CHICAGO – To prepare students as they head back to the classroom, State Senator Celina Villanueva is hosting a free back to school resource fair tomorrow, Aug. 17.

The back to school resource fair will take place from 4- 7 p.m. at Ortiz De Dominguez Elementary School’s Gary/Ortiz Campus, located at 3000 S Lawndale Ave. in Chicago. During the free event, students of all ages will be able to receive free backpacks filled with school supplies, until supplies last.

“Back to school is a critical time of the year for students and parents,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Being able to help those in the community gain more educational resources before the schoolyear starts can lead to a successful academic year.”

For more information, people can contact Senator Villanueva’s office at 773-933-7715 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

SPRINGFIELD – To protect the privacy and safety of Illinois’ undocumented residents, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate that would prevent photographs taken for state IDs and driver’s licenses from being shared with federal immigration authorities on Thursday.

“Undocumented residents need to be able to trust our state institutions,” Villanueva said. “It’s impossible to expect that of them if we are sending their facial recognition data directly to authorities. Our state government doesn’t exist to serve ICE.”

Read more: Villanueva moves to stop facial recognition data from being shared with immigration enforcers

SPRINGFIELD – To allow teachers and staff at charter schools the right to collective bargaining, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) moved legislation in the Senate Education Committee that would protect their right to unionize.

“Teachers have been on the front lines of the pandemic since day one fighting for living wages and safe, dignified conditions,” Villanueva said. “Teachers across the city, especially at charter schools, must have the ability to unionize so that their students can succeed.”

Read more: Villanueva moves to allow unionization of charter school teachers