Illlinois State Seal in color with text "Illinois House of Representatives" centered at top and "103rd General Assembly" centered at bottom.

Members of the Illinois House of Representatives Democratic Women’s Caucus and allies release the following statement:

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the recent gun violence that has again struck our state and our nation. How many people must die before addressing the deadly intersection between domestic violence and firearms? This fatal combination was again painfully evident in the recent murder of Adrianna Lopez, who was shot and killed allegedly by an abusive ex-boyfriend who also shot an Illinois State Trooper. These incidents are grim reminders that the ripple effects of trauma echo far beyond the intimate relationship – affecting children who live with and witness it, and the family members, and law enforcement who respond to it.

The tragic events that unfolded in Maine are all too common, and we cannot relent in our mission to get weapons of war off our streets and out of our communities. Though details are still emerging, early news reports have suggested the suspect, Robert Card may have a history of domestic violence. A recent study showed that in more than two-thirds of mass shootings, the perpetrator either killed family or intimate partners or the shooter had a history of domestic violence.

“While we have made progress in recent years to combat the gun violence epidemic, our work is far from over. We have one more week of the veto session upcoming, and collectively, we urge the General Assembly to pass additional legislation like Karina’s Bill to combat gun violence and get guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.”

Rep. Dagmara Avelar-85th

Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock-46th

Rep. Mary Beth Canty-54th

Rep. Kelly Cassidy-14th

Rep. Sharon Chung-91st

Rep. Terra Costa Howard-42nd

Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado-3rd

Rep. Laura Faver Dias-62nd

Leader Robyn Gabel-18th

Rep. Mary Gill-35th

Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz-17th

Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar-22nd

Rep. Will Guzzardi-39th

Leader Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez-2nd

Leader Barbara Hernandez-50th

Rep. Norma Hernandez-77th

Rep. Maura Hirschauer-49th

Rep. Hoan Huynh-13th

Rep. Jenn Ladisch Douglass-45th

Rep. Lindsey Lapointe-19th

Leader Natalie Manley-98th 

Leader Theresa Mah-24th

Rep. Joyce Mason-61st

Rep. Anna Moeller-43rd

Rep. Michelle Mussman-56th

Rep. Suzanne Ness-66th

Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid-21st

Rep. Anne Stava-Murray-81st, Women’s Caucus Chair

Rep. Nabeela Syed-51st

Rep. Ann M Williams-11th

Rep. Janet Yang Rohr-41st

Learn more about Karina’s Bill.

The intersection of intimate partner violence and gun violence is deadly and the ripple effects of the trauma echo far beyond the intimate relationship – affecting children who live with and witness it, and the family members, coworkers, and law enforcement who respond to it. Our top priority in the legislature is keeping people safe, especially survivors of domestic and gender-based violence. An order of protection is a key tool to help protect survivors, especially as they try and leave a violent relationship.

Right now, the order of protection process is failing too many domestic violence survivors, especially when firearms are involved. When an order of protection is granted with the firearm remedy, that gun needs to be removed from the home immediately. We cannot have any ambiguity about this process, the stakes are too high.

Karina’s Bill will clarify the law and give law enforcement clear directives on removing firearms from the home. This legislation is critically important as domestic violence is on the rise both in Chicago and across our state. Last year, there were 56 domestic violence homicides across Illinois, up from 40 in 2021 and 37 in 2020. Added to the rise in domestic violence is the proliferation of firearms across our state. In the US, intimate partner homicide represents 40-50% of the murders of all women.

We have taken a number of important steps forward in gun violence prevention in Illinois in recent years, but we cannot stop doing this important work. Karina’s Bill will close loopholes and strengthen state law to keep more survivors safe and ultimately save lives.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the legislature is scheduled to be in session in a few weeks. I am going to do everything in my power to ensure this bill is passed during the Veto Session. We cannot sit by while tragedies like the one that struck Karina, Daniela, and their family continue to occur.

Get the latest bill one-pager

Karina’s bill:

  • Requires firearm removal to occur during service of an emergency order of protection (OP) when granted by a judge.
  • Clarifies existing language in statute for a judge to issue a warrant when granting the firearm remedy to allow for consistent firearm removal enforcement across the state.
  • Closes a loophole in current statute by barring transfer of ownership of firearms when the firearm remedy is granted.
  • Adds dating partners and ex-dating partners to the list of petitioners in the firearm restraining orders act to create additional avenues of firearm relief when an OP is not needed.
text reads "Guns make domestic violence deadly. Access to a gun makes a survivor of domestic violence 5 times more likely to be fatally shot by an intimate partner."

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is continuing her commitment to cutting healthcare costs by lowering the price of costly, life saving medications through two new reforms that are now law. 

“Too many people depend on insulin in their day-to-day lives for us to do nothing about outrageous price gouging by major pharmaceutical companies,” Hirschauer said. “By lowering the cost of insulin, we will help countless people manage their diabetes, and afford to do so.” 

Hirschauer championed House Bill 2189 which lowered the cap on the price of insulin to $35, making it more attainable to low-income people with diabetes. Insulin helps diabetic people manage their blood sugar levels and helps turn food into energy. 

Allergic reactions can turn deadly at a moment’s notice. That’s why Hirschauer fought for House Bill 3639, requiring insurance companies to cap the costs of a twin-pack of medically necessary epinephrine injectors. Due to large-scale price gouging, the cost of this life saving medication has risen dramatically, often causing those with severe allergies to navigate precariously around potentially deadly interactions. 

“It is unacceptable that those with severe allergic reactions to things like nuts, household products and environmental triggers have to take their life into their hands every time they walk outside, because they can’t afford an Epi-pen,” Hirschauer said. “Epinephrine can mean the difference between life and death for many, so I am thankful to Governor Pritzker, my colleagues and all those who helped make this possible.” 

For more information on this and other Hirschauer-backed legislation, visit ilga.gov. 

Rep. Maura HirschauerRep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

Springfield Office:
271-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1653

District Office:
946 Neltnor Blvd #104
West Chicago IL 60185

I applaud today’s ruling for commonsense gun safety as a lawmaker, as a Moms Demand Action volunteer, and as a mother myself.

First and foremost, I’m glad to see our Supreme Court upholding the work so many of my neighbors sent me to Springfield to do. I know there is more work to be done, so I am heartened to see that the voices of so many students, moms, and other advocates means more than the money and clout of the gun lobby. And I’m grateful to know, at least in Illinois, we will value our children more than we value guns.

We will not accept the national mania that would have us believe that seeing people massacred in our classrooms, in movie theaters, and on our streets is a price we must pay again and again.

We will act on behalf of the students who have spoken clearly about the need for change; we will comfort the parents who drop their kids off at school and say a silent prayer that they make it home safe; and we will continue the work of ending gun violence in every community in this state.

Yours sincerely,

Maura Hirschauer

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — Every worker in Illinois will have access to paid leave that can be used for any reason under a new law backed by state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia.

“Not all parents can call off work to care for their sick child, and too many people have no way to take time for their mental health or life needs,” Hirschauer said. “This legislation addresses working parents’ needs by allowing them to take off during unexpected circumstances. Requiring that all employees receive paid leave protects Illinois working families from having to choose between losing a paycheck and caring for a family member.”

Hirschauer voted to pass the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, which requires all employers to grant their employees working a minimum of 40 hours a week five days of paid leave per year for personal use. Under this new law, workers can earn paid leave starting on their first day of employment, which translates to one hour of leave for every 40 hours of work. The law ensures that employees can use their paid leave as soon as the 90th day of employment. Paid leave may be used as employees desire to conduct personal business without providing a reason or any documentation or certification for the absence. The law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024

“As a working parent, I understand the unexpectedness of family illnesses, doctor appointments, and or auto repair emergencies,” Hirschauer said. No one should be penalized or lose a paycheck for missing work because of an unforeseen emergency. This legislation is a step in the right direction, and we need more like it to address working families’ needs.”

For more information, please contact office@repmaura49.com.

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

Springfield Office:
271-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1653

District Office:
946 Neltnor Blvd #108
West Chicago IL 60185

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. —State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is working hard to pass a bill that will provide fair compensation for all educational support service employees in Illinois.

“Our school employees are the backbone of our education system,” Hirschauer said. “They play a large role in our children’s lives by ensuring that every student has the support they need to thrive. Yet, so many of these dedicated individuals struggle to make ends meet, which is why they deserve fair compensation for their hard work.”

The proposed bill will amend the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code, which will increase the minimum hourly rate for school district employees to a rate of not less than $20 for the 2024-2025 school year and increase by a dollar consecutively through the 2026-2027 school year. The legislation aims to provide educational support service employees with a fair and livable wage, including custodial employees, transportation employees, food service providers, classroom assistants, and administration staff.

“Behind every student, there is a team of dedicated school employees who work tirelessly to ensure their success,” Hirschauer said. “This bill is not just about fair wages, it’s also about showing our appreciation for those who care for our children every day. It’s time we stand together to demonstrate to these incredible individuals that their selflessness and dedication have not gone unnoticed.”

For more information, please contact office@repmaura49.com.

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

Springfield Office:
271-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1653

District Office:
946 Neltnor Blvd #108
West Chicago IL 60185

Members of the 103rd general assembly of Illinois take the oath of office. The members face to their right with their right hands raised. A banner above them reads Inauguration 2023.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — After taking the oath of office for the 103rd General Assembly, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, issued the following statement: “I am incredibly thankful that my neighbors have once again entrusted me to represent their needs and interests in Springfield.

This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly, and I promise to continue serving with the honor and integrity our community deserves.

“As your state representative, my highest priority is to support working families and children across Illinois. This includes continuing our efforts to further reduce gun violence, strengthen our public education system, increase access to affordable health care, and improve affordability for working families. Though we have made tremendous progress on many of these fronts, our fight is far from over. I am confident that with continued collaboration and compromise among legislators on both sides of the aisle, Illinois’ future is as bright as ever.”

from WGEM

Maura was recently interviewed on HB5855, which includes an assault weapons ban similar to her bill introduced earlier this year. It includes some changes as well as other provisions to help keep communities safer.

View on WGEM.com


(Other ads, links, and articles on the below embedded content are from WGEM site and not affiliated with Representative Hirschauer or her office.)

The Protect Illinois Communities Act Is a logical, necessary step to reduce the harm from assault weapons and large capacity magazines. We owe it to all whose lives have been irreversibly touched by gun violence.

Op-Ed By  State Rep. Maura Hirschauer (Click here to read in the Chicago Sun Times)

Before I was a state representative, I was a volunteer and community leader with Moms Demand Action. My work with that organization informs my daily commitment to making sure that no parent drops their children off at school and fears they might not see them alive again, and that no person looks for active shooters in the grocery aisle, church pew or parade route.

When I took office, I promised to honor the lives lost and changed by gun violence with action — the action that drove me to run for office in the first place. It is why I filed HB5522 back in January. After the mass shooting in Highland Park, I recommitted myself to banning assault-style weapons and large capacity magazines.

I am proud to co-sponsor the new gun reform package that will keep Illinois on the path to leading the nation in gun safety. The Protect Illinois Communities Act Is a logical, necessary step to reduce the harm caused by gun violence. Now more than ever, we must see change. We owe it to all whose lives have been irreversibly touched by gun violence.

More than 110 Americans are killed by guns each day, and the wide availability of high-capacity assault weapons extends this danger beyond reason. I respect the right of Illinoisans to bear arms and protect their families, but no one needs to wield a weapon capable of firing 30 bullets in 10 seconds to feel secure in their home. There is no reason for assault weapons, whose sole purpose is to kill efficiently and effectively, to be available in Illinois. Yet these weapons of war have made their way onto our streets and into our schools, grocery stores, workplaces and community celebrations. 

Another sad truth is that young people ages 18 to 20 commit gun homicides at three times the rate of those over 21. Far too often, young people suffering from mental illness are able to access weapons that turn their darkest thoughts into a nightmarish reality. Putting killing machines into their hands is reckless endangerment.

Children and teens are actively targeted in the marketing of firearms, despite the gun industry’s clear knowledge of the risk factors of gun ownership by young people. Guns are not toys or video game controllers. It is irresponsible to treat them as such. We must close the loophole that allows young people to obtain firearms before they understand the gravity and potential consequences of that decision. 

Although Illinois’ current laws continue to be weakened by those in neighboring states that refuse to take action for gun safety, we aren’t helpless to fight back. We can reduce the flow of incoming illegal weapons by empowering the Illinois State Police to work with federal and local officials to trace illegal guns and hold straw purchasers accountable. Giving law enforcement the tools and technology to track illegal crime guns while simultaneously strengthening the laws on our books is essential to keep guns out of the wrong hands. 

The ripple effect of gun violence can be felt all across Illinois, from Chicago to Highland Park to Aurora to East St. Louis. The trauma from gun violence is disproportionately felt by Black Illinoisans, who are 32 times more likely than white Illinoisans to die by gun homicide. Guns are the leading cause of death of Illinois children ages 1-17 years old. Throughout the pandemic, Illinois led the country in gun sales, and today there are more guns in Illinois households than ever before, leaving our children at risk. We cannot ignore the fact that the rise in gun violence is related to easy access to firearms.

Children are being killed and families torn apart while lawmakers allow their hands to be tied by the gun lobby. The outsized influence of the NRA has endangered us all for far too long, and it is high time we stood up to their bullying. If legislators have the courage to stand up to the NRA and ban weapons of war from our streets, we can move closer to making Illinois a state where no one has to live in fear of being gunned down in their community.

This goes far beyond partisan politics. We have a moral obligation to fight for this change. 

We’ve reached a flashpoint, beyond which to do nothing is to be complicit in avoidable and unacceptable tragedy. Enough is enough. We must pass the Protect Illinois Communities Act.

https://www.wifr.com/2022/05/25/legislators-push-make-schools-feel-safer-kids/

Thank you to WIFR reporter Colin Hollingsworth who reached out this week to talk about Representative Hirschauer’s HB2400, signed into law last year, that changed the way Illinois schools conduct lockdown drills. Here is a clip from Wednesday’s livecast and you can see their final posted article at their website.