Rep. Anthony DeLuca Hosts 14th Annual Clergy Breakfast

Serving others is what Anthony DeLuca believes in.

Before he was Chicago Heights Mayor, DeLuca invited local clergy to a breakfast to listen to their concerns. 14 years later he still hosts that breakfast, now as the 80th District State Rep.

This year Marian High School was the site of the 14th Annual Clergy Breakfast.

“ I began this when I was running for Mayor,” Deluca says. “ It’s an excellent way to keep in touch with my constituents, because the clergy represents a whole faction of people that would never get an opportunity to hear some of the information that I talk about.”

About 30 clergy members from 10 different townships Anthony serves, came to hear the updates in the 80th District. From Chicago Heights, Homewood-Flossmoor to Frankfort and Manhattan Rep. Deluca represents a variety of communities and issues.

“ Every year I have the opportunity to inform the clergy and keep these relationships going. Most of these clergy go on and pass that on to parishioners which are also constituents of mine,” adds DeLuca.

Rep. DeLuca listens to the concerns of the clergy. In fact so much, last year when a clergy member brought up hard to find produce in a depressed area, Rep. DeLuca got to work.

“ Last year at the clergy breakfast there was an idea regarding food deserts in certain areas that I serve. Usually residents in depressed communities have to travel a distance for fresh produce. Based on that discussion we had at the breakfast, I drafted legislation and filed it. There was never a committee hearing, I was disappointed but I will probably revisit this again,” he adds.

Rep. DeLuca explained a few of the bills that he has sponsored including HB112, which is undetermined at this time. He spoke about HB113 and HB365 in which former Governor Quinn vetoed.

The big word at the breakfast was B U D G E T.

“ There are a lot of programs in the Southland that will be affected by the budget,” Deluca says. “ In terms of Southland projects such as the third airport and the Illiana Expressway, they have been put on hold by the Governors office until further notice. It doesn’t mean the projects are dead,” he adds.

Clergy asked various budget questions from education funding to municipal fund to retail concerns.

“ A lot of these budget questions we don’t know yet,” DeLuca said.

“ You folks need the wisdom of Solomon,” said Pastor

Rich DeVries from Wilton Center Federated Church. The pastors stood up and applauded Rep. DeLuca. “ Thank you for informing us,” said Pastor DeVries. “ This has been a tremendous help. My church requires me to pray for government officials and that’s why you are in our prayers,” DeVries added.

If you live in the 80th District and have concerns or need assistance please contact Rep. Anthony DeLuca at 708-754-7900. The office is located at 195 W. Joe Orr Road Suite 201 in Chicago Heights.