SPRINGFIELD – With essential workers facing more risks on the job, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) voted to pass a labor package that increases public employee benefits, protects retail workers and expands collective bargaining rights.

“Working people deserve dignity on the job,” Villanueva said. “Expanding paid disability leave, legal protections and the right to negotiate a fair wage will ensure that they have a safety net.”

SPRINGFIELD – With public health concerns surrounding the 2020 General Election, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) voted to pass a historic election package out of the Illinois Senate.

“Participating in our democracy is a right, not a privilege,” Villanueva said. “Voters need to be able to cast their ballot without putting themselves or others at risk.”

The 2020 Election Omnibus Bill would establish Election Day as a state holiday, extend early voting and expand voting hours on Election Day. Any person who has voted in the past two years would also receive a vote by mail application for a ballot in their mailbox. These provisions, however, are only applicable to the 2020 General Election.

CHICAGO – After Hilco Redevelopment Partners were approved to resume their demolition of the Crawford Coal plant in Little Village, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“It is unconscionable and careless for Hilco to continue their demolition of the Crawford Coal plant after they already caused so much damage and covered our neighborhood in a dust cloud. Their track record proves that they do not value the public health of our community, which already has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the state.

“The City’s decision to reauthorize the demolition is irresponsible and downright disrespectful to our community. Official notice still has not be given to neighbors, which is completely unacceptable.

“The City cannot say that it prioritizes the health of black and brown communities and then allow a known polluter to continue their demolition. The mayor needs to deny the demolition permits and to stop work on the site immediately. We deserve actual protection during this crisis, not lip service.”

CHICAGO – With her home ZIP code experiencing the highest COVID-19 infection rate in the state, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“Staying at home is a privilege that working people literally cannot afford. With an overwhelmed unemployment system, no adequate safety net and lack of personal protective equipment, people in my community are forced to choose between getting infected at work or losing everything.

“As we continue adapting to this pandemic, we must address the amplified economic and health disparities in our communities. It is black and brown ZIP codes that have the highest rates of infection, so addressing that starts with additional testing sites in our neighborhoods.

“I am grateful that the governor announced he is partnering with community health centers to make testing more available, as well as covered by emergency Medicaid regardless of status. I urge the governor to continue these partnerships and to reach out to local businesses to ensure that they are strictly following health and safety guidelines for the thousands of service industry and other essential workers who are putting their lives on the line.”