SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Celina Villanueva championed a measure that prohibits students from changing their guardianship in efforts to qualify for need-based financial aid for college.

“Students that are experiencing financial hardships should not feel pressured to change their guardianship in order to receive need-based financial aid,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “It is imperative that legislation is put in place to ensure that students who are seeking need-based financial receive the resources they need without being penalized due to of their financial hardships.”

Senate Bill 195 is a direct response to previous public reports that Illinois students became eligible for need-based education financial assistance through the practice of "Opportunity Hoarding." Opportunity hoarding is the practice of exploiting a loophole in the Probate Act by transferring legal guardianship from a parent to a relative or friend in lower income brackets or by declaring financial independence.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Cristina Pacione-Zayas and Doris Turner stood in support of the governor’s proposed budget that would make a strong investment in early childhood education at a press conference on Thursday.

“I am pleased to join Governor Pritzker in leading Illinois to be the best state to raise young children. Together with my colleagues in the General Assembly we will make historic investments to optimize early childhood development, support families, and bolster early childhood professionals,” said Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago).  “Delivering this message directly to providers and families will be crucial for gaining support to advance the proposal to victory.”

The proposal would put a total of $250 million toward a new program – SMART Start Illinois – a multi-year program to provide investments in preparing children to be lifelong learners. The plan laid out Wednesday included a $75 million investment for the Illinois State Board of Education’s Early Childhood Block Grant to increase preschool availability and provide every Illinois child with access to a preschool spot if they want one.

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus heard the governor’s state budget proposal Wednesday and will immediately begin bipartisan, bicameral conversations to bring forth a balanced budget that prioritizes Illinoisans in all corners of the state.

“We have labored for years to build a solid, stable fiscal foundation for the state of Illinois. Because of those responsible decisions, we find ourselves in the position to be able to invest in our future and do so in a way that can make a real difference,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “I applaud the governor for starting this conversation and for setting priorities that hopefully can bring people together in bipartisan support."

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus announced they will focus on passing a balanced budget that uplifts low-income and working families and enhances classroom and early childhood education.

“The governor’s proposed budget showcases a continual dedication to fund programs that promote public safety and equity for all Illinois residents,” said State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago). “A budget proposal that contains investments in schools, small businesses, working families and our environment reframes key investments that have traditionally left out Black and Brown communities and is a step toward progress.”

After Governor JB Pritzker outlined his legislative priorities, the Black Caucus highlighted the importance of putting the voices and needs of Illinois’ Black communities at the forefront of upcoming budget negotiations.

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus expressed support for a number of proposals outlined in the governor’s budget address Wednesday. 

“We need a budget that addresses the lack of immigration rights, health and education equity, economic justice for workers, and proper representation for Latino communities,” said joint Latino Caucus Chair Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago). “One of our top priorities in this year’s budget is to ensure that equitable opportunities are created for Latino communities in Illinois to live a healthy and sustainable life.”

Latino Caucus members were pleased to hear the governor commitment to increasing education and health equity. The governor is proposing a $350 million investment to HOME Illinois, a program through the Department of Human Services that targets the prevention of homelessness, provides crisis response, expands housing support and increases job opportunities for the homeless. To ensure equity in education, the proposed budget would continue the $350 million increase toward the evidence based funding model for k-12 education.

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."

Read more.

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."