CICERO, Ill. – Illinois obtuvo recientemente una mejora en su calificación crediticia a A1, la clasificación más alta otorgada al estado por Moody’s Investors Service en quince años, gracias al trabajo de la rep. Estatal Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, quien apoyó el presupuesto de este año que continúa fortaleciendo el progreso fiscal, la transparencia y la responsabilidad en todo el estado de Illinois.

“Esta noticia habla por sí sola: cuando damos prioridad a la creación de empleos bien remunerados, atraer nuevas industrias y apoyar a las empresas locales, estamos creando un futuro financiero más estable para nuestros hijos,” dijo Hernandez. “Hace casi diez años, estábamos luchando por salir del caos fiscal impulsado por el entonces gobernador Rauner, quien bloqueo presupuestos equilibrados destinados a financiar servicios de salud, empleo y vivienda que habrían sacado a la gente de la pobreza. Aunque seguimos totalmente enfocados en devolver más dinero a los bolsillos de las familias, los nuevos desafíos que surgen de la Casa Blanca amenazan con hacernos retroceder a esos días oscuros. Aun así, la gente de este estado exige que luchemos por ellos y su futuro, y eso es exactamente lo que voy a hacer.”

Luego de una época tumultuosa del Gobernador Rauner, Illinois ha generado un fuerte impulso económico para revertir una tendencia de 15 años en la que se registraron 24 rebajas de calificación crediticia, incluidas ocho entre 2015 y 2017.

El apoyo clave de Hernández al octavo presupuesto equilibrado consecutivo de este año ayudó al estado a obtener una calificación A1 de Moody’s Investors Service, marcando la undécima mejora de calificación crediticia desde 2021.

Mientras Illinois sigue viéndose afectado por las incertidumbres federales, el presupuesto estatal impulsado por Hernandez prioriza la estabilidad mediante la construcción de un fondo de reservas de casi $ 2.7 millones de dólares, la eliminación de facturas pendientes, el alivio de deudas médicas por más de $1 millones de dólares y la restauración de asistencia alimentaria para las familias afectadas por los recortes federales al programa SNAP.

La mejora de la calificación crediticia se anunció el miércoles y representa la segunda mejora obtenida por Illinois en el último año.

CICERO, Ill. – Illinois recently achieved an A1 credit rating upgrade, the highest Moody’s Investors Service rating given to the state in fifteen years, thanks to work by state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, who supported this year’s budget which continues to strengthen fiscal progress, transparency and responsibility throughout the state of Illinois.

“This news speaks for itself: when we prioritize creating good-paying jobs, attracting new industries and supporting neighborhood businesses, we create a more stable financial future for our children,” Hernandez said. “Nearly ten years ago, we were clawing our way out of fiscal disarray championed by then-Governor Rauner, who blocked balanced budgets funding health, job and housing services that would’ve lifted people out of poverty. While we remain laser-focused on putting more money back into families’; pockets, new challenges from the White House threaten to pull us back to those darker days. Nevertheless, the people of this state demand we fight for them and their futures, and I plan to do exactly that.”

Following a tumultuous Rauner-governed era, Illinois has built strong economic momentum to reverse a 15-year trend that saw 24 credit downgrades, including eight between 2015 and 2017.

Hernandez’s key backing of this year’s eighth consecutive balanced budget helped the state earn an A1 rating from Moody’s Investors Service, marking its 11th credit rating upgrade since 2021.

As Illinois continues to be hit by federal uncertainties, the Hernandez-backed state budget prioritizes stability by building out a rainy-day fund of nearly $2.7 billion, clearing the bill backlog, providing over $1 billion in medical debt relief and restoring food assistance for families impacted by federal SNAP cuts.

The credit rating upgrade was announced Wednesday and is the second upgrade awarded to Illinois from Moody’s in the last year.

CICERO, Ill. – As a result of the state budget championed by state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, Morton College has received an Adult Volunteer Literacy grant to better provide instruction for adults reading below a ninth-grade level or those without English language proficiency.

“Raising local literacy rates is the surest way we can grow our economy and build a stronger community, and this grant will do exactly that,” Hernandez said. “I would like to extend my profound congratulations to Morton College for being selected by this grant program. Their adult literacy services have served thousands over the years, helping prepare them for obtaining jobs, housing and advancing their careers. I am proud of their unending commitment to our community and look forward to the progress made by these investments.”

The Secretary of State’s office announced today the release of a series of grants to organizations and libraries throughout Illinois. Project CARE, Morton College’s program aimed at bolstering adult literacy rates for those reading at or below a ninth-grade level or those with limited English proficiency, received $150,000.

Project CARE connects adults with one-on-one tutoring that builds confidence and proficiency in reading, writing, mathematics and English language learning. Tutoring services are provided at no-cost to participants.

For more information on Project CARE, visit morton.edu/project-care.

CICERO, Ill. – As the new school year is about to begin, state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, is letting her community know about an opportunity for families to save on their school supplies and clothing needs, with a new Back-to-School State Sales Tax Holiday made possible through the most recent state budget. 

“The first day of school is just around the corner, and back-to-school shopping is the perfect opportunity to start our kids off on the right foot,” Hernandez said. “In recent years, the price of new shoes, backpacks, lunchboxes and pencil pouches has grown out of control. While we continue to workshop ways to lower costs on these essentials, this tax holiday coming up will hopefully bring much needed relief to families who are stretching their dollars further and further every day.” 

Items eligible for the state sales tax holiday includes:

• Clothes and school uniforms,
• Shoes, boots, and sandals,
• Seasonal apparel, including coats, rain jackets, swimwear, hats and gloves,
• School and office supplies, including paper, pens and pencils, calculators, writing tablets,
• Backpacks and lunchboxes, and more.

The Back-to-School State Tax Holiday will be in effect from Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 16.

CICERO, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, celebrated the signing into law of her measure to streamline the ability of those who send money overseas to opt to donate to the Illinois DREAM Fund, a program to help immigrant students who want to attend Illinois universities. 

“So many people in our communities have families overseas whom they miss, love dearly and want to support however they can. Additionally, we have families who want to send their bright, talented students to college, but simply cannot due to the price tag,” Hernandez said. “This  measure will help address both challenges. When going to send money, all customers have to do is click a ‘donate’ button to help fund our Illinois DREAM Fund. When we embarked on this journey, we had a real chance at making a difference in the lives of our families, and today’s development is a final step toward that goal.” 

Hernandez’s House Bill 4533 will allow those who send money overseas to opt to donate to the Illinois DREAM Fund, a scholarship program for immigrant students that graduate from Illinois high schools. Under this new measure, customers would be prompted to provide a donation before the completion of their money transfer transaction.

Hernandez has previously authored legislation to expand donation-based tuition assistance for DREAMers, passing House Bill 3233 in 2023. 

House Bill 4533 was signed into law by the governor on June 26.  

For more information, visit ILGA.gov. 

CICERO, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, lauded the final approval by the governor of a measure to create an apprenticeship program for those pursuing careers in cosmetology, barbery and other esthetics fields.

“Too many Illinoisans pursuing a professional license, higher education or other mechanism to create a more stable financial future are being priced out of those opportunities,” Hernandez said.
“This session, we put lowering these and other costs at the forefront of our legislative agenda. I am proud to have partnered with my colleagues in the House and Senate to advance this bill and open up more opportunities for future barbers, cosmetologists and aestheticians. Today marks a critical final step toward these students receiving needed relief and quality education.”

The Hernandez-backed House Bill 3460 will establish an apprenticeship program for professionals in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics and nail technology and sets training hours and licensing requirements to make entering these fields easier.

Currently, students pay between $15,000 and $20,000 on average to complete a cosmetology program, including the costs of tuition, tools, licensing costs and materials.

The measure was signed into law by the governor on Friday.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A plan backed by state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, requiring all grocery chains in Illinois that offer e-coupons to provide, and honor, a physical coupon alternative was signed into law by the governor Friday.

“All too often, seniors and those without access to a smartphone are left paying a higher price at the grocery store checkout, because they can’t access deals offered by the store’s digital platform,” Hernandez said. “When costs are already too high for milk, meat and more, we need to make it easier for customers to access these deals, and we’re doing exactly that by requiring these chains to provide, and honor, physical coupons with equivalent deals.” 

In order to reduce these barriers to savings, Hernandez supported House Bill 45, which requires retailers to honor all advertised savings, even if customers cannot access their app or operate their digital coupons.

Grocery stores, drug stores and other businesses increasingly entice customers with advertised savings that require apps and digital coupons, which are often unreliable and require smartphone access.

The measure passed out of the Senate on May 20 and was signed into law by the governor Friday. 

CHICAGO — The latest balanced state budget was signed into law early today, thanks to the work of state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, who prioritized relief for Illinoisans and investment in critical resources the Trump Administration is trying to slash. 

“Times are tough for the millions who call Illinois home – due in no small part to the reckless efforts by the Trump Administration to kick families off SNAP, hold back congressionally-approved funds for roads, schools, law enforcement and more,” Hernandez said. “I am proud of the House’s work to put together a state budget that fills these resource gaps and puts us on a better financial footing. There’s no doubt in my mind that Washington will continue to try to hinder our efforts to support families, but today’s developments will give us the tools we need to lower costs and create a brighter future for our communities.”

The Hernandez-backed budget takes a number of smart steps to help families, including:

• Nearly $100 million to help families afford groceries and put food on the table. Hernandez’s budget includes a new FRESH Program, which provides a one-time credit of up to $400, giving families a lifeline while they work with providers to reactivate benefits. Additionally, the budget expands free and reduced-cost school lunches ensuring children affected by SNAP cuts have a sustainable meal, and funding for the Illinois Grocery Initiative to expand access to fresh food in food deserts. 

• Making back-to-school shopping more affordable by cutting the state sales tax on clothes, supplies and essentials for students, families and teachers beginning in August.

• Restoring property tax relief grants for schools so communities can get relief. 

• $500 million focused on affordable homes for working families, including investment in new home construction to meet the needs of working families who do not qualify for traditional assistance, but still face a significant lack of quality homes in their price range—a growing population known as the “missing middle.” 

• Keeping our streets and families safe by fully funding homeless prevention and community-based violence prevention initiatives. 

This budget keeps families safe and strengthens communities. As families face healthcare access threats like Medicaid cuts, the new state budget delivers full funding to maintain and operate critical safety-net hospitals, with an additional $10 million dedicated to support Federally Qualified Health Centers for the most vulnerable families.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, concluded a productive legislative session on Monday, passing a state budget that funds critical services and addresses rising costs. 

“Illinois families – from all corners of our state – are facing rising costs, shrinking savings and an administration ready to break any laws they think are inconvenient,” Hernandez said. “Our session and ultimately our latest budget reflect and respond to these very real demands for change from our communities.”

Some of the legislation Hernandez passed includes:

• Senate Bill 3019 freezes the state gas tax and institutes a sales tax holiday;
• House Bill 45 requires retailers to honor advertised savings provided by digital coupons available on a chain’s website or application with a physical coupon alternative; 

• House Bill 1312 empowers people to sue agents who violate their basic rights and creates protections for hospitals, campuses and courthouses; and
• House Bill 4533 allows customers sending money internationally to donate a portion of their total to the Illinois DREAM Fund.

Hernandez worked tirelessly to pass a responsible budget that supports senior services and empowers law enforcement to keep families safe. Additionally, Hernandez’s budget makes smart investments in resources Washington slashed, including safety net hospitals serving vulnerable communities.

“Trump’s incursions into our communities and slashing of federal programs have taken a toll on families,” Hernandez said. “Through responsible, smart fiscal decision making, we delivered a state budget that funds services like the Community Care Program supporting home-bound seniors, gives law enforcement the tools they need and continues our investments in classrooms and teachers. Our work continues, but we have made significant steps forward.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A plan in Springfield backed by state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, would establish a debt-free pathway for people seeking careers in cosmetology and barbering, better enabling them to gain hands-on experience and earn their license. 

“Pursuing your education and career passions shouldn’t break the bank or put you in debt, but for many cosmetology students, that is exactly what they are experiencing,” Hernandez said. “This is a cost-effective way for these apprentices to gain invaluable experience in salons and local businesses and fast-track their licensure process. As we work to lower costs across the board, bringing down the cost of obtaining a professional license must continue to be a top priority.” 

The Hernandez-backed House Bill 3460 establishes an apprenticeship program for professionals in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics and nail technology and sets training hours and licensing requirements to make entering these fields easier. 

Currently, students pay between $15,000 and $20,000 on average to complete a cosmetology program, including the costs of tuition, tools, licensing costs and materials. 

The measure passed out of the Senate on Tuesday and now heads the governor for final approval.