Hernandez Passes Balanced Budget, Reforms Tackling Flood Damages, Higher Education Costs

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – New protections for flood victims, expanded access to affordable education, and a fiscally and socially responsible state budget are among the key accomplishments led by state Rep. Elizabeth ‘Lisa’ Hernandez, D-Cicero, during a productive spring legislative session. 

“Our new  budget values the diverse working families in our state, lifting up vulnerable communities as a result,” Hernandez said. “By investing hundreds of millions towards ongoing public safety efforts, our communities are better positioned to prevent crime and keep our neighborhoods safer. We also added hundreds of millions to our cities, towns and villages, ensuring communities like Cicero and Lyons can tackle the challenges we face. I look forward to talking with families about how Springfield continues to work for them.” 

Hernandez worked to deliver another smart state budget that invests in local schools, innovative public safety measures, and affordable college. Hernandez championed creating a new lottery scratch-off ticket to support college scholarships and is also generating millions of dollars in this year’s budget for Latino and Black students.

Hernandez also championed key initiatives that reflect local priorities and urgent needs from her community. Hernandez backed House 5357, making resources more accessible to home insurance policyholders and their flood insurance options. 

She also required that landlords inform renters of flood risks according to FEMA’s Special Flood Zone data or if there has been a history of flooding in the building (Senate Bill 2601). 

“Underserved communities suffered the most from last July’s flooding,” Hernandez said. “People’s lives were upended, and they are still recovering. My community – and communities like it – shouldn’t face the same problems again. By connecting renters and homeowners with flood insurance resources, families can bounce back quicker, and with less financial hardship.” 

Hernandez is also continuing her work to deliver fair pay for all restaurant workers and support suburban businesses (House Bill 5345) by ending the subminimum wage for tipped workers. 

“Chicago’s move to raise wages for restaurant workers puts businesses in our community in a difficult position trying to recruit and retain staff, and requiring workers to depend so heavily on tips subjects them to unacceptable harassment and discrimination,” Hernandez said. “Ending the subminimum wage is a surefire way to protect workers, grow businesses and support our economic corridors.”