CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in announcing $15 million in funding for the Job Training and Economic Development program, including $525,000 for workforce development programs in the 12^th Senate District.

“Programs like JTED help create opportunities for Illinoisans who need it the most,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “By providing funding, support services are available to equip people with education, skills and training that will benefit them, their families and the state’s economy.”

The Job Training and Economic Development program provides workforce training and wraparound services to help bolster equitable workforce recovery for Illinoisans struggling to gain meaningful employment. Funds from this program aim to address the economic impacts experienced by employers and individuals who are underemployed, unemployed or underrepresented who have one or more barriers to employment that are identified as risk factors.

This is the second round of funding from the JTED program, awarding over $15 million to 33 organizations across Illinois. Midwest Asian Health Association, which falls within Villanueva’s district, is set to receive $525,000 from the program.

“The continued success of the JTED program is a testament to the importance of intentional investments in Illinois’ world-class workforce,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “This funding will support services to underemployed, unemployed and underrepresented communities and provide individuals access to good paying job opportunities.”

For more information on job training services, visit DCEO’s website.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva’s measure to create the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment was signed into law Friday – furthering her commitment to uplifting minority, women, veteran and disabled business owners.

“The Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment will ensure that equitable resources and opportunities will remain available to businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and those with disabilities,” said Villanueva (D–Chicago). “These necessary previsions protect the future of underrepresented businesses across the state.”

Senate Bill 859 creates the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, further protecting equity initiatives. While DCEO has the Office of Minority Economic Empowerment, it is not written into law. Villanueva’s law will preserve equity initiatives through the formal establishment of the office, and continue its current efforts supporting underserved business owners.

“Protective approaches are essential when discussing the progress of our state as far as equity and inclusion is concerned,” said Villanueva. “Planning ahead safeguards the future for businesses in marginalized communities.”

Senate Bill 859 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law, championed by State Senator Celina Villanueva, will allow driver’s license holders more notice for court appearances prior to suspension.

“Drivers are not receiving notice of court dates and unknowingly having their driving privileges revoked. This is a major issue that leads to severe consequences,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “This law will allow drivers the curtesy of electronic notice of court dates to reduce the possibility of suspension or further legal issues.”

Under House Bill 277, if a person fails to appear in court, the court may text, call or email the person's last known contact information with notice regarding the continued court dates. The notice will include a statement that a future failure to appear could result in a warrant or consequences affecting their driving privileges. The current penalty for failure to appear in court is immediate license suspension by the Secretary of State.

“In this digital age where we are likely to get unknown driving citations due to cameras on every corner, we need to make sure people are being notified in the same manner and snail mail is simply unreliable,” said Villanueva. “Driving privileges are a necessity and this will reduce the possibility of legal penalties and cycles of legal non-compliance.”

House Bill 277 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva championed a new law to provide additional protections to crime victims.

“This law protects survivors’ rights as they make the delicate decision to seek justice by trusting the system with their DNA,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “By providing this protection, survivors are able to avoid possible systemic retaliation of misuse of DNA evidence by the criminal justice system.”

The new law, formerly House Bill 1168, prevents DNA evidence collected from a crime victim from being entered into any DNA database.

Villanueva passed this legislation in response to a case in San Francisco where a rape survivor voluntarily provided her DNA to law enforcement to bring her attacker to justice. However, her DNA was put into a database without her consent – and was tested against crime scene DNA for years.

Villanueva’s law protects crime survivors against unreasonable searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment.

“This is just another instance of how survivors may be targeted by having their DNA put into a system that insists on treating them like criminals,” said Villanueva.  “It’s important that we work to change these practices so as not to discourage people from reporting their attackers.”

House Bill 1168 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.