SPRINGFIELD – To help public colleges and universities better understand the needs of student parents, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) passed legislation in the Senate Higher Education Committee directing colleges to collect certain information from students that will help shape more accommodating policies going forward.

“Young parents and parents returning to school face unique challenges, specifically with access to child care and financial assistance,” Villanueva said. “Public institutions of higher education have a moral obligation to the children of their students to see that they are cared for.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) encouraged suburban residents of Cook County to catch up on past rent with the Emergency Rental Assistance Program after the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) extended a nationwide moratorium on evictions.

“Even though evictions are halted, rent is still due for working families,” Villanueva said. “Assistance is available to families struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic.”

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program can cover up to 12 months of missed rent and utilities and up to three months of future rent payments. Applicants must live in Suburban Cook County and meet income requirements. Applications close April 2, 2021.

The CDC extended a federal moratorium on evictions for non-payment through June 30, 2021. One in six renters across the country missed payments as of March 2021, disproportionately affecting Black and Latino/a/x communities.

Residents can apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program online or by calling 877-426-6515.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) released the following statement in response to Gov. Pritzker’s State of the State address:

“The pandemic has highlighted the disparities already felt by Latino/a/x communities. Systemic disinvestment coupled with this public health crisis have upended our communities and more is needed to repair the damage that has been done over generations.

“While some relief efforts, like the BIG and Paycheck Protection Programs, have prioritized Latino/a/x businesses to a small extent, the investments made are nowhere near what is needed to provide tangible relief to the working families in the district I represent.

“I am hopeful that the governor will make the direct relief that working people desperately need a budget priority for years to come.”

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.