Veto session, resources and more, Nov. 4

: Published: Wednesday, November 03, 2021 11:08 AM

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Dear friend,

It’s been a busy few weeks as the Senate reconvened in Springfield to address measures during our fall session. From investing in the electric vehicle industry to protecting workers throughout the state, the General Assembly passed various measures to help our state move forward.

Read more about the work I did during last week, and explore resources that may be a help to you below.

Additionally, the CDC has officially recommended the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11 years old. Vaccinating children will help protect them from getting COVID-19 and help reduce their risk of severe disease, hospitalizations, or developing long-term COVID-19 complications. Roll out of vaccines for children will begin this week. Find vaccination options near you and learn more here.

As always, feel free to call my office at 773-278-2020, send a text message to 773-207-7838, or send us a note at www.senatorpacionezayas.com/contact-us to set up an appointment in our district office at 3140 W. Montrose Ave. We are here to serve!

Sincerely,

State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas | 20^th District

Resources

Emergency Rental Assistance Extended

A new round of rental assistance under IDHA opens on Nov. 8. Learn more about future Illinois Rental Payment Program and mortgage assistance program information at www.illinoishousinghelp.org.

Resentencing Initiative

In the wake of the passage of Senate Bill 2129, which affords prosecutors the discretion to motion to resentence incarcerated persons in the interests of justice, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office will begin to review cases from Cook County and identify incarcerated persons whose sentences may fall into a set category of cases. This process is known as the Resentencing Initiative, and you can learn more about the kinds of cases being looked at on the CCSAO website.

Child Care Assistance Program

The Illinois Department of Human Services has announced new investments to expand childcare for parents seeking to re-enter the workforce and support childcare providers. Families interested in applying for support through the CCAP can contact their local Child Care Resource & Referral Agency (CCR&R) which can be found online at https://www.inccrra.org/about/sdasearch or by calling 1- 877-202-4453 toll-free.

Mary T. Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program

Interested in a career in the accounting profession? The Mary T. Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program is currently accepting applications through Nov. 8! Learn more and apply here: https://www.icpas.org/future-cpa/college-students/MTWWProgram

Envision Unlimited Community Based Programs

For over 70 years, Envision Unlimited has served people with disabilities across all ages, abilities, and backgrounds through day programs, community living arrangements and other services for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Learn more about Envision Unlimited and read about my visit to two of their facilities here.

Jobs of the Week

Check it out! Logan Square Neighborhood Association is hiring a Research and Evaluation Manager who will develop and direct the Parent Mentor Program evaluation strategy and plan to better evaluate the organization's outcomes and impact. Learn more and apply here: https://www.lsna.net/careers

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is hiring an Information Technology/Communications System Specialist I in their Springfield office. Learn more on the Work for Illinois website.

Erie Health Center is still hiring for various positions, including patient access representatives, medical assistants and community health nurses. Learn more and apply here: https://www.eriefamilyhealth.org/careers/

Illinois Senate Democrats are hiring multiple positions in their Springfield, Chicago, and district offices. Apply by Nov. 5 and learn more below:

Veto Session Overview

It was a busy two weeks in Springfield as the Illinois General Assembly convened for fall session. The Senate tackled major issues including the Youth Health and Safety Act, expansion of electric vehicles, and my own measure to empower Local School Councils. Read more below:

Pacione-Zayas measure to empower local school councils heads to governor’s desk

To give parents and students in the Chicago Public Schools a stronger voice in how they operate, I sponsored a measure to further empower Local School Councils in Chicago while the Board of Education transitions to an elected school board. Read more here.

Pacione-Zayas releases statement on Youth Health and Safety Act

“Illinois continues to support reproductive health and provide people a safe haven to exercise their right to choose. While states like Texas continuously strip this right away, today we stand in solidarity with young pregnant people who might not have an adult family member to safely go to about an unplanned pregnancy.

“An unplanned pregnancy can be daunting for anyone, especially for a young pregnant person in an unsafe and unstable living situation. Solutions that help young pregnant people get the support they need will allow them to make the personal health decisions that are best for them.”

Visit from students and professors from UIC’s Hispanic Center of Excellence

It was an honor to present a proclamation to students and professors from UIC’s Hispanic Center of Excellence in celebration of the Center’s 30^th anniversary last week. HCOE has helped UIC’s College of Medicine produce the largest number of admitted and graduated Latino physicians in the country. Thank you to HCOE for all the hard work you do!

Staff Highlight

Susana González, RN MSN MHA CNML

Susana González is a leader who fully commits to everything she embraces. Her purpose in life is to leave this world a little better than she found it. She is a phenomenal nurse educator and enjoys mentoring and developing the next generation of healthcare providers and promoting all levels of education in changing their lives.

Susana is currently a nurse educator for ASI Home Care agency. In addition, she is adjunct faculty for two schools of nursing. Throughout her career Susana, has role modeled true servant leadership and served on numerous committees and board of directors of key organizations on a local, state, and national levels. She continues to be at the forefront on health care issues for diversity and inclusion of ethnic and underserved communities. She is active on advisory committees for elected officials in the State of Illinois and she is an exemplar advocate for public policy change specifically in the nurse profession and diversity and inclusion in higher education.

Read Susana’s full bio here.