Guzmán hosting Summer Book Club program for youth in the community

SPRINGFIELD — As an avid reader herself and firm champion of early childhood development through reading, State Senator Graciela Guzmán is hosting a Summer Book Club to encourage young people in her district to continue their education during their summer vacation by reading eight books.  

“We learn so much about ourselves and the experiences of others through literature,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “To encourage our young people to look inwardly, develop empathy, and enjoy exciting stories, I am excited to host my first summer book club. I hope through this program, youth in our district will develop a lifelong love of reading, and quench their imagination over the summer.” 

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form, and return the form to Guzmán’s district office by Aug. 15. Every child who completes the Summer Book Club will receive paletas, a certificate, and a surprise prize from the Senator’s office.

• 20th District
• In the District
• Book Club

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Guzmán releases statement on recent ICE activity in Chicago and LA

CHICAGO – State Senator Graciela Guzmán released the following statement after ICE has conducted raids in Chicago and Los Angeles:

“It is extremely heartbreaking to witness the inhumane actions of ICE and the federal government toward our immigrant community, which has escalated in the past week. Children’s parents are being taken away from them, leaving them in extremely unstable situations without access to their basic necessities and love from their families, all because those in power believe they are less worthy of the basic human rights that all of us are entitled to. In the United States, every person must be given the right of due process under federal law, and it is terrifying that the current administration is acting as if they are above these statutes. Moreover, it is heart wrenching that their illegal actions are directly terrorizing the community I call home—the hundreds of thousands of immigrant families who came to this country for better opportunities, and are now facing some of the most egregious human rights violations we have seen in recent history.

“In response to these draconian actions, our community and folks throughout the country have rallied to the defense of their neighbors. They have organized protests in front of attempted ICE raids, demonstrating just how many people are appalled by these detentions. It is inspiring to witness the power our community is wielding against these tyrannical initiatives to divide and suppress us, and I am proud to be a part of the movement that is standing up to this administration and telling them, ‘No. This behavior is unacceptable, and we will not abandon our community—an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.’  

• Immigration

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Guzmán reviles Senate budget agreement: “We are abandoning our most vulnerable in their time of need”

SPRINGFIELD — Following the Illinois Senate passing the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, State Senator Graciela Guzmán released the following statement:

“I got into public service after watching my grandfather lose his life due to lack of health care coverage as an immigrant in this country. I knew the tragedy my family experienced was preventable, as so many others are who face similar barriers to the basic right of health care coverage. I became an advocate to extend health care access to all people regardless of their immigration status, and began a lifelong career of fighting for Black and Brown communities, who for generations have not only been overlooked and disinvested in, but have borne the brunt of tax increases for the working class and tax decreases for the most wealthy. 

“Since taking office, I have worked non-stop to protect my community and the budget cuts that would affect them. I have sat in countless talks with my colleagues and stakeholders about the necessity of preserving HBIA, finding solutions to our budget problems through progressive revenue, and more. This budget does include some progressive revenue options, but it is not nearly enough to ensure our community has what they need in these uncertain times. 

“It is ridiculous to think that a high-rise corporation, thousands of feet above the everyday Illinoisan, is seen as more worthy of our protection than the single mothers, the immigrant families, and the person with disabilities trying to make ends meet. However, representatives from these corporations have claimed that small tax increases on them will leave them ruined. I am frustrated that these concerns were taken seriously and accounted for in the final budget agreement, while the asks of everyday Illinoisans, including taxing the most wealthy, were not. Without more progressive revenue solutions, we are enacting regressive measures that will harm the low and middle income earners —and I am frustrated that corporations were prioritized over people in the final agreement. 

• Immigration
• FY 26 Budget
• Health Care for Immigrants

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Guzmán plan to modernize state’s use of technology and increase efficiency one step closer to becoming law

SPRINGFIELD — State government agencies may soon be more efficient, thanks to a measure led by State Senator Graciela Guzmán that would clarify the scope of the Department of Innovation and Technology that passed the Senate on Friday.

“Clarity is beneficial to everyone—for the employees of DoIT, employees of other state agencies, and the people of Illinois,” said Senator Guzmán (D-Chicago). “With this initiative, our state agencies will be able to operate with more efficiency, and deliver results for the people of Illinois.”   

• Government Efficiency
• DoIT

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