CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) was named chair of the Illinois Senate Human Rights Committee on Monday.

“I promise to be a fighter for the voices that have been left out of the conversation,” Villanueva said. “Our friends and neighbors are counting on us to uphold their dignity and push for equity, and I will be there every step of the way.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) was sworn in to continue representing the 11th State Senate District of Illinois on Wednesday.

“I am honored to have the trust and support of my community,” Villanueva said. “When I go to Springfield, I bring the voices of my community with me knowing that we are stronger when we fight for justice together.”

Senator Villanueva first joined the Illinois Senate in 2020, previously serving in the Illinois House of Representatives since 2018. Before holding elected office, Villanueva was an organizer for the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) and Chicago Votes.

Several ZIP codes in the 11th State Senate District have the highest infection rates of COVID-19 in the state, compounding on already existing health and economic disparities in communities of color. Holistically addressing the disparities highlighted by the pandemic remains her first priority as lawmakers enter the 102nd General Assembly.

“The pandemic has further highlighted what communities of color have faced for generations,” Villanueva said. “We won’t accept going back to how things were pre-pandemic. We must build our communities back stronger and more resilient.”

WHO:  State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago), State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez, Jr. (D-Chicago)

WHAT: Stickney Pop-Up COVID-19 Testing

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

WHERE: Veteran’s Park Pavilion, 6400 42^nd St., Berwyn, IL 60402

CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva has partnered with the Village of Stickney, Rincon Family Services and State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez, Jr. to bring an Illinois Department of Public Health remote testing site to residents of Stickney.

“The Southwest side is facing an unprecedented public health crisis,” Villanueva said. “This will be the first testing site made available to Stickney residents, so I encourage anyone in need of testing to join us this Sunday.”

Walk-up and drive-through options are available. Testing is only available while supplies last, so those seeking testing should arrive early to guarantee a place in line.

CHICAGO – With $50 million in funding available through the Connect Illinois broadband expansion program starting Dec. 1, 2020, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) urged small businesses and residents to see if they qualify for help with their internet.

“With more of our lives taking place online during the pandemic, reliable Internet access is more important than ever,” Villanueva said. “I encourage small business owners, students and all community members to take advantage of this opportunity to get connected.”

Funding for the Connect Illinois program is made possible through the Rebuild Illinois statewide construction program, which dedicates $420 million to broadband infrastructure. Individual projects can receive up to $5 million.

The application for this round of grants will remain open through March 2021. More information and applications can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website.

CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) is encouraging uninsured and underinsured Illinoisans to visit the Affordable Care Act Marketplace during the open enrollment period, which runs from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15.

“Everyone needs and deserves health insurance,” Villanueva said. “This is the time of year when you can go to the ACA Marketplace and find or change insurance if you don’t have an employer-sponsored plan and you don’t qualify for Medicaid.”

This year, Illinoisans will be able to choose from 179 plans from eight insurance providers. There are also tax credits available to help lower-income residents reduce their monthly payments and find affordable coverage.

CHICAGO – Nearly a dozen local businesses in the district State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) represents was awarded financial relief through the state’s Business Interruption Grant program. Now, she’s urging even more businesses to apply.

“I am pleased many businesses in the district took advantage of the assistance, and hope more will continue to do so,” Villanueva said. “These grants will go a long way to help struggling businesses keep their doors open.”

Eleven businesses in the district Villanueva represents received a combined $360,000. Each business received between $5,000 and $150,000 to be used to help cover the costs of payroll, rent, utilities and other working capital during the time they have experienced interruptions due to the pandemic.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded the grants this week, as part of the second round of the BIG program. However, applications will remain open until all of the funding is spent. Villanueva encourages any small business in need to apply. Priority funding will be given to businesses located in areas with increased mitigation efforts.

“This pandemic had been especially tough on Latinx and Black communities – who already have fewer resources during a non-pandemic time,” Villanueva said. “Any business who still needs assistance is encouraged to apply as soon as possible.”

The BIG program is the largest state-run economic support program formed in response to the financial losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are available on DCEO’s website.

Villanueva: fondos de asistencia a negocios pequeños ayudarán a mantener una comunidad vibrante  

CHICAGO – Casi una docena de negocios en el distrito que representa la senadora Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) recibieron asistencia financiera del Programa Estatal para la Interrupción de Negocios. Ahora, la senadora invita a que más negocios soliciten los fondos.

“Estoy complacida de que tantos negocios en mi distrito hayan aprovechado la ayuda y espero que otros más lo hagan en el futuro,” dijo Villanueva. “Estos recursos harán una gran diferencia para contribuir a los negocios que enfrentan retos financieros mantengan sus puertas abiertas.”

Once negocios en el distrito que representa Villanueva recibieron en conjunto $360,000. Cada establecimiento recibió entre $5,000 y $150,000, que deben ser usados para pagar la nómina, renta, servicios y otros gastos durante el tiempo en que han alterado su funcionamiento por la pandemia.

El Departamento de Comercio y Oportunidad Económica de Illinois otorgó estos fondos esta semana como parte de la segunda ronda del Programa BIG. Sin embargo, la solicitud de fondos sigue abierta hasta que todos los recursos sean usados. Villanueva invita a todos los negocios pequeños que lo necesiten a que presenten su solicitud. Se dará prioridad a los establecimientos ubicados en áreas donde se implementan más medidas de mitigación para evitar contagios de COVID-19.

“La pandemia ha sido especialmente dura con la comunidad Latinx y afroamericana -quienes de por sí tenían menos recursos antes de la crisis sanitaria,” dijo Villanueva. “Todos los negocios que requieran apoyo deben solicitar estos fondos lo antes posible.”

El Programa BIG, es el programa de apoyo económico estatal más grande que fue diseñado para responder a las pérdidas causadas por la pandemia de COVID-19. La solicitud de fondos está disponible en el sitio de internet del DCEO en esta liga.   

Saturday event at Second Federal Self-Help Credit Union cancelled

CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva is joining with other local elected officials and businesses for a candy giveaway today, Friday, Oct. 30 in an effort to create a safer environment to distribute candy to children for the Halloween holiday.

A Little Village trick-or-treating event previously scheduled for Saturday at the Second Federal Self-Help Credit Union has been cancelled, and today’s candy giveaway is taking its place.

CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) is encouraging local businesses and non-profits to apply for newly available Connect Illinois grants to help expand broadband to underserved communities.

“You have to have reliable, affordable internet access to participate in the world we live in today – whether it’s for work, to apply for government assistance, or even to access education or health care,” Villanueva said. “These grants can help make internet more affordable for low-income families who need it to help improve their situations.”

The first round of Connect Illinois grants jumpstarted the process of providing improved access to high-speed internet for approximately 26,000 businesses, households, and other institutions throughout the state.

The second round of Connect Illinois grants will allow for up to $5 million per project and calls for a matching component, which requires companies, non-profits, and local governments that apply to dedicate funding that will accelerate the delivery of broadband investments. 

“Too many people think of broadband internet access as a purely rural issue,” Villanueva said. “It isn’t. Lower-income households – particularly Brown and Black families – in the city and suburbs also struggle to find affordable internet access.”

Funding for the Connect Illinois program is made possible through Rebuild Illinois, the state’s historic $45 billion statewide construction program, which dedicates $420 million to broadband infrastructure.

The application for this round of grants will remain open through February 2021. More information on this grant program can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website.