SPRINGFIELD – When Laura Kane lost her son, Zachary, to suicide, she was still expected to return to work merely three days later. To help support families grieving the loss of a child and ensure no one else is put in the same situation, State Senator Karina Villa advanced legislation out of the Senate that will create Zachary's Parent Protection Act.

“My heart goes out to all of those who have ever grieved over the unthinkable happening and had to bear the loss of their child,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This legislation attempts to offer support to families who are grieving by allowing them the proper time to themselves after a loss.”

Kane was let go due to not being able to perform her job while grieving the loss of her child. She started a nonprofit, Marshmallow’s Hope, in honor of her son and to help children struggling with depression and families coping with the loss of a child due to suicide.

Senate Bill 2034 provides extended bereavement leave to employees who have lost a child to suicide or homicide: up to 12 weeks unpaid leave for larger businesses with at least 250 workers and six weeks unpaid leave for smaller businesses with fewer than 250. It also provides penalties against employers who violate the act and provides that employees who take leave will not be entitled to any more benefits than they would have had they not taken such leave.

“Loss and grief have no right answer or solution, however my hope is this bill will provide individuals with some relief knowing they do not have to worry about losing their jobs when focusing on their families,” Villa said. “This bill addresses loss to homicide or suicide. If you or someone you know might be suffering from suicidal thoughts, you can call the suicide and crisis lifeline by dialing 988.”

Senate Bill 2034 passed the Senate and now heads to the House floor. 

SPRINGFIELD – To help support families grieving the loss of a child, State Senator Karina Villa advanced legislation from the Senate Labor Committee that will create the Zachary's Parent Protection Act.

“No family should have to endure the loss of a child, and my heart goes out to all of those who have ever grieved over the unthinkable happening,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This legislation attempts to offer support to families who are grieving by allowing them the proper time to themselves after a loss.”

This bill was inspired when mother Laura Kane lost her son to suicide, yet she was expected to return to work merely three days later. Kane was let go due to not being able to perform her job while grieving the loss of her child. She started a non-profit, Marshmallow’s Hope, in honor of her son and to help children struggling with depression and families struggling with the loss of a child due to suicide.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would amend the Adult Protective Services Act to include that any person may report information about a suspicious death of an older adult. This legislation passed out of the Senate Public Health Committee Tuesday. 

“According to the World Health Organization, around one in six people 60 years and older experience some form of abuse in community settings,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “However, a lot of these cases of abuse go unreported. This legislation will help people feel like they can speak more freely when they witness something wrong.”

Current law allows any person who suspects abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of an eligible adult to make a report to the Department of Aging. This legislation would add a suspicious death to the list of reportable items. If the person making the report is a mandated reporter, they are required to testify in any subsequent administrative hearings. It also provides that a probate court can access records for a confidential inspection of the records.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa attended a press conference with Representative Lakeisha Collins and Children’s Home & Aid regarding legislation that will provide a monthly diaper allowance for families who meet certain income thresholds.

“It is important to bring awareness to the diaper need within our communities,” said Villa (D- West Chicago). “Diapers are an essential household item for new parents, and while approximately 1 in 3 parents experience diaper need, caregivers in poverty are unable to purchase diapers with their SNAP or WIC benefits. I want to pass legislation that will address this gap.”

On average, 12 diapers are needed per day for infants and toddlers, which can add up to $80-100 spent per month on diapers. With inflation and the increasing cost of basic goods, diaper prices will weigh even heavier on struggling families. A diaper allowance will put money in the pockets of low-income families struggling to pay their bills.

AURORA – Thanks to a $500,000 investment acquired by State Senator Karina Villa, construction and building trades apprenticeships will be expanded in the 25^th Senate District.

“The expansion of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship programs will bring more opportunities to Aurora residents and boost the number of jobs in the area,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Growing job opportunities in the building trades will not only help individuals, but will help to build and strengthen our communities.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded $13 million in grants to 30 recipients, including St. Augustine College – Aurora, to expand the talent pipeline of diverse candidates in construction and the building trades. Through the program, St. Augustine students with diverse backgrounds will have greater access and opportunities to excel in pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa will lead the Senate Committee on Public Health in the 103^rd General Assembly. 

“I am honored to have been appointed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Health,” said Villa (D- West Chicago). “Access to strong public health services is vital, whether it be for reproductive care, mental health, nursing homes or the emergency rooms. I will fight for legislation that will improve our state’s public health with my time leading this committee.”

The Senate Committee on Public Health primarily deals with legislation and policy that will affect all types of health care for residents throughout the state. A priority of the committee this legislative session will be workplace safety.

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Karina Villa championed a bill that will cut down on the school bus driver shortage.

“Accessible transportation to and from school is important to provide to our students,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This bill will help provide transportation to our students by clarifying confusing training requirement for bus drivers of vehicles of different sizes.”

Senator Villa, alongside the Secretary of State’s office, streamlined the training and permit process for school bus drivers. House Bill 1688 will establish an initial course and annual refresher training courses for Small School Bus Driver Permits and maintain the existing courses for Larger School Bus Driver Permits.

WEST CHICAGO – In partnership with WeGo Together for Kids and more than 30 local businesses and organizations, State Senator Karina Villa and State Representative Maura Hirschauer distributed nearly 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to local families ahead of the new school year.

“It really does take a village, and I couldn’t be more proud to represent a community that so willingly takes care of its own,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “We asked our neighbors to give, and they donated their time, money, and goods without hesitation. Thanks to this tremendous outpouring of generosity by the community, nearly 1,000 of our students will be starting the school year off right.”

Villa and Hirschauer attended the 7^th Annual WeGo Together for Kids School Supply Event and assisted in distributing the backpacks to West Chicago District 33 families.

Several community organizations also pitched in to help make the drive a success. Casa Michoacan in West Chicago provided a space for staging and packing, as well as volunteers to distribute bags, and Dynamic Utility Solutions donated supplies, provided volunteers, and offered the use of their trucks to transport the backpacks.

The full list of donors includes:

• Art of Fadez
• Atlas Chicken
• AVIENT
• ComEd
• Costco Wholesale
• DuPage County Regional Office of Education
• Dynamic Utility Solutions
• Elgin Sweepers
• Ethekos Consulting
• Farmers Insurance
• Graham Packaging
• Hearth & Hammer
• Integrated Pain Management
• JelSert
• Lakeshore Recycling Systems
• LandCare
• Marian Chicago
• Mars
• Meridian
• Nationwide
• North Arrow Partners
• Owens & Minor
• Realty of Chicago
• Red Hive Market
• RJ Lipscomb Engineering
• Sandi Llano and Associates
• Andrew Lutheran Church
• Suncast
• The Kelly Family
• The Slice Spot
• Thoro Bred Fitness
• UPS
• Wise Plastics

"We are grateful for the outpouring of support from local organizations and the community as a whole," said Hirschauer (D-Batavia). "I am so excited to see our students grow and succeed in the classroom thanks to the supplies we helped provide to them."

More information about the WeGo Together for Kids initiative is available on West Chicago Elementary School District 33’s website.