SPRINGFIELD – To protect women and children in Illinois, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) passed legislation in the Senate Public Safety Committee that would establish the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission.

“Incidents of domestic violence have increased dramatically since the start of the pandemic,” Villanueva said. “Families are counting on us to take proactive measures to prevent violence.”

The commission would establish regional review teams by judicial court, conduct domestic violence fatality reviews and advise the Governor and General Assembly on domestic violence prevention policy. The commission would consist of four members of the General Assembly, one appointee by the Governor and various public members representing survivors, support organizations and law enforcement.

CHICAGO – To help public colleges and universities better understand the needs of student parents, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) passed legislation in the Senate Higher Education Committee directing colleges to collect certain information from students that will help shape more accommodating policies going forward.

“Young parents and parents returning to school face unique challenges, specifically with access to child care and financial assistance,” Villanueva said. “Public institutions of higher education have a moral obligation to the children of their students to see that they are cared for.”

According to Young Invincibles, a non-profit organization serving young adults, Illinois has 97,000 students who are juggling a course load alongside their parenting responsibilities. The Student Parent Data Collection Act will require public colleges and universities to further assist them with any on-campus child care opportunities and other relevant resources, and to collect information from them to help inform better school policies in the future.

The legislation is part of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus’ efforts to make our state’s institutions of higher learning more accessible to all Illinoisans. Other measures include Senator Omar Aquino’s (D-Chicago) Senate Bill 669 which would protect student loan borrowers and limit fees.

The legislation, Senate Bill 267, awaits consideration before the full Senate.

Villanueva da la batalla por los estudiantes que son padres de familia

CHICAGO – Con el fin de ayudar a que las universidades tengan un mejor entendimiento de las necesidades de los estudiantes que son padres, la Senadora estatal Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) aprobó una legislación en el Comité de Educación Superior del Senado que instruye a los colegios a recopilar información de los estudiantes para diseñar políticas públicas que les sirvan en el futuro.

“Los padres y madres jóvenes que regresan a la escuela enfrentan retos únicos, en particular el acceso a cuidados infantiles y asistencia financiera,” dijo Villanueva. “Las instituciones públicas de educación superior tienen una obligación moral con los niños de sus estudiantes para que éstos sean atendidos.”

De acuerdo con Young Invincibles, una organización sin fines de lucro, Illinois tiene a 97,000 estudiantes que batallan con la carga de trabajo de sus estudios en adición a sus responsabilidades como padres. La ley de Recolección de Datos de los Estudiantes que son Padres requerirá que las universidades públicas les asistan con oportunidades de cuidados infantiles dentro del campus escolar y otros recursos relevantes, así como recolectarán información para diseñar mejores políticas escolares en el futuro.

La legislación es parte de los esfuerzos del Caucus Legislativo de Illinois para lograr que nuestras instituciones de educación superior sean más accesibles a la gente de Illinois. Otra iniciativa es la del senador Omar Aquino (D-Chicago), SB 669, que protege a los estudiantes con prestamos estudiantiles y limita los cargos por éstos.  

La legislación de Villanueva, SB 267, espera ser considerada por el pleno del Senado.

SPRINGFIELD – To allow teachers and staff at charter schools the right to collective bargaining, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) moved legislation in the Senate Education Committee that would protect their right to unionize.

“Teachers have been on the front lines of the pandemic since day one fighting for living wages and safe, dignified conditions,” Villanueva said. “Teachers across the city, especially at charter schools, must have the ability to unionize so that their students can succeed.”

The legislation would require that the renewal of charter schools and new charter school proposals include a union neutrality clause. The school would be prohibited from expressing a position on the matter of whether its employees unionize, required to provide access to labor organizations and required to recognize staff unionization if a majority wish to do so.

Under current law, charter schools may expressly forbid teachers and staff from unionizing. In 2015, Urban Prep Academies fired 15 teachers and staff shortly after a majority voted to join the Chicago Alliance of Charter School Teachers and Staff (ChiACTS). Urban Prep Academies, one of Chicago’s most prominent charter networks, later settled under an agreement requiring them to re-hire some of the staff and pay a $250,000 severance package and back pay to those they fired.

The legislation, Senate Bill 577, passed in the Senate Education Committee and awaits consideration before the full Senate.

Villanueva aprueba medida que permite que los maestros de las escuelas charter se sindicalicen

SPRINGFIELD – Para permitir que los maestros y otros empleados de las escuelas charter tengan el derecho de negociar colectivamente, la Senadora estatal Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago), avanzó una legislación en el Comité de Educación del Senado que protegerá su derecho a sindicalizarse.

“Los maestros han estado en la línea de batalla de la pandemia desde el primer día luchando por salarios adecuados y condiciones de trabajo dignas,” dijo Villanueva. “Los maestros de toda la ciudad, especialmente en las escuelas charter, deben contar con la posibilidad de sindicalizarse para que sus estudiantes puedan tener éxito.”

La legislación requerirá que la renovación de las escuelas charter y las nuevas propuestas de escuelas incluyan una clausula de neutralidad sindical. La escuela tendrá prohibido expresar una posición sobre si sus empleados deben o no sindicalizarse, deberán dar acceso a las organizaciones laborales y reconocer al personal sindicalizado si la mayoría así lo desea.

Bajo la ley actual, las escuelas charter pueden prohibir expresamente que los maestros y otros empleados se sindicalicen. En 2015, Urban Prep Academies despidió a 15 maestros y empleados poco antes de que se diera una votación para que se unieran a the Chicago Alliance of Charter School Teachers and Staff (ChiACTS). Urban Prep Academies, una de las redes de escuelas charter más importantes de Chicago, llegó a un acuerdo extrajudicial para recontratar a algunos de los cesados y pagar $250,000 en liquidaciones y pagos atrasados a los despedidos.

La legislación, SB 577, fue aprobada por el Comité de Educación del Senado y aguarda ser considerada por el pleno del Senado.

CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) encouraged suburban residents of Cook County to catch up on past rent with the Emergency Rental Assistance Program after the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) extended a nationwide moratorium on evictions.

“Even though evictions are halted, rent is still due for working families,” Villanueva said. “Assistance is available to families struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic.”

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program can cover up to 12 months of missed rent and utilities and up to three months of future rent payments. Applicants must live in Suburban Cook County and meet income requirements. Applications close April 2, 2021.

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.