SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans receiving aid through federal and state food assistance programs could use their benefits to purchase feminine hygiene products under legislation led by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago), which passed out of committee Tuesday.
“Period poverty is a public health crisis that requires immediate action,” Villa said. “Women of all ages deserve to live their lives to the fullest, but that is often not possible, as the cost of menstrual hygiene products puts them out of reach for many members in our community.”
Villa’s measure would require the Department of Human Services to apply for a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services permitting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefit recipients to use their benefits to purchase diapers or menstrual hygiene products.
Read more: SNAP and WIC benefits could be used for feminine hygiene products under Villa measure
SPRINGFIELD – Family and household members of survivors of sexual assault could file petitions for civil no-contact orders under legislation from State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago), which was introduced in the Senate Criminal Law Committee Tuesday after passing the House with unanimous support.
“Survivors of sexual assault and harassment deserve to feel safe at home — that means providing protection not just to the survivor, but to their family and loved ones,” Villa said. “Expanding the list of people who can file petitions for no-contact orders is critical to restoring survivors’ peace of mind and helping them move forward.”
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate has backed an effort led by State Senator Karina Villa (D-Chicago) to urge the federal government to grant residency to nonresidents who have put their lives on the line during the pandemic as essential workers in the farming, agriculture and manufacturing industries.
“We have not had comprehensive immigration reform in decades. It’s time we lend our support to the workers serving our state and nation, no matter where they’re from,” Villa said. “Our essential workers should not have to worry about deportation when they’re already putting their health at risk to keep our communities fed and our economy moving.”
Villa’s proposal urges U.S. Congress and President Joe Biden to grant residency to all farm, agricultural and manufacturing workers who are working during the COVID-19 pandemic and to grant their employers and agents immunity against any adverse action. Nearly half of these workers have been labeled as essential and have continued to work on the front lines throughout the pandemic, despite danger to their own health and safety.
Read more: Villa urges federal government to grant residency to essential workers
SOUTH ELGIN – State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) recently honored 50 South Elgin high school students who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.
“I want to extend my congratulations to the students in the 25th District who worked tirelessly to earn the prestigious title of Illinois State Scholar,” Villa said. “All of the early mornings and late nights studying paid off—the honor could help these scholars gain admission to the colleges of their choice and secure financial assistance.”
The Scholars from South Elgin include students from South Elgin High School.
SPRINGFIELD – On Tuesday, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) joined a broad coalition of housing, civil justice and nonprofit organizations across the state to pledge her support of measures to increase access to housing by fighting income discrimination.
“This legislation is critical now more than ever as we face a mounting housing affordability crisis and new destabilizing forces imposed by the pandemic,” Villa said. “Not only will this bill support those utilizing non-wage income and housing subsidies, but also workers like servers and bartenders who’ve experienced source of income discrimination because their profession may be viewed as unstable by housing providers. By ensuring landlords view all income with equal weight, we are creating important safeguards for family stability.”
Villa is the chief co-sponsor of Senate Bill 2492, which would help remove barriers to housing access by requiring the Department of Human Services to lift undue administrative burdens in the application process for tenants applying for housing assistance. This measure would also strengthen Illinois’ fair housing laws by creating new protections to ensure families are not refused housing solely because of the source of their income.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated our communities in more ways than we can count, and it also shined a bright light on the lack of fair and affordable housing in Illinois,” Villa said. “Everybody deserves equal access to housing opportunities, and it’s imperative that any action we take makes it easier for individuals to obtain much-needed assistance.”
The full press conference can be viewed here.
SPRINGFIELD – After months of collaboration with community members and professionals on her Senior Advisory Committee focusing on issues affecting older Illinoisans, Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) introduced a measure that would ensure nursing home residents are treated with courtesy and are able to maintain their human and civil rights while receiving medical care.
“All Illinoisans deserve to be treated with civility and respect, regardless of their age or ability,” Villa said. “It’s been a pleasure working with my Senior Advisory Committee to come up with solutions for the nursing home issues voiced throughout our community.”
Villa’s legislation would prohibit nursing home residents from performing labor for the facility unless it is for documented therapeutic or medical purposes. Outpatient mental health service facilities would also be required to have a written internal grievance procedure to allow residents to voice their concerns.
Read more: Nursing home residents’ civil rights protected under Villa legislation
YORKVILLE – In an effort to allow all Kendall County residents to enjoy the natural resources the area has to offer, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) has secured more than $800,000 for the Kendall County Forest Preserve District through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Park and Recreational Facility Construction (PARC) grant program, which will be used to renovate and update the Pickerill Estate House.
“I’m elated to hear that Kendall County has been selected to receive a PARC grant to improve accessibility and provide more recreational opportunities for our community at the Kendall County Forest Preserve,” said Senator Villa. “Illinois continues to show its commitment to investing in public spaces to help maintain the health and wellness of families across our state.”
The Kendall County Forest Preserve District will use the PARC grant funding to renovate and update the Pickerill Estate House, located in the Pickerill-Pigott Forest Preserve, by making the building ADA accessible and constructing an adjoining open-air pavilion.
The PARC grant program provides up to 90% of project costs to help build, renovate and improve recreational buildings used by the public or purchase land to be used for public access and recreational purposes, with local governments matching the value of the grants awarded. The grant to the Kendall County Forest Preserve District was one of 17 grants awarded across the state.
A full list of grantees is available on IDNR’s website.
GENEVA – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Monday that $7 million in local infrastructure funding will be distributed to local governments as part of the Rebuild Illinois Program, and State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) is pleased to announce that the Village of Geneva, partnering with the City of St. Charles, will receive a portion of the funds.
“Upgrading our roads will help accommodate local truck traffic in Geneva and ensure a safer driving experience for residents and visitors,” Villa said. “This critical infrastructure project will give our community the resources it needs to attract business, manage growth and improve local quality of life.”
This grant is made possible through IDOT’s Truck Access Route Program, which allows counties, municipalities and townships to apply for assistance in upgrading roads to accommodate 80,000-pound trucks and become designated truck routes. IDOT will provide the Village of Geneva with $320,600, which will be used for connecting Illinois Route 38 truck routes.
“Illinois is the country’s transportation hub, with freight activity a cornerstone of the state’s economy,” said Acting Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “At IDOT, we want our local partners to have the necessary tools to manage traffic safely and spur even more job creation and economic growth.”
A complete list of projects can be viewed here.
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