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.

Read more: New COVID-19 testing center open in Little Village

CHICAGO – With the Lyons Elementary School District 103 board scheduled to meet tonight to consider cutting custodial staff, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“The school board needs to rethink reducing custodial staff during a global pandemic. Custodians have been essential to our public health even before this pandemic so firing them now will put students at higher risk.

“I am calling on our community to come together for these hard-working individuals whose labor is underappreciated and undervalued. It is an insult that their livelihoods are on the line at the same time that administrative positions with six-figure salaries are being considered.”

People interested in making a public comment must email their public comment to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by April 22, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Comments are limited to 200 words and will be read during the meeting.

CHICAGO – After the Hilco Redevelopment Partners’ demolition of the Crawford Coal plant sent a dust cloud racing through the Little Village neighborhood, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“Hilco’s decision to demolish the Crawford plant on a holiday weekend during a pandemic that has caused respiratory issues for thousands of people was reckless and inexcusable. The lack of consideration for our community is appalling and our families and essential workers could suffer for it.

“We need accountability. Hilco Redevelopment Partners must work with appropriate agencies to create a transparent, public plan without causing further damage to our community’s public health.

“Further, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency must investigate what contaminants were released during the demolition so that we can address the health concerns of everyone who was exposed.”

CHICAGO – With working families facing food insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) is promoting the state’s expansion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

“Thousands of people have been thrown out of work and need to feed their families,” Villanueva said. “We can’t allow the most vulnerable among us to go hungry during this crisis.”

Read more: SNAP recipients will receive maximum benefits through May