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.

Estimada comunidad,

A principios de este mes, tuve el honor de ser juramentada como su Senadora Estatal. Me sentí humilde al asumir el cargo, ya que estoy acompañada por tantos miembros inteligentes y apasionados de la comunidad, a quienes espero enorgullezca mi servicio. Sin embargo, ha sido un momento difícil para asumir el cargo, debido a los recientes ataques a nuestra comunidad por parte de la nueva administración federal, que no ha perdido tiempo en adoptar iniciativas de odio contra nuestros vecinos inmigrantes y vecinos de la comunidad LGBTQIA+. Estos intentos sólo han aumentado mi motivación para defender a mi comunidad en la Asamblea General de Illinois y luchar por las protecciones que todos deberíamos tener como seres humanos. Planeo elevar nuestra visión colectiva de la justicia económica para la clase obrera y la propia determinación de la clase trabajadora con mi posición en la legislatura, así como defender las protecciones para los inmigrantes, las personas LGBTQIA +, y la salud reproductiva.

En mi nuevo puesto como Senadora Estatal, también tengo la intención de abordar las causas profundas de la falta de vivienda y la crisis de la vivienda, las políticas de inmigración inhumanas, las prácticas laborales injustas y mucho más. También aportaré mi experiencia abogando por un cuidado médico asequible y completo para crear legislación que establezca el cuidado médico como un derecho humano. Esta causa también es muy personal para mí, ya que perdí a mi abuelo Elías a una edad joven por no poder pagar sus gastos médicos. En mi trabajo previo, defendí cobertura de salud contra la revocación, lideré un programa innovador para adultos inmigrantes y dirigí programas comunitarios sobre la Ley de Asistencia Médica Asequible. Confío en poder utilizar lo aprendido en estas negociaciones para crear una política progresista que dé prioridad a los pacientes sobre los lucros.

También estoy muy interesada en saber que temas son los más importantes para usted y próximamente pondré en marcha mesas redondas abiertas para discutir nuestras ideas. Manténgase al tanto de la información sobre como inscribirse siguiendo mis redes sociales en Bluesky, Facebook e Instagram. También organizaré un evento de Puertas Abiertas de la Oficina de Distrito el 13 de febrero con información más abajo en este boletín informativo. ¡Estoy encantada de conocerle y hablar de nuestros planes de cambio para nuestra comunidad y nuestro estado!

Además de las invitaciones a los próximos eventos, he incluido algunos recursos útiles, incluyendo la asistencia de facturas de servicios públicos, la subvención de vivienda y asistencia de alquiler, consejos para el tiempo de frío, y mucho más. También habrá enlaces a mi boletín “Conozca sus derechos” y una información útil para compartir con sus vecinos para mantener a nuestros amigos y familiares inmigrantes seguros en este momento estresante.
Ahora, ¡manos a la obra para lograr un cambio positivo para Illinois!

En solidaridad,

Graciela Guzmán
Senadora Estatal, Distrito 20