Villa resolution declares Quinceañera Day in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa successfully led a resolution through the Senate to declare May 8, 2025 as Quinceañera Day in Illinois, celebrating the Latin American tradition while highlighting the 15th anniversary of Latino Unity Day.

“A quinceañera is a tradition centered in community, bringing together every person who has contributed to the upbringing of a young girl,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “It is a reflection of our culture, which understands that substantial change takes a village, whether it is in raising a family or uplifting our community.”

Senate Resolution 248 was adopted in honor of the 15^th anniversary of Latino Unity Day – the largest day of advocacy in Springfield for the Latino community in Illinois. Quinceañera, derived from the Spanish word “quince,” meaning fifteen, is a celebration for a girl’s 15^th birthday that incorporates indigenous and catholic traditions. The purpose of a quinceañera is to mark a young girl’s transition into adulthood.

Read more: Villa resolution declares Quinceañera Day in Illinois

Morrison commends Illinois’ commitment to privacy of autism-related data

SPRINGFIELD — In response to the federal administration’s plan to collect private medical information, Governor JB Pritzker issued an executive order to restrict autism-related data collection and sharing.

State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest), who has served as co-chair of the bipartisan and bicameral Disability and Accessibly Caucus, commended the state’s response, releasing the following statement:

“The federal administration has depicted individuals with autism as those who do not lead fulfilling lives or contribute to their communities, and that can’t be further from the truth. Tracking individuals with autism — what Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy has declared ‘a tragedy’ and ‘an epidemic’ — will reduce them to a data point without clarity on how this information will be used.

Read more: Morrison commends Illinois’ commitment to privacy of autism-related data

Ventura measure to improve broadband infrastructure statewide

SPRINGFIELD – High-speed internet for the entire state has yet to become a reality, leaving rural areas with patchy and often unreliable services. State Senator Rachel Ventura worked alongside State Representative Amy Briel to lead House Bill 1062 through the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee.

“Broadband access should be available to all. This legislation aims to prioritize anchor institutions to quickly improve our state’s broadband network in the most cost effective way possible,” Ventura (D-Joliet). “By utilizing existing and nearby infrastructure, vulnerable communities can increase access to high-speed internet, which is critical for daily life.”

Read more: Ventura measure to improve broadband infrastructure statewide

Guzmán advances legislation to study need for affordable housing

SPRINGFIELD — By collecting data on the need for more affordable housing options, State Senator Graciela Guzmán joined the initiative to incentivize government agencies and organizations to invest and support affordable housing projects throughout the state.

“If you ask everyday Illinoisians, they will tell you one of their biggest concerns is the rising cost of housing. Working people desperately need more affordable housing options,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “To ensure we can pass policies to address this need, we must have data to reflect the demand and the available inventory of affordable housing available for sale or for rent in low-income and middle-income households in each local government in Illinois.”

Illinois has passed legislation addressing housing insecurity by prioritizing the needs of the state’s most vulnerable to experiencing homelessness. The Office to Prevent and End Homelessness has implemented a multi-year strategy, Home Illinois, to strive towards functional zero homelessness statewide. Additionally, the Illinois Housing Development Authority finances and encourages the growth and preservation of affordable housing for renters at 80% of the area median income and below. These measures have worked to prevent some of the most vulnerable Illinoisans from experiencing homelessness. 

Read more: Guzmán advances legislation to study need for affordable housing