Gonzalez to Champion Labor, Worker-Safety First Agenda in New Term

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr., D-Chicago, was sworn in on Wednesday to a new term in the General Assembly, issuing a strong statement on his upcoming legislative agenda:

“I have spent my professional career fighting for the working families of Little Village, Brighton Park, and Cicero. We are a community of hard workers, big dreamers and doers, and I am proud to represent these communities in Springfield for another term.

“Illinois is at its best when it puts its workers, their families and their futures first. With the incoming Trump administration, it is no secret that we will face serious challenges at the federal level to protect workers rights from out-of-touch extremists and billion dollar corporations. When it comes to making sure our workers are safe in our factories and workplaces, I will not be deterred.

“To combat the high cost of living facing millions of Illinoisans, wages must rise again. To combat unsafe workplace conditions, enhanced regulatory and enforcement frameworks need to be put in place. To combat employers harassing undocumented workers, we need to protect current statute limiting coordination between ICE and local law enforcement. In this new term, the House must do everything in its power to protect our workers and continue to make Illinois an attractive place to start a business and raise a family on a living wage.

“I am honored to continue representing my community in Springfield. The connections I’ve made with families and households continue to give me the strength and support to fight the battles ahead. Let’s get back to work.”