CHICAGO – In response to the Town of Cicero’s lawsuit against City View Multicare Center, Gov. JB Pritzker, the State of Illinois and the Illinois Department of Public Health, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“The monitoring and reporting systems in place failed the residents of City View. What should have been isolated incidents turned into a mass infection, placing the most vulnerable people to coronavirus in serious danger.

“The Town of Cicero and state agencies must work together to address the health and safety of the residents and staff at City View. That includes creating more remote testing sites in the community, quarantining those who have been infected and providing staff with adequate personal protection equipment. The state has the capacity to do this and it must.”

CHICAGO – With the coronavirus pandemic forcing thousands of businesses to close, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) urges eligible Chicago business owners to apply for the new Microbusiness Recovery Grant Program.

“Many of the assistance programs available are not accessible to the most vulnerable in our community,” Villanueva said. “Working people deserve relief regardless of status. This program is open to those who are too often left behind.”

The Microbusiness Recovery Grant Program will award 1,000 businesses with four or fewer employees a one-time grant of $5,000. The grant money, funded entirely by private donations, must be used as working capital for expenses such as payroll, rent, insurance or taxes. Applications are available in English and Spanish on the City of Chicago’s website and are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 4, 2020.

CHICAGO – In an effort to help people struggling to pay their student loans during the unprecedented economic challenges facing the state and country, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) highlighted relief options that could benefit nearly 140,000 Illinoisans.

“During this financially difficult time, people should not have to worry about how they will pay down their student debt,” Villanueva said. “I urge impacted borrowers to contact their loan providers immediately to discuss options to temporarily wave payments.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) announced today that a new COVID-19 testing facility is open in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago.

“The systemic health disparities my community faces have existed since well before this pandemic, but are now on display for everyone to see,” Villanueva said. “I am grateful that the state is increasing testing availability in the communities hardest hit by coronavirus. Everyone deserves access to quality health care, regardless of their ZIP code.”

The new testing facility will be administered by Howard Brown Health and located at Project Vida, 2659 S. Kedvale Ave., Chicago. They can be reached by phone at 773-388-1600. Services will be available to all residents regardless of immigration status.