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.”

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.”