Will County Gazette

Residents in Illinois' 79th House District have a date to mark, ten days before Christmas to be precise.

That's when people living in that district, all located within Kankakee, Will and Grundy counties, will have a chance to speak in-person with their state House representative who this past session completed her time as a freshman representative.

"On December 15th I will be hosting a New Bill Roundtable at my district office," Illinois State House Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) said in a Facebook post. "I hope to see you all there!!"

Haas plans to present and get input about new bill ideas and other topics during the town hall, which will from from 1 to 5:30 p.m. at her office at 370 E Court St. in Kankakee. She is encouraging participants to call (815) 523-7779 to schedule their time with her. Those who can't attend in person may also email their bill ideas and thoughts about other topics to her at haas@ilhousegop.org

"We are excited to see you there and hear your ideas," Haas said in a flyer for the event included in her Facebook post.

Haas, who grew up in Momence and earned her bachelor's degree in social work at Valparaiso University, has represented Illinois' 79th House District since she was sworn in almost a year ago at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Kankakee to take the seat previously held by Rep. Lindsay Parkhurst, who herself was sworn in as a circuit court judge earlier in the month. The previous month, Haas had soundly defeated her Democrat challenger, Charlene Eads, taking almost 64% of the vote.

"We know we face difficult challenges ahead of us as a state, but it is in the face of adversity where Illinoisans thrive," Haas said in a news release at the time. "There are many opportunities moving forward to pursue much-needed reforms to our government, sound ethics laws for politicians, and more."

She spent her freshman year in the House pursuing legislation about government reforms, a balanced budget, thriving schools and expanding mental health options in the state's underserved areas. In June, Haas sponsored legislation to fund the proposed Nicor Gas natural gas pipeline for the village of Hopkins Park in Pembroke Township, according to the Grundy Reporter.

She also joined with other GOP state legislators to call out the redistricting hearings that ultimately produced maps still undergoing legal challenges, calling the process a "sham."

More recently, Haas announced she will be working with the state Treasurer's Office to reunite her constituents with their unclaimed property. The Treasurer’s Office estimates the state is holding onto about $3.5 billion worth of unclaimed properties, Haas said in a news release issued Nov. 30.

"I am excited about helping the Treasurer's Office with their initiative in my district," Haas said. "There is a lot of money sitting in this unclaimed property, and I want to do what I can to return this property back to its rightful owners."