Press Releases

Over $200,000 for the Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs

CHICAGO, IL (November 7, 2011) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today applauded the decision by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to award the Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs two federal grants totaling $235,874 to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, mortgage scams, and housing discrimination.

WASHINGTON, DC (November 3, 2011) —Today, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) joined 132 other members of the House of Representatives to file an Amicus Brief in strong opposition to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA.)

Filed in the consolidated case of Massachusetts v. Dept. of Health and Gill v. Office of Personnel Management, the brief states that Section 3 of DOMA undermines several legitimate interests of Congress and fails to hold up under constitutional scrutiny.

WASHINGTON D.C. (November 2, 2011) — Today, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) released the following statement in a Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing on insurance coverage for women's preventive health services including contraception:

"The attention this Committee has focused — and continues to focus — on the private lives of women makes clear that one of the goals of the majority is to end access — not just to abortions — but to family planning.

WASHINGTON D.C. (October 31, 2011) — Today, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) released the following statement in response to an executive order signed by the President directing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to broaden reporting of shortages of certain prescription drugs and expedite regulatory reviews that can help prevent shortage. A study from the American Hospital Association earlier this year found that more than 80 percent of surveyed hospitals delayed needed treatments and restricted access to drugs to manage a depleting supply of drugs.

WASHINGTON D.C. (October 27, 2011) — Today, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) joined other members of Congress, national religious leaders and current Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients at a Safeway supermarket to kick off the week-long national Fighting Poverty with Faith Food Stamp Challenge. For a week Rep. Schakowsky will live on $31.50 worth of food, the average weekly benefit for a food stamp recipient.

WASHINGTON D.C. (October 24, 2011) —Today, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.)released the following statement in response to changes announced today by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) designed to help homeowners take advantage of low interest rates:

"I am pleased to learn of the FHFA's adjustments to HARP, which will allow many homeowners to avoid foreclosure.

WASHINGTON D.C. (October 21, 2011) —Today, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.)released the following statement in response to President Obama's announcement of the withdrawal of virtually all U.S. troops from Iraq by end of 2011:

"I applaud President Obama's announcement that he will bring our brave military men and women home from Iraq by the end of the year.

"Today, I join with Israelis and friends around the world in celebrating the return of Gilad Shalit. Shalit's release, after five long years in captivity, is a cause for great joy and hope for the future.

Human beings should never be used as bargaining chips. We share in the Shalit's joy and relief at the safe return of their son.