CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) was named chair of the Illinois Senate Human Rights Committee on Monday.

“I promise to be a fighter for the voices that have been left out of the conversation,” Villanueva said. “Our friends and neighbors are counting on us to uphold their dignity and push for equity, and I will be there every step of the way.”

The new standing committee will take on issues such as immigration, LGBTQIA+ rights and anti-racism policies. This is Senator Villanueva’s first committee chairpersonship.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues to address the roots of the disparities that have marginalized communities for generations,” Villanueva said. “We refuse to go back to how things were before the pandemic. We must build our communities back stronger, together.”

Committee schedules and livestreamed proceedings are available at www.ilga.gov.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) was sworn in to continue representing the 11^th State Senate District of Illinois on Wednesday.

“I am honored to have the trust and support of my community,” Villanueva said. “When I go to Springfield, I bring the voices of my community with me knowing that we are stronger when we fight for justice together.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) voted to expand the collective bargaining rights of Chicago teachers today.

“I am a product of Chicago Public Schools,” Villanueva said. “I knew the look of stress on my teacher’s face when they had to handle 30-plus students. We need to give teachers the power to advocate for our students and our communities.”

House Bill 2275 would once again make major factors like class size, staff size and length of the academic year subject to collective bargaining. Teachers in Chicago Public Schools (CPS), particularly in Black and Latinx communities, have suffered class sizes that exceed CPS’s established limits and staff shortages including nurses, special educators and social workers.

CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the passing of former State Senator Martin Sandoval:

“COVID-19 is real and continues to devastate communities across the Southwest side.

“Please show compassion for your neighbors and wear a mask, social distance and listen to the health experts who are desperately trying to save lives. Not taking these basic precautions has real consequences felt by thousands of families across the state.

“My deepest sympathies go to Martin’s family during their time of loss.”