Get Your Legislator’s ‘Ear’ at Des Plaines Public Library

Have you ever wanted the ear of your local elected official but didn’t know how to go about getting it?

Your question, idea, problem, complaint or praise can be heard by an aide to state Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, state Sen. Dan Kotowski or U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky during set “office hours” at Des Plaines Public Library.

Instead of you having to go to your legislator’s local office, a representative of each of these three elected officials is regularly at the library, ready to meet with you and discuss governmental issues and services, such as Social Security, Veterans’ benefits and immigration.

A member of state Rep. Mulligan’s staff is at the library every first Tuesday from 1 p.m.-2 p.m., while state Sen. Kotowski’s representative meets with constituents the second Tuesday from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Congresswoman Schakowsky’s aide is present every Wednesday from 1:30 p.m.-5 p.m. All office hours are in Room 3009 on the third floor.

No registration is needed for this free service – just walk right in.

Keep in mind that the actual elected official usually is not at these “office hours.” However, that person’s aide is your direct line to the legislator. It’s like “from your mouth to Springfield’s (or Washington’s) ear” – right here, at your library. For more information, please call the library’s reference desk at 847-376-2841.

This week's submission is courtesy of Bob Blanchard, reference librarian.