Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would help promote healthy body image by facilitating practices for affordable access to laser hair removal treatment.

“Body image can affect a person’s mental health and self-esteem,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Providing greater access to these procedures will help thousands of individuals feel more comfortable with their appearance and allow them to decide how they wish to present.”

House Bill 4357 would provide that an on-site physician exam is not required prior to a non-ablative laser hair removal procedure under specific conditions.

SPRINGFIELD ­– A measure championed by State Senator Karina Villa aiming to protect tenants from different forms of landlord retaliation passed the Senate on Wednesday.

“With fear of retaliation, tenants would rather stay in inadequate living conditions than speak up – this cannot continue,” said Villa (D-West Chicago).  “Tenants spend their hard earned money on rent. At minimum, they should be confident when taking actions to ensure that their home is properly maintained.”

House Bill 4768 would protect tenants from a landlord who knowingly terminates their tenancy, increases rent, decreases services, brings or threatens a lawsuit or refuses to renew a lease after a tenant sought assistance to ensure their housing was safe and habitable.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Karina Villa, allowing a higher volume of native plant species to be grown, passed the Senate on Thursday.

“Illinois is home to hundreds of native plant species that are crucial to the health of our state’s biodiversity,” said Villa. “By cultivating more native plants, we are protecting wildlife and embracing the one-of-a-kind landscape our state has to offer.”

House Bill 5296 would allow residents living in a community with a homeowners’ association to grow native plant species in their yards as long as the area is maintained. Homeowners’ associations would be prohibited from imposing height restrictions or impairing proper maintenance of native landscapes.

About 30% of homes in Illinois belong to a homeowners’ association. This measure would allow native landscapes to be planted in an additional 1.5 million homes across the state.

“Native plants support pollinators, birds and soil which are critical to our state’s agriculture,” said Villa. “This initiative is essential to maintain the health of our communities.”

House Bill 5296 passed the Senate on Thursday.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure championed by State Senator Karina Villa to expand opportunities for Spanish-speakers to become certified nursing assistants passed the Senate on Thursday.

“Promoting the diversity of our health care workforce is crucial for increasing the quality of care in communities across Illinois,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “It is essential for patients to be able to connect with their health care providers without encountering a language barrier.”

House Bill 5218 would require the Illinois Department of Public Health to create rules to offer the nursing assistant certification exam in Spanish while preventing restrictions on eligibility for individuals seeking to take the exam in Spanish.

“We must remove barriers that prevent qualified and skilled workers from becoming certified nursing assistants, especially during our current health care worker shortage,” said Villa. “Supporting these individuals will help address this issue and will expand the skill pool in the health care field.”

House Bill 5218 passed the Senate on Thursday.

SPRINGFIELD – In order to cultivate more native plant species and support local ecosystems, State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would allow a higher volume of native species to be planted across the state.

“Illinois is the prairie state. Our native plant species are unique and vital to local ecosystems,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Planting more native species will support pollinators, while beautifying our state and supporting agriculture.”

House Bill 5296 would allow residents living in neighborhoods with a homeowners’ association to plant native species in their yards as long as the area is maintained. Additionally, homeowners’ associations would be prohibited from imposing height restrictions or impairing proper maintenance of the native landscape to ensure the heath of the habitat.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would promote a more bilingual health care workforce by expanding opportunities for Spanish-speakers to become certified nursing assistants.

“Bilingual health care workers are an extremely important asset in our communities considering the diversity of our state,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Effective communication between patients and health care providers is essential for people to understand their treatment and advocate for their care.”

House Bill 5218 would require the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to create rules to offer the nursing assistant certification exam in Spanish. The measure would also prevent restrictions on eligibility for individuals seeking to take the exam in Spanish.

SPRINGFIELD – An initiative from social workers at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and State Senator Karina Villa to protect individuals from overdose passed the Senate Friday.

“Social workers are at the forefront of the opioid epidemic, providing services in communities affected by overdose across the state,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “They can help combat the epidemic directly by being able to administer lifesaving medication.”

Senate Bill 3779 would allow licensed clinical social workers and licensed social workers to possess and administer opioid antagonists. Opioid antagonists, such as Naloxone, temporarily block the effects of an overdose and restore breathing. Employers of social workers would be required to provide training and establish a policy to control the acquisition, storage, transportation, and administration of opioid antagonists.

AURORA – Members of the community interested in applying for U.S. Citizenship are invited to attend the upcoming Citizenship Workshop hosted by State Senator Karina Villa.

“Coming from a family of immigrants, I witnessed first-hand the plight of seeking citizenship,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “I am honored to provide members of our community a greater opportunity to fulfil, what is for many, a lifelong dream.”

The Citizenship Workshop is in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights under the New Americans Initiative and Family Focus - Aurora. The event is co-hosted by the offices of State Representative Barbara Hernandez and Aurora Alderwoman Juany Garza.

The workshop will be held on Saturday, March 23 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church - Simard Hall, located at 769 Fulton St. in Aurora. Individuals eligible for citizenship are strongly encouraged to attend.