Senators Fine and Villa advocate for mental health workforce

SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Laura Fine (D-Glenview) and Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) led a hearing of the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee on Friday to listen to testimony regarding mental and behavioral health workforce shortages.

“Finding a solution to labor shortages in the mental and behavioral health community is imperative to protecting people who rely on their services,” Senator Fine said. “Mental health care is health care, and it’s important that we find a way for patients across Illinois to receive the timely, accessible treatment they deserve.”  

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Senator Holmes announces $935,000 in Aurora-area Back to Business grants

AURORA – State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) has announced more encouraging news for local businesses recovering from the pandemic who have received grants in the latest round of the Back to Business grant program.

The B2B program is providing millions in American Rescue Plan dollars for small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic. Grants range from $5,000 to $150,000 per business and can be used to cover a wide range of operations, such as staff and overhead costs.

Read more: Senator Holmes announces $935,000 in Aurora-area Back to Business grants

October declared Hindu Heritage Month in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate declaring October 2021 as Hindu Heritage Month in Illinois.

“Hindus have furthered our state’s cultural diversity and economic prosperity,” Villivalam said. “As the senator of one of the most diverse districts in the state and the first Hindu to serve in the Illinois state legislature, I am proud to be a chief co-sponsor of legislation to honor the contributions of Hindu communities across Illinois.”

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State Senator Villanueva pushes legislation for parole reform

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago), joined by advocacy group Parole Illinois, demonstrated strong support of Senate Bill 2333, a plan that seeks to reform the current parole system, in a press conference and rally, today.

“This is about giving people hope in what may seem to be a hopeless situation,” Villanueva said. “Our corrections system is meant to rehabilitate people. There are people who spend their time behind bars trying to better themselves, and the systems needs to recognize that.”

Senate Bill 2333 would give individuals who have been incarcerated for 20 years or more the opportunity to be reviewed for Earned Reentry. Providing a pathway to rejoin society offers an incentive to people with longer sentences to prepare for better futures.

Read more: State Senator Villanueva pushes legislation for parole reform