Next 'Legislative Brew' to welcome state Sen. McConnaughay

Elgin Area Chamber's Legislative Brew event features state Sen. Karen McConnaughay from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 19, at the chamber office, 31 S. Grove. Sponsored by AT&T, you will have a chance to catch up over coffee with McConnaughay, ask your questions and mix and mingle with other chamber members, all in an informal setting. Seating is limited so reservations are necessary to attend.

Karen McConnaughay is currently serving her second term as state senator of the 33rd District. She is the minority spokeswoman for the state senate transportation committee. She also serves as a member on the Education, Energy & Public Utilities, Revenue and Financial Institutions Committees. Additionally, she serves on the Committee on Restorative Justice, Higher Education Commission on the Future of the Workforce, the Committee on Pension Investments, as well as the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.

Upon her 2013 inauguration to the 98th General Assembly, McConnaughay immediately elected to decline all Illinois State benefits including health insurance and participation in the legislative pension program.

Prior to her election to the state senate, McConnaughay served as the Kane County Board Chairman from 2004-2012 where she achieved remarkable success in lowering spending and reducing the size of government while bolstering accountability, efficiency and transparency.

Under her leadership, Kane County invested in the improvement of public transportation and safety, completed construction of the Stearns Road bridge corridor, constructed a new county jail, initiated the strengthening of emergency response services and replaced the countywide finance system.

McConnaughay has lived in St. Charles for nearly three decades as a parent, small business owner and grassroots activist. She and her husband, John, can often be found spending time with their three adult children and grandchildren.

The Elgin Area Chamber connects members with the information, opportunities, and people from across the political spectrum that makes a difference to your business with "Legislative Brew." Sometimes it will be over coffee, other times, you just might meet for a "brew." In any case, the chamber will bring together a mix of individuals engaged in government and the policy discussions facing our community, region, and state in for a cup and conversation.