SPRINGFIELD – To allow teachers and staff at charter schools the right to collective bargaining, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) moved legislation in the Senate Education Committee that would protect their right to unionize.

“Teachers have been on the front lines of the pandemic since day one fighting for living wages and safe, dignified conditions,” Villanueva said. “Teachers across the city, especially at charter schools, must have the ability to unionize so that their students can succeed.”

The legislation would require that the renewal of charter schools and new charter school proposals include a union neutrality clause. The school would be prohibited from expressing a position on the matter of whether its employees unionize, required to provide access to labor organizations and required to recognize staff unionization if a majority wish to do so.

Under current law, charter schools may expressly forbid teachers and staff from unionizing. In 2015, Urban Prep Academies fired 15 teachers and staff shortly after a majority voted to join the Chicago Alliance of Charter School Teachers and Staff (ChiACTS). Urban Prep Academies, one of Chicago’s most prominent charter networks, later settled under an agreement requiring them to re-hire some of the staff and pay a $250,000 severance package and back pay to those they fired.

The legislation, Senate Bill 577, passed in the Senate Education Committee and awaits consideration before the full Senate.

Villanueva aprueba medida que permite que los maestros de las escuelas charter se sindicalicen

SPRINGFIELD – Para permitir que los maestros y otros empleados de las escuelas charter tengan el derecho de negociar colectivamente, la Senadora estatal Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago), avanzó una legislación en el Comité de Educación del Senado que protegerá su derecho a sindicalizarse.

“Los maestros han estado en la línea de batalla de la pandemia desde el primer día luchando por salarios adecuados y condiciones de trabajo dignas,” dijo Villanueva. “Los maestros de toda la ciudad, especialmente en las escuelas charter, deben contar con la posibilidad de sindicalizarse para que sus estudiantes puedan tener éxito.”

La legislación requerirá que la renovación de las escuelas charter y las nuevas propuestas de escuelas incluyan una clausula de neutralidad sindical. La escuela tendrá prohibido expresar una posición sobre si sus empleados deben o no sindicalizarse, deberán dar acceso a las organizaciones laborales y reconocer al personal sindicalizado si la mayoría así lo desea.

Bajo la ley actual, las escuelas charter pueden prohibir expresamente que los maestros y otros empleados se sindicalicen. En 2015, Urban Prep Academies despidió a 15 maestros y empleados poco antes de que se diera una votación para que se unieran a the Chicago Alliance of Charter School Teachers and Staff (ChiACTS). Urban Prep Academies, una de las redes de escuelas charter más importantes de Chicago, llegó a un acuerdo extrajudicial para recontratar a algunos de los cesados y pagar $250,000 en liquidaciones y pagos atrasados a los despedidos.

La legislación, SB 577, fue aprobada por el Comité de Educación del Senado y aguarda ser considerada por el pleno del Senado.

PARK FOREST – A virtual event to raise awareness about mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic will take place Monday, April 19 at 6 p.m., hosted by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) and State Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago).

“As the pandemic wears on, people are continuing to face mental health challenges,” Joyce said. “Tune in next week to learn about the resources and programs available for folks in our community who may need additional support. Now more than ever, mental health must be a priority.”

Joyce and Sims will join mental health experts George Brassea, a licensed clinical professional counselor at True Heights Treatments, and Stacey Jones, a licensed clinical professional counselor and community domestic violence programmer at Counseling Works, for the event.

Panelists will discuss how the pandemic has affected mental health, as well as warning signs of anxiety and depression. They will also offer tips and share resources to help the community improve their mental health.

“Many factors like isolation, job loss and fear are triggering or worsening mental health conditions for many people around the world,” said Sims. “While avoiding this infectious disease we have to remind ourselves that it’s not just the body that can suffer, but our psychological state can also be at risk. This workshop will provide tools and resources to help all of us get through this difficult time together and healthily.”

The event will take place over Zoom and will be livestreamed on both Joyce and Sims’ Facebook pages. Questions can be submitted in the comments during the event. For more information, contact Joyce’s office at 708-756-0882 or Sims’ office at 773-933-7715.

VILLA PARK –State Senators Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) and Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) are excited to see incoming improvements to roads and bridges in their communities after last week’s announcement from the Illinois Department of Transportation regarding funding for infrastructure investments in DuPage County.  The projects come as a part of the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program.

CHICAGO – Last week, State Senator Mike Simmons toured the newly opened mass vaccination site located near Wrigley Field, which provides up to 2,000 doses daily to people who live in and around the 7^th District – and vowed to bring more shots to the area.

“Vaccine efforts are ramping up across the state, but it has become apparent that too many people feel that the process of securing an appointment and getting a vaccine is out of reach,” Simmons said. “People within the district I represent are dealing with systemic barriers to accessing health care overall, and vaccine distribution is shining a light on systemic inequities that affect 7th District residents.”

Alongside Congressman Mike Quigley and Representative Margaret Croke, Simmons toured the new mass vaccination site near Wrigley Field located at American Airlines Conference Center at Gallagher Way. Advocate Aurora Health is operating the site, and Simmons says he is in discussions with the group to arrange partnerships that will target more vaccines to those in need across the 7th District.

The Wrigley Field facility will offer up to 2,000 shots daily. Additionally, starting yesterday, Monday, April 12, Chicagoans can make an appointment to receive a shot at the United Center.

People can call 312-746-4835 or visit Zocdoc.com/vaccine to request an appointment at either location.

“The only way to end this pandemic and get back to a life of normalcy is by ensuring as many people as possible are vaccinated equitably,” Simmons said. “We have to do the extra work to ensure people who are not well-served by the health care system have easy access to the vaccine and culturally competent medical professionals who will help to assuage their concerns.”

For a full list of available sites, people can visit coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/vaccination-location or call the Illinois Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 vaccine hotline at 833-621-1284.

ELGIN – State Senators Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) and Karina Villa (D- West Chicago) look forward to the investments in infrastructure coming to Kane County announced by the Illinois Department of Transportation last week. The projects are funded by the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program.

“For both Kane County residents and visitors, having a modernized, safe transportation sector is so important,” Castro said. “Updating things like traffic lights and sidewalk ramps to be ADA compliant will make our community more accessible while also bringing more jobs to the area.”

The projects in Kane County include:

• Illinois 31 (Lake Street) from Reagan Memorial Tollway (Interstate 88) to Rathbone Avenue: Resurfacing project with new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps scheduled to begin this spring and be completed this fall.
• Illinois 31 (State Street) from Strom Drive to West Road: Ongoing resurfacing project with new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps, improved drainage, and repairs to the State Street bridge over U.S. 20 (Elgin Bypass), which started last summer and is anticipated to be completed this fall.
• Illinois 47 at Main Street: Ongoing project to replace the existing bridge, reconstruct the intersection and modernize traffic signals. The project started in 2019 and is anticipated to be completed in summer 2022.
• Illinois 72 (Oak Knoll Drive) at Getzelman Road/State Street: Intersection improvement project, with new traffic signals, paving, ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps, along with improved drainage and lighting. The project is scheduled to begin this summer and completed in late 2022.

The Rebuild Illinois capital program is investing $33.2 billion into the state’s aging transportation system, creating jobs and promoting economic growth. It is the largest capital program in Illinois history and touches all sectors of Illinois transportation.

“Our state is proving its commitment to our community by investing significant resources to improve local infrastructure in Kane County,” State Senator Karina Villa said. “Families in the 25^th District will greatly benefit from the numerous job opportunities and road safety enhancements that will come from these projects, and I urge residents to be patient and slow down in work zones as these projects get underway.”

For a map of the projects in Kane County, visit here. Find traffic and road conditions at http://www.gettingaroundillinois.com/. 

BUFFALO GROVE – State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) is seeking motivated, community-minded high school and college students to serve in her district office as interns.

“I want to give young people a chance to make a difference in our community while gaining valuable experience working in government,” Johnson said. “If you’re an energetic, driven student who’s interested in public service, I encourage you to apply to be a part of our team.”

Interns would take on an active role in Johnson’s office, helping plan events, assisting with outreach to community organizations and local governments, and researching legislative initiatives. Interns will primarily work remotely, but may be asked to attend in-person events with the senator when conditions allow.

The position requires a minimum commitment of five hours per week from May to August, but scheduling is flexible. Johnson’s office will work with interns seeking college credit for the internship.

Johnson’s staff is hiring interns on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as they are able. Applicants should email Priyanka Khanna at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with a resume and a brief explanation of their interest in joining the 30^th District team.

CHICAGO – After months of work to extend health care access to more Illinoisans, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus are celebrating the extension of Medicaid coverage for new mothers from 60 days to 12 months postpartum. Illinois is the first state in the nation to extend coverage to ensure low-income mothers receive the support they need in the critical months following birth.

“We know that a significant share of pregnancy-associated deaths are preventable, and in 2021, mothers should absolutely not be dying from preventable causes after they give birth,” said State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), who sits on the Senate Committee on Healthcare Access and Availability. “Extending Medicaid benefits to mothers for 12 months postpartum is a critical step toward reducing the maternal morbidity and mortality rate.”

CHAMPAIGN – April is Child Abuse Prevention Month in Illinois, and State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is reminding Illinoisans what they can do to help prevent child abuse and neglect during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for friends and neighbors to notice the signs of child abuse,” Bennett said. “It’s important that we continue to stay alert and notify the authorities with any suspicions of risk to a child’s safety.”

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, you can call the Department of Children and Family Services’ Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE (22873).

Hotline staff is working at full capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic and remains available to take calls 24 hours a day. Child abuse specialists continue to respond to hotline calls and assess child safety with face-to-face contact within 24 hours.

“We all have a responsibility to protect our children,” Bennett said. “If you suspect a child may be being abused, I strongly encourage you to call the hotline and make a report.”

If you have questions or need additional information, contact Bennett’s Champaign office at 217-355-5252 or his Danville office at 217-442-5252.