Monthly Town Hall Information

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Our next meeting is April 28th at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

• Town Hall

Guzmán to establish Climate Displacement Task Force

SPRINGFIELD — In a recent initiative passed through the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee, State Senator Graciela Guzmán would create a task force studying the impacts of climate displacement, and develop plans to better support the communities most impacted.

“Nearly every week on the news, there are reports of a severe environmental disaster that is devastating communities around our country and across the world,” said Guzmán. “From tornadoes and blizzards that impact us in Illinois, to fires, earthquakes, and hurricanes that wreak havoc throughout our country, we are all impacted by climate change, and may be displaced by the resulting damage from these extreme storms. We need to start planning for how to best support folks who will become displaced by climate change, and work on ways to prevent damage from volatile weather in our own communities, and this initiative will help lay the ground work to address these issues.”

Climate displacement is the forced or voluntary migrations of people due to climate change or environmental degradation. With rising global water levels and more extreme weather events, Midwestern states like Illinois will see an increase in the number of people trying to escape these situations, both from other states and other nations. Without a plan in place to support the displaced individuals, there may be destabilizing impacts on the state’s infrastructure.

• Environment
• Climate Displacement
• Task Force

Read more: Guzmán to establish Climate Displacement Task Force

Guzmán advances affordable housing measure, incentivizes purchase of community land trusts

SPRINGFIELD —Thanks to a new initiative from State Senator Graciela Guzmán to expand the accepted payment plans for homes through community land trusts, more people may soon have the opportunity to become homeowners.

“Housing is a human right. We should be doing everything in our power to make it more affordable and accessible for everyday Illinoisans, including homeownership,” said Guzmán. “Community land trusts are a great pathway to make the dream of homeownership a reality and allow for folks to have more stability in their living situation. I am excited that this initiative will work to make this method of landownership more common, and to continue to build on the ingenuity of their model.”

Community land trusts, or CLTs, are community-based, nonprofit organizations that manage a parcel of land to preserve long-term affordability of homes created through subsidies. CLTs sell homes on the land they manage at affordable prices to a qualifying homebuyer. Oftentimes, they place limits on the incomes of people looking to purchase homes to ensure affordable housing is going to people in the most financial need. Driven by constituents, for constituents, this model aims to keep folks in the community that may otherwise be priced out by corporate rent and mortgage rates. 

• Community Land Trusts
• Housing Affordability
• Gentrification

Read more: Guzmán advances affordable housing measure, incentivizes purchase of community land trusts

Guzmán measure to expand SNAP eligibility for college students

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Graciela Guzmán is championing a new initiative that would alleviate college student hunger by expanding eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in Illinois.

“It is hard to succeed in school when you’re hungry,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “Helping students, especially low-income scholars, who are disproportionately affected by food insecurity, succeed academically and economically is not only smart, but also the right thing to do for the next generation.”

Nearly two thirds of students in the U.S. who are eligible for SNAP are not receiving benefits, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Many students are deterred from applying because they assume or are advised incorrectly that they are not eligible. Others who do apply are rejected in error because the rules for students are so complex.

Without this initiative, students are not eligible for SNAP unless they meet special conditions, such as working at least 20 hours a week at a paid job in addition to going to school. Senate Bill 1298 would streamline and expand eligibility for SNAP benefits, allowing all students at public colleges and universities in Illinois to benefit from the program provided they meet income and other eligibility requirements.

• SNAP
• College students
• College affordability

Read more: Guzmán measure to expand SNAP eligibility for college students