CHICAGO – To better serve undocumented and immigrant communities, legislation introduced by State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) that would allow municipal ID cards to be used to access state services and facilities was signed into law today.
“All residents of Illinois, regardless of immigration status, should be able to receive essential state services,” Villivalam said. “Today Illinois renews its commitment to undocumented and immigrant communities that we are the most welcoming state in the nation.”
Read more: Villivalam makes state services more accessible through CityKey ID
CHICAGO – So that students better understand the naturalization process, a measure introduced by State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) that would allow schools to offer courses on naturalization and citizenship was signed into law today.
“More than two-thirds of students who take the U.S. Citizenship test in their history courses end up failing,” Villanueva said. “Schools may now offer instruction on citizenship so that students from all backgrounds know the effort it takes to go through the naturalization process.”
Read more: Villanueva law adds citizenship classes to high school curriculum
PARK FOREST – A comprehensive proposal by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) aimed at eliminating Illinois’ teacher shortage was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.
“The teacher shortage in Illinois is a crisis, and this new law offers strategies to reverse the trend,” Joyce said. “As school districts return to in-person learning this fall, this new law will grant retired teachers the ability to substitute teach for more hours without impairing their retirement status.”
Read more: Joyce measure to alleviate Illinois teacher shortage signed into law
CHICAGO – A measure led by State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) to expand the amount of birthing center licenses in Illinois was signed into law Friday by Governor JB Pritzker.
“Tragically, 75 women die every year while pregnant or within a year of pregnancy,” Van Pelt said. “It is even more heartbreaking to know that four out of five pregnancy-related deaths could have been preventable. That is why this measure is so important – we must do everything we can to combat the issues of maternal mortality, including increasing birthing centers.”
Read more: Chicago and East St. Louis to gain birthing center licenses
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