Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) is marking the start of the season by sponsoring a winter reading club for young people.

“Our students have a great opportunity with the Christmas and New Year’s dates to have some good blocks of reading time this year,” Mazzochi recently said in a press release.

The goal of the group is to have children ages 5 through 12 pledge to read at least three books between Dec. 15 and Jan. 15. Members will receive a reading certificate, plus an invitation to a fun afternoon with other members at the Oak Brook Recreation Center.

“Reading helps kids maintain their active imaginations, discover new things, improve their memory and develop their focus,” Mazzochi said. “I think it’s essential for children to develop a joy and love of reading so that they can cultivate skills to successfully navigate school, college and the larger world when they’re older.”

Parents or guardians looking to have their children join the club can fill out flyers at the Westmont, Hinsdale, Oak Brook or Elmhurst libraries, or at Rep. Mazzochi’s office in Westmont.

A former College of DuPage Board of Trustees chairman, Mazzochi has made education one of her signature issues since arriving in Springfield. She recently hosted a Golden Apple Award Appreciation Breakfast for school volunteers from her 47th District, and in September was named to the State of Illinois’ Joint Advisory Council on Higher Education, where she will be tasked with “streamlining processes, maximizing cost efficiencies and improving educational outcomes for college students across the state.”

Mazzochi currently sits on the Illinois House’s Environment; Judiciary – Civil, Health & Health Care Disparities, and Mental Health committees. Her 47th District includes all or parts of Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Western Springs, Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Westmont and Downers Grove.