WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-West Chicago, is inviting residents to attend a virtual Know Your Rights Town Hall in partnership with State Representative Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on Tuesday, March 10 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Know Your Rights Town Hall will focus on topics such as first amendment rights, civil rights overview, governor’s accountability commission information, best practices for engaging with law enforcement, discretionary decertification process and new complaint portal for Illinois law enforcement training and standards board. Constituents must RSVP in advance to receive the link to the meeting on March 10 at: https://forms.gle/QMXuX7R7Y2V1U5Cj8.

“Now more than ever, it’s important to provide our communities with resources to protect their constitutional rights from unlawful federal government actions,” said Hirschauer. “We need to empower our communities to speak up and protect their rights, and through this town hall, we are providing them with crucial knowledge and power.”

The Know Your Rights Town Hall will be held virtually. Community members interested in attending must RSVP prior to the event. 

For more information, please contact Rep. Moeller’s district office at (847) 841-7130 or email at staterepmoeller@gmail.com. 

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – A staunch advocate for safe firearm practices and lessening the rate of preventable gun violence across Illinois, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is highlighting a first-of-its-kind safe storage law that went into effect Jan. 1st. 

“This law is a product of hundreds of hours of collaboration among elected officials, advocates, law enforcement and judicial courts. It is fine-tuned to ensure that Illinoisans who legally carry firearms have the information and tools necessary to keep them stored, locked and safe,” said Hirschauer. “Too many headlines detail the uptick of gun violence in our communities—violence that can be prevented by enforcing safe practices that are too often not followed in cases that end tragically. That’s what this safe gun storage law codifies, and ultimately, keeps guns out of the wrong hands.”

Hirschauer successfully led Senate Bill 8 last spring session, also known as the Safe Gun Storage Act, to enhance gun storage safety and address stolen firearm requirements. The new law requires firearm owners to secure their weapons in a locked container, rendering them inaccessible and unusable to anyone except the owner or an authorized user—with an ultimate goal to prevent access to firearms by minors, at-risk individuals, and those prohibited from possessing them. 

Additional provisions in an accompanying measure, House Bill 850, finetunes lost and stolen gun reporting requirements to lower the chance of mishandled firearms trafficked in Illinois communities. Studies show that states with similar laws decreased unintentional shootings by children by 78% and the movement of illegal guns in communities by 46%. 

“Commonsense gun safety and the rights of law-abiding gun owners are not mutually exclusive—in fact they are one and the same,” said Hirschauer. “I’m pleased to see this law go into effect after the tireless work of advocates and law enforcement alike. Making these best practices universal will help save lives and keep our communities strong.”

Senate Bill 8 was signed into law in July of last year. The measure went into effect Jan. 1st. 

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, was presented the 2025 Legislative Champion Award today from The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence for her work leading the passage of Karina’s Law, which took effect this spring.

“After years of fighting in Springfield and in the courts, and after extensive negotiation and advocacy, the passage of Karina’s Law marks a significant step forward in protecting domestic violence survivors from firearms,” Hirschauer said. “This survivor-centered law honors the memory of Karina Gonzalez and her daughter Daniela who were murdered by an abuser who should have never had access to a firearm. Although we cannot erase tragedies in the past, Karina and Daniela’s legacy will live on with each life they save with this law.”

Karina’s Law (House Bill 4144) combats the deadly combination of guns and domestic violence by strengthening the firearm remedy within the order of protection process and allowing judges to order the removal of guns from abusers who have been deemed a credible danger. The bill also clarifies the process for survivors, judges and law enforcement when the firearm remedy is involved in criminal and civil orders of protections.

After years of negotiation by Hirschauer and advocates, Karina’s Law was successfully signed by Governor Pritzker in February.

“We must work to build a better future in memory of victims, survivors, and all who love them. Karina’s Law is a long overdue step in that direction,” said Hirschauer. “Thank you to The Network for this recognition, but ultimately, thank you for continuing your advocacy and support for so many men and women who go through the unconscionable. Your work remains integral to building a future where preventable violence is no longer normalized in our communities.”