Dear Friend,

This week, I had my second Legislative Town Hall, where I went over some of the legislation I’ve filed with our partner organizations including the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Cook County College Teachers Union, and State Representative Jaime Andrade. I am incredibly proud to say we moved 4 of our bills out of committee, meaning we are one step closer to implementing policies that will benefit our communities. We also still have 11 bills assigned to appropriation and substantive committees. We will work to have these bills heard prior to the April 11 third reading deadline in the Senate.

With over 20 bills filed this session, I want to take the time to go over where some of these other bills are in the legislative process, and what residents of the 20th District can look forward to when it comes to our legislation moving through committee. To hear more, read on! Also, stay tuned for our next town hall, scheduled for April 28 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

For upcoming opportunities to get involved, follow my social media on Bluesky, Facebook, and Instagram. Please also consider joining our constituent roundtable program, where members of the community can get involved in creating legislation, no matter what level of expertise you have on the subject matter. Click here if you are interested in participating. I can’t wait to meet you and discuss our plans for progressive change for our community and state!

Additionally, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office by calling 773-278-2020, texting 773-207-7838, or visiting SenatorGuzman.com/contact-us if you need assistance with state agencies or other concerns. My office and I are here for you.

In Solidarity,
 

Senator Graciela Guzmán
20th District

Legislative Breakdown

Overview of how a bill becomes a law

Senate Bill 2202

In our town hall meeting, advocates from CCCTU discussed the importance of our legislation, Senate Bill 2202, also known as the Academic Freedom of Expression Act. This initiative would protect the free speech of students and faculty of higher education institutions should the institution they are affiliated with attempt to silence their attempts of education, protest or advocacy. In a time where our federal administration is targeting and punishing students and higher education institutions as a whole for speaking out at protests that disagree with their beliefs, this legislation has never been more important.

However, this bill has not yet been assigned to a committee in the Senate, so it is in the early steps of becoming a law. I hope that with more advocacy and work with my colleagues, we will be able to move legislation on this important issue soon. Until then, track its progress here.

Senate Bill 2203

This week, we had a subject matter hearing on our initiative Senate Bill 2203. This means we brought in experts on the topic, advocates, and folks personally impacted by the issue to give testimony and answer questions from members of the Senate Executive Subcommittee on AI and Social Media. Senate Bill 2203, or the Preventing Algorithmic Discrimination Act, would require organizations utilizing AI tools to perform an impact assessment for any AI tool they use, and to share the impact assessment with the Attorney General within 60 days of completion. It would also require deployers to notify any people impacted by consequential decisions of an AI tool before or at the time of the decision. This is designed to ensure AI is not being utilized recklessly, to discriminate, or resulting in negative outcomes. Thank you to Vihncent Le from TechEquity for offering testimony.

Currently, the measure is being heard in the Senate Executive Subcommittee on AI and Social Media. To see when this subcommittee has their next hearing, click here.

Senate Bill 1298

To better prepare for a potential influx of new Illinoisans displaced by climate change, our measure Senate Bill 1859 would establish a climate displacement task force to identify future resource needs, support community resilience, and develop policies in collaboration with residents, advocates, and industry stakeholders. The bill would also require that the task force present an initial report delineating the task force's findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than June 30, 2026.

I am proud to report that this bill passed through the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee last Thursday! To hear more, read here.

Senate Bill 1859

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. This is a real problem considering 1 in 4 college students in the U.S. face food insecurity and do not know where their next meal is coming from. Community College students and students of color are over represented in those numbers.

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. My new initiative 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.

I was thrilled that this measure passed through the Senate Health & Human Services Committee last Tuesday. To hear more, read here.

Senate Bill 2201

For the safety of people who are incarcerated as well as staff who have a duty to intervene in these situations, we need to do more to prevent contraband from moving into prisons. However, our methods to prevent contraband need to be rooted in facts and data. My new initiative will help us get a better understanding of where contraband is coming from before imposing new regulations that are not based on evidence—methods that further isolate and dehumanize people who are incarcerated. I am proud to report that this bill passed through committee last week. Read more here.

Senate Bill 1261

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. 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 my initiative, which passed committee earlier this month, will work to make this method of landownership more common, and to continue to build on the ingenuity of their model. Read more here.  

¿Dónde está mi legislación?

Estimada comunidad,

Esta semana tuve mi segundo Foro Legislativo, donde resumí algunos de los proyectos de ley que he presentado con nuestras organizaciones asociadas, como el Depósito de Alimentos del Gran Chicago, el Sindicato de Maestros del Cook County College y el representante estatal Jaime Andrade. Me enorgullece enormemente decir que logramos sacar 4 de nuestros proyectos de ley del comité, lo que significa que estamos un paso más cerca de implementar políticas que beneficiarán a nuestras comunidades. También tenemos 11 proyectos de ley asignados a los comités de asignación de fondos y sustantivos. Trabajaremos para que estos proyectos de ley se examinen antes de la fecha límite del 11 de abril para la tercera lectura en el Senado.

Con más de 20 proyectos de ley presentados en esta sesión, quiero aprovechar para repasar la situación en la que se encuentran algunos de estos otros proyectos de ley en el proceso legislativo y lo qué pueden esperar los residentes del Distrito 20 con respecto al avance de nuestra legislación en el comité. ¡Para saber más, siga leyendo! Además, esté atento/a a nuestro próximo foro, programado para el 28 de abril a las 7 p. m. Vía Zoom.

Para conocer las próximas oportunidades de participación, síganme en mis redes sociales: Bluesky, Facebook e Instagram. También consideren unirse a nuestro programa de mesa redonda para constituyentes, donde los miembros de la comunidad pueden participar en la creación de legislación, sin importar su nivel de experiencia en el tema. Hagan clic aquí si les interesa participar. ¡Espero conocerlos y conversar sobre nuestros planes para un cambio progresista en nuestra comunidad y estado!

Además, no duden en comunicarse con mi oficina llamando al 773-278-2020, enviando un mensaje de texto al 773-207-7838 o visitando SenatorGuzman.com/contact-us si necesitan ayuda con agencias estatales o tienen alguna otra inquietud. Mi oficina y yo estamos aquí para ustedes.

En solidaridad,
 

Senator Graciela Guzmán
Senadora Estatal | Distrito 20

Análisis legislativo

Resumen de cómo un proyecto de ley se convierte en ley

Proyecto de ley del Senado 2202

En nuestro foro, defensores de CCCTU discutieron la importancia de nuestra legislación, el Proyecto de ley del Senado 2202, también conocido como la Ley de Libertad de Expresión Académica. Esta iniciativa protegería la libertad de expresión de estudiantes y profesores de instituciones de educación superior en caso de que la institución a la que están afiliados intente silenciar sus iniciativas educativas, de protesta o de defensa. En un momento en que nuestra administración federal está atacando y castigando a estudiantes e instituciones de educación superior en general por alzar la voz en protestas que discrepan con sus creencias, esta legislación nunca ha sido más importante.

Sin embargo, este proyecto de ley aún no ha sido asignado a un comité en el Senado, por lo que se encuentra en las primeras etapas de su proceso de aprobación. Espero que con más incidencia y trabajo con mis colegas, podamos impulsar pronto la legislación sobre este importante tema. Hasta entonces, siga el progreso aquí.

Proyecto de Ley del Senado 2203

Esta semana, celebramos una audiencia sobre nuestra iniciativa, el Proyecto de Ley Senatorial 2203. Esto implica que reunimos a expertos en el tema, defensores y personas afectadas personalmente por el problema para que dieran testimonio y respondieron a las preguntas de los miembros del Subcomité Ejecutivo del Senado sobre IA y Redes Sociales. El Proyecto de Ley Senatorial 2203, o Ley de Prevención de la Discriminación Algorítmica, exigiría a las organizaciones que utilizan herramientas de IA que realicen una evaluación de impacto de cualquier herramienta que utilicen y que la compartan con el Fiscal General en un plazo de 60 días a partir de su finalización. También exigiría a los implementadores que notifiquen a las personas afectadas por las decisiones consecuentes de una herramienta de IA antes o en el momento de la decisión. Esto tiene como objetivo garantizar que la IA no se utilice de forma imprudente, con fines discriminatorios o que genere resultados negativos. Gracias a Vihncent Le de TechEquity por su testimonio.

Actualmente, la medida se está examinando en el Subcomité Ejecutivo del Senado sobre IA y Redes Sociales. Para ver cuándo tendrá lugar la próxima audiencia de este subcomité, haga clic aquí.

Proyecto de Ley del Senado 1298

Para prepararnos mejor ante una posible afluencia de nuevos residentes de Illinois desplazados por el cambio climático, nuestra medida, el Proyecto de Ley del Senado 1859, establecería un grupo de trabajo sobre desplazamiento climático para identificar las futuras necesidades de recursos, apoyar la resiliencia comunitaria y desarrollar políticas en colaboración con residentes, defensores y partes interesadas de la industria. El proyecto de ley también exigiría que el grupo de trabajo presentará un informe inicial con sus hallazgos, conclusiones y recomendaciones a la Asamblea General a más tardar el 30 de junio de 2026.

¡Me enorgullece informar que este proyecto de ley fue aprobado por el Comité de Medio Ambiente y Conservación del Senado el jueves pasado! Para obtener más información, lea aquí.

Proyecto de Ley del Senado 1859

Casi dos tercios de los estudiantes en EE. UU. que son elegibles para el SNAP no reciben beneficios, según la Oficina de Responsabilidad del Gobierno de EE. UU. Muchos estudiantes se ven disuadidos de solicitarlo porque asumen o se les informa incorrectamente que no son elegibles. Otros que sí lo hacen son rechazados por error debido a la complejidad de las reglas para los estudiantes. Este es un problema real, considerando que uno de cada cuatro estudiantes universitarios en Estados Unidos enfrenta inseguridad alimentaria y no sabe de dónde obtendrá su próxima comida. Los estudiantes de colegios comunitarios y los estudiantes de color están sobrerrepresentados en estas cifras.

Sin esta iniciativa, los estudiantes no son elegibles para el SNAP a menos que cumplan con condiciones especiales, como trabajar al menos 20 horas semanales en un trabajo remunerado, además de asistir a la escuela. Mi nueva iniciativa, el Proyecto de Ley del Senado 1298, simplificará y ampliará la elegibilidad para los beneficios del SNAP, permitiendo que todos los estudiantes de colegios y universidades públicas de Illinois se beneficien del programa, siempre que cumplan con los requisitos de ingresos y otros requisitos de elegibilidad.

Me emocionó mucho que esta medida fuera aprobada por el Comité de Salud y Servicios Humanos del Senado el martes pasado. Para más información, lea aquí.

Proyecto de Ley del Senado 2201

Para la seguridad de las personas encarceladas, así como del personal que tiene el deber de intervenir en estas situaciones, debemos redoblar nuestros esfuerzos para evitar que el contrabando ingrese a las prisiones. Sin embargo, nuestros métodos para prevenir el contrabando deben basarse en hechos y datos. Mi nueva iniciativa nos ayudará a comprender mejor el origen del contrabando antes de imponer nuevas regulaciones sin fundamento empírico, métodos que aíslan y deshumanizan aún más a las personas encarceladas.

Me enorgullece informar que este proyecto de ley fue aprobado en comisión la semana pasada. Lea más aquí.

Proyecto de Ley del Senado 1261

La vivienda es un derecho humano. Debemos hacer todo lo posible para que sea más asequible y accesible para los habitantes de Illinois, incluyendo la propiedad de una vivienda. Los fideicomisos de tierras comunitarias son una excelente vía para hacer realidad el sueño de ser propietario de una vivienda y permitir que las personas tengan mayor estabilidad en su situación vital.

Me entusiasma que mi iniciativa, aprobada en el comité de este mes, contribuya a que este método de propiedad de la tierra sea más común y a que sigamos desarrollando el ingenio de su modelo. Lea más aquí.

Dear Friend,

It has been a busy few weeks in Springfield and in the 20th District. From advocating for legislation to create a more equitable society, to meeting with local organizations and schools, we have been hitting the ground running to hear from you, and take your concerns back to the Capitol. It has also been great to see how our community has rallied together to support each other amidst the reckless attacks against us from the federal administration.

I was also honored by Northside Action for Justice with the Everyday Heroes Award, which is granted to folks fighting for justice and human rights for folks who are denied these freedoms. I am humbled to be recognized as a leader in our community with this award, and promise to continue to use my platform to advocate for positive changes in the 20th district.

For upcoming opportunities to get involved, follow my social media on Bluesky, Facebook, and Instagram. I am excited to share more information about our constituent roundtable program, where members of the community can get involved in creating legislation, no matter what level of expertise you have on the subject matter. I can’t wait to meet you and discuss our plans for progressive change for our community and state! Please save the date for our next legislative town hall: Monday, March 24th from 7-8pm via Zoom. Details below!

Additionally, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office by calling 773-278-2020, texting 773-207-7838, or visiting SenatorGuzman.com/contact-us if you need assistance with state agencies or other concerns. My office and I are here for you.

Read on to learn more about what I’ve been working on legislatively, upcoming district events, and more information on our recent visits to some of the great organizations in our district. It is a pleasure to represent such a passionate and powerful district. Together, we’re unstoppable.
 

In Solidarity,

Senator Graciela Guzmán
20th District

Community Advocacy

Addressing health care crisis with Medicaid cuts

Earlier this month, I joined Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, Congressman Jonathan Jackson and Congressman Danny Davis at Humboldt Park Health to address the urgent crisis to our communities and health care safety net caused by Medicaid cuts. These cuts threaten the lives of over 3 million families, seniors, and individuals in the state of Illinois who rely on Medicaid as a lifeline for their healthcare and vital services.

Dear Friend,

I have witnessed firsthand how recent actions taken by our federal government have created fear and anxiety about what is to come in our neighborhoods. I see you and share your concerns for the state of our community, and I want to acknowledge that this is a valid response to these changes. I want to remind you about the strength of our community and our proven commitment to showing up for each other in the face of injustice. Our 20th district is made up of incredible non-profits, community mutual aid organizations, advocates, organizers, and more, all collectively pushing to keep our communities safe, advance human rights, and create a community where we can all thrive.

At this moment, I know my place more firmly than ever in ensuring my office and I are collaborating with you on critical projects, meeting neighbors directly where they are in our community areas, fighting for much-needed dollars in our district, and advocating fiercely to defend our district and state via policy and legislation. It has been a whirlwind seven weeks, and we will keep having your back in these times.

With the legislative session underway, I want to highlight necessary community resources while working on initiatives in Springfield. Read on for tax assistance, upcoming events, and more.

I also wanted to show some love to local Black-owned businesses during Black History Month and update you about what I’ve been up to in the district. You can find that information later in this newsletter.

For upcoming opportunities to get involved, follow my social media on Bluesky, Facebook, and Instagram. Following our first Legislative Town Hall, I am excited to share more information about our Constituent Roundtable program, where community members can get involved in creating legislation, no matter what level of expertise you have on the subject matter. I can’t wait to meet you and discuss our plans for progressive change for our community and state!

Please don’t hesitate to contact my office by calling 773-278-2020, texting 773-207-7838, or visiting SenatorGuzman.com/contact-us if you need assistance with state agencies or other concerns. My office and I are here for you.

In solidarity,
 

Senator Graciela Guzmán
20th District

Resources and grant opportunities

Cook County Know Your Rights Information

Dear Friend,

I hope you are taking care of yourself and your loved ones. Since arriving in Springfield, I have hit the ground running and begun filing 22 pieces of legislation and co-sponsoring initiatives that align with the values of self-determination in housing for working people, environmental justice, health care for all, and more. Read on for more information and insight on where we are in the legislative process and learn more about some of the bills I have filed or am co-sponsoring.

For upcoming opportunities to get involved, follow my social media on Bluesky, Facebook, and Instagram. I will be hosting a District Office open house on Feb. 13 and a virtual legislative town hall on Feb. 24 with more information below. I can’t wait to meet you and discuss our plans for progressive change for our community and state!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office by calling 773-278-2020, texting 773-207-7838, or visiting SenatorGuzman.com/contact-us if you need assistance with state agencies or other concerns. My office and I are here for you.

In solidarity,
 

Senator Graciela Guzmán
State Senator | 20th District

My Major Legislative Themes

Housing self-determination

Many folks in our community, including myself, struggle with the rising cost of living in our neighborhoods. Increased property tax rates and gentrification are actively pricing out people who have lived here for generations. As a firm believer that housing is a human right, these decisions are causing detrimental impacts to the safety and well-being of my neighbors. That isn’t right.

That’s why one of my top priorities as your state senator is advancing legislation that gives Illinoisans more security in their housing options and protects them against predatory actions from landlords and developers acting in poor faith. I believe the first step to doing this is by repealing the Rent Control Preemption Act, which has prevented rent control ordinances from being enacted by local governments for over 20 years.