SPRINGFIELD — Teachers may soon be able to utilize a central, easy-to-find website that shows the current standardized tests the state has contracted, thanks to a measure led by State Senator Graciela Guzmán that recently cleared the Senate.   

“Without a public, state-regulated location, our teachers may waste hours of their already scarce free time searching for up-to-date information on what assessments their students will be taking so that they can adjust their curriculum for their success,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “By creating a standard website where this information is kept and updated, teachers will be able to better prepare their students and ease the burden they are facing now by doing this research in their spare time.”

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’s latest legislative measure would ensure that people medically requiring laser hair removal due to hidradenitis supportive, dysphoria, or polycystic ovary syndrome will soon be able to get this procedure covered by their insurance plans. 

“We heard testimony from Illinoisans living with these describe the extreme discomfort and emotional distress they experience when they are unable to access treatment,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “Ensuring folks have access to medically necessary procedures through their insurance is a humane response to an issue that has long been overlooked.” 

Since laser hair removal is currently considered a cosmetic procedure, it is not covered by many health insurance plans. However, there are cases in which laser hair removal is considered medically necessary, including for people with Hidradenitis Suppurativa, a chronic inflammatory skin condition caused by blocked hair follicles, severe hormonal disorders that may lead to excess hair growth, and gender dysphoria. For people with these conditions, going through life without laser hair removal causes immense physical and mental discomfort, but unfortunately cannot be addressed by all insurance plans currently available. 

To give more people the ability to seek medically necessary care, House Bill 3248, championed by Representative Lilian Jiménez in the House, would require all state employee health plans and private insurance plans to cover medically necessary laser hair removal if the procedure is a prescribed medical treatment in accordance with generally accepted standards of medical care. If passed, people diagnosed with these conditions will be able to pursue this treatment plan at a lower personal cost and improve their quality of life. 

“Health care is a human right,” said Guzmán. “When our insurance companies deem certain conditions less deserving of covering treatment, that isn’t right. I am proud to have worked on a measure that prioritizes patients’ quality of life, and am glad to see it one step closer to becoming law.” 

House Bill 3248 passed the Senate on Thursday. 

SPRINGFIELD —State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s legislation to create a commission on youth sports under the Department of Human Services has passed the Senate, making it one step closer to becoming law and ensuring that all young people have access to equitable and robust youth sports programs. 

“Currently, the lack of equitable investments in youth sports programs statewide deprive thousands of children of the chance to develop skills and foster friendships with their peers,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “By creating a youth sports commission, we can research and address the inequalities that exist, and develop a strategic plan to make youth sports accessible to kids in every community in our state, regardless of their family’s income.” 

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 — As their community faces exponentially rising costs of living and gentrification, State Senator Graciela Guzmán and State Representative Will Guzzardi have developed legislation to collect data on the lack of more affordable housing options, inspiring agencies and organizations to invest in developing more affordable housing.

“Illinois has developed several programs to prevent homelessness and support the most vulnerable in our communities, but there is a gap in support for people who make slightly more, but still struggle to afford to live in their neighborhoods,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “Our initiative will demonstrate how great the need for more affordable housing is, taking the first step for us to address this issue and get working folks in reasonably priced living situations.” 

Illinois has passed legislation addressing housing insecurity by prioritizing the needs of the state’s most vulnerable to experiencing homelessness. The Office to Prevent and End Homelessness has implemented a multi-year strategy, Home Illinois, to reach towards functional zero homelessness statewide. Additionally, the Illinois Housing Development Authority finances and encourages the growth and preservation of affordable housing for renters at 80% of the area median income and below. These measures have worked to prevent some of the most vulnerable Illinoisans from experiencing homelessness.