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.
Read more: Villa measure promoting native plant species advances
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.
Read more: Villa measure expanding bilingual health care workforce advances
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.
Read more: Villa measure to protect individuals from overdose passes Senate
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.
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would finalize the closure of the Kerr-McGee Rare Earths Facility in West Chicago that ceased operations in 1973 and has been in the process of decommissioning since 1994.
“The community of West Chicago has experienced significant turmoil as a result of operations of the facility, affecting our community for decades,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “The entire process has been very frightening for residents who were never fully informed about the harmful effects of exposure, especially Latino residents with a language barrier.”
From 1932 to 1973, operating under different owners, the Rare Earths Facility produced large amounts of radioactive waste, including thorium tailings, which were distributed across town for landscaping purposes. This resulted in the contamination of at least 676 properties in West Chicago, most of which were family residences. At the time, health risks associated with exposure to radioactive waste were largely unknown, but residents frequently brought up concerns.
Read more: Villa advances measure to protect community from environmental health risks
SPRINGFIELD – Social workers practice in a variety of settings with individuals, families and communities affected by substance use disorders, which results in encounters with individuals at risk of experiencing an opioid overdose. For this reason, State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would allow social workers to administer opioid antagonists, which is an initiative from social workers at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.
“The opioid epidemic is still ongoing and we must do everything we can to prevent future fatalities from occurring,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Licensed clinical social workers and licensed social workers are on the frontlines of these issues severely affecting our communities and should be allowed to administer lifesaving medication.”
Senate Bill 3779 allows a licensed clinical social worker or licensed social worker 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.
Read more: Villa advances measure to protect individuals from overdose
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