CHICAGO- State Rep. Lilian Jiménez, D-Chicago, addressed the Cook County Board of Commissioners meeting on Oct. 22 in support of a resolution strengthening maternal healthcare.

“As a mother, I believe that the childbirth experience should be treated with dignity, safety, and support,” Jiménez stated. “When a labor and delivery unit shuts down in a community, the burden shifts onto the families and neighboring hospitals already stretched thin. Families must travel farther, overcome transportation challenges, and face additional costs. These are especially dangerous when unpredictable complications arise and obstetric care is delayed.”

Resolution 26-264 was proposed by Commissioner Dr. Keisha McCaskill in response to Roseland Community Hospital’s abrupt closure of its labor and delivery unit, which gave established patients only 30 days’ notice to find a new provider. This marks the fourth labor and delivery unit on the South Side to close, further deepening healthcare inequities. Frontline nurses, doctors and other healthcare staff at Roseland represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) are in favor of the resolution after being significantly affected by the closure.

During the meeting, Jiménez delivered supporting remarks and referenced the resolution’s origin, which was inspired by House Bill 345, a bill Jiménez led last year in the General Assembly to protect adequate healthcare for expecting mothers. The bill, which has yet to reach a vote, requires any hospital or health system to provide public notice no less than 120 days prior to the proposed closure date. It also requires hospitals to hold at least one public meeting after notice is provided—measures that give residents and healthcare workers time to understand the potential impact, raise concerns, and explore alternatives.

“Community members deserve a voice in decisions that affect their health. The abrupt closure of a crucial service such as a labor and delivery unit creates an obstacle to care and provides insufficient time to explore alternatives. It’s disheartening to see hospitals that Black and Brown families rely on continue to close. We must do more and work collaboratively across all levels of government to keep all mothers and their families safe.” Jiménez stated.

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CHICAGO- State Rep. Lilian Jiménez, D-Chicago, celebrates the redevelopment plan that will turn a vacant elementary school into stable, affordable and accessible housing in the 4th district. We thank Alderperson Fuentes, the City Council and Mayor Johnson for approving the funding needed to move forward with this project.

“Every day working families are finding it difficult to obtain affordable housing due to rising costs, inflation and displacement,” said Jiménez. “Housing should be accessible to all regardless of income status. I support this ambitious project because it will change the lives of many in our community by allowing more families to raise their children, live and work and retire in their community.”

The Humboldt Village project, first introduced in 2016, was a proposal that would redevelop Von Humboldt Elementary School, a CPS school closed in 2013, into an affordable housing complex. The project secured $66.2 million in funding after there were multiple federal funding delays for affordable housing projects. 

This complex would have over 100 apartments, a fitness room, bike room, a Community Center and more amenities. The apartments would be available for people earning up to 60 percent of the area median income. 

Cases of displacement and rising property taxes continue to limit the housing options for natives of the community.  The Institute for Housing Studies claim that 48% of total households including over 59% of renters in the Humboldt Park  neighborhood spent too much on housing. 

This is more than 30% of their annual income when 70% of Humboldt Park households make less than $100,000 in 2025. 

“As the Chair of the Housing Committee, I see firsthand the housing issues happening in my community and all over the state,” said Jiménez. “I am ensuring that district housing projects remain truly accessible and affordable even when the federal government refuses to help our communities. I am also working every day to protect cultural communities like mine from displacement and gentrification. This project is one that is good for the community and for Chicago as it will improve the access to social and community facilities and even create job opportunities.” 

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