SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Continuing her fight to provide all women with access to basic healthcare services, state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, is opposing President Trump’s proposed cuts to organizations that provide women with access to contraception, STD testing, breast cancer screenings and women’s health exams.

“For far too long, the health and well-being of women across the nation have been in the hands of men, and the president’s attempts to cut federal funding to organizations that provide women with basic, sometimes life-saving services is unacceptable,” said Mussman. “Every single woman has the right to healthcare services, regardless of her income level, where she is from, her race or any other factor, and these cuts will put the lives of women across our state in jeopardy.”

Mussman is the primary House sponsor of House Resolution 1126, which urges the Trump Administration to keep original Title X guidelines in place so that millions of individuals can continue to receive basic health care services. Trump recently issued a proposal that would cut all Title X funding to any clinic or organization that assists women who need to get an abortion, including referrals. His cuts were made even though Title X funding is already prohibited from being used for abortion services; instead, it is used to provide women with access to contraception, women’s health exams, STD testing, breast cancer screenings and other essential health care services. Mussman strongly opposes the administration’s continuous attempts to block women from making their own decisions about their personal health care.

Continuing her advocacy to ensure all women have control over their own bodies, Mussman is sponsoring the resolution so that the thousands of women in Illinois who rely on Title X funding can continue to receive the assistance that they need to stay in good health and avoid unplanned pregnancies. She knows that, by cutting these funds to organizations such as Planned Parenthood and local clinics, women from disadvantaged backgrounds, such as low-income or rural communities that already lack access to health care services, will be unable to receive any reproductive healthcare services. To protect Illinois women from these cuts, Mussman is calling on Gov. Rauner to stand up to Trump and urge him to maintain the original Title X guidelines.

“Every single person has the right to go to the doctor when needed, and the cuts that Trump and his Republican allies have made to a program that has been funded by Republicans and Democrats since 1970 will only increase teen and unplanned pregnancy rates and put the lives of women with breast cancer in danger,” said Mussman. “Women across the state need these services, and Governor Rauner has the responsibility to urge his party leader to stop playing politics with the lives of women across the nation. If the governor is as serious as he claims to be about supporting a woman’s right to choose, then he will publically call on Trump to restore the original guidelines to Title X so that Illinois women can continue to receive the care that they need and deserve.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, has introduced legislation that will ensure that Dreamers and others are able to work in jobs that require state professional licenses and not be discriminated against.

“Over six months have passed since Donald Trump shamefully ended the DACA program and there still seems to be no clear path forward on the DREAM Act,” Hernandez said. “Without protected status, thousands of talented young people across Illinois risk the ability of being able to work. The time has come for us to take matters into our own hands and put protections in place that enable people to take care of their families and contribute to our economy.”

Hernandez is sponsoring House Bill 5097, which would prohibit the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) from denying someone a license based solely on the fact that they are not a United States citizen, if:

• The United States Department of Homeland Security has approved the person’s request for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA);
• The person’s DACA has not expired or has been properly renewed; and
• The person has a current, valid employment authorization document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The measure was approved by the Business & Occupational Licenses Committee this week, and now heads to the House floor for consideration.

“It is an absolute disgrace that Illinois’ 42,000 Dreamers have a governor who has cowardly stood on the sidelines while everything they’ve ever known has been at risk of being yanked away from them by Donald Trump,” Hernandez said. “While the Trust Act was a major victory for immigrant communities, our work is far from done.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation aimed at protecting Illinois students from predatory lenders is now law, after efforts by co-sponsor state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, to pass the legislation despite a veto by Governor Bruce Rauner.

“I’m thrilled that there were members on both sides of the aisle who saw past the partisanship to help turn a good bill into law,” Scherer said. “Now we’ve got better protections in place for anyone that needs a student loan to go to college in Illinois. This will help keep our young people from getting duped by loan companies into having to pay these unfair debts for the rest of their lives.”

Scherer was a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 1351, which in addition to establishing a Student Loan Bill of Rights, also created a Student Loan Ombudsman within the Office of the Attorney General to assist students with the loan servicing process. The legislation also gives the Attorney General the ability enforce provisions on student loan providers to prevent them from using deceptive business practices against those seeking loans for college. Finally, all student loan vendors are to have a license issued by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in order to conduct business in Illinois.

“This is something that I’ve been advocating for the longest time,” Scherer said. “To have finally crossed the finish line on this issue, I feel very relieved to have these protections in place for all current and future college students.”

Scherer represents the 96th District, which includes portions of Christian, Macon and Sangamon counties.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – While Congress is considering a new tax law that slashes taxes on big businesses and the ultra-wealthy while raising taxes on middle-class families, state Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, is calling on Congress to put middle-class families first for a change.

“In order to finance their tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires, the Republican-controlled Congress is proposing changes to the federal tax code that would eliminate a tax deduction many middle-class families in our community use, hitting families with thousands of dollars in new taxes,” said Halpin. “Congress should drop this unfair tax hike and focus on making the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share, so we can provide real relief for those who need it most.”

The plan being considered in Congress would eliminate a credit that allows middle-class families to deduct the cost of state and local taxes, including property taxes, from their federal income tax. At the same time, their plan cuts an estate tax intended to make the ultra-wealthy pay fairly, and slashes tax rates on huge corporations. Halpin supported House Resolution 672, which asks the Illinois congressional delegation to oppose efforts to repeal the state and local tax deduction.

“I find what’s going on in Washington, D.C. to be disturbing to say the least,” said Halpin. “Washington can’t raise taxes on our families to provide handouts to the ultra-wealthy and pretend it’s reform.”

JOLIET, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is urging members of the Illinois congressional delegation to vote against a tax reform plan being proposed on the federal level that would hurt middle-class families across the state through the elimination of the state and local tax (SALT) deduction.

“As a certified public accountant, I see every year how much the SALT deduction helps families,” Manley said. “This deduction reduces how much money they owe the federal government based on taxes they pay to state and local governments. For middle-class families who are providing for their children, assisting aging parents, paying their mortgage and other bills, this deduction can make a big difference to them and should not be eliminated.”

Washington insiders are pushing to repeal a critical tax credit for middle-class families in order to pay for tax cuts for big corporations and the ultra-wealthy. This deduction allows families to deduct the amount they pay in state and local taxes, including property taxes, from their federal income tax. Manley supported House Resolution 672, which asks the Illinois congressional delegation to oppose efforts to repeal this important tax deduction that is used by nearly 2 million residents in the state.

“We don’t just need better tax policy, we need smarter tax policy,” Manley said. “Millionaires, billionaires and large corporations already have money saved that they are never planning on spending in our local communities. The same can’t be said for middle class families, which use their tax rebate to go on vacation, make improvements around their homes and more. Politicians need to be looking out for what is in the best interest of the people they serve, not wealthy Washington insiders.”

CHICAGO –State Rep. Elizabeth ‘Lisa’ Hernandez, D-Cicero, is partnering up with the National Immigrant Justice Center, the Attorney General’s Office, and ARISE Chicago to host a Know Your Rights and Immigration Fraud Seminar on Wednesday, July 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the St. Agnes of Bohemia Catholic Church, located at 2651 S. Central Park Ave in the Little Village neighborhood.

“President Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric and Gov. Rauner’s lack of support has immigrant families in our communities living in fear,” Hernandez said. “Now more than ever, it’s important that we work to make sure everyone knows their rights as immigrants, whether they’re a citizen, or undocumented.”

The event will feature presentations from representatives of the National Immigrant Justice Center, the Attorney General’s Office, and ARISE Chicago. Community members will be able to learn about their rights as immigrants, the limits of what the government can do, and about the different forms of immigration fraud. One of the most common forms of immigration fraud comes from people posing as lawyers and offering legal services they aren’t qualified to provide. Residents are encouraged to bring with them any suspicious flyers or letters sent to them to receive expert advice. The presentations will be followed by a Q&A section.

“Immigrant communities are looking for safety and security anywhere they can get it, and it’s infuriating that there are people out there looking to exploit that,” Hernandez said. “So I want to bring resources directly back to local residents so they could learn about the different forms of immigration fraud, how they can avoid falling victim to them, and what they could do to report suspicious activity in the neighborhood.”

This event is FREE and open to the public. For more information please contact Rep. Hernandez’s constituent service office at 708-222-5240, or at repehernandez@yahoo.com. 

SPRINGFIELD – Standing in solidarity with the immigrant communities of the 40th District and across Illinois, state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, participated in a rally in the Capitol Rotunda with pro-immigrant activists.

“Members of the immigrant community are afraid—and rightfully so—when you look at the extreme, racist rhetoric that is being spewed by Trump’s administration and his allies in Congress,” Andrade said. “We need to reassure our immigrants across the state that we will fight for them and work to protect them from racist policies.”

Andrade joined activists from the Heartland Alliance—a nonprofit focused on advancing the human rights and needs of endangered populations—and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee rights (ICIRR).

CHICAGO – Standing with immigrant communities throughout Illinois, state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, has introduced legislation that assists local communities in their efforts to support immigrant communities.

“With the Trump administration already ramping up attacks against immigrant communities in sanctuary cities like Chicago, now more than ever must we stand in solidarity and work to protect our fellow neighbors,” Andrade said. “The raids that have occurred in Chicago signify just how far this administration will go—they are persecuting law-abiding people because they come from a different place.”

Andrade’s proposal, House Bill 3739, creates the “Safeguarding Sanctuary Cities Act, which prevents state funds from being withheld from municipalities due to their status as a “sanctuary city”—any municipality that declines to coordinate with the Trump administration’s policies of increased deportations.

According to a memo distributed by the Trump campaign detailing immigration policy, the administration plans on tripling the amount of officers at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“As the son of immigrants, the xenophobic rhetoric and policies of the Trump administration goes against everything that I have taught my children about what is great about America,” Andrade said. “I encourage and remain hopeful that Gov. Rauner will publicly support this proposal and reject the nativist rhetoric that has been pushed by the Trump administration.”

CHICAGO, Ill. – This week, Illinois’ first Asian-American state legislator was sworn into office when state Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago, took the oath in Springfield at the Illinois House of Representatives Inauguration Ceremony.

“Being the first Asian-American to serve in the Illinois General Assembly is a tremendous honor, as well as an important responsibility to my community,” said Mah.  “There are many challenges facing our state and I am eager to get to work to represent my constituents and to make my community proud.”

Mah takes office in the midst of a tumultuous time in Springfield and Washington DC politics.  The budget stalemate brought about by Bruce Rauner’s corporate demands to dismantle the working class have resulted in the decimation of social services through the state, including funding for children with autism, people with disabilities, senior citizens, homeless veterans, and the undocumented community.  Meanwhile, Chicago Public Schools deals with a major budget shortfall that puts the quality of education at risk for the students of Mah’s near-southwest side district.

At the same time, Donald Trump’s election has put many in Chicago on edge, with his inflammatory rhetoric demonizing many minority communities, especially those who are undocumented immigrants.  Despite the challenges facing the state, Mah is energized to get to work and to help build a progressive coalition of community members, educators, and elected officials to push for reforms to strengthen public education, support immigrant communities, and to bring small businesses to the region to create more jobs.

“We face great challenges in our communities and our state,” said Mah.  “But the time is now to begin to work to make sure we have a state that works for all residents, and not just the few who can take advantage of the system at the expense of the middle-class and working families.

Mah is serving her first term in the Illinois General Assembly as State Representative of the 2nd District, which includes the Chicago neighborhoods Pilsen, Chinatown, Bridgeport, McKinley Park, Brighton Park and Back of the Yards.