Building on what has been a historic year in the state legislature, we had an extraordinarily busy and successful veto session this week in Springfield. Over the last two weeks, my colleagues and I worked extremely hard to pass legislation that continues to make our state a leader on equity, reproductive rights, and our response to the COVID pandemic. Here are a few of the highlights of the work we did as well as an important update on the state’s rental assistance program which is re-opening on November 8.
HB1291 - Congressional Maps
One of our primary tasks this veto session was to legislate boundaries for congressional districts as we are constitutionally required to do so every 10 years. I am proud to say we passed a historic map which for the first time ever creates two congressional districts that are Latinx influenced while preserving representation for other minority groups. This is a historic day for our state which recognizes the importance and impact of our growing and thriving Latinx communities.
HB1784 - Elected School Board Trailer
This summer I passed long awaited legislation to shift Chicago from an appointed school board to one that will be fully elected by 2026. One of the critical components of that legislation was a moratorium on school closures through this transition period from an appointed to an elected board. This veto session we passed legislation to ensure that this moratorium would be effective immediately to ensure that school closures will not be on the table at any time while we transition from an appointed board to a fully elected and representative school board.
HB2778 - Education Paid Covid leave
We also passed an important measure to protect educators during the COVID-19 pandemic. HB2788 provides COVID administrative leave for all school employees and guaranteed paycheck protection for non-instructional staff. Because of the bill, educators and school staff across our state will get paid time off when they or their children are forced to quarantine because of COVID illness or exposure. This time off will not impact an employee's earned sick leave.
HB370 - Parental Notification of Abortion Repeal
We continued our work to become one of the nation’s most progressive states on reproductive rights by repealing the Parental Notice of Abortion law. This was one of the remaining laws restricting access to reproductive care.
HB1769 Electric Vehicles
We passed legislation to incentivize the construction of electric vehicle manufacturing in our state. This was passed in collaboration with labor stakeholders to ensure that as this growing industry expands in our state, we will be creating good paying jobs for workers.
HB 2791 - Reimagine Public Safety
We also passed HB 2791, an update to the Reimagine Public Safety Act that will ensure that state resources to address gun violence will be targeted at the communities that are most in need of those resources. This includes Humboldt Park.
Rental Assistance
While we did not take further action on housing this veto session, earlier this week I joined Governor Pritzker to announce a new round of rental assistance through the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), which will be opening its application process on November 8. If your household or your tenant has experienced hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for rental assistance through IHDA or DHS. To see eligibility requirements and for the latest updates on the new program launching Nov 8, you can visit illinoisrentalassistance.org.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill – State Rep. Delia C. Ramirez, D-Chicago, celebrates the following legislative victories to address our state’s housing crisis, improve our child welfare system, secure an elected school board, and advance a responsible budget that invests the communities most impacted by the pandemic.
Emergency Housing Relief
Ramirez spearheaded legislation that will set a comprehensive agenda for housing recovery. Families and neighborhoods that have endured the worst from the past year will now have a chance to bounce back with House Bill 2877, which ensures that over $1 billion in federal rental assistance will be available for renters and landlords impacted by the pandemic. Ramirez was also a sponsor and champion of HB2621, an Affordable Housing Omnibus bill, which will create a $300 million program to build over 3500 new units of affordable housing over the next three years and create property tax incentives for landlords who preserve and create affordable housing.
“The harm caused by the pandemic has left families with great need and few options. Families across our state are under threat of losing their homes and being forced into a cycle of housing instability that may cause irreparable harm” said Ramirez. “The Emergency Rental Assistance and Affordable Housing Omnibus Bill will allow households to keep their homes and while we invest in building new affordable housing options for low-income communities. These bills together are critical measures to make sure we address people’s immediate housing needs and create long-term solutions for increased affordable housing.”
Budget & Economic Recovery
Ramirez also worked to pass a budget that included increased investments for key community initiatives like the parent mentor program, immigrant services, affordable housing, and violence reduction initiatives. The budget passed by the General Assembly also included a measure championed by Rep. Ramirez to lower the age of last year’s historic expansion of Medicaid to low income undocumented seniors from 65 to 55. Ramirez championed progressive revenue by supporting proposals to close $600 million in corporate tax loopholes, a measure that was included in the final budget legislation.
“Often low income and immigrant communities have been left out of the conversation when it comes time to set our priorities for investment,” said Ramirez. “ I will continue to fight for initiatives that will provide communities that have been historically disinvested in with the resources they need to thrive. Recovery from this pandemic will require targeted investments. The budget we passed this session reflects our commitment to investing in the people of Illinois.”
A plan introduced by Representative Delia Ramirez and Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas to allow for the designation of cultural districts in Illinois cleared its final vote in the Illinois General Assembly, sending the measure to help affirm the identity of communities in Illinois and preserve their distinct legacies to the governor. An initiative of the Puerto Rican Agenda, the legislation would allow the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish the necessary criteria and guidelines for designating such cultural districts.
“As we move into economic recovery from the pandemic, it is imperative that we recognize and invest in the rich cultural heritage of Illinois’ diverse communities,” Ramirez said. “This initiative will allow DCEO to help communities foster and preserve their distinct cultural legacies.”
Child Welfare
Ramirez continued her work to improve our child welfare system by championing three bills that have passed through both chambers this spring session. House Bill 3100, requires that mandated reporters, people who are trained and required to report instances of child abuse and neglect, complete implicit bias training. House Bill 3793, requires the state to deliberately act on specific evidence when obtaining a court order to terminate contact between a child and their parent or guardian. SB106 will ensure DCFS produces accurate and timely reports on youth in care so that their needs are adequately considered and addressed by the child welfare system.
“I remain committed to ensuring that our state’s child welfare system is fair and responsive to the needs of Illinois families and that is why I championed measures that address important issues” affirmed Ramirez.
Elected School Board
Additionally, Ramirez led the charge on passing legislation for an elected school board in the City of Chicago. House Bill 2908 SA1 creates an elected and representative school board for Chicago Public Schools. The bill passed the Senate after the House had adjourned but Rep. Ramirez intends to call the bill for a concurrence vote when the House reconvenes in the coming weeks.
“Parents must be given a seat at the table if we are to have a school system that is equitable” said Ramirez. “Chicagoans have demanded an elected and representative school board for years and it is time we give them this right which is afforded to parents in every other school district in our state. I am disappointed that the timeline for implementation is not what the community has demanded. However, this bill still gets us to a fully elected board and I look forward to passing it in the House once we reconvene.”
###
Updated: Jun 16, 2021
April 24, 2021 - SPRINGFIELD, Ill.
Leader Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago), member of the Adoption and Child Welfare Committee, continued her work to improve our child welfare systems by championing critical bills in the Illinois House of Representatives this week. Ramirez passed two bills, while one is still pending consideration:
The first, HB 3100, requires that mandated reporters - people trained and required to report instances of child abuse and neglect, including social services, medical and education personnel - complete implicit bias training. This training is designed to prevent racial and ethnic bias in childrens’ protection and reports of mistreatment, and avoid instances such as that of a black mother educator having child protective services called on her when late to pick up her child at InterAmerican Magnet School. The bill was passed and is now moving to the Senate.
Ramirez’s second bill, HB 3793, does away with the pandemic blanket ban on a parent’s ability to visit their children, instead requiring the state to deliberately act on specific evidence when obtaining a court order to terminate contact between a child and their parent or guardian. This bill also passed this week, and will move to the Senate for further consideration.
Ramirez’s final bill, HB 3787 - which is still being considered in the House - will make the Children of Incarcerated Parents Task Force a permanent commission with legislative authority to promote the wellbeing of children with incarcerated parents by executing the Task Force’s recommendations.
“Our greatest obligation; our most sacred responsibility, is to our children. They depend on us to legislate for their physical, mental, and emotional safety, opportunity, and well-being. These three bills are incremental steps to improve existing policy, prevent unnecessary trauma, and protect the rights of children and the adults charged with caring for them. While this pandemic has been hard on all of us, it has been hardest on our children lacking the proper support and connection essential to their age-appropriate development.” Said Ramirez. “This progress would not be possible without the vocal advocacy and input of children and families affected by these inequities in our child welfare systems. I am grateful for their partnership in this work.”
###