SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva championed legislation to allow businesses to create gender-neutral multi-occupancy restrooms.

“Businesses deserve the freedom to make their own decisions about how they want to be more inclusive to the community,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Inclusion and equality is at the heart of this measure.”

In January 2020, it became law that all single occupancy public bathrooms in Illinois become gender neutral.

House Bill 1286 simply expands on that law. However, the legislation is permissive – gender specific multiple-occupancy restrooms are still allowed. Moreover, multiple-occupancy all-gender restrooms will have to meet additional privacy safeguards. Any restroom designated for all genders must have specified signage and stall dividers.

“People who have disabilities, older adults, or anyone else who needs the help of someone of another gender can receive the assistance they need without having to search for a single occupancy restroom,” Villanueva said. “Or, think about the moms accompanying young boys, dads with young girls and parents with multiple kids. It’s easy to be unsure which restroom they should use.”

House Bill 1286 has passed in the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.

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SPRINGFIELD – Senator Villanueva championed legislation that allows charter schools to unionize without being penalized by management of the charter school.

“Employees of charter schools should never be made to feel like their voices do not matter and their teaching is not important,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “All teachers play a vital role in the educational success of our state’s students.” 

House Bill 1120 is an initiative of the Chicago Teachers' Union that seeks to ensure that if the staff at a charter school chooses to form a union, the management of the charter school will not interfere. 

 “Ensuring teachers will have equal opportunities, rights and respect is how we can garner a higher amount of qualified and trained teachers across the state,” said Villanueva.

House Bill 1120 passed in the Senate.

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva brought forth legislation that would allow charter schools to unionize without being penalized by management of the charter school.

“Employees of charter schools deserve the same rights and protections as those who work at public schools,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Their voices matter and must be uplifted.”

House Bill 1120 is an initiative of the Chicago Teachers' Union that seeks to ensure that if the staff at a charter school chooses to form a union, the management of the charter school would not interfere. 

 “By implementing this legislation, we are strengthening the respect and relationship between charter schools and its employees,” said Villanueva. “The best way to retain high quality teachers is through allowing them the rights they deserve.”

House Bill 1120 passed in the Senate Labor Committee and is headed to the Senate for further consideration.

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SPRINGFIELD – Senator Villanueva championed legislation to bring more qualified computer science and art teachers to Chicago Public Schools, creating better learning opportunities throughout the district.  

“CPS – like many school districts across the state – are facing a workforce shortage,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Unfortunately, the first classes to be sacrificed are often electives like the arts. We need to uplift our educators in order to uplift our students.”

House Bill 2442 would increase the amount of computer science and art teachers in CPS. CPS says there are not enough teachers endorsed to teach these classes to meet district needs. To tackle this issue, Villanueva’s measure would allow licensed employees to receive additional training – or endorsements – through a pilot program within the district, allowing them to teach other classes, such as computer science and art classes.

 “By implementing this legislation, we are improving the quality of education CPS students receive,” said Villanueva. “In order to determine a better future for our students, we have to make sure educators have the professional development tools they need.”

House Bill 2442 passed in the Senate Education Committee and is headed to the Senate for further consideration.

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