CHICAGO, Ill. – In honor of Latino Heritage Month, state Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, is partnering with state and city agencies, local businesses and community organizations—along with legislative colleagues including state Sens. Omar Aquino and Cristina H. Pacione-Zayas, state Rep. Will Guzzardi and Alderpersons Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez—to hold a Job Fair Saturday, October 15 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Northeastern Illinois University, El Centro, at 3390 N. Avondale Ave, in Chicago.

“Supporting those who are looking for jobs, or looking to trade up to better situations, is a critical part of promoting economic equality and opportunity, as well as upward mobility,” Ramirez said. “That’s why I’m partnering with the city, the state and others to connect workers and employers at this event.”

The organizers say they are especially interested in promoting increased representation of the Latino community in state and local government, and multiple state and local government employers will be on hand.  Free on-site parking will be available and participants are encouraged to bring multiple copies of their resume. All are welcome to attend.

“The people and families of our community work hard every day and have a wealth of passions and talents they bring to the table,” Ramirez said. “Helping connect them with a network of resources and potential employers is a valuable investment in the area’s economy and neighborhoods.”

CHICAGO – State Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, is inviting residents to a Medicaid Enrollment event Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Northeastern Illinois University’s El Centro campus, 3390 N. Avondale Ave. in Chicago, in partnership with state Reps. Will Guzzardi and Jaime Andrade, state Sens. Omar Aquino and Cristina Pacione-Zayas and Chicago Ald. Carlos Rosa.

Because of new laws proposed and championed by Rep. Ramirez, which expanded healthcare access in Illinois, Medicaid enrollment is now available to anyone in Illinois aged 42 or older who earns under 138% of the federal poverty guideline, regardless of their immigration status.

“Residents who need healthcare for themselves or their families should join us at this free event,” Ramirez said. “Healthcare navigators will be on hand to help people enroll, so this is a fantastic opportunity to get covered and gain the protection and peace of mind that comes with that.”

Walk-in appointments will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability. However, those wishing to attend the event are strongly encouraged to make an appointment in advance by calling 312-620-7592. Attendees should also bring the following documents: identification, proof of income and proof of household size. Those having difficulty obtaining all these documents should keep their appointment and bring what they have.

Ramirez’s constituent service office is reachable at 773-799-8219 or info@repdeliaramirez.com.

CHICAGO, Ill. – State Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, is condemning the U.S. Senate Republicans and speaking out on behalf of those living with diabetes following Republicans’ vote to block a $35 monthly cap on the cost of insulin. 

“Over 30 million Americans, and 1.3 million people in Illinois, including my mother, are living with diabetes,” Ramirez said. “On Sunday, GOP Senators stripped a provision from the Inflation Reduction Act which would have ensured that individuals can afford the insulin they need to stay alive. This is unconscionable–the GOP is openly saying that the lives of diabetics are less important than Big Pharma’s profit margins.” 

Forty-three Republican senators voted to block the insulin cap. A recent Yale study found that 14 percent of the 7 million Americans who need insulin daily are forced to spend more than 40 percent of their income after food and housing on insulin.   

Since 2020, state law has capped the price with insurance of a month’s supply of insulin at $100 in Illinois. Ramirez helped sponsor House Bill 1466 in 2021 which would have lowered that state cap to $35. That bill stalled in the Illinois Senate. House Resolution 806, which calls for a federal cap and censures several Illinois GOP Congresspeople, among other things, was adopted on April 4, despite no support from Illinois Republicans.

“Republicans love to claim they are the party of average people, but their actions speak louder than their lies,” Ramirez said. “They pretend to be outraged at the price of gasoline and other essentials but then they vote to keep insulin as expensive as $1,200 a month. It’s pure hypocrisy. The people’s representatives have an obligation to represent the people, not pander and kowtow to corporations and their billionaire owners. This is just one more example of Republicans’ willful and blatant failure to do right by the people who elected them. We need to hold them accountable and demand they represent our working families.” 

Ramirez’s constituent service office is reachable at 773-799-8219 or info@repdeliaramirez.com.

CHICAGO, Ill. – State Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, is inviting community members to a Back-to-School Family Fair on Saturday, August 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Bloc, 1345 N. Karlov Ave. in Chicago, in partnership with state Sen. Omar Aquino. 

“As we begin another school year, it’s important to be prepared,” Ramirez said. “I encourage everyone to come out and bring your students to take advantage of this opportunity to start the school year off on the right foot.”

The event will include live music, games and activities, free food and resources, along with free school bags with supplies for adults who attend with their children. Services available will include drivers’ license and ID renewal, school physicals; dental, vision, and health screenings; STI/HIV services and Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations for ages 6 months and up.

The event is open to the public. 

Ramirez’s constituent service office is reachable at 773-799-8219 or info@repdeliaramirez.com.

CHICAGO, Ill. – State Representative Delia C. Ramirez, D-Chicago, is celebrating the signing of HB 5581, which designates Illinois Route 21/Milwaukee Ave from Sangamon St. in Chicago to Greenwood Rd. in the Village of Niles as the Milwaukee Avenue Polish Heritage Corridor. The bill, introduced and sponsored by Ramirez, was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker on June 10, 2022.

“Our city and state are richer and fuller due to the many contributions from the Polish American community” said Rep. Ramirez. “Establishing this Polish Heritage Corridor is an opportunity for us to acknowledge, reflect, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Polish Americans in Chicago and throughout our state. Investing in and celebrating the unique cultural heritage of the communities I represent has been an important part of my work in the state legislature. I am proud to have led this initiative and demonstration of Illinois’ deep and historic connection to Polish history and culture.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, from 2016-2020 people with Polish ancestry made up, on average, around 2.7% of those living in the United States and around 6.6% of Illinois residents, giving Illinois one of the highest proportions of residents with Polish ancestry in the nation.

The new law authorizes the Illinois Department of Transportation to erect plaques along the Corridor in recognition of its new status.

“I am pleased that Gov. Pritzker has signed this important bill into law,” said Ramirez. “I look forward to working with the administration as we continue to partner in honoring, investing in, and preserving the unique cultural heritage and legacy of Illinois’ diverse communities.”

For more information call Rep. Ramirez’ office at 773-799-8219 or email info@repdeliaramirez.com.

CHICAGO – To inaugurate the newly-established Milwaukee Avenue Polish Heritage Corridor, state Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, and state Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, D-Chicago, are holding a press conference on Thursday, June 16 at 2 p.m. at the Polish Museum of America, 984 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Ramirez will also be joined by Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, Sen. Robert F. Martwick and representatives of the Polish-American Chamber of Commerce.

Ramirez passed House Bill 5581 creating the new Heritage Corridor, and the bill was signed into law last week.

For more information call Ramirez at 773-799-8219 or email info@repdeliaramirez.com.  

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – HB 5525, sponsored by State Representative Delia C. Ramirez, D-Chicago, was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker on Friday, May 13, 2022. The new law creates a Commission on Children of Incarcerated Parents which will help address the issues experienced by children who have been impacted by parental incarceration.

“Hundreds of thousands of Illinois children have a parent who has been incarcerated,” said Rep. Ramirez. “Seeing a parent arrested and taken away is an incredibly traumatic experience for a child. Our justice system must do better when it comes to supporting families impacted by parental incarceration; and that is precisely the goal of this Commission.”

The recommendations the Commission will be responsible for implementing were made by the state’s Task Force on Children of Incarcerated Parents which met between August 2019 and December 2020. Rep. Ramirez helped lead the Task Force, which issued its report in December 2020.

Other involved leaders included Lt. Governor Julianna Stratton and State Senator Mike Simmons. Organizations which supported the bill include the Women’s Justice Institute and Cabrini Green Legal Aid.

Among the Task Force’s recommendations are audits of state policy and procedures, enhanced training and inter-agency communication for law enforcement, reviewing law enforcement procedures for arrests which are made in the presence of children, reviewing visitation policies at Illinois jails and detention centers, as well as the creation of the Commission.

“Children should not be further traumatized when their parents come in contact with the criminal justice system,” said Ramirez. “It is up to us to ensure that our justice system is ethical and humane when it comes to how arrests and incarceration affect families, especially children. I am proud to have helped lead the way to a more compassionate future for many of Illinois’ children.”

For more information call Rep. Ramirez’ office at 773-799-8219 or email info@repdeliaramirez.com.

“After a long, public process led by one of our own, Leader Lisa Hernandez, the Illinois House Latino Caucus applauds the historic congressional map passed by both chambers tonight. A product of notable collaboration, we are pleased this map will include a second district of significant Latino representation. This would be the first time in Illinois’ history that the Latino community can influence two congressional districts. If signed into law, this map will only add to Illinois’ reputation as being a model for the nation when it comes to minority representation.”

CHICAGO, Ill – State Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, is hosting a Housing Fair to combat housing instability in the Chicagoland area. The event will be held Saturday, Oct. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Association House of Chicago, located at 1116 North Kedzie Avenue. Representative Ramirez and Senator Aquino will make remarks to attendees and media at 10:15.

“Housing is critical for all families. As we enter our second winter in the pandemic, stable housing is more necessary than ever,” Ramirez said. “I am holding a housing fair to help provide the resources people need to keep them from losing their homes. Anyone facing the possibility of housing instability should come to access the wide-range of resources we will have free of charge. As the federal and state eviction moratorium ends, renters and homeowners are still in need of resources. While we are starting to overcome the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still hurdles for our community to clear. Please join me to ensure that happens.”

The housing fair will have tools to find and secure affordable housing, access rental assistance and renters’ rights initiatives to support those facing housing instability, and resources for homeowners available.

​

WHO:                 State Rep. Delia Ramirez

WHAT:               Housing Fair

WHEN:               Saturday, Oct. 2

                           10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE:            Association House of Chicago

                          1116 North Kedzie Ave.

CHICAGO – State Representative Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, has lifted her motion to reconsider HB 2908. The legislation that creates a path to a fully-elected school board for Chicago Public Schools will now be sent to the governor’s desk. This action comes after meeting with stakeholders to begin discussing outstanding issues that may be addressed in trailer legislation during the fall veto session.

“Parents should have a voice in their children’s education and now Chicago will be in line with the rest of Illinois on this issue. Returning this right to Chicago parents, the overwhelming majority of whom support this measure, is an honor. Their participation in this process was invaluable and shows that they will be active participants in the electoral process which begins in 2024.

“I appreciate the support I’ve received from my fellow legislators, especially state Senator Martwick, who shepherded this measure through the state Senate. As a long time supporter of an elected school board, it is my hope that Gov. Pritzker will sign this measure into law expeditiously.”