“This presents us with a chance for transformative change.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas called on the General Assembly to act on recommendations in the report released last week by the Illinois Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding and spoke on her own plan to increase education pathways and economic stability for early childhood educators.

“The Early Childhood Funding Commission has made our duties clear,” Pacione-Zayas said Thursday. “For the first time, this report clarifies the vision and investments we need to break down the barriers young children face in reaching their full potential.”

Pacione-Zayas worked with the commission as a member of the BUILD Initiative’s Illinois State Team, specifically focusing on the importance of building up the early childhood system in addressing systemic racism.

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Illinois pleas to skip SATs

State and federal education heads disagree on tests

Illinois Times, April 1, 2021 | Original article

By Madison Angell

The Illinois Senate has added to the call for the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) to waive spring assessments, such as the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), for students, as it did in 2020. State Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, D-Chicago, spearheaded a resolution, approved March 17, calling for testing waivers. She said many students have been learning remotely or in a hybrid system for the past year, and expecting them to return to school for in-person testing is unrealistic.

"We all know this is not a typical year," Pacione-Zayas said in a statement. "Let's have some compassion for our students and teachers and allow them to use their limited time in the classroom to learn and recover from the trauma of the pandemic, rather than to take stressful tests."

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Dear friend,

It’s time to begin the once-in-a-decade task of redrawing congressional and state legislative district lines.  

In an effort to gather public input to help us create a plan that reflects the diversity of the state, the Illinois Senate is hosting public hearings — and you’re welcome to watch and provide testimony.

Next week on April 8, the Chicago Northwest Redistricting Subcommittee will host a meeting at 5 p.m.

You may join us online at www.Ilga.gov - click on Audio/Video under the Senate heading to listen or view the hearing. The link appears just before the hearing is set to begin.

If you would like to testify or submit written testimony to the Illinois State Senate Redistricting Committee or any of its subcommittees contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For more information and a full list of hearings, visit www.ilsenateredistricting.com.

I hope you will take advantage of having your voice heard.

Missed my virtual town hall?

You can watch the video here and view slides from the presentation here.

An internship opportunity for young people

ASPIRA of Illinois is offering 120 paid internship opportunities to youth and young adults age 16-24 for a variety of programs from July 6 to Aug. 13 as part of its annual One Summer Chicago program. Participants work with educators and local business leaders to develop job readiness skills through weekly workshops. ASPIRA will be considering options for in-person or virtual internships. Applications are available now. You can find more information on how to apply here.

If you have any questions, concerns, or opinions about how I can best represent you in Springfield, please reach out to my office via my website at https://senatorpacionezayas.com/contact-us or by calling (773) 278-2020.

In solidarity,

Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Ph.D.
State Senator, 20th Illinois Senate District

Estimado amigo,

Es tiempo de comenzar la tarea que ocurre una vez cada diez años que determina los límites de los distritos legislativos estatales y congresionales.

En un esfuerzo de recopilar las opiniones del público que nos ayuden a crear un plan que refleje la diversidad de nuestro estado, el Senado de Illinois ofrecerá audiencias públicas – y usted está invitado a verlas y a ofrecer su testimonio. 

La próxima semana, el 8 de abril, el Subcomité de Redistritación del Noroeste de Chicago tendrá una junta a las 5 p.m.

Usted podrá verla en línea en www.Ilga.gov – seleccione Audio/Video para escuchar y ver la audiencia.

Si desea testificar o enviar un testimonio por escrito al Comité de Redistribución de Distritos del Senado de Illinois o a cualquiera de sus subcomités nos puede contactar en This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Para más información y la lista complete de las audiencias visite www.ilsenateredistricting.com. 

Espero que aproveche la oportunidad de hacer escuchar su voz.

¿Se perdió mi reunión comunitaria?

Puede ver el video aquí y ver las diapositivas de la presentación aquí.

Una oportunidad de pasantía para jóvenes

ASPIRA de Illinois está ofreciendo 120 oportunidades de internados pagados a los jóvenes y jóvenes adultos entre 16-24 años en varios programas del 6 de julio al 13 de agosto como parte de su Programa One Summer Chicago. Los participantes trabajan con educadores y líderes de negocios en el área para enseñar habilidades profesionales necesarias a través de talleres semanales. ASPIRA podrá considerar la opción de ofrecer entrenamientos en persona o de forma virtual. Las solicitudes de ingreso ya están disponibles. Puede consultar más información sobre cómo solicitar aquí. 

Si tiene preguntas, inquietudes u opiniones sobre cuál es la mejor forma de que se le represente en Springfield, por favor contacte mi oficina a través de mi sitio de internet https://senatorpacionezayas.com/contact-us o llamando al (773) 278-2020.

Con solidaridad,

Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Ph.D.
Senadora Estatal, Distrito 20 del Senado de Illinois