Illinois State Senator Graciela Guzmán
  • HOME
  • |
  • NEWS
    • E-NEWSLETTERS
    • PRESS RELEASES
  • |
  • BIOGRAPHY
  • |
  • THE 20TH DISTRICT
  • |
  • CONTACT US
    • E-NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Guzmán plan to expand SNAP eligibility for college students passes Senate

Details
Category: Press Releases
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 05:26 PM

sb1298passageSPRINGFIELD — College students experiencing hunger may soon have relief, thanks to an initiative led by State Senator Graciela Guzmán to expand eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in Illinois.

“Students facing food insecurity may not be able to perform as well as their peers academically, restricting them from the same achievements and career opportunities they could reach if they had access to basic needs,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “Senate Bill 1298 would ensure no student goes hungry, helping all students achieve more academically and for their future.” 

According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, nearly two-thirds of students in the U.S. who are eligible for SNAP are not receiving benefits. 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.

  • SNAP
  • College students
  • Food Insecurity

Read more: Guzmán plan to expand SNAP eligibility for college students passes Senate

Guzmán advances legislation to study need for affordable housing

Details
Category: Press Releases
Wednesday, May 07, 2025 04:12 PM

hb3616committeeSPRINGFIELD — By collecting data on the need for more affordable housing options, State Senator Graciela Guzmán joined the initiative to incentivize government agencies and organizations to invest and support affordable housing projects throughout the state.

“If you ask everyday Illinoisians, they will tell you one of their biggest concerns is the rising cost of housing. Working people desperately need more affordable housing options,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “To ensure we can pass policies to address this need, we must have data to reflect the demand and the available inventory of affordable housing available for sale or for rent in low-income and middle-income households in each local government in Illinois.”

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 strive 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. 

  • Housing
  • Housing Affordability

Read more: Guzmán advances legislation to study need for affordable housing

Guzmán champions measure to modernize state’s use of technology and increase efficiency

Details
Category: Press Releases
Wednesday, May 07, 2025 04:06 PM

hb1631committeeSPRINGFIELD — To ensure state government agencies are more efficient, State Senator Graciela Guzmán is sponsoring legislation that would clarify the scope of the Department of Innovation and Technology.

“To deliver essential services to the people of Illinois, we must make sure our state agencies not only are invested in, but can operate efficiently with Illinoisans and each other,” said Senator Guzmán. “This measure will clear up confusing bureaucratic measures between state agencies, specifically DoIT’s responsibilities to other organizations, and allow them to deliver the work in a more timely manner.”   

House Bill 1631 would clarify the role of DoIT by outlining what agencies DoIT is required to cover. It also would clarify 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 will 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. 

  • Government Efficiency

Read more: Guzmán champions measure to modernize state’s use of technology and increase efficiency

Guzmán condemns Homeland Security Secretary visit to Springfield: A stunt to strike fear and distract from the strength of our community

Details
Category: Press Releases
Wednesday, May 07, 2025 12:40 PM

rallymay7SPRINGFIELD — 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.

  • Immigration

Read more: Guzmán condemns Homeland Security Secretary visit to Springfield: A stunt to strike fear and...

More Articles …

  1. Guzmán champions initiative increasing access to youth sports programs
  2. Guzmán initiative to increase transparency for ISBE contracts
  3. Guzmán advances legislation to expand dual language instruction
  4. Guzmán measure increasing transparency on how contraband enters prisons passes Senate

E-Newsletters

Press Releases

  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11

Page 7 of 11

Summer Book Club

eNewsletter & Texting Alert Sign-up

Invalid Input
Invalid Input
Please let us know your email address.
Invalid Input
Invalid Input

By selecting the “Opt-in Checkbox” and then clicking "Submit" you agree to (Terms Of Use) | (Privacy Policy) and to receive texts from Senator Guzmán at your mobile number. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies.

Office Information

Springfield Office:
Stratton Office Building
401 S. Spring St.
Section F, Office C
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8191

District Office:
3140 W. Montrose
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 278-2020 (Phone)
(773) 207-7838 (Text)

  1. You are here:  
  2. Home
  3. NEWS
Copyright © 2025 Illinois State Senator Graciela Guzmán. All Rights Reserved.