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Villa measure securing mental health services for college students advances

Details
Category: Senator Karina Villa News
Friday, May 23, 2025 01:19 PM
  • University Students
  • Access to Mental Health Services
  • HB3385

villa 052325SPRINGFIELD – Citing the increased need for mental health services for students following the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure to ensure college students have access to mental health services.

“As a school social worker, I saw first-hand that learning and wellness are intertwined. When students gain access to mental health services, they succeed,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Starting college, moving out on your own, balancing academics and a social life can be overwhelming. It is critical for students to know they have access to support if they need it.”

House Bill 3385 would require public universities and colleges to provide up to three licensed mental health professionals if the institution meets the benchmark ratio of clinical, non-student staff members to students.

 

Read more: Villa measure securing mental health services for college students advances

Villa pushes measure ensuring best mental health practices in criminal justice system

Details
Category: Senator Karina Villa News
Friday, May 23, 2025 08:48 AM
  • Mental Health
  • Villa
  • Defendants
  • HB3572

Senator Karina Villa

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Karina Villa passed a measure through the Senate to address the mental health concerns of defendants who have been determined to be unfit for trial languishing in county jails.

“Our justice system is not equipped to care for every individual deemed unfit for trail in need of mental health treatment, resulting in worse mental health outcomes for these individuals,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This not only inhibits a person’s right to due process and a fair trial, but further increases the chances of an individual remaining in the system.”

Read more: Villa pushes measure ensuring best mental health practices in criminal justice system

Villa urges funding for more licensed social workers

Details
Category: Senator Karina Villa News
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 06:56 PM
  • Social Workers
  • Villa
  • HB3511

Villa HB3511SPRINGFIELD – In response to an urgent shortage of social workers in Illinois, State Senator Karina Villa introduced a measure to increase retention and hire more licensed clinical social workers in the state.

“There is a great need within our communities for experienced, empathetic, licensed social workers to provide support to those facing crisis,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Illinois is facing a widening gap between available qualified social workers and the amount of people who need their services. Our residents deserve equitable and prompt access to care, and these grants are a step in the right direction.”

House Bill 3511 would create the Nonprofit Clinical Supervision Grant Program to provide grants to nonprofit associations to hire licensed clinical social workers to fill the gap in care across Illinois. The grants would also fund group clinical supervision to fulfill requirements for clinical social worker licensure in Illinois.

Read more: Villa urges funding for more licensed social workers

Villa measure safeguarding reproductive care advances

Details
Category: Senator Karina Villa News
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 05:47 PM
  • Villa
  • HB 3637
  • Reproductive Care

Villa HB3637SPRINGFIELD – Building upon Illinois’ shield laws that protect access to reproductive care, State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would secure the licenses of health care providers and ensure access to abortion medications.

“The current federal administration presents a national threat to reproductive health care access,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “As we continue to see other states attempting to restrict care and impose their laws on people in Illinois, it is instrumental that we push back and fortify our laws to keep individuals and providers safe.”

House Bill 3637 would prohibit the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and health care institutions from taking disciplinary or non-disciplinary action against a provider’s authorization to provide medical care under their scope of practice as long as the care is lawful in Illinois. The measure would apply regardless of whether a patient is an Illinois resident or not.

Read more: Villa measure safeguarding reproductive care advances

Senate Democrats pay tribute to fallen firefighters at memorial ceremony

Details
Category: Senator Karina Villa News
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 03:30 PM
  • Firefighters
  • Illinois Fallen Firefighters Memorial

051325CM0512VillaResizedSPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus gathered to honor firefighters who risked their lives on the job during the 32nd annual Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial ceremony.

The Illinois Firefighter Memorial honors the courageous firefighters of Illinois who have valiantly given their lives in the line of duty, as well as those who continue to serve with courage, pride and honor. The ceremony also gives families of fallen firefighters the Line of Duty Death Award in recognition of their loved ones’ bravery and resilience.

Read more: Senate Democrats pay tribute to fallen firefighters at memorial ceremony

Villa resolution declares Quinceañera Day in Illinois

Details
Category: Senator Karina Villa News
Friday, May 09, 2025 01:22 PM
  • Villa
  • Latino Unity Day
  • SR248
  • Quinceañera Day

Quinceañera Day in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa successfully led a resolution through the Senate to declare May 8, 2025 as Quinceañera Day in Illinois, celebrating the Latin American tradition while highlighting the 15th anniversary of Latino Unity Day.

“A quinceañera is a tradition centered in community, bringing together every person who has contributed to the upbringing of a young girl,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “It is a reflection of our culture, which understands that substantial change takes a village, whether it is in raising a family or uplifting our community.”

Senate Resolution 248 was adopted in honor of the 15th anniversary of Latino Unity Day – the largest day of advocacy in Springfield for the Latino community in Illinois. Quinceañera, derived from the Spanish word “quince,” meaning fifteen, is a celebration for a girl’s 15th birthday that incorporates indigenous and catholic traditions. The purpose of a quinceañera is to mark a young girl’s transition into adulthood.

Read more: Villa resolution declares Quinceañera Day in Illinois

Villa measure ensuring best mental health practices in criminal justice system advances

Details
Category: Senator Karina Villa News
Thursday, May 08, 2025 09:29 AM
  • Villa
  • Criminal Justice System
  • HB 3572
  • Mental Health Practices

Villa HB3572SPRINGFIELD – To meet the needs of defendants who have been determined to be unfit for trial languishing in county jails, State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure Tuesday.

“As is, our justice system is unable to care for every individual living with mental health conditions who is unfit for trial which leads to people being sent to jail rather than receiving the treatment they need to undergo fair court proceedings,” said Villa (D-West Chicago).“Modeling best practices within the criminal justice system and focusing on effective rehabilitation efforts will result in better mental health outcomes for impacted individuals.”

House Bill 3572 would clarify standards to determine whether someone unfit to stand trial should be diverted to outpatient state mental health treatment programs.

Read more: Villa measure ensuring best mental health practices in criminal justice system advances

Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus condemns DHS Secretary’s Springfield visit

Details
Category: Senator Karina Villa News
Wednesday, May 07, 2025 06:33 PM
  • Slideshow
  • Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus
  • Latino Unity Day
  • Illinois TRUST Act

050725CM0567resized

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus condemns the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s visit to Springfield this week, viewing it as yet another attempt by this administration to instill fear within our Latino and immigrant communities. In response, the ILLC released the following statement:

“It is both sinister and cowardly that Noem would choose Latino Unity Day—a celebration of community advocacy—to undermine immigrant voices. This calculated move aims to fuel anxiety and polarization while exploiting our resilience for political gain.

“The federal administration’s troubling actions reflect a pattern of disrespect, particularly evident in allegations of detaining immigrants without due process. In Illinois, we stand firm in our commitment to protect immigrant communities under the Illinois TRUST Act, which limits local law enforcement's role in federal immigration enforcement.

Read more: Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus condemns DHS Secretary’s Springfield visit

More Articles …

  1. Villa advances measure to prohibit minors being listed in evictions
  2. Villa measure securing safe drinking water advances
  3. Villa advances measure addressing congenital syphilis cases
  4. Villa pushes to end discriminatory disciplining in schools
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