Para leer en español, haz click aqui. 

Dear Friend,

First and foremost, happy holidays from my family to yours!

As we celebrate, it’s important that we stay updated on the latest COVID-19 information to protect ourselves and our loved ones. The newly emergent Omicron variant is further proof of the importance of following the advice of experts and getting vaccinated to help end this pandemic.

Read on for information about upcoming deadlines for rental, energy and loan assistance this winter and updates on booster dose expansion, getting health insurance coverage and more.

You can also reach out to my office by calling 773-278-2020, sending a text message to 773-207-7838, or sending us a note at www.senatorpacionezayas.com/contact-us to set up an appointment in our district office at 3140 W. Montrose Ave.

Sincerely,

Cristina Pacione-Zayas

State Senator | 20^th District

Read more ...

Community-minded equity lens guides her approach to policymaking

By MARIA GARDNER
For Capitol News Illinois

State Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas’ friends tease her for changing the meaning of words. “Solution” becomes a verb when she says “I’m about solutioning.” 

Pacione-Zayas, 43, D-Chicago, has been actively “solutioning” since she took office in December when then-state Sen. Iris Martinez stepped down to become Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Representing the 20th district on Chicago’s Northwest side, Pacione-Zayas has flexed her expertise in education and leaned on her community-minded equity lens to guide her approach to policymaking.

Raised as an only child, her community played a huge part in her life. She grew up in Logan Square and, from a young age, her parents took her to board meetings and community events, instilling in her the importance of social responsibility and collective action. Those experiences “really helped shape what I bring to the table in terms of a legislator,” she said.

Read more ...