SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate has backed an effort led by State Senator Karina Villa (D-Chicago) to urge the federal government to grant residency to nonresidents who have put their lives on the line during the pandemic as essential workers in the farming, agriculture and manufacturing industries.

“We have not had comprehensive immigration reform in decades. It’s time we lend our support to the workers serving our state and nation, no matter where they’re from,” Villa said. “Our essential workers should not have to worry about deportation when they’re already putting their health at risk to keep our communities fed and our economy moving.”

Villa’s proposal urges U.S. Congress and President Joe Biden to grant residency to all farm, agricultural and manufacturing workers who are working during the COVID-19 pandemic and to grant their employers and agents immunity against any adverse action. Nearly half of these workers have been labeled as essential and have continued to work on the front lines throughout the pandemic, despite danger to their own health and safety.

SOUTH ELGIN – State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) recently honored 50 South Elgin high school students who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

“I want to extend my congratulations to the students in the 25^th District who worked tirelessly to earn the prestigious title of Illinois State Scholar,” Villa said. “All of the early mornings and late nights studying paid off—the honor could help these scholars gain admission to the colleges of their choice and secure financial assistance.”

The Scholars from South Elgin include students from South Elgin High School.

SPRINGFIELD – On Tuesday, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) joined a broad coalition of housing, civil justice and nonprofit organizations across the state to pledge her support of measures to increase access to housing by fighting income discrimination. 

“This legislation is critical now more than ever as we face a mounting housing affordability crisis and new destabilizing forces imposed by the pandemic,” Villa said. “Not only will this bill support those utilizing non-wage income and housing subsidies, but also workers like servers and bartenders who’ve experienced source of income discrimination because their profession may be viewed as unstable by housing providers. By ensuring landlords view all income with equal weight, we are creating important safeguards for family stability.”

Villa is the chief co-sponsor of Senate Bill 2492, which would help remove barriers to housing access by requiring the Department of Human Services to lift undue administrative burdens in the application process for tenants applying for housing assistance. This measure would also strengthen Illinois’ fair housing laws by creating new protections to ensure families are not refused housing solely because of the source of their income. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated our communities in more ways than we can count, and it also shined a bright light on the lack of fair and affordable housing in Illinois,” Villa said. “Everybody deserves equal access to housing opportunities, and it’s imperative that any action we take makes it easier for individuals to obtain much-needed assistance.”

The full press conference can be viewed here.

SPRINGFIELD – After months of collaboration with community members and professionals on her Senior Advisory Committee focusing on issues affecting older Illinoisans, Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) introduced a measure that would ensure nursing home residents are treated with courtesy and are able to maintain their human and civil rights while receiving medical care. 

“All Illinoisans deserve to be treated with civility and respect, regardless of their age or ability,” Villa said. “It’s been a pleasure working with my Senior Advisory Committee to come up with solutions for the nursing home issues voiced throughout our community.” 

Villa’s legislation would prohibit nursing home residents from performing labor for the facility unless it is for documented therapeutic or medical purposes. Outpatient mental health service facilities would also be required to have a written internal grievance procedure to allow residents to voice their concerns. 

YORKVILLE – In an effort to allow all Kendall County residents to enjoy the natural resources the area has to offer, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) has secured more than $800,000 for the Kendall County Forest Preserve District through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Park and Recreational Facility Construction (PARC) grant program, which will be used to renovate and update the Pickerill Estate House. 

“I’m elated to hear that Kendall County has been selected to receive a PARC grant to improve accessibility and provide more recreational opportunities for our community at the Kendall County Forest Preserve,” said Senator Villa. “Illinois continues to show its commitment to investing in public spaces to help maintain the health and wellness of families across our state.”

The Kendall County Forest Preserve District will use the PARC grant funding to renovate and update the Pickerill Estate House, located in the Pickerill-Pigott Forest Preserve, by making the building ADA accessible and constructing an adjoining open-air pavilion.

The PARC grant program provides up to 90% of project costs to help build, renovate and improve recreational buildings used by the public or purchase land to be used for public access and recreational purposes, with local governments matching the value of the grants awarded. The grant to the Kendall County Forest Preserve District was one of 17 grants awarded across the state.

A full list of grantees is available on IDNR’s website. 

GENEVA – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Monday that $7 million in local infrastructure funding will be distributed to local governments as part of the Rebuild Illinois Program, and State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) is pleased to announce that the Village of Geneva, partnering with the City of St. Charles, will receive a portion of the funds. 

“Upgrading our roads will help accommodate local truck traffic in Geneva and ensure a safer driving experience for residents and visitors,” Villa said. “This critical infrastructure project will give our community the resources it needs to attract business, manage growth and improve local quality of life.”

This grant is made possible through IDOT’s Truck Access Route Program, which allows counties, municipalities and townships to apply for assistance in upgrading roads to accommodate 80,000-pound trucks and become designated truck routes. IDOT will provide the Village of Geneva with $320,600, which will be used for connecting Illinois Route 38 truck routes. 

“Illinois is the country’s transportation hub, with freight activity a cornerstone of the state’s economy,” said Acting Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “At IDOT, we want our local partners to have the necessary tools to manage traffic safely and spur even more job creation and economic growth.”

A complete list of projects can be viewed here.

WEST CHICAGO – In an effort to diversify local educators, the Illinois State Board of Education has awarded multiple Career and Technical Education Education Career Pathways Grants to schools in the district State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) represents.

“As a former school social worker, I know firsthand the importance of a diverse workforce in our schools,” Villa said. “Investing in our students’ education is the first step in investing in our society, and I’m thrilled to see South Elgin High School receive an important grant to fund Career and Technical Education development.” 

The CTE Education Career Pathways Grants were awarded to 62 schools and vocational centers across the state, totaling more than $1.5 million. Among those schools are Batavia High School, Metea Valley High School, South Elgin High School, West Aurora High School and Yorkville High School. Currently, only 18% of teachers identify as people of color, but ISBE’s CTE Education Career Pathways Grants will help increase the diversity of the CTE teaching profession in Illinois. 

Applicants to the CTE Education Pathways Grant program submitted an implementation plan outlining how they would recruit underrepresented students into education careers. The grant also requires a partnership between grantees and institutions of higher education to ensure students can earn dual credit or other certifications while in high school.

“Our schools now have the funding to focus on recruiting and supporting future educators in the Career and Technical Education field, while ensuring they are well equipped to succeed in the classroom,” Villa said. “It’s important for students to have teachers and mentors who look like them and who can help prepare them for future job and education opportunities.”

A full list of the grant recipients is available on the ISBE website.

WEST CHICAGO – More than 2,000 Illinoisans received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Monday at an event hosted by Wheaton Bible Church, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) and a variety of community partners. 

“Our West Chicago neighbors are some of those hardest hit by the devastating effects of this pandemic,” Villa said. “I have been working tirelessly alongside local organizations and community leaders to advocate for more vaccines for our community.”

The vaccination event was an effort by Wheaton Bible Church, Jewel-Osco, Senator Villa, State Representative Maura Hirschauer (D-West Chicago), Wayne Township, Puente Del Pueblo, People Made Visible, School District 33, School District 94, Casa Michoacan, People’s Resource Center, Pediatric Health Center, St. Andrew’s Church, and WeGo Together for Kids.

The event partners worked to register community members without internet access and older adults who would not usually be able to register for vaccination clinics.

“There’s no better feeling than seeing our COVID-19 vaccination rates increase while positivity rates decrease,” Villa said. “As vaccine eligibility expands in the coming weeks, we must check on our family, friends and neighbors to ensure nobody is hesitating to get in line for the vaccine when it’s their turn.”

Residents who received the vaccine Monday will be able to get their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from Jewel-Osco at the next community vaccination event on April 12.