Rep. Barbara Hernandez Lays Out Goals for New Term: Reproductive Health, Cutting Costs, Clean Energy Expansion

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, issued this statement following her inauguration to another term representing her community in Springfield:

“I’m eager to continue the work of building a stronger future for Aurorans during my coming time in Springfield. This wonderful community, which gave me so much growing up, deserves someone to fight for the priorities that matter most. This year, I will be putting my efforts fully behind expanding access to reproductive health products, cutting the cost of living and bolstering our efforts towards creating a future powered by clean energy.”

“During my time in office, I have consistently and aggressively fought to make menstrual hygiene products widely available. For millions of people in our state, assured fulfillment of this vital medical need isn’t optional. We have made strides in recent years by guaranteeing access in schools and corrections institutions, as well as creating new legal protections for menstrual hygiene nonprofits, but there is more work to be done. I plan to continue that work this year.

“The significant growth in cost of living expenses has hit working people hard, and I’m pursuing a variety of measures to cut down on these costs. By combatting price hikes on lifesaving prescription drugs, by slashing taxes on groceries, by making significant inroads into lowering the costs of education and childcare; we have made progress. I’m confident we can continue to ease burdens on Illinoisans by continuing this approach.

“Clean energy must play a central role in building a stronger future for Illinois. The economic opportunities provided by developments in green technology-coupled with the necessity of combatting climate change as an existential threat to public health-are too abundant to relegate to the back burner.

“I’m eager to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to improve the lives of people across this state, and to have a legislative session of productivity and progress.”