CHICAGO – To help working families and youth struggling financially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, recently supported a new state law that allows minors to apply for and receive employment certificates online.

“As the economy begins to reopen and heal from the damage inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have to make sure that we continue to mobilize workers here in Illinois,” said Slaughter. “This new law streamlines the process for 14 and 15-year-olds to get a work permit, benefiting both prospective workers and employers, and I am glad to see it signed into law.” 

The Slaughter-backed Senate Bill 696 passed both chambers of the General Assembly without opposition and was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Continuing an emergency rule put in place during the pandemic, this legislation creates a permanent remote option for granting certificates for minors to enter the workforce.

“A first job is an opportunity to expose someone to life skills and experiences they can’t receive anywhere else,” said Slaughter. “Whether it’s to save money for college, earn cash or pursue work that interests them, this measure makes it easier for our youth to chart their own path forward.” 

BATAVIA, Ill. – To meet with members of the local community and discuss important issues facing the 49th district, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, is hosting several advisory committees over the summer months.

“To be a strong voice for our local communities it is so valuable for me to hear the thoughts and concerns of the people that I represent directly from them,” said Villa. “I enjoy the opportunity to collaborate with community members through the thoughtful discussions that come from my advisory committees.”

Villa is hosting the following advisory committees during June:
• Seniors on Monday, June 10 at 10 a.m. at Messenger Public Library, located at 113 Oak St. in North Aurora.
• Small Businesses on Friday, June 14 at 8 a.m. at Kindred Coffee Roasters, located at 148 W. Washington St. in West Chicago.
• Mental Health on Wednesday, June 26 at 7 p.m. at the St. Charles Municipal Building, located at 2 E. Main St.
• Education on Thursday, June 27 at 7 p.m. at Villa’s constituent service office, located at 106 W. Wilson St. in Batavia
• Youth on Sunday, June 30 at 1 p.m. at Comfort Inn, located at 1555 E. Fabyan Pkwy. in Geneva.

“My advisory committees are an excellent opportunity for local residents to meet and discuss specific issues that they are concerned about, and discuss ways that we address these issues through legislation and work here in our local communities,” continued Villa. “My advisory committees are free to attend and open to the public, so I encourage local residents to consider stopping by to share their ideas.”

OAK PARK, Ill. – Providing young people the chance to discover the importance of community activism, state Rep. Camille Y. Lilly D-Chicago, offered her I’m 17 event to inspire local teenagers to always stay active, speak up for themselves, ask questions about civic engagement and how they see and understand their roles in their community, school and in society.

“In this day and age, it is critically important for youths to get in the mindset to be active and speak up for themselves,” said Lilly. “Barack Obama started as a community organizer trying to improve the lives of his neighbors, so it is possible to make a difference and everyday cynicism should not discourage our young people into complacency.”

Lilly regularly offers her I’m 17 event to local youths on Chicago’s West Side in order to inspire them to get involved with their community and give them the opportunity engage with other like-minded teenagers. As the country addresses issues like gun violence with the recent shootings in Florida, Lilly wants young people to be heard. Her event teaches teenagers the importance of how to speak up about matters that are important to them.