Welcome to Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus

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.”

Read more: Villa advances legislation tackling childhood homelessness

Feigenholtz pushes for removal of barriers to HIV prevention and treatment

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is leading a landmark measure that would eliminate prior authorization for HIV treatment and make it easier for people to receive vital preventative care.

“Removing barriers imposed by prior authorization and getting people living with HIV into treatment quickly is the path to healthier, longer lives,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago).

Disparities in health outcomes, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community, often stem from limited access to high-quality prevention and treatment services, like PrEP – an HIV preventative medicine.

To bolster statewide efforts to improve access to preventative care and HIV treatment, Feigenholtz is leading House Bill 2584. The measure would require private insurers to cover pre-PrEP HIV and sexually transmitted infection screenings.

Read more: Feigenholtz pushes for removal of barriers to HIV prevention and treatment

Simmons honoring Officer Bartholomew after Endeavor Swedish Hospital shooting

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) released the following statement regarding the fatal shooting of Officer John Bartholomew that occurred at Endeavor Swedish Hospital on Saturday, April 25:

“My family and I have been patients at Endeavor Swedish Hospital for decades, and on Saturday, I found my beloved childhood neighborhood barricaded and on lockdown due to an active shooter.

“I commend law enforcement and our local leaders for their swift action that led to the apprehension of the alleged shooter. I want to honor the life of Officer John Bartholomew. Officer Bartholomew was just 38 years old and had served with the Chicago Police Department for over a decade before his life was tragically taken.

Read more: Simmons honoring Officer Bartholomew after Endeavor Swedish Hospital shooting

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.”

House Bill 4239 would clarify that middle school students may enroll in high school courses offered by the high school they would attend, so long as the course is taught by a properly licensed educator and can be taken at the student’s current school.

Read more: Ellman measure expanding access to high school coursework for middle schoolers advances