SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, helped pass a measure out of the House on Wednesday that would expand curriculum covering the complex, impactful history of Latin Americans in the United States, ensuring their contributions are never forgotten or overlooked.

“Latin American history is U.S. history, and our contributions to the founding and continued progression of this country can never be overstated. However, with federal attacks on the quality, inclusive education of Illinois students, we are making sure that Latin Americans are not a footnote in our kids’ history books,” Hernandez said. “This is a simple, but significant measure toward fully recognizing the invaluable contributions to our economy, culture, society and political system from Latin American communities. We’ve got more work to make sure our story is never forgotten and that our power is not undermined by the politics of fear we find ourselves in, but this is a tremendous step in the right direction.”

The Hernandez-backed House Bill 4372 expands the instruction of Latine history for public elementary and high school students beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. Topics will include events of the Latine experience and history, how Latin Americans have contributed to the economic, cultural and political development of the United States and the impact of colonialism on the foundation of American society.

Currently, the Illinois State Board of Education requires school districts to include in their required coursework the study of African-American, Asian-American and Indigenous-American history, among other topics.

House Bill 4372 passed out of the House on Wednesday and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, passed legislation out of the House on Thursday that would study how the state can best secure and deploy economic resources to small businesses that have struggled to bounce back from economic disruptions such as those caused by federal immigration operations. 

“Communities continue to recover from the devastation that the federal immigration raids during Operation Midway Blitz have left behind,” Hernandez said. “Many businesses have lost employees and foot traffic, and they need our help to not only recover from the trauma they’ve been subjected to but to also prepare for any future economic disruptions. This legislation will help us do exactly that and fulfill our promise to keep communities safe.”

Hernandez’s House Bill 5263 would create the Economic Stabilization and Resilience Commission Act which will study and develop recommendations for how the state can best rapidly respond to business disruptions such as those caused by federal immigration enforcement operations. The commission would be required to deliver a report of their findings to the governor and legislature no later than Dec. 31, 2027. 

In the wake of Operation Midway Blitz, many businesses in areas such as Little Village and Cicero saw declining customers at shops, restaurants and local businesses out of fear of arrest or harassment from federal agents. 

House Bill 5263 passed out of the House on Thursday and now awaits consideration in the Senate. 

For more information, visit ILGA.gov.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth ‘Lisa’Hernandez, D-Cicero, passed legislation out of the House Labor and Commerce Committee last Wednesday that would create a network of community-based organizations dedicated to recruiting, training and finding employment for those interested in the trades and apprenticeship fields in her community.

“At a time when too many of our young people can’t find jobs after high school and college, we should highlight the opportunities that come with trade careers,” Hernandez said. “I am proud to be partnering with Morton College and tradespeople in our community to bring this legislation, because this can be an example for broader efforts. It builds on our work to create more opportunities for Illinois families to not just get by, but get ahead.”

Hernandez’s House Bill 5265 would establish the Illinois Municipal Works Preapprenticeship and Service Trainee Program, which would help recent high school and college graduates in the vicinity of Morton College to obtain post-secondary employment in the construction and building trades, union service trades, the healthcare sector and other fields.

House Bill 5265 passed out of the House Labor & Commerce Committee last Wednesday and heads to the House floor for consideration.

For more information, visit ILGA.gov.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth ‘Lisa’ Hernandez, D-Cicero, has introduced legislation that would study how the state can best secure and deploy economic resources to small businesses who have struggled to bounce back from reckless and destructive federal immigration enforcement operations. 

“Over the past year, we’ve seen wave after wave of untrained and dangerous immigration agents storming mom and pop restaurants, shops and businesses to hunt down a largely non-existent enemy,” Hernandez said. “This commission will ensure the state can, and will, be able to rapidly deliver aid and resources to businesses should the president ramp up his reign of terror in Illinois once again. We cannot afford to be caught off guard, and this legislation strengthens us.” 

Hernandez’s House Bill 5263 would create the Economic Stabilization and Resilience Commission Act which will study and create recommendations for how the state can best rapidly respond to business disruptions caused by federal immigration enforcement operations. The commission would be required to deliver a report of their findings to the governor and legislature no later than Dec. 31, 2027. 

In the wake of Operation Midway Blitz, many businesses in areas such as Little Village and Cicero saw declining customers at shops, restaurants and local businesses out of fear of arrest or harassment from federal agents. 

For more information, visit ILGA.gov.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth ‘Lisa’ Hernandez, D-Cicero, responded to the Governor’s Budget Address Wednesday, releasing the following statement encouraging colleagues to protect essential services in face of federal funding cuts:

“Since taking office, it’s clear that the president doesn’t plan to govern for all Americans, only those that dare not stand up to him. This has led to people in Illinois losing vital SNAP benefits, affordable healthcare and other critical services they depend on to survive. 

“Over the course of the coming months, my colleagues and I will be focused on developing a responsible and compassionate state budget that puts families first. We need to look at ways to  bring costs down, while fully funding the housing, food and healthcare services that the federal government has chosen to slash. 

“While the federal government spends hard-earned Illinois tax dollars to send outlaw immigration agents into our streets, we will chart a better, more responsible path forward. Financial stability will be a priority, with an emphasis on smart investments in programs and services that lift people out of poverty, help entrepreneurs start businesses and allow seniors to retire in comfort and in their own homes.

“The future of our state can, and must, remain bright. I look forward to reviewing the governor’s proposal in detail, and am committed to building a stronger Illinois for every family and young person of this state.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth ‘Lisa’ Hernandez, D-Cicero, has introduced a measure to expand tuition assistance for immigrant college hopefuls. 

“While the Trump Administration tries to do everything it can to keep immigrant students out of our universities, here in Illinois we’re making sure they have an equal shot at a college education,” Hernandez said. “Attending an Illinois university should be the product of your transcripts, not your citizenship status. This measure will allow the millions of Illinoisans who send money overseas to donate a portion of their transaction to the Illinois DREAM Fund, which has already helped send thousands of students of mixed citizen status to college. We can make a real difference in the lives of these young people, and I look forward to continuing to advance this.” 

Hernandez’s House Bill 4533 would 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. 

For more information, visit ILGA.gov. 

JOLIET, Ill. – Legislation backed by state Rep. Elizabeth ‘Lisa’ Hernandez, D-Cicero, to lower energy costs, expand availability of cheap, renewable energy and make more Illinoisans eligible for home energy programs was signed into law earlier today. 

“As our economy continues to grow and attract advanced, 21st century industries, our energy grid is struggling to keep up, leading to higher costs for everyday Illinoisans,” Hernandez said. “Too many in my community are facing two, or three-fold increases in their monthly bills, without the available funds to pay those bills. By expanding access to renewable wind and solar energy, investing in quality battery storage and opening up eligibility to pre-existing affordable energy programs, we can help offset these rising utility costs and help make ends meet. These reforms will create immediate and long-term relief for families across our state.” 

The Hernandez-backed Senate Bill 25 puts Illinois on a better footing to counteract rising costs by: 

• Capturing clean energy: By capturing and redistributing energy already being produced, including from home solar panels, ComEd customers can see immediate relief on monthly costs.
• Increasing battery storage: By building out our grid to increase the state’s battery storage, power systems will become more reliable and affordable to power millions of Illinois homes.
• Investing in energy efficiency programs: Senate Bill 25 directly expands energy efficiency programs for residents, lowering electricity prices by reducing overall demand, and improves equity in programs by allocating a minimum amount of funds to support low-income customers.

Additionally, the measure will create up to 115,000 jobs, counteracting job insecurity and layoffs caused by federal cuts. 

“Not only is this a cost saving measure, it’s a job creator,” Hernandez said. “We’re making the infrastructure investments necessary to meet the demands of today and tomorrow, keeping our lights on, homes warm and lives running.”

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CICERO, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth ‘Lisa’ Hernandez, D-Cicero, released the following statement after the governor signed House Bill 1312, a measure that strengthens protections for Illinoisans against unjust and unconstitutional immigration enforcement operations:

“For every video of an immigration agent smashing car windows, firing on a protester or terrorizing innocent families, I have seen twice as many showing the overwhelming support, love and courage of everyday people who have organized and will do anything to protect their communities.

“These networks of activists, organizers and everyday Illinoisans have kept people safe and ICE off our streets. Our work this Fall Veto Session was fueled by these on-the-ground operations to help walk kids to school, hand out whistles to alert of nearby ICE activity and put these officers on notice when they harass and maul innocent people.

“To those who have kept up these efforts, Springfield has your back. These new protections will ensure that people can partake in our judicial process, get treated at a hospital, take their kids to daycare and walk on a college campus.

“This is, by no means, a static issue. There will be challenges to our efforts, but justice and the indomitable spirit of our communities will prevail.”

The Hernandez-backed House Bill 1312 allows for a private right of action against agents who, in the process of conducting immigration enforcement, knowingly violate the Illinois Constitution.

Additionally, her legislation establishes protections for those without citizenship who are at or near hospitals, courthouses and daycares. The legislation prevents federal immigration enforcement actions at or near courthouses and requires hospitals and daycares to create formal policies for handling law-enforcement interactions and bars cooperation with immigration enforcement unless there is a judicial warrant.

The legislation also establishes protections for Illinois college students, barring higher education institutions from disclosing citizenship information, requires staff to be trained on verifying immigration warrants and helps students access immigrant rights resources.

CICERO, Ill. – Thanks to a new funding formula passed by the General Assembly, state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, is proud to announce that Cicero Public Library will receive almost $100,000 in new state funds through Library Equalization Aid Grants to help cover costs related to equipment upgrades, new materials and community programming.

“For underserved communities, libraries can be a great equalizing factor: raising reading and comprehension skills for young people, opening doors for career opportunities for young adults and connecting seniors to affordable, all-day programs that keep them active,” Hernandez said. “I am proud to join the Secretary of State in welcoming this expanded formula to our state and reaffirm my commitment to finding new ways to keep libraries at the forefront of our efforts to move Illinois forward.”

Recently, the Secretary of State and lawmakers backed an update to the funding formula for Library Equalization Aid Grants, raising the base minimum funding from $7.50 per person in a library’s service population to $17.50 per person. With federal cuts threatening library funding this new state support will deliver additional dollars to more libraries in more communities across the state.

Under the new formula, Cicero Public Library is slated to receive nearly $100,000 to purchase new learning materials, expand offered programs and upgrade old or outdated library equipment.

“If we want educated, healthier communities, we need to support our local libraries,” Hernandez said. “Our area is fortunate to be served by Cicero Public Library and its dedicated staff, let’s continue to build on this new support.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As Illinois communities continue to push back against violent, inhumane immigration enforcement actions by federal officials, state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D- Cicero, backed measures to prevent certain operations at or near courthouses and add safeguards for undocumented people at hospitals, daycares and on college campuses.

“In no scenario is it permissible for federal immigration officials to launch from unmarked vans, throw innocent people to the ground, detain them and ship them to some unknown location or detention center where they are denied their constitutional rights,” Hernandez said. “Too many in my community have had to put the pieces together as to where their family member went, how to contact them and if they are ever able to come home.”

Hernandez supported House Bill 1312 which allows for a private right of action against agents who, in the process of conducting immigration enforcement, knowingly violate the Illinois and U.S. Constitutions. Considering factors in a case could include if an agent wore a mask, failed to reveal identity as an agent or used nonlethal chemical weapons.

The Hernandez-backed legislation also establishes protections for those without citizenship including at:

• Courthouses: prohibits civil immigration arrests at or near courthouses and provides civil penalties for violations and attorney fee recovery.
• Hospitals: requires hospitals to create formal policies for handling law-enforcement interactions, bars cooperation with immigration enforcement unless there is a judicial warrant and protects patient immigration-related information.
• Daycares: prohibits disclosing immigration information about children or families and requires policies and training to protect children if a parent faces immigration action.

Additionally, the legislation establishes protections for Illinois college students in the midst of growing immigration raids in the state. It specifically bars universities from disclosing citizenship information, requires staff to be trained on verifying immigration warrants and helps students access immigrant rights resources.

“What is encouraged by this administration to occur in our streets is unacceptable behavior for a country founded on the immigrant experience,” Hernandez said. “This legislation fights back and sets clear boundaries for how these operations are conducted in the state of Illinois. We are not going to sit by while mothers are kidnapped outside grocery stores or day laborers are ripped from their work trucks.”