Guzmán promotes her NEST legislation to aid families

SPRINGFIELD – Seeking to improve maternal health and ensure new families have the support they need to thrive, State Senator Graciela Guzmán hosted a rally promoting her legislation to bring economic support to new mothers.

“NEST recognizes that if we want healthier babies, stronger families, and a more sustainable Medicaid system, we have to support mothers when it matters most,” said Guzman (D-Chicago). “NEST isn’t just the right thing to do for our families, it saves the state Medicaid dollars.”

The Newborn Equity Support Transfer – also known as NEST – gives new mothers on Medicaid $1,500 payment during their third trimester of pregnancy, followed by $500 a month for the first six months of their baby’s life.

Birth complications are incredibly expensive. A full-term birth costs Medicaid a fraction of what a preterm or low-birthweight birth costs. This can translate to $6,000 for a full-term birth versus up to $100,000 when there are complications.

In Flint, Michigan, a similar program allowed mothers to use funding on things like prenatal care, doulas, extra childcare, diapers, keeping the lights on, and putting food on the table.

“Too many families are forced to navigate pregnancy and early parenthood under crushing financial stress. The result is devastating outcomes for moms and babies,” said Sarah Saheb, director of Ecnomoic Secrui

“The Flint program led to fewer preterm births, fewer NICU admissions, and healthier outcomes for both moms and babies,” said Guzmán. “Those reductions translate into safer, more secure homes and less stress on our hospitals. I’m proud to be leading this effort, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to make NEST a reality in Illinois.”

Senate Bill 3756 is awaiting action in the Senate Appropriations – Health and Human Services Committee.

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February Legislative Town Hall 2026

Guzmán advocates for Prescription Drug Affordability Board in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD — Together with advocates, colleagues and constituents, State Senator Graciela Guzmán spoke about the importance of establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in Illinois to keep costs of essential medications down for working families and her plans to champion legislation establishing this board during spring legislative session. 

“Every day, families are making the impossible decision between purchasing prescription drugs they need to function, or putting food on the table,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “We cannot in good conscience let people suffer when we have the means to solve the issue. Founding a prescription drug affordability board will limit how much drugs cost, keeping people healthy and able to invest in other areas of their lives.”  

A Prescription Drug Affordability Board is an independent board responsible for assessing which prescription drugs present affordability challenges to a state's health care system. Senate Bill 66 would establish a Health Care Availability and Access Board in Illinois, which would be required to conduct cost reviews of specific prescription drugs to determine which are high-cost drugs and inaccessible to patients, as well as to impose maximum payment limits on purchases or payment plans on prescription drugs in the state. This will ensure prescriptions are not too expensive for working Illinoisans to afford them. 

• PDAB
• Prescription Drug Affordability

Read more: Guzmán advocates for Prescription Drug Affordability Board in Illinois

Guzmán, Davis announce bills addressing Illinois schools’ funding gap

CHICAGO – In partnership with teachers, advocates and public officials, State Senator Graciela Guzmán announced new legislation at a press conference this morning that would address the statewide pattern of underfunding education in Illinois, and a plan to fill existing gaps in investment.

“I know firsthand what it means to rely on public schools, not just for education, but for opportunity,” said Senator Guzmán (D-Chicago). “If we require our schools to provide them, the state has an obligation to fund them. At a time when the Trump administration is attacking education, this bill is a line in the sand. It is how we will face cuts with investment and face division with equity.”

Senate Bill 3701, sponsored by Guzmán, and House Bill 5409, sponsored by State Representative Will Davis, do two things. First, the proposals fix a current gap in school funding for what are called “mandated categoricals,” or programs and services the state requires but provides no resources for to school districts, such as transportation, nutrition, social work and counseling. Second, the proposals keep the state on track with the Evidence-Based Formula goal of ensuring all districts are adequately funded by 2027.

• Education
• Evidence-Based Funding
• Investing in communities
• SB 3701

Read more: Guzmán, Davis announce bills addressing Illinois schools’ funding gap