Caucus News

CHICAGO. – State Senator Omar Aquino’s (D-Chicago) legislation that protects higher education students from debt relief scams was signed into law today. The law prevents scams from hurting student borrowers who are already struggling to make their student loans payments.

“Unregistered student loan debt relief providers target these students, charging them excessive fees for services that can be accessed for free throughout the U.S. Dept. of Education. We must protect borrowers from these scams,” Aquino said.

AURORA – The Illinois Way Forward Act, which prohibits law enforcement from cooperating with immigration authorities, was signed into law Monday. State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) championed the legislation in the Illinois Senate.

The initiative also limits law enforcement inquiries regarding someone’s immigration status and ends detention immigration centers contracts in Illinois.

“Today, we are providing certainty for immigrant communities across Illinois,” Aquino said. “This law ends the practice of hosting immigration centers in our state, because their very existence opposes who we are: one of the most welcoming states for immigrants in the nation. Also, immigrant families will no longer live in fear of being questioned about their immigration status by local law enforcement officers.”

CHICAGO – This week, in the Hermosa (Spanish for "beautiful") neighborhood of Chicago, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law House Bill 2877, which creates the framework for Illinois to use federal funding to assist renters and property owners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Illinois Rental Payment Program will distribute over $1 billion in funding to support residents experiencing housing distress.

“Today is a beautiful day. It’s a day to celebrate because this funding brings the sense of hope many families desperately need,” Aquino said. “Families will be able to remain together, stay in their homes, and have some comfort because of this law.”

CHICAGO – Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a new law that invests $150 million in health care services for underserved communities while encouraging a collaborative environment among local stakeholders. The approach acknowledges particular challenges to achieving high-quality health services and responds based on a case-by-case system.

“This is a bottom-up approach for all communities in Illinois. Ultimately, we want to make sure that no matter where you live in our state, there should be high-quality health care available to every community,” said State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago), a co-sponsor of the law and advocate for the Hospital Transformation Program.

The disparities in access to health care services in the city of Chicago alone are so extreme that the neighborhood where someone lives can dramatically impact their life expectancy.

CHICAGO – To brainstorm how to bring diversity to labor unions, Senate Labor Committee Chair Omar Aquino, Executive Committee Chair Mattie Hunter and Commerce and Economic Development Committee Chair Suzy Glowiak Hilton will lead a joint hearing Thursday afternoon.

“Illinois is home of a diverse population. Four out of 10 residents are people of color. Just like everybody else, these workers pursue the means to support their families and execute their jobs under safe conditions,” Aquino said. “Unions are the backbone of a proper labor representation. That’s why I look forward to working with them in expanding opportunities for our workforce. The pre-apprenticeship programs are a great asset to offer job training and gather real-life experience, both elements key for finding a well-paying job.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) applauds the signing of legislation aimed at providing funding to hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new law brings an additional $450 million to safety-net hospitals, prioritizing the institutions that serve a high number of Medicaid patients.

“I thank Governor J.B. Pritzker for signing this legislation that brings certainty to health care providers and the low-income clients they serve,” Aquino said. “The additional money will be vital to communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.”

The law also increases Medicaid rates for physician services to $150 million annually, an effort to incentivize more health care providers to see low-income Medicaid patients. Under the plan, 24 Safety-Net Hospitals will receive an additional $81.2 million, and 51 Critical Access Hospitals will receive an additional $14 million.

“In a time of crisis, we should respond by protecting our most vulnerable,” Aquino said. “Many Black and Brown residents are essential workers, putting them at a higher risk of being exposed to COVID-19. These Illinoisans need to know that if they need to seek care, there will be properly equipped hospitals in their communities,” Aquino said.

The Hospital Assessment Program is a $3.8 billion program that will bring $450 million in additional funding to health institutions that care for underserved clients and leverage $250 million federal dollars for the state.

CHICAGO – A comprehensive relief package aimed to support working families, small businesses, and communities heavily impacted by COVID-19 and civil unrest will be available starting this August, announced State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago).

Aquino was key in the negotiations on behalf of the Latino Caucus to assemble a $900 million funding package along with the Black Caucus, the Asian Caucus, and the Pritzker administration.