SPRINGFIELD —As an advocate for clean energy and a sustainable future, State Senator Graciela Guzmán celebrated the passage of Senate Bill 25 while calling for additional legislation to address rising costs of energy for consumers.

“If we sit idly as Wall Street lets big energy companies raise electricity prices, we will be left to foot the bill of a broken system and risk people losing access to power entirely,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “This measure will invest in our clean energy future and help transition Illinois to a cleaner, more reliable grid while supporting workers and families.”

SPRINGFIELD — During the few days in the past months when State Senator Graciela Guzmán has not been on the front lines responding to ICE agents in her community, she helped to pass a measure expanding protections for immigrant Illinoisans from being detained at several sensitive locations, including hospitals, courthouses, daycares, and higher education institutions.

“Past federal administrations have respected that a person’s immigration status is not more significant than their ability to receive life-saving medical care from a hospital,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “Unfortunately, as our community members have experienced firsthand, this administration does not have the same morality. Their targeting of individuals in some of their most vulnerable moments, like going to court to testify on domestic violence cases or receive essential health care, is deplorable and should concern all Americans, not just those who are being profiled currently.”

House Bill 1312 would allow Illinois residents to bring civil actions against any person who deprives them of their constitutional rights under the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution, or Section 2 or Section 6 of Article 1 of the Illinois Constitution.

CHICAGO — An outspoken advocate for addressing food insecurity among Illinoisans, State Senator Graciela Guzmán is deeply concerned at the possible cessation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits, on Nov. 1. because of the federal government shutdown. If left unaddressed, nearly 2 million Illinois residents may go hungry because of lack of access to basic nutrients. 

“As a former SNAP recipient whose family relied on this program to put food on the table, I am sick at the thought of thousands of children just like me going hungry because of individuals’ egos and partisan loyalties,” said Guzmán. “Politics should not take precedent over human lives, which is what is at risk when we cut off access to food for millions of vulnerable people, many of them children.” 

SNAP provides critical support for children, seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities, offering the nutrition they need to live healthy, productive lives. The federal government shutdown threatens to halt these benefits immediately, putting millions at risk of food insecurity—including the 26,793 people in the district Guzmán represents who rely on SNAP benefits.

SPRINGFIELD — By clarifying the scope the Department of Innovation and Technology, a new law led by State Senator Graciela Guzmán will help make state government agencies more efficient.

“Without clarity of an organization’s responsibilities, there will be countless misunderstandings between agencies that result in delays in service for the people of Illinois,” said Senator Guzmán (D-Chicago). “I fought for this legislation so that state employees have more clarity on inter-agency collaboration so that we can provide supports to Illinoisans as soon as possible.” 

House Bill 1631 clarifies the role of DoIT by outlining what agencies DoIT is required to cover. It establishes that DoIT is only required to cover transferred agencies, and while they may assist other state agencies if said agency requests them to, they are not required to do so. These clarifications reduce the burden DoIT has faced from state agencies expecting them to complete more requests than they had capacity to address, and will clear up the role of DoIT compared to other state agencies.