Villa advances legislation tackling childhood homelessness
SPRINGFIELD — To provide stability in the lives of children experiencing homelessness, State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would expand access to emergency housing assistance for students and their families.
“As a former school social worker, I’ve seen first-hand how housing instability suppresses a student’s ability to learn,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Children cannot be expected to focus on learning when they are worried about where they will sleep at night. Every child deserves a safe, stable place to live, and it’s our responsibility to close the gaps that leave too many families without support.”
Ellman measure expanding access to high school coursework for middle schoolers advances
SPRINGFIELD — To ensure that more students can get ahead academically while maintaining strong instructional standards, State Senator Laura Ellman advanced House Bill 4239, which would expand access to high school-level coursework for seventh and eighth grade students.
“Students learn at different paces, and our policies should reflect that,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This measure ensures that motivated middle school students have clear, equitable access to high school coursework, without unnecessary barriers, while maintaining the high standards families expect.”
Glowiak Hilton prioritizes railroad safety for students
SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to keep students safe, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton is leading a measure to include railroad safety information in student handbooks.
“Student safety has to be at the forefront of our priorities,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “Our residents have expressed concern about schools near railroads and ensuring students understand the protocols in place to keep them safe.”
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