SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Women’s Caucus wore red Tuesday to bring awareness to women’s heart health.

National Wear Red Day is supported by the American Heart Association and celebrated in conjunction with national heart health month. Members of the General Assembly recognized the campaign on Valentine’s Day as Wear Red Day in Illinois.

The day focuses specifically on raising awareness of women’s heart disease and stroke risks. Cardiovascular disease causes one in three deaths in women every year, making it the number one health-related killer in women.

Gillespie announces legislation to provide foster youth with legal counsel

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ann Gillespie and child welfare advocates announced legislation that would provide youth in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services with legal representation.

"Children and youth with lived experience in our child welfare system have overwhelmingly voiced their desire to be seen, heard and represented," said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). "We must join the vast majority of states that provide legal representation to youth in care so that our most vulnerable have expert help in leaving the foster care system and can go on to live safe, dignified lives."

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Villa fights to make diapers more attainable

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa hosted 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."

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Simmons recognizes Black HIV/AIDS Advocacy Day

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons presented the Black Leadership Advocacy Coalition for Healthcare Equity with a proclamation declaring Feb. 7 as Black HIV/AIDS Advocacy Day during a press conference last week.

"I was proud to stand with dedicated advocates for the Black HIV/AIDS community today," said Simmons (D-Chicago). "We have so much work to do to bring new HIV infections down to zero and to ensure robust and affordable health care for those living with HIV and AIDS in our communities. Uplifting those engaged in this work today is step one."

Read more.

Sound of the State: Highlighting eligibility expansion for the Earned Income Tax Credit

On this episode of Sound of the State, State Senator Omar Aquino highlights changes to the Earned Income Tax Credit for Illinois residents filing taxes this year.

Listen here.

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SPRINGFIELD - State Senators Mike Halpin and Patrick Joyce announced a new era of bipartisanship on two key Senate committees. Halpin, chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, and Joyce, chair of the Senate State Government Committee, both announced that a Republican senator will join them as a co-chair on each committee.

"I am proud to announce that Senator Dale Fowler will be joining me as co-chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee," said Halpin (D-Rock Island). "Working together across party lines, I am confident that we can make real progress on important issues facing our state's higher education system, such as access and affordability."

"I am excited to have Senator Sally Turner join me as co-chair of the Senate State Government Committee, “said Joyce (D-Essex). “By coming together as Republicans and Democrats, we can find common ground and work toward solutions that benefit all Illinoisans."

MACOMB – Western Illinois University is set to receive $840,211 in funding for academic and social-emotional learning support through a grant provided by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

“It is important to provide Western Illinois with funding that will translate directly to greater student outcomes,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This funding will assist Western in improving services on the Macomb and Quad Cities campuses.”

This is the second round of GEER grants to Illinois institutions of higher education to help mitigate the effects of the pandemic. More than $10.5 million in grants have been distributed to 21 universities in the state, both public and private institutions. Western Illinois University has been awarded over $840,000 as a result of the second round of grants.

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.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ann Gillespie and child welfare advocates announced legislation that would provide youth in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services with legal representation on Wednesday.

“Children and youth with lived experience in our child welfare system have overwhelmingly voiced their desire to be seen, heard and represented,” said Gillespie. “We must join the vast majority of states that provide legal representation to youth in care so that our most vulnerable have expert help in leaving the foster care system and can go on to live safe, dignified lives.”

Illinois is one of seven states that does not guarantee legal counsel to at least some youth in care, and one of 14 states that does not guarantee legal representation for all children in child welfare proceedings. Without legal representation, children are left to navigate complex proceedings on their own, putting them at risk of receiving unfair treatment or having vital decisions about their future made without their input.

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler joined local leaders along with the Illinois Department of Transportation Tuesday to announce $24.6 million in improvements to Peoria’s Bob Michel Bridge through the Rebuild Illinois project.

The project includes installing new concrete and bridge joints to extend the life of the deck. The improvements will expand walkways and convert the five foot sidewalks into a 14 – foot path that is accessible to pedestrians and bicyclists in the community.

“These improvements to our bridge is vital for workers and residents throughout our community,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). “Residents of the greater Peoria area deserve safe transportation and high quality roads. These repairs provide opportunities for new jobs, economic development, and a brighter future for our community.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons presented the Black Leadership Advocacy Coalition for Healthcare Equity with a proclamation declaring Feb. 7 as Black HIV/AIDS Advocacy Day during a press conference Tuesday.

“I was proud to stand with dedicated advocates for the Black HIV/AIDS community today,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “We have so much work to do to bring new HIV infections down to zero and to ensure robust and affordable health care for those living with HIV and AIDS in our communities. Uplifting those engaged in this work today is step one.”