Villanueva supports budget that prioritizes reproductive health care, education

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva – a longstanding championing of protecting reproductive health care – was proud to support the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which prioritizes choice, education, fiscal responsibility and more.

“Illinois has long been a safe haven for people – both in and out of state – to receive the health care they need,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Today we take another step toward inclusivity by increasing support to reproductive health initiatives, signaling to women that their lives matter.”

The Fiscal Year 2024 budget passed by the Senate Wednesday includes an $18 million investment to support reproductive health initiatives. Illinois has continued to take monumental leaps toward enshrining reproductive and gender affirming health care rights into law – and this is yet another step toward prioritizing these needs.

The budget also continues the commitment of a $350 million increase toward the evidence based funding model for K-12 education, and increases Monetary Award Program funding by $100 million – to a total of $701 million. This investment into MAP funding will ensure everyone at or below the median income can go to community college for free. The budget also allocates $3 million for a program to make textbooks cheaper or free for students, dismantling another barrier toward perusing higher education.

“People often feel deterred from higher education because of the high costs. There’s no reason any person – regardless of income – shouldn’t have access to continuing their education,” said Villanueva. “We have taken a positive step toward ensuring anyone in Illinois can afford college.”

A firm believer that educational success starts at birth, Villanueva was also proud to see an investment of $250 million for early childhood to expand preschool, stabilize the childcare workforce and increase early intervention services.

“Monumental investment into education – from preschool to college – aren’t just investments into our children, they’re investments into our communities,” said Villanueva. “By investing in a brighter future for our residents and communities, we are making sure that Illinois remains the most progressive and welcoming state in the nation.”

The Fiscal Year 2024 budget passed the Senate Thursday.

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Villanueva continues fight for equitable restrooms

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva continued her fight to allow gender-neutral, multi-occupancy restrooms to be installed in private and public businesses.

“By passing this legislation, we are ensuring that people of the LGBTQ community have a comfortable and safe space to use the restroom like everyone else in the state,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “This bill is about inclusivity – for not just the LGBTQ community, but for people with disabilities, older adults and families with young children.”

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

House Bill 1286 expands on that law, allowing businesses to create gender-neutral multi-occupancy restrooms. However, the legislation is permissive – gender specific multiple-occupancy restrooms are still allowed.

Gender-neutral, multi-occupancy restrooms would be required to include inclusive signage, floor to ceiling stall dividers with locking mechanisms, trash receptacles in each stall, a menstruation supplies vending device, a baby changing station, and be ADA compliant. 

“We also need to 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,” said Villanueva. “This measure is a monumental step forward toward making Illinois the most inclusive state in the nation.”

House Bill 1286 has passed the Senate Thursday.

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Villanueva pushes for restroom equality

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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Villanueva furthers legislation that ensures charter schools can unionize

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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