Illinois State Senator Celina Villanueva

Villanueva law to solidify protections for domestic violence survivors

Details: Category: News; Friday, July 31, 2026 02:50 PM

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva led a new law that will ensure survivors of domestic violence are fully protected and current state law supporting victims is properly enforced.

“I have spent several years now working to address the lethality of domestic violence altercations that involve a firearm, and I am proud to see the state will be further prioritizing the well-being of domestic violence survivors, especially women and children, through expanded safeguards,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “There is still much work to do, but getting this law over the finish line will certify our state’s justice system works in the favor of survivors, ensuring perpetrators of abuse and violence don’t have the means to cause further harm.”

Senate Bill 3329 will solidify protections for victims of domestic violence under Karina’s Law. Signed into law in February 2025, Karina’s Law addresses the growing concern surrounding firearms and domestic violence by clarifying and strengthening the law around orders of protection, requiring law enforcement to remove firearms from individuals subject to emergency restraining orders within 96 hours of a judge issuing an order revoking the individual’s FOID card.

Villanueva law to strengthen identity protections for youth in state’s care

Details: Category: News; Friday, July 10, 2026 03:13 PM

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva led a new law to close gaps in Illinois’ child welfare laws and strengthen non-discrimination protections for youth in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

“Regardless of where Illinois youth are placed, they deserve to feel respected and that their identities are being protected and affirmed by those assigned to care for them,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “By implementing stronger protections for youth in DCFS’ care, we’re ensuring every case is met with a trauma-informed, comprehensive approach that prioritizes the dignity and well-being of our state’s youth.”

House Bill 4966, also known as the SECURE Act, enshrines enforceable standards of conduct for DCFS staff and caregivers of youth in care and ensures children, especially LGBTQ+ youth, receive the same services if placed out of state as they would in Illinois. Under the SECURE Act, the department is required to protect youth in care from unnecessary and unapproved disclosure of their sensitive identity information, including personal data that is linked or reasonably linkable to a youth and identifies the youth’s sexual orientation. It also creates a process for DCFS to abide by if it discloses sensitive identity information and requires the department to provide notice to the youth.

Villanueva law to protect divested property owners from equity theft

Details: Category: News; Friday, July 10, 2026 03:06 PM

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois residents will soon see a new tax sale process that helps prevent financial windfalls for property owners facing foreclosure, thanks to a law State Senator Celina Villanueva championed that prioritizes returning surplus equity to divested property owners.

“It’s pertinent we recognize this previous property tax process for what it was: exploitative to the hardworking Illinoisans who pay their back taxes with hard-earned money,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “It’s outright unfair to residents who have a property worth tens of thousands of dollars to have that property foreclosed on and be left with no recourse, no equity and, often times, no chance to rebuild their lives on a new property.”

Under the state’s previous process, if a property owner fell behind on taxes, the county could sell the debt to a tax buyer and give the original owner a set amount of time to pay off their debt, as well as any interest or penalties acquired. If the original property owner could not pay the debt and other associated costs in the allotted period, the buyer could petition a court to receive the full deed to the property. In practice, this meant buyers were obtaining property for the cost of back taxes, regardless of the property’s market value, and the original property owner did not receive any compensation for the property’s remaining equity.

Villanueva law to expand in-state tuition at public institutions

Details: Category: News; Friday, June 26, 2026 04:36 PM

SPRINGFIELD – Graduating high school students will soon see more opportunities to attend Illinois’ public colleges and universities, thanks to a law led by State Senator Celina Villanueva that expands in-state tuition rates to any individual who attended an Illinois high school for three years.

“Expanding in-state tuition at public colleges and universities will offer an otherwise unreachable lifeline to so many students, especially those coming from vulnerable situations,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “This is about ensuring our higher education system prioritizes equity and opportunity for all.”

For the past several years, Illinois lawmakers have voiced concerns with college costs, specifically citing rising in-state tuition that has led to many students taking on more in education-related debt or seeking higher education across state lines. Villanueva recognizes that the continued rising cost of living disproportionately affects low-income families and students participating in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – groups that often have to temporarily relocate due to unforeseen circumstances.

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