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Traffic fees to be waived for low income Chicagoans under new Cervantes law

Details
Category: Senator Javier Loera Cervantes News
Monday, June 30, 2025 01:34 PM
  • SB108
  • Traffic Fines

sb108LAWSPRINGFIELD – Lower income Chicago residents will have one more support in place to help them get back on their feet—any fines or fees from traffic violations will now be waived indefinitely, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Javier Cervantes. 

“What makes Illinois such a great place to live is that we show up for one another, and we believe in second chances,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “We do not believe someone should be forced into homelessness because they can’t afford to pay a speeding ticket. This new law extends grace to some of the most vulnerable members of our community, and I am proud to be a leader in getting it passed into law.”

Read more: Traffic fees to be waived for low income Chicagoans under new Cervantes law

More FAFSA supports for students secured thanks to Cervantes legislation

Details
Category: Senator Javier Loera Cervantes News
Monday, June 30, 2025 10:36 AM
  • FAFSA
  • HB3097
  • HB3096
  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid

fafsareziedSPRINGFIELD—Thanks to two new laws led in the state legislature by State Senator Javier Cervantes, high school students may soon have access to more supports from their high schools when applying for college and filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as the FAFSA.

“The form is intended to give more students a chance of pursuing higher education,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “We should be doing everything we can to make sure it is as accessible as possible for people to complete, and this measure is a simple step to make completing it easier.”

Read more: More FAFSA supports for students secured thanks to Cervantes legislation

Cervantes-led measure to increase supports for students completing the FAFSA clears Senate

Details
Category: Senator Javier Loera Cervantes News
Thursday, May 22, 2025 03:34 PM
  • Higher Education
  • Financial Aid
  • HB3097
  • Cervantes

Sen. Cervantes

SPRINGFIELD — High school students may soon have access to more supports when applying for college and filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as the FAFSA, thanks to two measures led by State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes, which recently passed the Senate.

“There are many barriers for young people to fill out the FAFSA, including the forms being confusing for students who may be the oldest in their family or the children of immigrants with English as a second language,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “If we want our young people to pursue higher education, we need to make the process of applying for financial aid easier. Ensuring their schools have designated times and an expert on the application is an easy way to do that.”

Read more: Cervantes-led measure to increase supports for students completing the FAFSA clears Senate

Cervantes to give Board of Nursing more oversight in college nursing programs

Details
Category: Senator Javier Loera Cervantes News
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 05:21 PM
  • IDFPR
  • Nursing
  • Cervantes
  • HB 1807

Senator Cervantes

SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to an initiative led by State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes, the Board of Nursing at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will have more authority to oversee the establishment and administration of new and existing nursing programs, creating consistency and a high standard of quality across all programs statewide.

“Nurses are essential to maintaining the health of our communities. It is important, for their well-being and ours, that our nursing programs meet national standards and provide transferable skills to young professionals,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This measure will allow nurses to move around the state if they choose and be recognized nationally for having an IL RN license.”

House Bill 1807 would require the Board of Nursing at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to oversee a variety of elements of new and existing nursing programs, including accreditation standards, program remediation, withdrawal or closure of programs, and more. The measure would give the Board of Nursing authority to approve or disapprove of program directors to ensure that the person selected is qualified for the role, as well as purview over the program curriculum and faculty members.

Read more: Cervantes to give Board of Nursing more oversight in college nursing programs

Cervantes measure to increase supports for students completing the FAFSA

Details
Category: Senator Javier Loera Cervantes News
Tuesday, May 06, 2025 01:48 PM
  • FAFSA
  • Cervantes
  • HB 3096
  • HB 3097

cervantesHB3096SPRINGFIELD — Two initiatives led by State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes would ensure high school students have access to more supports when applying for college and filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as the FAFSA.

“Applying for financial aid through FAFSA can be a difficult and confusing process for students,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This initiative will give students more resources to help them in this process, ensuring they are able to submit their FAFSA and potentially receive financial support so they can pursue higher education.”

After many students struggled to complete FAFSA applications for the 2024-2025 academic year, Cervantes and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission developed legislation to offer assistance for students wishing to fill out the FAFSA. First, House Bill 3096 would require high schools to designate a member of their staff to serve as a point of contact for students on matters concerning the application. This would create clarity on who young people can turn to if they have questions or need assistance with the process. 

Read more: Cervantes measure to increase supports for students completing the FAFSA

Cervantes, advocates call for more funding for underserved schools

Details
Category: Senator Javier Loera Cervantes News
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 10:26 AM
  • Education
  • Evidence-Based
  • Cervantes
  • EBF

Cervantes with students supporting full evidence-based funding

SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes joined parents, students, and advocates to call for more funding for the evidence-based funding model in the state budget.

“All Illinois students deserve AP courses, STEM labs, up-to-date gymnasiums, after school programs and more,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “When we do not provide enough extra money for our evidence-based funding model, we are letting our children down and behind in their development. I was proud to stand in solidarity with Advance Illinois advocates to call for more funding for EBF in our state’s budget in their recent rally, and plan to continue championing their cause.”

Since 2017, Illinois has adopted an evidence-based funding model for education, which revolutionized the way school districts receive the bulk of state funds. EBF sends more resources to Illinois’ most under-resourced students and takes the first steps toward ensuring all schools have the resources they need to provide a safe, rigorous, and well-rounded learning environment for all students. The implementation of this model reflects that it is important for Illinois to apply a more realistic understanding of the relationship between equity, adequacy, and student outcomes, and create a future with more equitable results.​​

Read more: Cervantes, advocates call for more funding for underserved schools

Cervantes E-Verify legislation passes the Senate

Details
Category: Senator Javier Loera Cervantes News
Thursday, April 10, 2025 07:13 PM
  • SB2339
  • E-Verify
  • I-9 Form
  • Social Security Administration
  • Immigrant Employee Documentation

cervantes 041025SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes’ legislation expanding protections for immigrant workers from wrongful workplace retaliation due to issues with their paperwork has passed the Senate, making it one step closer to becoming law.

“As the son of a single immigrant mother, I know firsthand how committed immigrant workers are to doing good work and creating a better life for themselves and their families. Their place in the workforce should not come into question due to misfiled paperwork,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “I am proud this bill will ensure immigrant workers can receive support from legal experts if their E-Verify status is called into question, and help them sort out discrepancies before losing their livelihood over a misunderstanding.”

Read more: Cervantes E-Verify legislation passes the Senate

Cervantes leads measure to ensure quicker turnaround times for ICJIA grant approvals

Details
Category: Senator Javier Loera Cervantes News
Monday, April 07, 2025 01:25 PM
  • SB106
  • Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority

Senator CervatesSPRINGFIELD – Applicants for the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) grants may soon see faster turnarounds on their approvals, thanks to a new initiative led by State Senator Javier Cervantes.

“Grant applicants and workers are suffering from the burden of relying on volunteers to grade ICJIA grant applications,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “With this legislation, both parties will see a faster turnaround time, and not need to deal with unnecessary stress.”

Read more: Cervantes leads measure to ensure quicker turnaround times for ICJIA grant approvals

More Articles …

  1. Cervantes plan to streamline dental insurance payments passes Senate
  2. Cervantes bill supports diverse students entering mental health professions
  3. Cervantes expands E-Verify legislation to ensure additional protections for immigrant employees
  4. Cervantes initiative to waive traffic fees for low income Chicagoans
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