more information, please contact Rep. Berrios’ constituent service office at (773) 736-3939 or visit her office located at 2847 N. Pulaski Ave. in Chicago.

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“These advisory committees will help keep me updated on the issues affecting our community while I’m down in Springfield,” Berrios said. “The meetings will offer additional insight into the major issues affecting Illinois. Advisory committees will be a great resource when deciding whether to draft or support legislation.”

Berrios is looking for local professionals, as well as, constituents with direct knowledge and experience within the committee’s particular field. Advisory committees will meet two to four times a year, and are opportunities for constituents to be involved with the legislative process and contribute to the issues affecting them most.

“My commitment is to be an open and accessible legislator and encourage participation in the legislative process,” Berrios said.  “I look forward to hearing the perspectives of those I represent at these advisory committee meetings.”

Those interested in becoming a member of either: education, women’s issues, economic development, veterans issues, senior issues, transportation, environment or public safety advisory committees can contact the full-time constituent service office at (773) 736-3939 or by e-mail at repberrios39@gmail.com.

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In honor of American Heart Month, Berrios wanted to provide the community with the opportunity to exercise in a fun manner. Earlier in the month, International Traditional Karate Association hosted a free introductory karate workshop. Following the Karate event, Sway Dance Chicago provided a Latin dance workshop for people of all ages. Over 80 residents took the initiative to be heart healthy and participate in Berrios’ fitness workshops.

“What better way of preventing cardiovascular disease than to bring a community together through exercise,” Berrios said. “This fitness series would not have been possible without the cooperation and support from these businesses, and I want to thank those involved for helping orchestrate another successful fitness series” Berrios said.

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“In order to help our economy recover we must build strong public and private partnerships,” said Berrios. “Together we can ensure that Illinois, and the 39^th District, is a more business–friendly environment.”

The seminar will have presentations from various state and federal departments including the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities, the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulations and the US Small Business Administration. Each will discuss how their offices assist local business owners in detail and what programs or grants may be available.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, providing local employment opportunities and meeting consumer demand for products,” Berrios said. “I will continue to work with local business owners and will work to make needed resources available to our community.”

For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Rep. Berrios’ constituent service office at (773) 736-3939 or email at repberrios39@gmail.com.

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“Women have always played a vital role in our country, but their achievements and contributions have often gone unacknowledged,” Berrios said. “This month provides us with a unique opportunity to reflect on the lives, the sacrifices, and monumental contributions that women have made to our community.”

The Chicago Public Library has a month long list of events that are happening all over the city. Some of these events include: artistic receptions, book discussions, film screenings, art tours, storytelling, and more. Information for these events can be found on their website. Berrios has been a vocal advocate to celebrate Women’s History Month and has always encouraged women to take a more proactive role in civic engagement.

“I also ask constituents to think about how we can work together to make positive changes and improvements for women in our communities,” Berrios said. “This month is not only an opportunity to pay tribute to those who have left their mark on history, but also a time where we can encourage all women to continue to achieve excellence.”

For more information, please contact Berrios full-time constituent service office at (773) 736-3939.

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“This legislation stands to improve roadways across Illinois, and will help prevent future car accidents and money spent on higher insurance,” Berrios said. “With this bill taking affect, Illinois has taken great strides to lower insurance costs and allow Illinoisans to keep a little more money in their pockets.”

Senate Bill 957 grants a temporary three-year license to immigrants who are not documented, but have resided in Illinois for more than a year. Applicants have to show proof of residency through utility bills or rental lease; however, licenses cannot be used as a form of identification. Those seeking the driver’s license still have to pass the driver’s test and, under federal law, be required to buy car insurance.

“Driving without insurance and a license impacts all drivers whether it’s physically or financially,” Berrios stated. “I want to thank my colleagues and the community for their hard work and dedication to passing this important piece of public policy.”

For more information, please contact Rep. Berrios’ constituent service office at (773) 736-3939 or email at repberrios39@gmail.com.

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CHICAGO

“I invited AT&T to KelvynParkHigh School to discuss the implications of texting and driving,” Berrios said. “I was glad that students were eager to contribute to this conversation.”

“The AT&T ‘It Can Wait’ campaign is raising awareness about the dangers of texting while driving, and provides support to change behaviors, especially among teen drivers,” said Sylvia Aldrete External Affairs Director, AT&T Illinois. “We’re challenging all drivers to take the pledge to never text and drive again.”

During the event, students and school officials learned more about the dangers of texting while driving and strategies to stop the practice, including a smartphone app called DriveMode that can automatically respond to texts, emails and calls  to let people know that you are driving and will get back to them when it is safe.

AT&T also highlighted a 10-minute documentary, called “The Last Text,” that shares powerful real life outcomes of texting while driving accidents.  In addition, AT&T offers an online texting while driving simulator to demonstrate the extreme dangers of texting while driving, with the safety of sitting at a computer.  To learn more, log on to itcanwaitsimulator.org

For more information, please call Rep. Berrios’ constituent services office at (773) 736-3939 or e-mail at repberrios39@gmail.com.

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“These past few years I continuously expressed how critical it is for our state to get the pension system under control. The strain caused by the unfunded pension system has been seen throughout many sectors including education, senior services, and services for the disabled,” Berrios said. “I will continue to support sensible and comprehensive legislation.”

With Berrios’ support the House was able to pass HB 1165 this week, reforming the automatic pension increases for current state employees and retirees. This measure is intended to rein in on the out-of-control automatic pension annuity increases that all retirees were receiving each year. Instead, for pensions $25,000 and above, retirees will receive a flat annuity increase of $750 a year. For pensions less than $25,000, the increase will continue to be compounded by 3% annually until it reaches $750, where then it will continue thereafter with an increase of $750 per year. These changes are drastically different from the current system in which all retirees receive a compounded increase of 3% each year. The projected savings of this legislation alone is approximately $100 billion over the next 30 years.

These reforms apply to Teacher Retirement System (TRS), State University Retirement System (SURS), State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS), and the General Assembly Retirement System (GARS).

“I have always voted on legislation that would cut my own salary and benefits first before making any changes to state employees’ pay or benefits,” Berrios said. “These reforms will strengthen the pension system and to continue to provide for current and future retirees.”

For more information, please contact Rep. Berrios’ constituent service office at (773) 736-3939 or email at repberrios39@gmail.com.

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