WEST CHICAGO – Thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Karina Villa, Illinois visitors and out-of-state students will soon be able to continue to receive their established therapeutic services via telehealth from an out-of-state certified social worker.
“We have already taken great strides toward mental health accessibility here in Illinois,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This is another important step to ensure these vital resources are available to everyone in our state, resident or otherwise.”
Read more: Villa’s new law will expand telehealth services for students, non-residents
WEST CHICAGO – Eighty-one businesses across the 25th District have received a total of $4,145,000 through the Back to Business program thanks to support from State Senator Karina Villa and the General Assembly.
“Our small businesses fought through the darkest days of the pandemic, and now they’re looking to rebuild and move forward,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “I am pleased to see them receive this well-deserved support as they begin to do so.”
The $4,145,000 was awarded to 81 local businesses. The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.
Read more: Villa-backed measure brings more than $4 million in relief funds to local businesses
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) advanced a measure to expand the availability of interpreters to parents who are deaf or have limited English proficiency.
“Parents have a right to know what kinds of decisions are being made regarding their children’s education, and more importantly, be able to actively engage in these discussions and present any questions or complaints and they should be involved in discussions where these decisions are being made,” Villa said. “It’s an issue of accessibility and equity when parents who face communication barriers are unable to participate.”
Current law states that interpreters must be made available to parents during an Individualized Education Program meeting only. Villa’s measure would provide parents who struggle with a language barrier access to an interpreter for meetings that include multidisciplinary conferences, 504 meetings, a mediation session, or a due process hearing.
Read more: Villa’s measure to ensure the availability of interpreters passes out of Senate
SPRINGFIELD – The Senate advanced a measure Wednesday supported by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) to protect students in Illinois from grooming and abuse at the hands of educators.
“Students have a right to feel safe at school and know they can trust the adults who watch over them,” said Villa. “This legislation ensures those who breach that trust are unable to go to another school and do the same thing.”
House Bill 4316 expands on legislation passed in December 2021 known as Faith’s Law. Named after Faith Colson, a woman who experienced sexual abuse as a student nearly 20 years ago, Faith’s Law made it illegal for school employees to groom students into sexual relationships. It created a resource guide for students, parents, teachers on sexual abuse response and prevention and strengthen training for teachers.
Read more: Senate approves Villa-backed measure to protect students in Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois visitors and out-of-state students would be able to continue to receive their established therapeutic services via telehealth from an out-of-state certified social worker under a measure championed by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago).
“I have seen firsthand how essential these services can be to those in need,” Villa said. “As a former school social worker, I know how important it is to nurture and maintain relationships between therapists and those they care for.”
Clinicians are required to be licensed in the state where their client is physically located at the time of care, not the state where they reside under current law. House Bill 4797 would allow non-residents and visitors to Illinois, such as university students, to continue to receive the care they need from their trusted and established therapists.
“I am proud to advance this legislation that will further establish Illinois as a national leader in mental health care access,” Villa said. “These vital resources should be available to everyone in our state, resident or otherwise.”
The legislation passed out of the Senate Wednesday and now awaits further action from the governor.
WEST CHICAGO – More than $3 million in Back to Business grants will be awarded to small businesses across the 25th District, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) announced.
“Local businesses bring so much life to our community,” Villa said. “Especially through the challenges of the last two years, the services they provide have been absolutely vital and, now more than ever, they need our support.”
Sixty-three local businesses will be receiving a total of $3,125,000 in COVID-19 relief funds in the latest round of B2B grants through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Read more: Villa announces more than $3 million in relief funding for local businesses
SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) will allow Illinois visitors and non-resident students to continue to receive therapeutic services via telehealth from an out-of-state certified social worker they have an established relationship with.
“Finding a therapist is a long and arduous process for many people,” Villa said. “This kind of care isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation, and when a good match is found, we should make it as easy as possible for individuals to receive continued care.”
Read more: Villa advances measure expanding access to telehealth services for students, nonresidents
WEST CHICAGO - Thanks to the support of State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago), 57 businesses in the district she represents will receive almost $3 million in combined assistance to grow and restore their services that were hindered by the pandemic.
“Our businesses have worked exceptionally hard to remain open while keeping their employees and the community safe,” said Villa. ”Business owners are still trying to recover their lost resources from the pandemic.”
Read more: Over 50 local businesses receive pandemic recovery assistance thanks to Villa
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