SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — In honor of the late local nightlife legend and drag icon JoJo Baby, state Rep. Hoan Huynh, D-Chicago, recently presented a resolution to the House recognizing their life
and impact on Chicago and the broader LGBTQIA+ community.

“JoJo Baby was cherished by our community for their bold and unapologetic authenticity,” said Huynh.” Their work continues to inspire a new generation of queer performers and artists who are shaping Chicago’s creative scene.”

Huynh recently introduced HR 530 in honor of JoJo Baby, an audacious artist and drag performer who challenged mainstream ideas of beauty and heteronormativity. JoJo Baby stood apart from other drag performers by often wearing elaborate, grim costumes that contrasted starkly with the bright and hyperfeminine styles typically seen in drag. They were also known for creating dolls containing real human teeth and hair, unique works that further showcased their unique vision and boldness.

JoJo Baby was a longtime performer at Smart Bar, appearing there nearly every Saturday until their passing from cancer in 2023. In addition to their contributions on the stage, JoJo Baby also led philanthropic efforts to address issues such as the HIV/AIDs epidemic and the issues facing queer youth.

“JoJo Baby’s journey is a story of resilience and courage,” said Huynh. “Today, we celebrate their legacy and the light they brought to everyone who crossed their path.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Hoan Huynh, D-Chicago, is joining forces with state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, state Rep. Dan Swanson, R-Alpha, state Rep. Wayne Rosenthal, R-Morrisonville, and veteran groups from across the state to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in the Blue Room at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30.

Huynh, who is Illinois’ first Vietnamese American state representative and refugee of the Vietnam War, is the lead sponsor of House Resolution 249 and House Resolution 197. HR 249 recognizes the significance of the end of the Vietnam War by honoring the veterans who fought under the flags of the United States of America and the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). HR 197 officially declares the flag of the Republic of Vietnam as the flag of Illinois’ Vietnamese American community.

Huynh’s resolutions will be voted on during a hearing of the House’s International Relations, Tourism and Trade Committee on the same day that is scheduled to begin at 10:00AM in the Capitol’s Room 114.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Hoan Huynh, D-Chicago, will join veterans from across the state to commemorate and reflect on the 50th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon and end of the Vietnam War during a press conference in the Blue Room at 9:30 a.m. on April 30, 2025.

Huynh, who is Illinois’ first Vietnamese American state representative and refugee of the Vietnam War, is the lead sponsor of House Resolution 249 and House Resolution 197. HR 249 recognizes the significance of the end of the Vietnam War by honoring the veterans who fought under the flags of the United States of America and the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). HR 197 officially declares the flag of the Republic of Vietnam as the flag of Illinois’ Vietnamese American community.

“We must never forget the courage and sacrifice of the veterans who served during the Vietnam War and those who did not return,” said Huynh. “As the proud son of a father, who fought communist tyranny to preserve democratic ideals alongside American forces, I am honored to help our veterans finally get the recognition that they deserved decades ago and highlight the flag of South Vietnam as an enduring symbol of hope and Illinois’ Vietnamese American community.”

Huynh’s resolutions will be voted on during a hearing of the House’s International Relations, Tourism and Trade Committee on April 30 that is scheduled to begin at 10:00AM in the Capitol’s Room 114.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Hoan Huynh, D-Chicago, is working to reduce traffic fatalities by passing a new measure to review and reform state road rules with an eye toward safety.

“Every year, countless people have lost their lives because of inadequate protections governing the rules of the road,” said Huynh. “It is always the right time to do the right thing and make changes that save lives.”

Huynh’s House Bill 2131 will create a Zero Traffic Fatalities Task Force to examine speeding laws to reduce traffic deaths with zero as an end goal. The task force will include members from state transportation agencies such as the Secretary of State’s office and Department of Transportation. In addition, members from bicycle and motorcycle organizations will also participate. After the taskforce’s dissolution, its members will present a report to the General Assembly before Jan. 1, 2025.

The bill was approved by both the House and Senate, and now awaits final approval by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“In our highly urbanized community, bike lanes are a necessity. Despite this, it isn’t rare to see drivers using bicycle lanes leading to traffic accidents and deaths,” said Huynh. “I am proud to see this legislation continue to move forward, and I am excited to see Gov. Pritzker sign it into law.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Hoan Huynh, D-Chicago, is cracking down on junk mail and scammers with a new measure that hold businesses sending mail solicitations more accountable.

“Everyone can become a target of junk mail solicitations. And whether they’re older adults, new Americans, or families on fixed incomes what they all have in common is that they can’t afford to lose their hard-earned money to scammers,” Huynh said. “Throughout the city, countless consumers have been tricked into reverse mortgages and other unhelpful arrangements because of deceptive marketing tactics. Scammers take people’s money and property while providing nothing in return have no place in Illinois.”

Huynh passed Senate Bill 1440, which requires businesses that send mailed advertisements to clearly articulate what company they actually are and what services they provide. In addition, the law prevents these advertisements from instructing the recipients to contact them in another venue to buy a good or service. The bill is intended to stamp out the misleading mail marketing tactics that are prevalent in the insurance, mortgage and automotive industries.

“No longer can companies coerce people into buying their products by falsely claiming that your mortgage is late, warranty has expired or insurance has lapsed. Good businesses don’t need to lie to reach their customers,” Huynh said. “I am proud that we have taken this step to root out this sort of gross deception in Illinois, and I hope that no one falls victim to any of the schemes that these unscrupulous companies use.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Preventative liver screenings and other diagnostics will now be covered by insurers in Illinois under a bill that was championed by state Rep. Hoan Huynh, D-Chicago.

“People throughout our community have made it known that they would like to access liver testing, but they were consistently prevented by the high cost of the diagnostics,” Huynh said. “It is not right that there are people with insurance who cannot get the policy to cover the very medically necessary procedures that they need to lead a good life.”

Huynh’s Senate Bill 1282 addresses rising concerns about the cost of preventative liver screenings, will be vital in detecting forms of cancer and cirrhosis of the liver. Early detection is critical to improving the odds of survival for those affected by both conditions. The bill, sponsored in partnership with Sen. Mike Simmons, now heads to the governor’s desk after receiving bipartisan support in both chambers.

“People shouldn’t have to choose between buying their next meal or their medication,” Huynh said. “Rising costs of healthcare and general inflation are suffocating our working families and seniors. I remain committed to working to find ways to implement real relief for those who need it most.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Residents across the state will have better access to quality affordable housing under legislation passed by state Rep. Hoan Huynh, D-Chicago.

“Throughout the pandemic, we saw the sincere need for expanded protections for renters and homeowners. The need for affordable housing options remains even as emergency orders end,” Huynh said. “Access to housing is a fundamental right, and I will continue to fight to pass legislation like this that addresses the most pressing needs of those living our community.”

Huynh’s Senate Bill 1476 strengthens the state’s housing laws to reflect the true costs renters and homeowners face, and expand access to high-quality affordable options. The bill expands the criteria used to define affordable housing to also consider the costs of parking, maintenance, and any landlord-imposed fees.

Under this broader definition, cities and villages must also ensure a larger percentage of overall housing qualifies as “affordable.” Currently, a municipality can only block construction of new affordable housing if they can show 10% of current housing options meet affordability standards. Huynh’s bill would increase this percentage to 15%, ensuring broader access to quality housing.

“For far too long, low-income families have been forced to live in less-than-ideal situations because of a lack of options and concerted efforts to prevent new construction,” Huynh said. “Quality, affordable housing in every community not only strengthens those neighborhoods, it is also a boost for businesses when employees can live near where they work. We can pass policy that simultaneously helps our working families and helps business become as successful as possible.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Representatives Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, and Hoan Huynh, D-Chicago, are inviting Vietnam War Veterans to come and be recognized in the gallery of the Illinois House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 29^th by House Resolution 104.  House Resolution 104 officially designates March 29, 2023 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in the State of Illinois.

“We need to always strive to give the proper recognition to our Vietnam Veterans to make up for the disrespectful way they were treated upon their return home after serving bravely and faithfully for our Country” stated Kifowit, the only female Veteran in the General Assembly. “I am honored to be able to call many Vietnam Veterans my friends”.

This year, Representative Kifowit is joined by Representative Hoan Huynh in Welcoming Home our Vietnam Veterans by the Illinois House of Representatives.  Representative Huynh, the first Illinois House Representative of Vietnamese ancestry and from a Vietnam War refugee background, is also encouraging members of the Vietnamese community who served with American Servicemembers in the South Vietnamese Military to also come and be recognized in the Illinois House gallery.

“I am proud to be the son of a South Vietnamese military officer, who served bravely alongside our American Veterans in the Vietnam War and I welcome members of the Army Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) to come and be recognized alongside the American Veterans they served with. Almost a million members of the South Vietnamese Military served proudly beside the United States Military during the 20-year war in Vietnam,” stated Huynh.  “After the fall of Saigon, hundreds of thousands of Army Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) soldiers were sent to concentration camps and perished by the new totalitarian government.  Few of the brave soldiers who served received political asylum to the United States and settled in Illinois to have an opportunity for a better life without persecution”. 

In 1965, United States Armed Forces ground combat units arrived in Vietnam, and by the end of that year, there were 80,000 United States troops in Vietnam with a peak of approximately 500,000 troops in 1969.  More than 58,000 members of the United States Armed Forces lost their lives in Vietnam, and more than 300,000 members were wounded.  The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 by the United States Congress officially recognizes March 29^th as the day when the last combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam in 1973.

This year, March 29, 2023 marks the 50^th Anniversary of this withdrawal and throughout these 50 years, Veterans of the Vietnam War faithfully have served and contributed to their communities since returning home.  House Resolution 104 will be voted on during the regular session of the Illinois House on March 29, 2023 and the expected start of session is 12:00 (noon) but attendees are to arrive early to allow for security entrance.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Huynh, D-Chicago, will use his roles on several House legislative committees to focus on expanding access to healthcare and housing, protecting human rights and immigrants, and maintaining the states infrastructure to support the state’s economy.

“As we finally transition from the pandemic, it is clear that we must address the deep-seated disparities in healthcare and other metrics that contributed to higher rates of infection and death in diverse communities at its height,” Huynh said. “We must also continue to make sure that Illinois remains a welcoming state for the countless families and individuals who come to the United States seek a better way of life.”

Huynh serves on the following committees:

• Appropriations – Health and Human Services
• Appropriations – General Service
• Health Care Availability and Access
• Housing
• Immigration and Human Rights
• Transportation: Regulation, Roads, and Bridges

“It is essential for us to be willing to think in nontraditional ways to find the most effective solutions to the challenges we face,” said Huynh. “I know there is great experience in my fellow committee members on these issues, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to get things done on behalf of the people of our great state.”

CHICAGO —State Rep. Hoan Huynh, D-Chicago, is inviting community members to attend his district office grand opening, on Monday, February 6th from noon – 4pm, at 1967 W. Montrose Ave. Huynh would like to let district residents know that they can access services through the 13th District Office.

“I’m excited to welcome neighbors from throughout our district and collaborate on goals we can work towards, together,” Huynh said. “I want the public to become familiar with our office and my staff so they know it’s a welcoming space.

Huynh has reopened the district office of long-serving former state Rep. Greg Harris, is having his grand opening for his full-time constituent service office. Huynh will discuss his goals, legislative agenda and answer questions from attendees. Light refreshments and food will be served. The event will also feature a Lunar New Year lion dance performance. This event is free and open to the public. 

“After succeeding Rep. Harris, who had a profound impact on all of our communities, I wish to speak with and listen to our communities to make sure that we can provide the necessary assistance people need to lead their best lives,” Huynh said. “I am looking forward to being the voice for our communities in Springfield and my office being a resource right here for those who most need the help.”