SPRINGFIELD — In response to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary’s visit to Springfield, State Senator Graciela Guzmán (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“I am proud that in Illinois, we have a long legacy of enacting protections for all our residents, regardless of their immigration status. Policies like the TRUST Act, Way Forward Act, VOICES, and the RISE Act are measures motivated by protecting founding tenets that make our country so great– the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These fundamental values are threatened by this administration, which has proven to undermine basic human rights and freedoms codified in our very constitution at every possible turn. This latest plot from the Department of Homeland Security is just par for the course of this administration and their dedication to instill fear and suppress the voices of freethinking people.

“Since the secretary took up the post, DHS has reportedly violated the human rights of thousands of our neighbors, jailed people without due process in an overcrowded prison, has overseen an agency that has deported a child undergoing cancer treatment, facilitated the possible deportation of US citizens, and more, in unlawful, morally bankrupt actions. Moreover, the secretary has repeated xenophobic and nationalist rhetoric aimed at stirring hate and division in our country, instead of offering solutions to the real issues that Americans are facing. By creating a dialogue based on hate and lies, she has justified unlawfully deporting thousands of folks without due process.

SPRINGFIELD — To ensure all young people have access to equitable and robust youth sports programs, State Senator Graciela Guzmán is leading legislation that would create a commission on youth sports under the Department of Human Services. 

“All children deserve the opportunity to play in a safe, supportive environment. However, without adequate or equitable investments, many young Illinoisans do not have those opportunities,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “Our state needs a youth sports commission to better understand how we can make youth sports programs more equitable and accessible, so that all children – not just those in wealthy communities – can make memories that will last them a lifetime.” 

Representing a historically underserved community and families with children who have been overlooked by state investments, Guzmán is passionate about equitable investment, especially in the next generation and programs to help them develop into the best versions of themselves. One such area is youth sports, where young people develop lifelong skills of teamwork, critical thinking, and leadership—as well as forming long-lasting friendships and talent in their sport of choice. Without equal access to youth sports programs, however, many children are robbed of these formative experiences, and can struggle with developing these skills in adulthood. 

SPRINGFIELD — To ensure educators and community-at-large have transparency from the Illinois State Board of Education on changes to state assessments, State Senator Graciela Guzmán is championing legislation to require information on their assessment contracts to be posted publicly and consolidated to a central, easy-to-find location.  

“Our teachers already have so much on their plate. We should be easing the burdens they face in any way we can, and streamlining where information on assessments live is an easy way to do that,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “This initiative ensures that teachers can easily access information on what assessments are currently under contract with the state, allowing them to model their curriculum and ensure their students demonstrate their full potential.” 

State assessment contracts are agreements between a state government agency and a vendor for the administration of standardized assessments. Based on which standardized assessment the state is under contract with, teachers may need to alter their curriculum to properly prepare their students to get the best scores on these tests.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Graciela Guzmán led a measure through the Senate Education Committee to expand dual language programs in grade schools. 

“When young people receive dual language instruction from an early age, they have a much easier time maintaining their literacy of multiple languages throughout their lives, leading them to more economic opportunities or deeper connections to their culture,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “It is important for us to encourage schools to invest in dual language programs, and join many other countries internationally that acknowledge the importance of early learners becoming bilingual.” 

Recognizing the importance of dual language education for young people, the Illinois Advisory Council for Bilingual Education, formed in 2023, began to research how to incentivize, improve and expand dual language instruction in schools. After extensive stakeholder engagement, expert consultation, and data collection, the council released a report to the General Assembly in October of 2024 with their recommendations. Their proposals were divided into three buckets – those with high costs to implement, low costs, and those with no prospective cost.