SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To increase transparency and accountability among government officials, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, recently passed a package of legislative reforms to improve and strengthen ethics rules and crack down on lobbying practices.

“It is time to put an end to our state’s infamous reputation of corruption. The residents of Illinois deserve a state government that they can trust to make decisions on the important issues facing our state,” said Villa. “It is time to shine a light on shady lobbying practices and put an end to public corruption.”

Villa is sponsoring a package of legislative proposals to reform state government ethics and lobbying practices. Villa’s Senate Bill 1639 includes a series of reforms to strengthen state ethics laws including increased transparency of outside income, assets, significant debts, gifts and relationships to lobbyists. This measure will also require lobbyists to disclose each unit of government they are registered to lobby and all elected or appointed positions they hold.

Villa’s House Joint Resolution 93 creates the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform, a bipartisan, bicameral task force that will closely examine state ethics and lobbying laws and make concrete recommendations to reform current laws.

“These ethics reforms are commonsense, and will stop corrupt officials from using their positions to get rich,” said Villa. “These measures are an important first step in true reform, and are in line with my commitment to build a stronger Illinois by increasing transparency and accountability across government.”

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

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – Continuando su compromiso para luchar por cuidado médico económico, la Representante Estatal Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, está patrocinando un Seminario Sobre Medicare con AgeOptions.

“Estoy trabajando para construir un Illinois que prioriza las necesidades de las personas de la tercera edad y familias de clase media al reducir los costos indignantes del cuidado médico y de medicamentos,” Villa dijo. “Luchar por cuidado médico económico para las personas de la tercera edad, muchas cuales viven con ingresos fijos, es parte de mi compromiso de construir un Illinois más fuerte.”

Villa está invitando a personas de la tercera edad y miembros de su familia en nuestra área a su Seminario Sobre Medicare el próximo jueves, 31 de octubre a las 10 a.m. en la Biblioteca de West Chicago, cual está localizada en 118 W. Washington St. Expertos de AgeOptions darán una presentación en Español sobre los diferente planes de Medicare, nuevas inscripciones, fechas importantes y contestarán preguntas sobre el cuidado de ancianos.

“Es muy importante entender Medicare, el proceso de registrarse y los diferentes planes disponibles,” Villa agrego. “Urjo a las personas de la tercera edad en nuestra comunidad que me acompañen a este seminario para aprender más sobre Medicare y los beneficios que se merecen.”

Para más información, comuníquese con la oficina de servicios al constituyente de la Representante Villa al 630-326-9319 or StateRepKarinaVilla@gmail.com.

BATAVIA, Ill. – To help local families struggling with diaper need, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, recently hosted a diaper collection drive.

“Having a newborn or a toddler can be tough enough as is, but struggling with diaper need can cause many long-term negative consequences for low-income families,” said Villa. “Ensuring families have access to an adequate supply of diapers can make a huge difference in their lives, so I thank the community for coming together during Diaper Need Awareness Week and for the generous donations to my diaper collection drive.”

Villa recently hosted a diaper collection drive during Diaper Need Awareness Week to benefit residents of the Batavia Apartments. According to the National Diaper Bank Network, one in three families struggle to afford enough diapers to keep their baby or toddler clean, dry and healthy.

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

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Following a spike in reports linking vaping to breathing problems and deaths, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, is sponsoring legislation to ban flavored tobacco products, such as flavored juice for vapes and e-cigarettes, from being sold, bought and distributed in Illinois.

“Vaping is often marketed as being safer than cigarettes, but we are finding that may not be the case,” said Villa. “It is clear that these products are marketed to appeal directly to teens and children, while their brains are still developing and they are more vulnerable to the addictive properties of nicotine. Fruity and candy flavors draw teens in, causing them to form a dangerous, unhealthy habit at an early age.”

So far, at least six people have died from vaping-related lung complications, the first being reported in Illinois. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has also recently reported that as many as 450 cases of serious lung disease have been linked to e-cigarette use, or vaping. In response, Villa is supporting House Bill 3883, an initiative to ban flavored tobacco products in Illinois. Villa also sponsored House Bill 345, also known as Tobacco 21, which raised the minimum age to buy tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and other alternative nicotine products from 18 to 21 years old. Tobacco 21 is now law.

“Smoking is a public health issue, and too many young individuals are dying and becoming sick from vaping and the use of other unsafe tobacco products,” continued Villa. “Keeping tobacco products out of the hands of children is critical, and banning flavored tobacco products specifically geared toward them is a step in the right direction.”

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

BATAVIA, Ill. – During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, is highlighting a new law she passed that will expand insurance coverage for mammograms.

“Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death among women, and the risks are even greater for Latinas and other women of color,” said Villa. “Breast cancer screenings have the power to save lives, as early detection is critical and increases a patient’s likelihood of survival and recovery.”

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that women ages 40 to 44 should consult their regular physician about their personal risk factors for breast cancer, which can include aging, alcohol consumption, family history, an inactive lifestyle and obesity. For women ages 45 to 54, the ACS recommends receiving an annual mammogram and that women older than 55 switch to receive mammograms every other year, unless a doctor recommends more frequent screening.

Villa’s Senate Bill 162, which was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, will expand preventative care to cover diagnostic mammograms, ensuring that there is no cost sharing or copayment for patients. Diagnostic mammograms are used as a follow-up to evaluate abnormalities seen or suspected on a screening mammogram. Currently, screening mammograms are considered preventative care, and are covered by all marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act. Villa also supported a state budget that protects funding for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP), providing low-income women with free cancer screenings

“While Donald Trump and other extreme politicians have worked to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, I have fought to maintain access to potentially lifesaving breast cancer screenings for low-income women,” continued Villa. “Women’s health care is a fundamental right, and it is critical that they have access to necessary screenings and follow-up tests without fear of facing exorbitant, out-of-pocket costs.”

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

BATAVIA, Ill. – Continuing her commitment to fight for affordable health care for local residents, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, is partnering with the Illinois Department on Aging for a Medicare Seminar.

“I am working to build an Illinois that prioritizes the needs of seniors and middle-class families by addressing outrageous rises in health care prices and reining in prescription drug costs,” said Villa. “Part of my commitment to building a stronger Illinois is fighting for affordable health care, especially for our seniors, many of whom live on fixed incomes.”

Villa is inviting area seniors, their family members and caretakers to her upcoming Medicare Seminar on Friday, Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to noon at Batavia City Hall, located at 100 N. Island Ave. Experts from the Illinois Department of Aging will give a presentation about different Medicare plans, new enrollment, important deadlines, and will be available to answer questions about senior care.

“Understanding Medicare, the enrollment process and the different plans is very important,” continued Villa. “I encourage local seniors to stop by my upcoming Medicare seminar to learn more about Medicare and the savings and benefits they are entitled to.”

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

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Under a new law passed by state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, seniors that reside in Cook County will no longer have to reapply annually for their Cook County Senior Homestead Exemption.

“Many seniors live on fixed incomes, so they should not have to jump through unnecessary bureaucratic hoops to realize the savings they are entitled to,” said Villa. “This new law is significant because it ensures senior homeowners are not overpaying their property tax bills and that cost-saving exemptions are accessible to all qualifying families.”

Villa passed House Bill 833, which removes the burdensome process that required Cook County senior homeowners to reapply for their Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption each year. Cook County was the only county in Illinois that mandated senior homeowners to annually reapply in order to receive this tax relief exemption. The Cook County Treasurer’s office recently released information that as many as 26,000 Cook County senior homeowners did not reapply for their annual property tax exemptions, missing out on an estimated $45 million in property tax relief. Villa’s new law will ensure qualifying seniors do not miss out on much-needed exemptions.

“This new law cuts bureaucratic red tape and streamlines the exemption process to ensure that seniors in Cook County are receiving the savings they deserve,” continued Villa. “I will continue working on the Property Tax Relief Task Force to find real property tax relief for homeowners throughout Illinois.”

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

AURORA, Ill. – Continuing her efforts to fight for fairer taxes for local residents and grow the economy, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, is partnering with state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, to host a Small Business Fair Tax Town Hall.

“As the daughter of local small business owners, I understand that small businesses are the backbone of our local economy,” said Villa. “I will continue fighting for real tax relief and working to build a high-wage economy because building a stronger Illinois begins with building a stronger middle class.”

Small business owners, and those interested in learning more about the Fair Tax and the impact it could have on the local economy are invited to join Villa and Hernandez for their Small Business Fair Tax Town Hall. Villa, Hernandez and Ralph Martire, Executive Director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability will discuss efforts to provide relief for small and medium-sized businesses and strengthen our local economy.

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

 

WHO:             State Rep. Karina Villa

                       State Rep. Barbara Hernandez

                       Ralph Martire, Executive Director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability

WHAT:          Small Business Fair Tax Town Hall

WHEN:          Tuesday, Oct. 22

                       7 to 9 p.m.

WHERE:       Two Brothers Roundhouse

                        205 N. Broadway

                        Aurora

 

BATAVIA, Ill. – To meet with area residents to discuss important issues facing the local community and state, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, is hosting Koffee with Karina at Limestone Coffee and Tea later this month.

“Hearing the thoughts and concerns of the residents I represent helps me be a strong voice for our community and stay connected to our neighbors,” said Villa. “I will be heading back to Springfield for veto session soon, so I encourage area residents to stop by Koffee with Karina to share their ideas for new legislation or to discuss their thoughts on issues facing Illinois.”

Villa is inviting local residents to Koffee with Karina on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9 to 10 a.m. at Limestone Coffee and Tea, located at 8 W. Wilson St. in Batavia. Villa has continuously hosted coffee shop stops and regularly convenes advisory committees on a wide range of subjects including mental health, business and the environment.

“Being as accessible as possible to the people I represent is very important to me, and I think it is critical to foster continuous conversation on how local leaders and area residents can work together to improve our communities,” continued Villa. “I enjoy having discussions with residents about how we can move our state forward, so I encourage local residents to join me for Koffee with Karina later this month!”

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

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – During the recent Mexican Independence Day celebration in West Chicago, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, spoke to the community about local efforts to protect the Monarch Butterfly and other pollinators.  

“We must work together, both in local government and with neighbors across our communities, to take serious action to protect and promote conservation efforts for the monarch butterfly and other pollinators,” said Villa. “I am proud of the work being done in West Chicago to protect the monarch, and I look forward to being a part of continued conversations about how we can preserve our environment and defend our valuable pollinators.”

The monarch butterfly, the state insect of Illinois, has seen a 90 percent decline in population, according to the National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF), due to loss of habitat. The mayor of West Chicago signed the NWF’s Mayor’s Monarch Pledge in 2017, and Villa is highlighting other organizations aiming to bring awareness and promote action in West Chicago to save the monarch butterfly, including the West Chicago Garden Club, the West Chicago Environmental Commission, the West Chicago Park District, the West Chicago Public Library, and West Chicago School Districts 33 and 34.

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