Illinois State Senator Celina Villanueva

Villanueva applauds funding for literacy advancements in the 12th District

Details: Category: News; Thursday, August 20, 2026 02:12 PM

CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva is proud to announce three local organizations in Chicago will be receiving a combined total of over $400,000 to support adult and family literacy efforts in Illinois.

“We recognize literacy for the multigenerational issue it is, and that means prioritizing educational and literacy advancements for both children and adults in our state,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “The 12th District is proudly home to many Latino families who will benefit from access to programs like these, creating a stepping stone to help native Spanish speakers and first-generation Americans successfully assimilate into the United States’ workforce and support their children through the U.S. school system.”

The latest round of funding through the Illinois Secretary of State includes more than $28 million for library services and literacy programs throughout Illinois. Literacy grants promote basic reading, math, writing and English language skills through adult, family and workplace literacy programs.

Villanueva law to provide survivors with centralized support services

Details: Category: News; Monday, August 10, 2026 10:15 AM

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva’s strategic approach to addressing domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking, known as the Family Justice Center Act, was signed into law Friday.

“We know survivors of violence often struggle with accessing services, feeling the process is too overwhelming and too confusing to offer any real reprieve,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “When someone has a range of needs due to the trauma they’ve experienced, we have to ensure that individual is receiving comprehensive care that meets them where they are in their healing journey.”

A Family Justice Center is a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary service center where public and private agencies assign staff members on a full-time or part-time basis to provide services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking. These centers increase access to services for survivors and their children by reducing the number of times survivors must repeat their accounts and the number of places survivors must go for help. The goal is to ensure families have comprehensive support in one centralized location.

Environmental justice protections signed into Illinois law thanks to Villanueva

Details: Category: News; Friday, August 07, 2026 03:48 PM

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva led a new law that strengthens environmental justice protections by ensuring state regulators consider the potential impacts on communities that have historically faced disproportionate environmental burdens when reviewing pollution control permits.

“The Illinois Constitution makes it clear that all residents have the right to a healthful environment, meaning no communities in the state should be forced to bear the disproportionate and adverse weight that comes with air pollution,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Unfortunately, we know low-income, minority and immigrant communities are historically the ones who carry this burden and live with the effects of pollution exposure. This law recognizes that enough is enough and that our communities and families deserve better.”

Villanueva’s law requires the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate environmental justice factors when reviewing certain air pollution construction permit applications. It also requires the IEPA to evaluate whether a proposed facility is located in an area of environmental justice concern and determine whether additional safeguards may be needed.

Patients, clients to be protected from sexual abuse in state’s health care system under Villanueva law

Details: Category: News; Friday, August 07, 2026 03:48 PM

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva championed a new law that will implement stricter, mandatory reporting requirements when a patient or client experiences sexual abuse or misconduct perpetrated by a licensed health care professional.

“Being assaulted or exploited doesn’t only cause physical harm, but it also leads to severe, long-lasting emotional turmoil and often times completely eradicates that patient’s trust in our health care system,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Health care professionals across this country take an oath to do no harm, so when a doctor, nurse, practitioner, clinician or any other professional takes advantage of their patient, they must be swiftly brought to justice.”

Villanueva’s law comes in response to a series of investigative reports that uncovered serious misconduct and abuse in Illinois’ health care system. The investigation identified 52 health care workers accused of sexual misconduct who were allowed to continue working at their respective hospitals and facilities. The new law will mandate hospitals and health care professionals licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to report any sexual or sexual-adjacent misconduct by a health care professional against a patient. Reasonably reportable misconduct will include sexual assault and harassment, as well as behavior such as offering to provide professional services to a patient or client in exchange for sexual favors or using the professional-patient or professional-client relationship to solicit a romantic or sexual relationship.

Welcome

Welcome to my official Senate website. This will be your tool for news about what I am doing in Springfield, important information regarding the 12th District and events taking place in and around our community.

It is important to me to have a resource available to my constituents with content necessary to keep you informed as well as a place to have your voice heard. Please continue to visit this site as it grows and see how I am working for you.

— Illinois State Senator Celina Villanueva

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Office Info

Springfield Office:
631 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
217-782-5304

District Office:
2501 S. Central Park Ave.
Front Suite
Chicago, IL 60623
773-565-4661

Welcome to Senator Celina Villanueva's Legislative Website