Villanueva continues the fight for justice in 11th District

• COVID-19

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) was sworn in to continue representing the 11^th State Senate District of Illinois on Wednesday.

“I am honored to have the trust and support of my community,” Villanueva said. “When I go to Springfield, I bring the voices of my community with me knowing that we are stronger when we fight for justice together.”

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Villanueva stands up for Chicago teachers’ rights as major reform passes Senate

• Education

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) voted to expand the collective bargaining rights of Chicago teachers today.

“I am a product of Chicago Public Schools,” Villanueva said. “I knew the look of stress on my teacher’s face when they had to handle 30-plus students. We need to give teachers the power to advocate for our students and our communities.”

House Bill 2275 would once again make major factors like class size, staff size and length of the academic year subject to collective bargaining. Teachers in Chicago Public Schools (CPS), particularly in Black and Latinx communities, have suffered class sizes that exceed CPS’s established limits and staff shortages including nurses, special educators and social workers.

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Villanueva: Home ownership programs available to DACA recipients

• DACA
• Housing

CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) is encouraging residents to apply for two new housing programs designed to help communities of color across the state achieve the dream of owning a home.

“Communities of color have been hit hardest by the pandemic both in terms of our health and economic wellbeing,” Villanueva said. “Take advantage of these programs and get on a path toward homeownership so that you can build generational wealth and keep our communities strong.”

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Villanueva urges small businesses, residents to apply for broadband grant

• Internet
• Rebuild Illinois

CHICAGO – With $50 million in funding available through the Connect Illinois broadband expansion program starting Dec. 1, 2020, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) urged small businesses and residents to see if they qualify for help with their internet.

“With more of our lives taking place online during the pandemic, reliable Internet access is more important than ever,” Villanueva said. “I encourage small business owners, students and all community members to take advantage of this opportunity to get connected.”

Read more: Villanueva urges small businesses, residents to apply for broadband grant