SPRINGFIELD – Following Gov. JB Pritzker’s annual State of the State and budget address, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) released a statement reacting to the governor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget:

“After an unprecedented two years, we are still working to make sure Illinois families have access to the resources they need to not only survive, but also thrive as we work toward recovery.

“Caring for our children and young people is a fundamental priority because they serve as a barometer for community well-being. If the children are well, the parents and adult caregivers are well, and the environment is safe and clean, then it indicates that society is well. This is even more true now with the impact of compounding stressors imposed by the pandemic that only revealed existing deep disparities in school districts throughout the state. By investing over $350 million in the Evidence-Based Funding Formula, $54 million in the Early Childhood Block Grant, supporting proposals to reverse the teacher shortage, and facilitating access to mental and behavioral health, the proposed budget makes an effort to right the course by holistically supporting our young children, students, teachers and families.

FAYETTE COUNTY – As part of its Adopt-a-Legislator® program, the Fayette County Farm Bureau welcomed State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) to multiple farms in downstate Illinois to learn about their operations and further develop relationships with farmers in the state.

“The time spent in Fayette County with my family during our tours of the fields and farms was enlightening,” Pacione-Zayas said. “Maintaining connections to the land and relationships with farmers across the state is important for bridging the gap between urban and rural communities in Illinois.  In the months I’ve been a part of the Adopt-a-Legislator program, you recognize the significance of championing policy that benefits the agriculture industry and our environment so Illinois communities can be sustainable and thriving.”

SPRINGFIELD – To give parents and students in the Chicago Public Schools a stronger voice in how they operate, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) sponsored a measure to further empower Local School Councils (in Chicago while the Board of Education transitions to an elected school board.

“With the passage of the historic Chicago School Reform Act in 1988, Chicago Public Schools leads the nation in facilitating participatory democracy for students, community members and parents through the vehicle of Local School Councils,” Pacione-Zayas said. “By expanding student representation, restoring LSC powers, and transitioning appointed Local School Councils to elected bodies, we are providing greater inclusion and opportunity to increase equity to best serve local school communities.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) took time last week to visit two Envision Unlimited facilities in the district she represents. The visit allowed her to see first-hand the importance of providing support for people with disabilities through community-based programs. 

“Envision Unlimited is doing such important work serving people of all ages who live with disabilities,” Pacione-Zayas said. “Meeting some of the program participants and the people that help provide them with support was affirming in knowing what I need to advocate for in Springfield. Having a parent who navigates state disability services, I have witnessed how daunting it can be to secure consistent support despite having a stable family and housing structure.”

Envision Unlimited has served residents of Illinois for over 70 years, in 22 counties, with over 2,000 individuals currently benefitting from their home and community-based programs.  

“The success of our mission to provide Illinoisans who have disabilities a broad array of choices, maximum independence and inclusion in the larger society greatly depends upon the support of state government,” said Envision Unlimited CEO Mark McHugh. “Senator Pacione-Zayas’ interest in the lives of people with disabilities is refreshing and heartwarming. Our staff was honored to host her and grateful that she cared enough to witness what we do on a daily basis to uplift Illinois residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental illness.”

During her visit, Pacione-Zayas visited the Cornelia Community Integrated Living Arrangement which provides mental health support to women and encourages them to move toward independence. She also visited the Diversey Center whose day program focuses on development and enhancement of daily adaptive living skills and economic self-sufficiency for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

“Envision Unlimited provides not only the necessary safety net, but also targeted clinical support to ensure community members can lead a dignified independent lifestyle,” Pacione-Zayas said. “ I look forward to partnering on how we can leverage future opportunities to advance the mission of the organization.”

Learn more about Envision Unlimited and the support services they provide to people and children with intellectual/developmental disabilities on their website.  

CHICAGO – State Senator Pacione-Zayas (D- Chicago) and House Assistant Majority Leader Delia Ramirez (D- Chicago) along with other community leaders celebrated a new law that allows the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to designate cultural districts throughout the state.

“I am proud to have worked on this new law, and I am excited to see how communities come together to preserve their identities,” Pacione-Zayas said. “The law affirms and uplifts all the unique cultures in our state as we work toward economic recovery from the pandemic.”

CHICAGO – After attending the launch of the Community First Medical Center’s Hereditary Cancer Screening Program, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D- Chicago) is encouraging people with a known family history of cancer to get screened through the new program.

“Modern technology has come a long way, and programs like this are revolutionary for identifying early signs of cancer,” Pacione-Zayas said. “Early identification is key to successful treatment, and I am excited to see how this new program helps people in our community.”

Community First Medical Center is a safety net hospital on the northwest side of Chicago offering a wide variety of acute and outpatient services. The hospital’s Outpatient Specialty Clinic has teamed up with Myriad Genetics, Inc. to offer MyRisk Hereditary Cancer Screenings to men and women who have a known personal or family history of cancer.

CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D- Chicago) along with other local leaders hosted a free Recycling Day over the weekend, which included a prescription drug take-back, document shredding and electronics recycling.

“Saturday’s event provided a great opportunity for community members to come out to not only clear up clutter around their homes, but also do so in a way that will help our environment,” Pacione-Zayas said. “I want to thank everyone who participated, especially our hardworking volunteers, for making this event a big success.”

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the Senate’s passage of comprehensive clean energy legislation, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“As extreme weather conditions currently threaten thousands across this country, we must realize that a 100% renewable energy future is not a dream, but an imperative. I’m proud to see Illinois take action to definitively end our reliance on fossil fuels that also protects communities that have been historically and systematically marginalized and harmed by the practices of corporate polluters.