ISDC
ISDC
  • Home
  • Senators
    • Alphabetical
    • Committees
    • Leadership
    • Find My Senator
  • Caucus News
    • ILBC Committee Roundup
    • Majority Report
    • Subscribe
  • Issues
    • Agriculture
    • Budget
    • Business
    • Criminal Law
    • Diabetes
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Ethics
    • Health
    • Higher Education
    • Law Enforcement
    • Seniors
    • Transportation
    • Veterans
  • Multimedia
    • Monthly Minute
    • Photo of the Day
    • Senate Showcase
  • Resources
    • Bills / Resolutions
    • Fact Sheets
    • For Educators
    • I Like Illinois
    • Illinois Compiled Statutes
    • Illinois General Assembly
    • Internships
    • Media Guidelines
    • NCSL
    • Senate Schedule
  • About the Senate
  • Contact Us
    • How to contact a Senator
    • Employment
    • Submit Feedback
  • ILBC Pillars
    • Pillar 1
    • Pillar 2
    • Pillar 3
    • Pillar 4
  • COVID-19
  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. Caucus News
  4. Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas News

Governor signs Pacione-Zayas’ Too Young to Test legislation into law

Details
Category: Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas News
Published: Friday, May 13, 2022 06:15 PM
  • Pacione-Zayas
  • Too Young to Test
  • SB3986

PacioneZayasTooYoungToTestCHICAGO – To prevent developmentally inappropriate standardized tests from being administered to young children, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) championed the Too Young to Test Act, which was signed into law on Friday.

“Standardized testing has historically served to keep groups out of institutions, and we know that the value and validity in our education system of using these assessments are highly questionable,” said Pacione-Zayas. “This law acknowledges well-established brain science research that asserts the fluidity of child development during the early years rendering standardized tests as developmentally inappropriate. Further, it lives up to the Governor’s vision of Illinois as the best state in the nation for families raising young children.”

Read more: Governor signs Pacione-Zayas’ Too Young to Test legislation into law

Pacione-Zayas applauds creation of Crime Reduction Task Force

Details
Category: Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas News
Published: Tuesday, May 10, 2022 02:33 PM
  • Pacione-Zayas
  • Crime
  • Crime Reduction Task Force
  • Violent Crime Witness Protection Fund

Senator Pacione-Zayas

 

CHICAGO – Thanks to a new law supported by State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Illinois will take a hard look at addressing rising rates of crime in the state.

“The root causes of violence do not have just one fix,” said Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago). “Having a diverse set of participants, including justice-involved members of the public, people from civil liberties and domestic violence prevention organizations and more will give survivors of violence a true seat at the table in addressing violence in our communities.”

The Crime Reduction Task Force will be made up of a bipartisan group of senators and representatives, alongside law enforcement, advocates, legal and criminal justice professionals and survivors tasked with exploring ways to reduce crime in Illinois and presenting a report to the General Assembly and governor with their findings.

Read more: Pacione-Zayas applauds creation of Crime Reduction Task Force

Pacione-Zayas: Reproductive rights are the most fundamental human right

Details
Category: Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas News
Published: Tuesday, May 03, 2022 03:11 PM
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • Reproductive Rights
  • Pacione-Zayas
  • Roe v Wade

Senator Pacione-Zayas

 

CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) released a statement following a recently published report revealing the Supreme Court is considering overturning the historic Roe v. Wade case:

“As the chilling news broke last night about a draft majority opinion to overturn the precedent of self-determination for generations of women and people assigned female at birth, I know many, including myself felt nothing short of devastated.  

“Reproductive rights and bodily autonomy are the most basic and fundamental human rights. This is not a drill, nor a test, nor a dress rehearsal—this moment is a rally cry and a defining time that draws a line in history. 

Read more: Pacione-Zayas: Reproductive rights are the most fundamental human right

Pacione-Zayas plan to address teacher aid vacancies signed into law

Details
Category: Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas News
Published: Wednesday, April 27, 2022 02:28 PM
  • Students
  • Pacione-Zayas
  • Schools
  • SB 3988
  • Paraprofessionals

Senator Pacione-Zayas

 

SPRINGFIELD – Paraprofessionals in schools help provide students with one-on-one or small group assistance and support teachers in the classroom. Thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago), more paraprofessionals will be able to get into classrooms earlier.

“With more than 2,000 unfilled teacher aid and paraprofessional positions, it’s critical we open the door to this profession to as many qualified candidates as possible,” Pacione-Zayas said. “By lowering the required age for this profession in some classrooms, we can help students get the individualized assistance they may need.”

The new law, formerly known as Senate Bill 3988, lowers the age for paraprofessionals in Pre-K through eighth grade classrooms to 18 years old. People applying for these positions must still meet all other qualifications, including education requirements and passing a paraprofessional competency test. 

Read more: Pacione-Zayas plan to address teacher aid vacancies signed into law

Pacione-Zayas measure promoting transparency at Department of Corrections advances

Details
Category: Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas News
Published: Friday, April 01, 2022 03:35 PM
  • Transparency
  • Department of Corrections
  • Pacione-Zayas
  • HB 4559

Senator Pacione-Zayas

 

SPRINGFIELD – People reentering society after being released from the Illinois Department of Corrections facilities should have access to documents regarding their time committed. State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) championed legislation to allow incarcerated individuals to request a summary of their master record.

“People should have the right to double-check their file for false or misleading information, especially if an individual is applying for clemency or other legal remedies,” said Pacione-Zayas. “As Illinois continues to commit itself to a focus on restorative justice, making sure people have the resources they need to reflect and rehabilitate is vital.”

House Bill 4559 would allow people committed to IDOC facilities to request one summary of their master record file a year. It would also allow a committed person’s attorney an additional request of the summary of the master file annually.

Read more: Pacione-Zayas measure promoting transparency at Department of Corrections advances

Pacione-Zayas spearheads measure to designate part of Milwaukee Avenue as a Polish Heritage Corridor

Details
Category: Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas News
Published: Tuesday, March 29, 2022 04:18 PM
  • Chicago
  • Pacione-Zayas
  • Polish Community
  • HB 5581

Senator Pacione-Zayas

SPRINGFIELD – To center and support the power of the Polish community in Chicago, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) is sponsoring a measure to designate Milwaukee Avenue from Sangamon Street in Chicago to Greenwood Road in Niles as the Milwaukee Avenue Polish Heritage Corridor.

“Polish communities have always had a large impact on the Chicago area, even far beyond their unique and recognizable cultural touchstones like food and the arts. Their local businesses have historically anchored neighborhoods and sustained local social and economic development,” Pacione-Zayas said. “I remain firmly committed that stronger communities means a stronger Illinois. We in Springfield will continue to innovate and construct public policy to that end.”

Read more: Pacione-Zayas spearheads measure to designate part of Milwaukee Avenue as a Polish Heritage Corridor

Pacione-Zayas measure to help students access benefit programs passes committee

Details
Category: Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas News
Published: Friday, March 25, 2022 10:09 AM
  • Students
  • Pacione-Zayas
  • Universities
  • Assistance
  • HB 4201

Senator Pacione-Zayas

 

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans across the state are struggling to make ends meet, including university students. To help students find assistance programs, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) is sponsoring a measure to require universities to designate a Benefits Navigator.

“There are so many assistance programs available that are underutilized,” Pacione-Zayas said. “Ensuring students are aware of their options to get support is important, especially for individuals struggling to make ends meet while in college.”

House Bill 4201 requires the each public university and community college in Illinois to designate a Benefits Navigator to assist students in identifying and applying for benefit programs and campus-wide and community assistance programs.

Read more: Pacione-Zayas measure to help students access benefit programs passes committee

Pacione-Zayas urges caution for young children, immunocompromised community members amid ongoing pandemic

Details
Category: Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas News
Published: Monday, March 21, 2022 03:51 PM
  • Children
  • COVID-19
  • Pacione-Zayas
  • Immunocompromised

State Senator Pacione-Zayas

 

CHICAGO – As the state and country loosen COVID-19 restrictions, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) issued a statement regarding the health concerns associated with the pandemic for children and people who are immunocompromised:

“This past winter, the Omicron surge was responsible for 20% of all child deaths from COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. This statistic instigates the need for continued action as the pandemic continues.

“Because children under five are still unable to get vaccinated, they are at a much higher risk for infection and acute illness, warranting the need for continued masking for them as well as immunocompromised people.

Read more: Pacione-Zayas urges caution for young children, immunocompromised community members amid ongoing...

More Articles ...

  1. Pacione-Zayas introduces resolution to affirm the Prairie Band Potawatomi tribe
  2. Pacione-Zayas’ Too Young to Test legislation passes Senate
  3. Pacione-Zayas measures to support students with post-graduation plans pass Senate
  4. Pacione-Zayas spearheads measure to help families afford higher education

Page 1 of 5

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Follow ILSenDems

Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Sign up for the Majority Report

Employment Opportunities

Find Your Senator

Senate Schedule

Bills & Resolutions

  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. Caucus News
  4. Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas News
SPRINGFIELD OFFICE

phone(217) 782-2728

phone327 State House
Springfield, IL 62706

senate floor

Senate President Don Harmon © 2022 Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus
FacebookInstagramTwitterYouTube
CHICAGO OFFICE

phone(312) 814-2075

phone160 N. LaSalle St., Ste. 720
Chicago, IL 60601