CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) was named chair of the Illinois Senate Human Rights Committee on Monday.

“I promise to be a fighter for the voices that have been left out of the conversation,” Villanueva said. “Our friends and neighbors are counting on us to uphold their dignity and push for equity, and I will be there every step of the way.”

The new standing committee will take on issues such as immigration, LGBTQIA+ rights and anti-racism policies. This is Senator Villanueva’s first committee chairpersonship.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues to address the roots of the disparities that have marginalized communities for generations,” Villanueva said. “We refuse to go back to how things were before the pandemic. We must build our communities back stronger, together.”

Committee schedules and livestreamed proceedings are available at www.ilga.gov.

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.”

Read more: Villanueva continues the fight for justice in 11th District

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.

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

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.”

Read more: Villanueva: Home ownership programs available to DACA recipients