SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s recent threats that he will withhold COVID-19 related economic relief from states that do not comply with his extreme anti-immigrant agenda:

“It is unconscionable that the president would exploit a public health crisis to play demagogic political games with the lives of working families and seniors who are physically and financially suffering during this pandemic. His threats to withhold needed economic aid to states that are welcoming to immigrants is simply another chapter is his amoral playbook, written to distract from his failures by cloaking them in his racist, xenophobic rhetoric.

“We strongly condemn the president’s villainous attempts to turn us against our immigrant families, friends and neighbors by extorting us in our time of need. The Latino Caucus will not allow our immigrant communities to be left behind and any attempts made to alienate them will fail because immigrants are sewn into the fiber of our communities.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s recent announcement that he will suspend immigration into the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

“We are deeply concerned that during a global pandemic that requires thoughtful and consistent leadership, the president swings back and forth between dismissing the gravity of the situation to continuously finding someone to unfairly blame for the toll it is taking on our economy and families. Rather than heed the recommendations of medical and public health experts, he is once again inserting his anti-immigrant, xenophobic, fearmongering rhetoric into the conversation to distract from his mishandling of the crisis and for tens of thousands of lives lost.

“During this pandemic, the labor of many professions with high immigrant demographics, such as janitorial staff, grocery store workers and farmworkers, has been deemed essential- but to us they have always been essential. Countless continue to go to work each day during this pandemic to provide for their families and to serve all of us. This demonstrates not only their commitment to their families but also highlights their contributions to our communities as critical to our collective livelihoods. Without them, we would not have food to eat, shelves stocked and clean hospital rooms, along with the numerous immigrants that are serving as first responders, doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, x-ray techs, and the list goes on. They should all be treated accordingly.

“We are appalled that even during this unprecedented crisis that necessitates unity and empathy, the president continues to attack our immigrant families and neighbors instead of giving them the respect they deserve. The Latino Caucus will continue to stand and fight with the immigrant community to ensure that they have a seat at the table as we navigate these uncertain times.”

BATAVIA, Ill. – If someone is a victim of domestic violence, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, is encouraging them to call the Domestic Violence Hotline to ensure they receive life-saving support during this unprecedented time.

“There are many people staying at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, which can put people who are living in unsafe conditions in jeopardy,” said Villa. “It is imperative that our communities and state provide those individuals with support if someone in their home is violent towards them.”

Villa is committed to ensuring that survivors of domestic violence receive support and assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who are living with a violent individual can contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-877-TO END DV or 1-877-863-6338 (Voice) for information and support. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, is free and provides support in a variety of languages. Villa encourages anyone who is a victim of domestic violence to call the hotline. In cases of immediate danger, they should contact the police.

“No one should be in fear for their life because of an unsafe living situation,” said Villa. “If you or someone you know are a victim of domestic violence, please contact the appropriate authorities to ensure that person can receive assistance.”

For COVID-19 updates, residents can sign up for Villa’s newsletter by visiting www.facebook.com/StateRepVilla/ or emailing Villa’s office at staterepkarinavilla@gmail.com. Her newsletter is in English and Spanish, and is sent on Tuesday and Thursday each week.

BATAVIA, Ill. – Community members who want regular updates on available state resources for the COVID-19 pandemic can sign up for state Rep. Karina Villa’s e-newsletter. Villa, D-West Chicago, wants to ensure residents are up-to-date on the ever-growing pandemic.

“Every day, we learn more information about what the coronavirus is doing to our communities and state, but it is difficult to sort through and understand everything,” said Villa. “My office is collecting the different resources available, and helping residents understand what they need to know to combat this pandemic.”

Villa’s number one priority is making sure that community members are receiving fact-based and accurate information about the COVID-19 emergency, which is why she launched her e-newsletter for residents. Her office is consolidating information it receives from a variety of different organizations, such as the administration, non-profits and the business community, and distributing it to community members in an easy-to-read format.

“It is essential that residents are informed about what is happening in the world right now,” said Villa. “If anyone has questions or concerns about the pandemic or how it affects you, please do not hesitate to contact my office.”

Anyone who is interested in signing up can visit www.facebook.com/StateRepVilla/ or email Villa’s office at staterepkarinavilla@gmail.com. Her newsletter is in English and Spanish, and is sent on Tuesday and Thursday each week.

CHICAGO – The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus released the following statement amid Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “stay at home” order, urging local families to contact their constituent service offices via phone or email in order to continue connecting them to resources, as well as to follow the recommendations of medical experts. 

“It it is on every one of us to continue following the advice of medical experts and community leaders to ensure the well-being of our communities. The number of new cases has to be slowed down, so that our local hospitals and health care workers have the capacity and the resources to care for those who are sick. Now more than ever, we must support each other and ensure nobody is left behind. Immigrant families must know that they are not alone and that we are fighting for them just like everyone else.

“The governor’s ‘stay at home’ order is based on the best recommendations of medical professionals to ‘reduce the curve’ and save lives, and we must all take it seriously. While we should all take steps to remain inside as much as possible, essential services will continue. We can continue to get groceries, medicine, gas and other essentials. We can continue to exercise outdoors in keeping with social distancing practices. We should continue to care for and check in on loved ones.

“A lot of misinformation is being spread on the internet, so we must stay vigilant. We encourage local families to continue contacting our offices via phone or email. It is our priority to ensure our community is informed on the actual work that is being done to address this public health crisis. Whether you are small business owner, a Dreamer, a single parent or senior we are here to support you and connect you to whatever resources you may need. We will get through this together.”

Local families with questions about COVID-19 may also call the Illinois Department of Public Health’s hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov. For more information regarding unemployment benefits, people may contact the Illinois Department of Employment at 1-800-244-5631 or visit www2.illinois.gov/ides.    

 

###

 

CHICAGO – En medio de la orden de ‘permanecer en casa’ del Gobernador J.B. Pritzker, el Caucus Legislativo Latino de Illinois publico la siguiente declaración de prensa cual urge a las familias locales a que contacten a sus oficinas de servicios al contituyente por teléfono o correo electrónico para poder seguir conectandolos con recursos, y también que sigan los consejos de los expertos médicos.

“Es la responsabilidad de cada uno de nosotros a seguir los consejos de los expertos médicos y líderes locales para asegurar el bienestar de nuestras comunidades. La cantidad de casos nuevos debe ser reducido para que nuestros hospitales locales y trabajadores de salud tenga la capacidad y los recursos para atender a los enfermos. Ahora más que nunca, tenemos que apoyarnos y asegurar que nadie sea olvidado. Las familias inmigrantes tienen que saber que no están solas y que estamos luchando por ellos como todos los demás.

“La orden de ‘permanecer en casa’ del gobernador esta basada en las mejores recomendaciones de profesionales médicos para ‘reducir la curva’ y salvar vidas, así que la tenemos que tomar en serio. Aunque todos debemos tomar medidas para permanecer en casa lo más posible, los servicios esenciales continuarán. Podemos seguir comprando alimentos, medicina, gasolina y otras necesidades. Podemos seguir haciendo ejercicio afuera de acurdo a los consejos de mantener distancia social. Y podemos seguir cuidando a nuestros seres queridos.

“Mucha información falsa se está distribuyendo en el internet así que tenemos que estar en alerta. Urjamos a las familias locales a que sigan contactando a nuestras oficina por teléfono o correo electrónico. Nuestra prioridad es asegurar que nuestra comunidad esté informada sobre el trabajo que se está haciendo para resolver esta crisis de salud pública. Sea un dueño de negocio local, un Dreamer, una madre soltera o un anciano, sepa que estamos aquí para ayudarle y conectarlo con cualquier recurso que necesite. Superaremos esto juntos.”

Familias locales con preguntas sobre el virus COVID-19 pueden llamar la linea del Departamento de Salud Pública de Illinois al 1-800-889-3931 o por correo electrónico a dph.sick@illinois.gov. Para más información sobre los benificios de desempleo, individuos pueden comunicarse con el Departamento de Seguridad de Empleo de Illinois (IDES) al 1-800-244-5631o visite www2.illinois.gov/ides.   

 

 

 

CHICAGO – Amid the announcement of a national emergency by the president and restaurant and bar on-site consumption closures by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus, is highlighting unemployment benefits and other economic assistance available to working families:

“It is crucial that working families in our community, particularly Spanish-speaking and immigrant families, know that we are here for them during these tough times,” state Rep. Lisa Hernandez said. “We are coordinating with Gov. Pritzker and leaders at all levels of government to make sure families are fully informed about the available resources to help them overcome this public health crisis. And we look forward to ensuring testing is available to all Illinois residents, regardless of immigration status.”

In an effort to assist working families impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) adopted emergency rules that would allow individuals who have been temporarily laid off to qualify for benefits. Individuals would be considered actively seeking work as long as they are prepared to return to work as soon as their employer reopens. Individuals that are confined to their home due to illness or to care for a family member, must meet eligibility requirements such as registering with the state employment service and actively seeking work. For more information, please contact IDES at 1-800-244-5631 or visit www2.illinois.gov/ides.

Starting on March 17, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will work with schools statewide to provide two meals a day to children who qualify for free and reduced lunch and the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will provide food to every child outside their nearest neighborhood school between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Additionally, a moratorium on shutoff was put out for utility companies. ComEd and Ameren announced they are suspending disconnects and waiving late-payment fees, as well as AT&T and Comcast. Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi.

Court-ordered evictions have been suspended in Cook County and Emergency Rental Assistance is available to Chicago families suffering financial hardship. For more information, local families can visit their local Community Service Center or call 3-1-1.

“Our state has taken critical first steps to prevent food insecurity and make sure families do not fear losing their homes,” state Rep. Delia Ramirez said. “The Latino Caucus is ready to get work to ensure resources are making their way to our communities and ensure proactive steps are taken to lessen the effects of the housing and employment crisis that will soon hit working families.

###

CHICAGO – En medio del anuncio de una emergencia nacional por parte del president y el Gobernador J.B. Pritzker ordenando que todos los bares y restaurantes deben parar de servir clientes dentro de sus locales, el Caucus Legislativo Latino de Illinois, está llamando atención hacia beneficios de desempleo y otra asistencia económica para las familias trabajadoras:

“Es critico que la familias trabajadoras en nuestra comunidad, particularmente las familias inmigrantes y los hogares donde el español es el idioma dominante, sepan que estamos aquí para ellos durante estos tiempos difíciles,” dijo la Rep. Estatal Lisa Hernandez. “Estamos coordinando con el Gobernador Pritzker y líderes a todos los niveles del gobierno para aseguar que las familias sepan sobre los recursos disponibles para ayudarles a superar esta crisis de salud pública. Y esperamos trabajar para asegurar que las pruebas del virus estén disponibles para todos los residentes de Illinois, a pesar de su estatus migratorio.”  

Para ayudarles a las familias impactadas por el virus COVID-19, el Departamento de Seguridad de Empleo de Illinois (IDES) adopto reglas de emergencia que permitirá que individuos que han sido despedidos temporalmente califiquen por beneficios. Individuos serán considerados como buscando empleo activamente siempre y cuando estén preparados para regresar a sus trabajos tan pronto como vuelvan a abrir sus puertas. Inviduos que esten confinados a su hogar debido a una enfermedad o para cuidar a un familiar, deben cumplir con los requisitos de elegibilidad, como registrarse en el servicio estatal de empleo y buscar trabajo activamente. Para más información, por favor contacte a IDES al 1-800-244-5631o visite www2.illinois.gov/ides.    

Empezando el 17 de marzo, la Junta de Educación Estatal de Illinois (ISBE) trabajará con todas las escuelas para proveer dos comidas diarias a los niños que califiquen por almuerzo gratis o reducido y las escuelas de Chicago (CPS) proverán comida para cada niño afuera de las escuela locales durante las horas de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. Adicionalmente, ComEd y Ameren anunciaron que van a suspender las desconecciones y los cargos por pagos atrasados. AT&T y Comcast anuncionaron lo mismo. Xfinity WiFi hotspots estarán disponibles para todas las personas que los necesiten, incluyendo a los que no sean clientes de la compañía. Visite www.xfinity.com/wifi para un mapa de los WiFi hotspots de Xfinity.  

Desalojos ordenados por una corte has sido suspendidos en el Condado de Cook y Asistencia de Renta de Emergencia para las familias de Chicago con dificultades financieras están disponible. Para más información, familias locales pueden comunicarse con su Centro de Servicios Comunitarios o con el 3-1-1.

“Nuestro estado ha tomado los primeros pasos críticos para prevenir la inseguridad de comida y asegurar que las familias no pierdan sus hogares,” dijo la Rep. Estal Delia Ramirez. “El Caucus Latino está listo para trabajar para que recursos lleguen a nuestras comunidades y asegurar que pasos proactivos sean tomados para disminuir los efectos de la crisis de vivienda y empleo que pronto afectará a las familias trabajadoras.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To highlight National Social Work Month and her efforts to support social workers throughout the state, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, recently passed legislation to expedite the licensure process to help qualified social workers enter the workforce.

“I know firsthand from my experience as a school social worker how important it is for children to have access to counseling and other mental health resources. For some kids just having someone to talk to makes all the difference,” said Villa. “While social work is often a thankless job, it is tremendously rewarding and important, as we focus on the wellness of individuals, families and communities.”

As a former school social worker and advocate for mental health, quality access to education and improved workforce safety, Villa passed Senate Bill 1888, a measure to provide social work graduate students the opportunity to sit for the authorized examination for licensed social workers during the final semester of their program. Villa’s law expedites the licensure process to help qualified social workers
enter the field quicker.

“Illinois is currently facing a shortage of licensed social workers, which is causing issues for important organizations like DCFS that work to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children,” continued Villa. “This new law streamlines the social worker licensure process to ensure that qualified social workers can enter the workforce as soon as possible to do the important job they have been trained to do.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus released the following statement in response to the illegitimate lawsuit by four county sheriffs who are defending the extrajudicial detention of immigrants that allows some of these interests to benefit from lucrative contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE):

“We are deeply disappointed that some of those tasked with enforcing our laws think that they can pick and choose who has constitutional rights. Time and time again in our country, communities of color have had to fight tooth and nail for the chance to be treated with the same dignity and respect under the law as their neighbors.

“We find it curious that some of the very interests who benefit financially from the unconstitutional detention of immigrants are bringing forth an illegitimate lawsuit based on a gross distortion of the law and cloaked with racially charged language.

 “The Illinois Trust Act is a bipartisan effort that ensures our state does not violate the constitutional rights of its people. In what world do these law enforcement officials think it is just to incarcerate someone without probable cause? And in what world do these officials think it is just to continue the incarceration of a person after they have served their time?

“We have faith that Attorney General Raoul will put an end to this racist fearmongering by enforcing the laws that ensure every resident in our state is afforded the civil rights they deserve. And we look forward to continuing to work with Gov. Pritzker to empower law enforcement to develop meaningful, positive relationships with the communities they serve.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To prevent age discrimination in the hiring process, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, is supportive of legislation that would prohibit employers from asking an applicant’s college graduate date on their application or initial interview.

“Under this measure, qualified applicants will be screened solely by their capabilities, competence, experience and suitability for the position they are applying for, ensuring that an applicant’s age is not a contributing factor,” said Villa. “By banning employers from asking applicants their age or their college graduation date, we help prevent age discrimination in the hiring process.”

Motivated by her social work background and dedication to support workers, Villa is backing House Bill 5159. Through this proposed legislation, if an employer asks an applicant any age identifying question throughout the application and interviewing processes, the employer will have committed a civil rights violation.

“Applicants of varying ages should be given the opportunity to apply and interview for an open position without the discouragement of an employer perceiving age as the deciding factor to even beginning the interview process,” stated Villa. “To ensure inclusivity and equality in Illinois, this legislation is one step forward in making our state and communities stronger.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Students would no longer be compelled to submit scores from standardized college admissions tests like the SAT or ACT on college applications under new legislation sponsored by state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago.

“With my experience as a school social worker, I know firsthand that there are many factors that may negatively impact a student’s performance on standardized tests,” said Villa. “Standardized tests are not proven to be a strong indicator of academic performance and achievement, so other factors like the student’s GPA, extracurricular activities and references should be taken into higher consideration for college admission.”

Villa is sponsoring House Bill 4064, which would create the Higher Education Fair Admissions Act. Under this measure, colleges, universities and other institutions of higher education could no longer require applicants to submit standardized test scores, like those from the SAT or ACT. Instead, students will have the option to voluntarily submit their scores if they so choose. One in four colleges in the United States does not require standardized test scores for admittance, including the University of Chicago, which reported record enrollments of first-generation, low-income and rural students after transition to this admissions process.

“Public higher education should be easily accessible, but underserved schools and low-income students disproportionately receive lower test scores than their high-income peers, meaning that college becomes less about furthering education and more about socioeconomic status,” continued Villa. “This legislation will ensure that all students that want to go to college have a fair shot at acceptance based upon their merit, not their performance on one test.”

For more information, please contact Rep. Villa’s constituent service office at 630-326-9319 or at StateRepKarinaVilla@gmail.com.