Dear Friends and Supporters:

The Illinois State Board of Elections has ruled that my name will not be on the primary ballot for the Illinois House of Representatives, 79th District.  In many instances, prospective candidates are removed due to not enough or invalid signatures being filed. However, with your help, we turned in 350 more voter signatures than the required 500 valid signature requirement.  In my case, it was due to a technical filing issue with one of my forms.

It would have been an honor to represent you at the state level.  However, it was great to connect with voters at the doors and at labor events across the 79^th District.  To that end, be sure to vote.  As it has been explained so many times, the 2024 election at every level of government; state, federal and local, could possibly be the most important in terms of the preservation of our democracy.  

I indeed feel fortunate that I can continue to represent you at the County Board level.  I firmly believe we must build from the bottom up, and I will continue to advocate for the people of our community, and the County as a whole.  I will continue to be an activist member of the County Board.  I will continue to urge the Board to encourage and listen to community input.  I will also advocate for the Board to become more transparent about the issues and decision that affect all our lives.

Again, I urge everyone to stay involved and to encourage their families and friends to vote on March 19^th.

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank the many people including my labor brothers and sisters who helped me these past months – walking to get petition signatures and giving me encouragement along the way. Although my name will not be on the ballot, I still believe there is an urgent need for better representation for all the people of the 79^th District. I implore everyone to stay involved and to encourage their families and friends to vote on March 19^th, or take advantage of the convenience of early voting.

Always in solidarity,

Larry Kerkstra

Cold and rainy day at CSL Behring. They are still negotiating contracts. People are out in the cold in the rain. I’m here to support them. I don’t only walk the walk but I talk the talk.

Every dollar is appreciated!

As I gear up for this race, I am inviting you to a campaign kick-off to be held Wednesday, August 23 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at Family House Restaurant, 312 Kennedy Drive in Bradley. Tickets are $30 each or 2 for $50.  We have two sponsorship brackets to choose from.  Supporter levels are $250, $500 and $750. Host committee levels are $1,000, $2,500 and $5,000. Tickets can also be purchased online at LarryKerkstra.com/donate.  Thank you in advance for your consideration.

In Solidarity,

Larry Kerkstra

Always great to get a visit from a long time friend of labor, Bob Howard.

Supporting May Day in Kankakee County. Pictured from left to right; Rosemary Foster, Araceli Sharper, Larry Kerkstra, Marlene Aumiller, Dondi Maricle, Ray Chamberlain and Jimmy Fry.

Whole chickens, large boxes of fresh produce, Pepsi products. Also, while supplies last; toys, Pajamas, t-shirts, socks, underwear, kitchen tools & accessories, etc. Hosted by Still I Rise and others. Starting at noon on Saturday, December 18 at the Kankakee Farmers’ Market grounds (250 South Schuyler Avenue – on the corner of South Schuyler and Station Street).

SPRINGFIELD – Beginning January 1, 2022, the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) will be responsible for maintaining a database that allows the public to search certified payrolls submitted by construction contractors on public works projects subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act. This is the result of Public Act 102-0332 that was passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Pritzker.

“This is a step toward transparency in public spending that will help keep employers accountable,” said Illinois Department of Labor Director Michael Kleinik. “It will also allow public bodies to monitor the wages paid on projects they initiate.”

In 2020, IDOL began accepting certified payroll submissions from construction contractors on public works projects subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act. Contractors are required to file those certified payrolls by the 15th of each month. This is done to ensure contractors are complying with the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act.

By the 16th day of each month following the month work was performed, IDOL will make relevant information available to the public.

That information includes each worker’s classification, skill level (such as apprentice or journeyman), gross wages paid in each pay period, number of hours worked each day, start and end times of work each day, hourly wage rate, hourly overtime wage rate, and hourly fringe benefit rate.

The database shall be searchable by contractor name, project name, county in which the work was performed and contracting public body.

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Illinois Department of Labor press release – December 6, 2021

Stop by for turkeys, large boxes of fresh produce, soda, etc., at the next Still I Rise: Community Food Giveaway in collaboration with Top Box Foods. The event takes place on Saturday, November 20th, 2021 at the Kankakee Farmers’ Market grounds (250 South Schuyler Avenue – on the corner of South Schuyler and Station Street) starting at 12:00pm. Hosted by Still I Rise along with the American Diabetes Association, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, and various sponsors.

Still I Rise is a dynamic and innovative leadership development non-profit that empowers youth and young adults to create a positive change in society.

Sometimes Harbor House’s needs grow to the point of quick trips to the store on a Sunday afternoon to buy towels and comforters for survivors coming into our emergency shelter. All of their programs, including emergency shelter, have seen significant increases in the number of survivors they are serving. However, the emergency shelter is the most expensive of the programs. If you’re wondering how you can help support survivors, the Community Commission to End Domestic Violence is hosting a donation drive this month to benefit survivors of domestic violence.

On Saturday, November 20 from 8 a.m. to noon, you can drop items off at their Administrative Facility at 430 W Merchant, Kankakee. Or, if you prefer, you can purchase items directly from our Amazon Wishlist at https://a.co/89PQC4h to be shipped directly to Harbor House. To register for the next Commission meeting to learn about the effects of domestic violence on children, go to harborhousedv.org/events

Join us at the new Uplifted Bistro on Schuyler Avenue in Bradley. Individual tickets are $10 which includes finger foods and a drink ticket. Beer and wine also included.

Donate online via ActBlue. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/kerkstra

• Friend Sponsorship: $50 (one ticket)
• Raffle Prize Sponsorship: $125 (two tickets)
• Beverage Sponsorship: $250 (three tickets)
• Food Sponsorship $500 (reserved table 4 tickets)
• Event Sponsorship $1,000 (reserved table 4 tickets)

Email [email protected] or call/text (815) 214-9734 with any questions.

Every dollar is appreciated. Thank you for your consideration.