Guzmán supports legislation to establish more “safe zones” for immigrants in response to amoral actions of ICE agents

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.

• Immigration
• Human Rights

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Food Pantries in Senator Guzmán’s District (IL-20)

Albany Park

Holy Order of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement – Food Distribution Center

• 4850 N Sawyer Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
• 773-383-0276

New Life Community Church - Albany Park

• 4540 N Hamlin Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
• 708-493-3676

Tabor Lutheran Church

• 3542 W Sunnyside Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
• 773-588-4040

Albany Park Food Pantry

• 3253 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
• 773-478-7941

Austin

Heritage International Community Development Corp.

• 5320 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60639
• 773-237-9600

Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church (GCFD)

• 1511 N Long Ave, Chicago, IL 60651
• 773-637-4800

Avondale

Open Arms Ministry

• 2649 N Francisco Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
• 773-252-3210

Belmont Cragin

Onward House

• 5433 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60639
• 773-622-3215

Iglesia Evangelica Emanuel

• 5016 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60639
• 773-237-1645

Grace and Peace Church

• 1856 N Leclaire Ave, Chicago, IL 60639
• 872-282-2252

Garfield Park

Breakthrough Urban Ministries Inc. (GCFD)

• 3334 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL 60624
• 773-722-1144

Greater Holy Temple COGIC (GCFD)

• 246 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60612
• 773-722-9430

Gladstone Park

New Hope Community Food Pantry (GCFD)

• 6125 W Foster, Chicago, IL 60630
• 773-775-1215

Hermosa

Life Impacters Foundation

• 2100 N Kildare Ave, Chicago, IL 60639
• 773-647-0000

New Hope Bible Church

• 1815 N Kostner Ave, Chicago, IL 60639
• 773-394-2860

Humboldt Park

European American Association

• 2827 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
• 773-342-5868

Chicago Dream Center

• 2704 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
• 773-799-9023

St John UCC

• 2442 W Moffat St. Chicago, IL 60647
• 773-772-4161

El Mercadito

• 3533 W. North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
• 773-276-4900

Harbor Light Corps (GCFD)

• 825 N Christiana Ave, Chicago, IL 60651
• 312-667-2380

Mission of Our Lady of the Angels (GCFD)

• 3814 West Iowa Street, Chicago, IL 60651
• 773-486-8431

Irving Park

Irving Park Community Food Pantry

• 4256 N Ridgeway Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
• 773-283-6296

Rincon Family Services

• 3710 N. Kedzie Ave. Chicago, IL 60618
• 773-564 -9070

 

Lincoln Park

St Teresa of Avila Parish (GCFD)

• 1950 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
• 773-528-6650

Logan Square

St Sylvester Parish

• 2915 W Palmer St, Chicago, IL 60647
• 773-235-3646

Chicago Hope Center

• 2505 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647
• 773-499-9763

North Center

Common Pantry (GCFD)

• 3908 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
• 773-327-0553

Old Irving Park

Polish American Association

• 3834 N Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60641
• 773-282-8206

Irving Park Corps Community Center

• 5020 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60641
• 773-794-6207

Ravenswood

The Hub (Nourishing Hope)

• 5151 N. Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
• 773-525-1777

Uptown

Sheridan Market (Nourishing Hope)

• 3945 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60613
• 773-525-1777

West Humboldt Park

St Francis of Assisi Parish (GCFD)

• 932 N Kostner Ave, Chicago, IL 60651
• 312-810-0844

West Town

Nourishing Hope HQ

• 1716 W. Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60622
• 773-525-1777

Northwestern University Settlement Association

• 1400 W Augusta Blvd, Chicago, IL 60622
• 773-278-7471

St Stanislaus Kostka (GCFD)

• 1351 W Evergreen Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
• 773-545-8300

Wicker Park

St Aloysius

• 1510 N Claremont Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
• 773- 278-4808

Guzmán demands action to prevent SNAP beneficiaries from losing access due to federal government shutdown

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.

• SNAP

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Helpful local resources for your family

Food insecurity

• Visit the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s website at ChicagosFoodBank.org to access their network of Cook County food pantries and other helpful support services.
• Connect with your neighborhood’s mutual aid organization. Groups like Logan Square Mutual Aid and Albany Park Mutual Aid are coalitions of neighbors pitching in to help each other through difficult times, and offer access to food, toiletries, and more that organize online and through social media.
• Check out my team's spreadsheet of local food pantries organized by zip code here.
• Apply for cash assistance with the Illinois Department of Human Services. Visit their website here for information on the several programs IDHS offers folks in need of support.

Health care

• Check out Chicago Department of Public Health’s database of Community Health Centers—clinics that provide comprehensive primary and preventive care to everyone, regardless of a person’s ability to pay. Services offered include prenatal care, pediatric care, help managing chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, behavioral health, and more.
•  Visit Erie Family Health Center, which offers a wide variety of services for adults and children, including primary care, women’s health care, prenatal care, pediatric care and behavioral healthcare, to the Albany Park community. Call to schedule an appointment at (312) 666-3494.
• Connect with PrimeCare Health Community Health Centers in Belmont Cragin. This organization offers eight neighborhood locations throughout the Chicago area and provides thousands of people with quality affordable healthcare. Connect with them on their website, org.

• Resources