Cervantes advocates for community needs, better access to health and child care after governor’s budget address

• Health Care
• Budget
• FY25
• Environmental Justice
• Violence Prevention

SPRINGFIELD – In response to Governor JB Pritzker’s budget address Wednesday, State Senator Javier Cervantes (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“Finding ways to further our commitment to providing child care for working families not only helps bring relief to residents, but also continues our focus on funding for our community’s needs.

“After hearing the governor’s address I am looking forward to how we can incorporate the needs of every community across Illinois into the budget. Through investments into violence prevention, health care, affordable housing initiatives and more, Illinois remains committed to supporting programs that benefit residents.

Read more …

Cervantes announces more than $18,000 in library grants coming to the 1st District

• 1st District
• Library Grants
• Education

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Cervantes announced five school districts in the 1^st District have received more than $18,000 to provide resources to libraries through books, e-books, audiobooks, periodicals, multilingual materials, technology and programs.

“Ensuring our libraries are equipped with books, programs, and resources necessary to students in the community provides the foundation for educational opportunities,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “I am excited to see the ways these funds will be used at our libraries and what new resources they will be able to obtain with this funding.”

Based on a statutory formula, school districts receive $0.885 per student enrolled at each school with a qualified library. Funding for the School District Library Grant Program originates from the General Reserve Fund and is appropriated for this purpose by the Illinois General Assembly.

The following school districts in Cervantes’ district received a total of $18,548.48:

• Central Stickney School District 110
• Cicero School District 99
• Sterling Morton High School District 201
• Lyons School District 103
• Riverside School District 96

Read more …

Cervantes law bans video calls while driving starting Jan. 1

• HB 2431
• Driving Safety
• Distracted Driving
• Video Calling

SPRINGFIELD – A new law led by State Senator Javier Cervantes prohibits people from using social media or video calling apps while driving in Illinois starting Jan. 1.

“I am proud of the collaborative work we have done to protect Illinois drivers and ensure safe practices while driving in Illinois,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This law will take action against drivers who neglectfully put others’ lives at risk. I want to thank community advocates and the Secretary of State’s office for working with us to protect Illinois residents.”

House Bill 2431 prohibits the use of any electronic communications device while operating a motor vehicle, including the use of cell phones and tablets for streaming videos and participating in video conferences on platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and WebEx. Additionally, the law prohibits any social media applications like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter from being used while operating a motor vehicle on a public roadway.

Read more …

Cervantes advances bill to protect marginalized employees

• Immigrant Employees
• Employment
• SB 508

SPRINGFIELD – Continuing his advocacy for immigrant employees following the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 1515 earlier this summer, State Senator Javier Cervantes brought forth a new plan that would protect marginalized workers and give employees time to correct employment verification document discrepancies before an enforcement action is taken against them.

“Throughout my years working alongside labor and health care organizations, I have seen employees hurt by this process,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “In working with the governor’s office and advocacy groups, we are confident we have come up with a plan that will protect employees and work for everyone involved in the verification process.”

Currently, federal immigration law requires employers to verify the legal work status of their employees through the E-Verify system. E-Verify compares information from an employee’s I-9 Form to records available to the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm eligibility. If discrepancies are found, immigrant workers have the possibility of receiving a “no match” letter for a variety of reasons, including instances where the individual changed their name due to marriage. Many employers terminate employees who receive this notice, even though they could be legally working in the United States.

Senate Bill 508 would prevent employers from imposing work authorization verification requirements that are greater than those required by federal law and give employees time to correct documentation discrepancies. The new legislation would require employers, upon finding a discrepancy in verification information, to notify the employee that the federal or State agency has notified the employer and the time period the employee has to contest the information. The employee would be given an explanation of the discrepancy and retain the right to have a representative present for meetings related to employment verification. Employers would be barred from taking any adverse action against the employee based on the notification.

Senate Bill 508 would also require employers to notify each employee of upcoming inspections of employment records from federal entities such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement within five business days of the employer receiving notice – both in English and any language commonly used in the workplace. Upon receipt of the results of an employment records inspection, employees would retain the right to correct discrepancies within a designated time period and the right to have a representative present during any meetings with the employer.

“I am passionate about protecting folks who work and live legally in Illinois and follow all the rules to ensure their right to work,” Cervantes said. “Advancing this legislation marks a significant step toward protecting employees working legally in Illinois who may be fearful of their job security.”

Read more …