Villanueva fights to increase worker protections

• SB 3146

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) argued for stronger penalties against employers in violation of the One Day Rest in Seven Act by introducing Senate Bill 3146 in the Senate Labor Committee Wednesday.

“The One Day Rest in Seven Act is one of many invaluable protections for workers in the state,” Villanueva said. “We have to make sure the expectations of employers everywhere are standard at all levels of operation.”

The One Day Rest in Seven Act is an existing law that protects workers’ right to one 24-hour period of rest in each week and one 20-minute meal break per 7.5 hour shift. Villanueva is the chief sponsor of SB 3146, which would update existing penalties to be more consistent with other labor and employment laws. Certain sections of the One Day Rest in Seven Act have not been updated since 1972, which spurred the changes in the measure.

The initiative came from the Illinois Department of Labor and Arise Chicago, a community-based organization that fights workplace injustice through organizing and advocating for public policy changes. The collaboration of these two agencies will be vital as the measure moves forward in the legislative process.

“Increasing the penalties makes labor violations consistent with Illinois law,” Villanueva said. “Enforcing these provisions becomes easier when there isn’t conflicting law, which in turn makes it easier to protect the hard workers of our state.”

SB 3146 passed the Senate Labor Committee and awaits consideration before the full Senate.

Villanueva: Budget proposal provides a good foundation

• Budget Address

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the governor’s annual budget address Wednesday, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) issued the following statement:

“It’s clear that certain communities have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, demonstrating the need for a comprehensive plan to expand access to health care and public health resources while also working toward a more equitable society. One of our top priorities has to be ensuring the safety and wellbeing of immigrant communities, who continue to struggle finding access to supportive resources.”

“Working-class and immigrant communities have been the backbone of our state throughout this pandemic, and it’s clear that the governor has made an earnest effort to prioritize their safety and wellbeing by investing in community organizations that support local residents. Though this proposal is a good start, I would like to see more active consideration of the populations in my community that still need support services and increased resources.”

“Making sure our residents have the resources they need is what fuels our state and allows us to be a leader in worker protection, public safety and social equity.”

Villanueva announces recovery assistance to local libraries

• Grant

CHICAGO – Local libraries in Stickney will be given nearly $39,000 in grants to provide assistance for pandemic recovery thanks to support from State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago).

“Libraries, like many of our businesses and homes, have been disrupted greatly by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” Villanueva said. “Despite these challenges, our local libraries have provided resources to job seekers, educators and the general public, and our support to them should be a reflection of all they do for our communities.”

The goal of the initiative is to respond to the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic by providing funding for libraries to modify their services, transform their spaces and develop more resources for their local recovering workforce. These funds will also ensure all operations can be provided safely and effectively as the pandemic continues.

“These projects focus on ways to invest in the hard-working families in our communities that have done all they can to thrive despite the pandemic,” Villanueva said. “Libraries are a source of innovation, and I am honored to continue to serve them while they continue to serve our communities.”

A full list of libraries receiving a grant can be found here.

Villanueva: Poor treatment and low wages are unacceptable at any capacity

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) released the following statement in response to labor complaints from workers athe El Milagro tortilla factories:

“I am outraged by the claims from the workers at El Milagro. Exploiting worker’s rights through poor treatment and low wages is unacceptable in any capacity, and even more so during a pandemic that has severely impacted the communities on the Southwest side of the city of Chicago.

“Even before the pandemic, many working families were struggling to make ends meet—so to learn that working conditions have only worsened is extremely disheartening. People’s livelihoods are at stake, and the workers and our communities deserve better.

“As a former organizer and union member, I stand with all workers in the fight against workplace exploitation and those fighting for their rights, because worker rights are human rights.”