State Representative Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, dished out ice cream to her 54th District constituents July 19, answered questions and listened to their ideas for legislation.

Canty hosted the event at Berry Yo in downtown Arlington Heights, her second ice cream event where she also connected with local residents. An estimated 50 to 75 constituents, young and old alike, walked through bubbles and balloons on a balmy early evening to shake her hand and talk one-on-one.

Canty has also hosted town hall meetings and is currently running a summer park hunt event that runs through Aug. 15.

“I love ice cream and I felt like if we could do something that was more approachable later in the day, then parents can bring their kids and it’s a little bit more family friendly,” Canty said. “I hope that people, first and foremost, know that their rep is here,  that we can help them, provide services and answer their questions. I’m also kind of hoping that they’ll give me ideas for future legislation.”

Canty said all of the legislation that she passed in the spring session of the state legislature – including a bill related to full-day kindergarten – generated from constituent ideas or other people she met.

Although Canty says she hasn’t heard any new ideas for legislation this summer, she did find herself answering a lot of questions about the redevelopment of Arlington International Racecourse, which was purchased earlier this year by the Chicago Bears football team.

She said the state setting boundaries for mega-developments such as the one the team has proposed for the site, along with reimagining public transportation around Arlington Park and between suburbs, are two of her top priorities for the next legislative session.

In addition, she said she’s working with a few legislators on reexamining how to manage safety and inspections at carnivals after some recent incidents of injuries on carnival rides.

“I want to do everything, I want to help everyone,” Canty said, adding education has been her most recent focus. “But at my heart, I’m truly a generalist.”

Supporters who attended the event spoke of her passion, her down-to-earth approach to people and her willingness to introduce change. Others came to say thank you for the museum passes she distributes.

Bruce Priest, 25, of Palatine, worked on Canty’s campaign and said he admires the former Arlington Heights village trustee’s passion.

“She’s been a great representative,” Priest said. “She’s newly elected in 2022 and she hit the ground running. This past session she got full-day kindergarten statewide and she’s racking up accomplishments.”

He has a few ideas for legislation surrounding environmentalism and rank-choice voting he planned to share.

Cole Bennett, 23, also of Palatine, has also been impressed with Canty’s initiatives.

“I think she’s doing a lot of great work in Springfield talking about all-day kindergarten, addressing food deserts throughout the state, and just connecting to the community,” Bennett said. “Getting people frozen yogurt is a great way to connect with your constituents. I love her energy. I think she brings a unique outlook and perspective to Springfield.”

He said Canty has been a strong advocate for education and has a proven track record of supporting abortion rights. As a nurse, he would like to see legislation that supports nursing and health care, he explained. He said he has interacted with her office and found Canty to be very responsive and appreciated her quick turnaround on his questions.

“I just know that we have a strong voice for us in Springfield,” Bennett said, “and I think that’s really what matters.”

Arlington Heights resident Gary Parciak took his young daughter with him to the ice cream event to meet Canty, whom he voted for because she’s been an advocate for education, he said.

As a Rolling Meadows High School teacher, he’s grateful books cannot be banned.

“I teach John Lewis and George Caesars graphic novels and it’s important that we can still teach these things,” Parciak, 45, said about two novels that explore the Civil Rights Movement and the Japanese internment in American concentration camps during World War II.

Another Canty supporter is Sheila Henneman, owner of Berry Yo.

“I truly like her views and I like what she stands for,” Henneman said, adding she was happy to host the event although Canty insisted on paying.

“I told her about the taxes and the Bears Stadium would be a great asset to Arlington Heights if it comes in,” Henneman said.

The Larsen family, of Arlington Heights, turned out to thank Canty personally for the free Chicago museum passes she distributes to constituents. The family had visited the Shedd Aquarium the day before.

“We came out because we heard about this event Mary Beth was having and we support her and we like ice cream,” said Jill Larsen, 40. “It’s a great way to connect with the community and it’s nice to come out and interact with our representative.”

Her husband, Nick, is a teacher and the couple has children in school and remarked on the work Canty has invested in helping the schools.

“We really appreciate her and surely she appreciates us with this event,” Larsen said.