SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker announced his budget proposal Wednesday, and State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) released the following statement:

“This budget proposal highlights many areas of improvement that will bring relief to Illinois communities. As a strong advocate for community involvement, I am glad the budget addresses proper funding for programs that support older adults, increases access to mental health programs, reinvestments into Family Tax Relief efforts, and focuses on staff shortages among social workers. There is also additional funding toward making Illinois strong by paying down our backlog.

“I look forward to continuing negotiations with my fellow legislators in the General Assembly to pass a balanced budget that is efficient and effective for all.”

SUGAR GROVE – Thanks to support from State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) to provide local libraries with the resources needed for pandemic recovery, three libraries in the district she represents will receive more than $48,000 in combined grant funding to grow and enhance their services for the community.

“Our libraries have worked hard to be a constant in our lives through the ups and downs of the pandemic,” Villa said. “From providing resources for virtual learning to serving as a safe space for children after school, the work our libraries do for our communities is unmatched.”

The initiative is aimed to respond directly to difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant provides funding for libraries to modify services, transform spaces and develop resources for their local recovering workforce and to ensure all operations can be provided safely and effectively as the pandemic continues.

SPRINGFIELD – Following a decades-long fight to protect expecting mothers, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) is proud of the advancements signed into law Tuesday that will set standards for qualifications and certifications of midwives. 

“The pandemic has highlighted the importance of safe home births, and midwives play a critical role in guaranteeing that mothers and babies are safe at all stages of pregnancy,” Villa said. “Pregnancy is a long, physically and mentally demanding process, and our mothers deserve the highest level of care that our providers can offer.”

Certified professional midwives without nursing degrees were previously not recognized as health care professionals who can assist with home births. More than 30 states recognize CPMs without additional degrees, but Illinois only recognized the professionals with advanced-practice registered nurse status. The new law ensures pregnant women have access to competent health care providers before, during and after pregnancy.

This landmark legislation creates the Licensed Certified Professional Midwife Practice Act, which contains education, training and experience requirements for midwives. These requirements allow midwives without nursing degrees to gain meaningful instruction so they can provide the best care possible to women in need of their services.

AURORA – The Aurora Municipal Airport and DuPage Airport will receive a combined $2.5 million in state funding for maintenance and upgrades, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) announced Monday.

“Our local airports help bring tourists to our communities and increase travel opportunities for families across the region,” Villa said. “An investment in our airports is an investment to keep and bring more good-paying jobs for working families across the 25^th District.”

The 96 projects selected for funding will help meet the needs of airports large and small in both urban and rural communities. Projects will include planning, construction, reconstruction, development and improvement of public airports to increase safety and efficiency. Communities will also benefit from increased aviation access, good-paying jobs during construction and long-term opportunities for workforce expansion.

Among the projects to receive funding, the Aurora Municipal Airport is set to receive $1.3 million to rehabilitate parking lots and the entrance road as well as $279,000 for airport perimeter roadway construction. The DuPage Airport will receive $594,000 for airport perimeter road resurfacing as well as $405,000 to construct a new parking lot.

A full list of recipients can be viewed by going to idot.click/rbi-airport-program-awards.

“These monumental investments in our aviation system will help solidify Illinois’ role as a transportation hub for our country,” Villa said. “Maintenance and upgrades to the Aurora Municipal Airport and DuPage Airport are critical to the collective aviation success of our state.” 

The Illinois aviation system is one of the largest in the nation, made up of more than 850 individual landing facilities. Illinois is home to everything from O’Hare International Airport to municipal airports and private grass strips, contributing more than $95 billion annually to the state’s economy.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate supported an effort led by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) to declare October Manufacturing Month in Illinois.

“More than 550,000 manufacturers across our state deserve thanks and recognition this Manufacturing Month for the work they do to produce billions of dollars in output,” Villa said. “This year in particular, our manufacturing industry has saved lives by producing medical supplies to protect our communities from the COVID-19 pandemic, and I could not be more grateful for their hard work.”

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate backed an effort co-sponsored by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) to declare Oct. 28, 2021 as First Responders Day in Illinois.

“The first responders who serve Illinois deserve our endless gratitude, but declaring Oct. 28 as First Responders Day is a good start to celebrating our heroes,” Villa said. “These brave men and women wake up every day ready to put their lives on the line to save lives and make our communities safe.”

The proposal thanks 911 dispatchers, as well as firefighters, police offers, emergency medical technicians and paramedics for their commitment to public safety across Illinois.

“I’m pleased to see support from the Illinois Senate to honor and celebrate our brave first responders,” Villa said. “Let us take this First Responders Day to thank the hardworking heroes who serve our neighborhoods.”

Senate Resolution 534 was adopted with bipartisan support in the Senate on Wednesday.

WEST CHICAGO – State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) is inviting employers and job seekers in the trade industry to an upcoming workforce fair from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6 at West Chicago Community High School.

“This Manufacturing Month, we’re working to provide opportunities for workers to make their voices heard and give our community a chance to get involved in the trades,” Villa said. “People looking for jobs and employers seeking workers should register to attend our workforce fair.”

The free workforce fair is an opportunity to network with employers within the trade and manufacturing industries, with on-the-spot interviews for some employment opportunities. Everyone who attends will be automatically entered into a raffle for a chance to win one of five $100 Visa gift cards along with other prizes.

Job seekers are encouraged to register to preview employers prior to the event. Villa’s district office will also be hosting office hours on Nov. 1, Nov. 3 and Nov. 5 to help job seekers build their resumes before the workforce fair. Interested individuals can sign up at senatorvilla.com.

Employers and job seekers can sign up to participate in the workforce fair at no cost at senatorvilla.com. More information is available from Villa’s district office at (630) 326-9319 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

GENEVA – The City of Geneva and Naperville Heritage Society have been awarded more than $2 million in Rebuild Illinois capital grants as part of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s latest $16.5 million investment, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) announced Friday.

“Rebuild Illinois investments will fuel necessary economic development in Geneva and Naperville,” Villa said. “Hundreds of Illinois families will benefit from these new job opportunities at a critical time for our workforce.”

The City of Geneva received $1,270,017 for a new electrical substation to prepare for industrial development nearby. This funding to develop a 211-acre parcel of land will support essential utilities while attracting and creating hundreds of jobs. 

Rebuild Illinois also invested $765,000 in a new visitor center and exhibit at the Naperville Heritage Society’s Naper Settlement Museum. The museum currently features 13 acres of interactive opportunities for visitors of all ages to learn about Naperville’s history, and the expansion is intended to boost tourism and economic activity throughout the region.

Through the Rebuild Illinois Regional Economic Development program, DCEO provided grants for 11 new projects that will unlock a total $75.5 million investment and create at least 1,465 jobs statewide.

“The City of Geneva’s new electrical substation will lead to increased industry expansion and economic growth,” Villa said. “These grants will also allow Naperville residents and visitors to connect with the city’s rich history through engaging experiences at the Naper Settlement Museum.”

More information on the Rebuild Illinois capital grants and a full list of projects selected for grants can be found on DCEO’s website.