WASHINGTON, D.C. – State Senator Celina Villanueva joined legislative leaders at the White House Wednesday to discuss ways they can continue to fight for reproductive rights since the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year. 

As many black and brown communities have long faced barriers to abortion access and health care largely due to systemic barriers and discrimination, continuing the fight for equal healthcare rights and abortion care on a national level gives hopes to a population who is often overlooked and misrepresented,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Abortion is health care and everyone, no matter their income, immigration status, or zip code should be able to access the care they deserve without fear and obstacles.”

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, 20 states have abortion bans in place, while more are set to take place during the summer. However many states including Illinois have measures in place that protect residents’ right to choose regardless of the Roe vs. Wade decision. 

Governor JB Pritzker signed HB4664, a reproductive rights and gender affirming care omnibus bill that protects health care providers and their patients from legal attacks by neighboring states and expands health care access and options across the state. The bill takes historic action to protect Illinois providers and their patients, thousands of whom have traveled to Illinois to access essential reproductive health care now banned in their home states.

In addition to supporting HB4664, a reproductive rights and gender affirming care omnibus bill that protects health care providers and their patients from legal attacks by neighboring states, Villanueva championed SB 1909 that prevents crisis pregnancy centers from using deceptive practices that interfere with women’s health care decisions. Her SB 1907 legislation allows college students to purchase non-prescription wellness products at a reduced price in at least one wellness kiosk on each campus. Additionally she brought forth SB 1344 legislation that provides coverage to an individual or group seeking abortifacients, hormonal therapy medication, human immunodeficiency virus pre-exposure prophylaxis, and post-exposure prophylaxis drugs approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and follow-up services related to that coverage.

With one of three women, Trans and nonbinary people who can get pregnant living in a state where some or all abortion is banned, it is important that resources are allocated to Latina women in abundance. Almost half of all Latinas of childbearing age live in states trying to control their bodies putting them in uncompromising positions. In states where some or all abortion is banned, the number   of Latinas of childbearing age grew substantially from 2010 to 2019.

“As a Latina of childbearing years, I am honored to be on the frontline fighting for reproductive healthcare rights on a national level with my fellow legislators and leaders,” said Villanueva. I look forward to seeing how the Biden administration will continue bringing people together to better fight to protect people.”

 SPRINGFIELD – In order to prevent sexual assault and domestic violence in the massage therapist industry, State Senator Celina Villanueva’s House Bill 2756 was signed into law by the governor.

“It is extremely imperative that licensed massage therapists are required to have additional adequate training and education needed to perform their jobs in a respectful, non-harmful manner,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Without it, individuals can easily find themselves in a domestic violence and or sexual assault situation ruining their careers forever.”

The new law amends the Massage Licensing Act. For each license renewal period, one hour of continuing education needs to be domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education as prescribed by rule of the Department. A continuing education provider approved by IDFPR will provide the one-hour domestic violence and sexual assault awareness continuing education course.

The measure makes it mandatory for licensed massage therapists to take 25, rather than 24, hours of continuing education courses to renew their massage license. The additional hour must include domestic violence and sexual assault awareness.

“As we take sexual assault and domestic violence seriously in the state of Illinois, I am glad we are able to continue educating individuals about the importance of these topics and train those whose profession can easily be compromised if ever found in a situation related to domestic and sexual assault,” Villanueva added.

House Bill 2756 was signed into law today.

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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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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