CA_0720_July

4 Crestwood Adviser July 2020 Number 520
Shredding Event Fundraiser to Take Place Aug. 22nd
For the last several years, during the month of June, the Crestwood Police
Department has sponsored a document shredding fundraiser benefitting
Special Olympics Illinois. This year, however, we have had a few complications.
First we had the COVID pandemic and, as you know, almost everything was
closed down. We did everything possible to limit our exposure to protect our
officers as well as the citizens. As we moved to Phase 4, we were also hit with
the unexpected challenge that our previous shredding provider had been
purchased by a national company and we were unable to make shredding
arrangements.
Since June we have received numerous phone calls from residents inquiring
if we were still hosting the event, showing us that there is still such a need for
our event. Some of the callers even indicated that they save their shredding
each year because our event benefits Special Olympics, and we thank you for
your continued support.
We are now proud to say that we have partnered with Beaver Shredding, a
locally owned company that is anxious to be part of our annual event.
The date has been set for Saturday, Aug. 22nd from 9:00am-12:00pm or until
the truck is filled to capacity, and the event will take place at the Crestwood
Police Department.
All are welcome to bring their personal and business documents for shredding.
This includes old tax returns, business records, bank statements, cancelled
checks, credit card statements, bills, receipts, and any other documents.
Shredding will be done for $10 for the first box and $5 for each additional
box. All shredding is done on site, and you can watch as your documents pass
through the truck mounted shredder provided by Beaver Shredding.
According to law enforcement sources, this is one of the easiest ways to
protect yourself against identity theft. Identity theft is the nation’s fastest
growing crime according to FBI statistics. Nearly 9 million Americans have
their identity stolen each year. In fact, you or someone you know may have
experienced some form of identity theft.
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying
information, like your name, Social Security number or credit card number,
without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity thieves
may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone account
in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit
report or a credit card statement and notice charges that you didn’t make — or
until you’re contacted by a debt collector.
ALL PROCEEDS OF THE FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT SPECIAL OLYMPICS
ILLINOIS
New Laws Aim to Protect Electoral Process, Voters in Illinois
With an eye to the November general election, Gov.
JB Pritzker recently signed SB 1863 and HB 2238
into law. The legislation provides for vote by mail
(VBM) applications to be sent to all recent voters in
Illinois, expands early voting hours at permanent
polling places, elevates security on the signature
verification process, and makes Election Day a
statewide holiday.
“In the face of a pandemic, massive economic
upheaval, and renewed calls for racial justice, it's
more important than ever that Illinoisans can hold
accountable a truly representative and transparent
government — and that means ensuring all
eligible residents can wield their right to vote in a
way that doesn't risk their personal health,” Gov.
Pritzker said. “Sending vote by mail applications to
residents who have participated in recent elections
will allow more people to exercise that right from
the safety of their own homes and help reduce the
spread of COVID-19 in our communities.”
Under the new law, local election offices must
mail or email vote by mail ballot applications and
the VBM timeline to voters who cast a ballot in
the 2018 general election, the 2019 consolidated
election or the 2020 general primary election,
including voters who registered or changed
addresses after the primary election. Voters who
submit their application for a VBM ballot by Oct.
1st will receive their VBM ballot by Oct. 6th.
The new legislation requires the Illinois State Board
of Elections (ISBE) to:
• Post an application for a vote by mail ballot on
its website;
• Modify the online voter registration system
to allow a new registrant to apply for a VBM
ballot when completing the online registration;
• Provide notice to each election authority about
what it must do to comply with the new law;
and
• Adopt emergency rules to provide
reimbursement for expenses related to the
2020 general election incurred as a result of
COVID-19 and the new requirements.
To improve the signature verification process,
the legislation elevates the standard for rejecting
a VBM ballot. The election authority now will be
required to appoint a bipartisan panel of three
election judges to verify voters' signatures and
the validity of the ballots. Previously, only a single
election judge made this determination.
In an effort to prevent overcrowding at the polls
on Election Day, expanding early voting hours will
help ensure election authorities are able to comply
with the Illinois Department of Health (IDPH)
safety and health guidance. Permanent branch
polling places are required to be open from 8:30am-
7:00pm on weekdays and from 9:00am-5:00pm on
the weekends and holidays. The legislation permits
the use of curbside voting, in which voters can fill
out the ballot outside of the polling place. The bill
also authorizes election authorities to establish
additional early voting hours for voters whom
COVID-19 presents increased health risks.
To further promote safety on Election Day, the
legislation requires local election authorities to
establish a central voting site where anyone who
lives in the jurisdiction can vote, regardless of their
precinct. Additionally, the bill makes Election Day
a holiday for all government offices, except election
authorities, K-12 schools, and post-secondary
institutions governed by the State Universities
Civil Service Act. The state has already established
Election Day as a holiday for state employees.
The trailer bill, HB 2238, requires collection
boxes to be locked and opened only by election
authorities. It also requires ISBE to establish
additional guidelines for the security of these sites.
The new laws take effect immediately.