Updated: Mar 30, 2022
Statement for Immediate Release:
Feb. 17, 2022
For more information:
Ramirez Sponsors Bill to Honor Polish-American Heritage
CHICAGO, Ill – To honor and promote Polish-American culture and heritage, state Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, sponsored a bill to designate portions of Milwaukee Avenue as the Milwaukee Avenue Polish Heritage Corridor.
“For the past three years, I have made it a priority to help local communities celebrate their unique cultural heritage,” said Ramirez. “Honoring the legacy of Chicago’s Polish communities builds upon this effort and sheds light on this vibrant and thriving community.”
Milwaukee Avenue is a historic state route that has been home to much economic and community development for Polish Americans and immigrants in Chicago. The road connects many of Chicago’s “Polish patches,” which developed as Polish immigration to Chicago increased after the end of the U.S. Civil War. The Milwaukee Avenue Polish Heritage Corridor would begin at Sangamon Street in Chicago and end at Greenwood Road in the Village of Niles.
“Polish Americans and immigrants have made significant contributions to art, music, philosophy, science, and other disciplines. Most importantly, they have helped make Chicago what it is today,” said Ramirez. “I am proud to help honor and celebrate Chicago’s Polish heritage and I look forward to continuing my work with the Polish-American community.”
"We applaud Rep. Ramirez's introduction of HB5581 to designate the Milwaukee Avenue Polish Heritage Corridor” said Bogdan Pukszta, Executive Director of the Polish American Chamber of Commerce. “When enacted, the designation will help spur economic development, tourism, and preservation of the corridor's Polish heritage to share with all."
House Bill 5581 was voted out of the Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Committee and will be reported favorably to the House floor.
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Updated: Mar 30, 2022
Statement…
From State Representative Delia Ramirez
For Immediate Release:
Feb. 2, 2022
For More Information:
Info@RepDeliaRamirez.com
Ramirez Applauds Strong Budget Framework and Urges Continued Investment into Community Needs
CHICAGO – State Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, issued the following statement after Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s annual budget address:
“I applaud Governor Pritzker for outlining a strong framework from which the state legislature can begin our budgeting process. Our state budget has to focus on supporting essential services that families depend on. Housing, child care assistance, education funding, health care access, and small business relief are critically needed as we help people deal with the ongoing effects of this pandemic and forge a path towards recovery. This budget makes many of these investments and I look forward to continued discussions on how we can build on what the Governor has proposed.
“Too many have had to make difficult decisions on how to keep a roof over their head, or how to take care of their child or elderly parent. It is critically important that we maintain and expand services that have helped people overcome the challenges of the last two years. We must also make targeted investments into the communities which have been most affected by the pandemic so that we can emerge stronger and thriving.
“We must also take proactive steps to deal with the surge in violence in our communities. I will continue to advocate for a comprehensive and evidence-based approach. I will continue to advocate for funding community violence prevention programs, social and behavioral health services, and economic development initiatives that target the root causes of violence.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly and Gov. Pritzker on the specific proposals and encourage constituents to share their feedback on how we can pass a responsible plan that prioritizes our community’s most pressing needs.”
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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.