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.”

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.

Read more: Villanueva encourages microbusinesses to apply for new grant program

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.”

Read more: New student debt relief options available for borrowers