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What’s Happening in the 49th District!

Updates from Representative Hirschauer

Contents
Notes from Maura
Legislative Update

Around the District
District Office in Action
Upcoming Events
Notices of Funding Opportunities
Scholarships Available
Internships Available
Employment Opportunities

Notes from Maura

Hello friends!

April is National Volunteer Month and I would like to give a special shout-out to all you amazing volunteers out there! Whether you help out at your local food bank, hang with the animals at a nearby shelter, or volunteer at your kiddo’s school, you make our community a better place by sharing your time and your talents with others. We all rise when we help others. Thank you for making our community great!

Are you looking for volunteer opportunities? Join our office on Fridays and Saturdays as we help with weekly food distribution at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in West Chicago. Many families in our community are feeling the effects of inflation and unsure of where to find their next meal. Pastor Josh’s weekly food distribution provides resources for those who need it the most. Volunteers are needed to help pack and distribute food boxes. Call or email our office for details.
 

Legislative Update

The first week of April was a busy one in Springfield as my colleagues and I worked hard to meet the end of session deadline of April 9. Our number one priority was passing a fiscally and socially responsible budget. I am proud that we came together to create a budget that gives financial relief to the people and families that need it most, while also taking steps to restore the fiscal responsibility of the state. This budget also funds key initiatives around health care equity, community development, and business attraction. 

To combat inflation, our budget includes a one time infusion of more than $1.8 billion dollars in aid for people and families. Here are some key elements: 

  • We are suspending the grocery tax for a year, saving consumers $400 million
  • We are freezing the gas tax for 6 months-saving consumers $70 million
  • We are doubling the property tax rebate to save up to $300 per household
  • We are increasing and expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit to cover more people, including immigrants. 
  • To assist working-class parents as they manage the pressures of inflation, we are giving EIC tax filers additional one-time direct checks for $50 per adult filer and $100 for each of their children.
  • We are doubling the teacher tax credit for purchasing classroom materials and creating a back-to-school tax holiday for all consumers.
In addition to supporting Illinois families we have made strides to be responsible stewards of our state finances. The fiscally-responsible steps we are taking will continue to raise Illinois’ credit rating and improve our financial forecast. These steps will also save on future interest payments that otherwise would continue to eat into our budget. We will be able to spend that extra money on essential services for the people of Illinois.
  • $9.6B will go to fully funding our pension obligations for fiscal year 2023. Countless Illinoisans worked for years to earn their pensions, and we must honor the commitment we made to them. 
  • We are paying down $4B in unpaid bills which includes:
    • All COVID-19-related borrowing
    • $900M in delayed health insurance bills
    • $500M in pension stabilization
    • Late payment interest
  • We’re infusing $1B into the once-depleted Rainy Day Fund
After the budget signing, my social media highlighted different areas of the budget in more detail. You can find these on my Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter feeds.

I am proud to announce that the Fox Valley Park District was awarded a much needed appropriation for exciting new improvements to Lippold Park. As part of their comprehensive plan to expand outdoor education programming and multi-use space at Lippold Park the FVPD will be constructing a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the Fox River to connect East to West. This project will increase access to Red Oak Nature Center and will open up the trail for even more folks to use. We are so excited about this project and I am happy to have helped advocate for this much needed capital appropriation.

In addition to the budget, in the last days of session we passed important public safety legislation.
  • HB4383 Senate Amendment 2 – Ghost Gun Ban (Hirschauer Chief-Cosponsor) – with the passage of this bill Illinois became the 12th state to ban unserialized firearms, including those that can be 3D printed or made from kits. As an advocate of common sense gun violence prevention, I am very proud of this bill. The rise in ghost guns is the fastest growing gun safety problem facing our state. Requiring serial numbers for ghost guns will help law enforcement solve crimes. Furthermore, prohibiting the purchase, sale, and manufacturing of ghost guns is a critical component to common-sense gun safety legislation.
  • Other public safety initiatives in this budget total nearly half a billion, with new dollars going toward youth intervention programs, witness protection, and police recruitment. More than $70 million has been allocated for domestic violence prevention, as well as $2 million for expanding trauma recovery centers.
Despite the shortened session, we were very busy in Springfield! For a more in depth update please consider joining me for my “End of Session Town Hall” on Tuesday May 10 at 7pm. Register on my website.
Register to come to the Town Hall on Tuesday, May 10, 7pm on Zoom

Maura

Around the District

Rep Hirschauer  had so much fun talking with 4th grade students at Alice Gustafson and 5th graders at J.B. Nelson Elementary Schools in Batavia. The future is BRIGHT with these smart, curious, and thoughtful kiddos at the helm. Thank you having Batavia Public School District 101 for having the Representative!

District Office in Action

Intern Mariah and Rep Maura work to package perishable foods for tomorrow's food drive.You may have seen our recent press release highlighting the additional needs of our local food pantries. The office is in contact with Pastor Josh at St.Andrew’s on a regular basis, is hosting a food drive this month along with Senator Villa’s office, and securing additional donations from some of our local companies and organizations. Today we helped with the preparations for tomorrow’s food pick up and are looking forward to next week’s Whole Family Health Fair at that same location!
If you hear a knock at your door, it may be our office out connecting with constituents and getting the word out about our services and events. After her time in Springfield, Maura is enjoying these opportunities to get out into the district to meet up with constituents one-on-one and hear about their needs and concerns.
District 49 is expanding our staff! If you have a passion for serving the community and are interested in the ways our state office can serve constituents, then this could be an opportunity for you! We are currently accepting local applicants for a Constituent Service and Community Outreach Coordinator, as well as for Fall Interns. Contact the office at 331-465-9661 with questions or submit a cover letter, resume, and references to office@repmaura49.com.

Upcoming Events

April 27 – Mobile DMV
with Senator Karina Villa
10am-2pm
West Chicago Public Library
118 W Washington St, West Chicago
Whole Family Health Fair
Food Distribution and Health Resources
Saturday Apr 30, 8am-12pm
St. Andrew Church
155 N Prince Crossing Rd, West Chicago
Spring Town Hall Meeting
Tuesday May 10, 7pm-8pm
Zoom
Registration Required
Veterans’ Breakfast
Saturday June 4, 9am-11am
VFW West Chicago
431 N Neltnor Blvd, West Chicago

Around the State

Notices of Funding Opportunities

Description Deadline
Illinois BioDiversity Field Trip Grant January 31, 2023
DCEO (State + Federal) Various
Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance Various
Upcoming: IDOA Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA)
 

Scholarships

Aspiring Black CPA Scholarship May 1

Internships

District Office Academic Internships – Fall Submit resume & cover letter to office@repmaura49.com
IDES- Summer Job Info & Career Planning for High Schoolers & College Students

Employment

Work For Illinois – State Employment Portal
Constituent Service and Community Outreach Coordinator ongoing
Apprenticeships in Illinois – info for jobseekers as well as employers!
 

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What’s Happening in the 49th District!

Updates from Representative Hirschauer

Contents
Reflection
In Springfield

Around the District
District Office in Action
Upcoming Events
Notices of Funding Opportunities
Scholarships Available
Internships Available
Employment Opportunities

Reflection

March was Women’s History month and I spent time reflecting on important contributions that women made throughout our history. I want to share one very special reflection.
I often say that I am who I am because of the strong women who came before me. These two fierce young women – who came after me – also play a huge role in shaping me not only as a mom, but as a leader and legislator. I would like to take time today to honor my daughters, who push me out of my comfort zone, hold my feet to the fire on tough issues, and show me everyday what leadership looks like.
 
“Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.” – Unknown

In Springfield

March was a busy month for passing legislation through the House. My bill HB5193, a bill to add safe gun storage to the school safety curriculum code passed with bi-partisan support on the house floor and has now passed Committee in the Senate and is headed to the floor. Promoting positive messages about keeping children and communities safe through safe gun storage is a key strategy to reducing unintentional gun injuries and death, death by homicide, and suicide. 

HB4332, a bill that will tackle our ongoing nursing shortage by breaking down barriers and opening pathways to future employment in the nursing sector, also passed the House with bipartisan support. The COVID-19 pandemic has proved to be an opportunity to re-examine the way we do many things here in Illinois. The CNA/MA workforce has provided critical care to our homebound and elderly community during the COVID-19 pandemic and their numbers are waning. This bill will help increase our nursing pipeline and help medical professionals reflect the communities they serve.  The bill has passed the Senate Executive Committee and is headed to the floor.

Reproductive health care is under attack across the country and we cannot count on the Supreme Court to uphold our fundamental right to make personal decisions about our reproductive health. That is why I passed HB1464 to protect qualified Illinois health care providers from attacks on their licensure from extreme politicians in neighboring states. Illinois sits as a beacon of safety for reproductive freedom and we must stand strong behind our providers who are committed to providing safe, accessible reproductive health care. My colleagues and I were proud to pass this bill to protect health care providers and shine our beacon of reproductive freedom a bit brighter.

Finally, we recently took necessary action to address the ongoing issues regarding the unemployment trust fund, which took a hit due to the pandemic. By doing so we made a clear commitment to good government and fiscal responsibility by paying off debts early to yield significant savings for Illinois taxpayers. 
SB2803 dedicates $2.7 billion of ARPA funds to help replenish the unemployment trust fund after a global pandemic forced businesses to shut down. The bill also supplements our current FY22 budget with new payments for pensions, the Prepaid Tuition Fund, and the state’s group insurance plan — yielding more than $1 billion in savings. All told, this is another step toward stronger credit, paying down debt, and developing the financial stability we need to get to work for families.

I am here to listen to the needs of all constituents. Feel free to reach out to my office at 331-465-9661 for any issues or concerns. I am here to serve.

Maura

Around the District

District 49 Chiefs of Police Roundtable March 14, 2022
Representative Hirschauer met virtually with the Chiefs of Police from IL-49 to talk about their concerns and learn about the ongoing issues in our police departments. The Chiefs brought attention issues that impact their departments along with recommendations to move forward as a state. Rep Hirschauer is committed to continue listening and learning from our local police departments to better serve the IL-49th district and to taking that feedback to Springfield. Thank you Chief Passarelli, Chief Ullrich, Chief Krawczyk, Chief Fisher, Chief Cross, Chief Eul, and Deputy Chief Shackelford for taking time to talk about your police departments.
Representative Hirschauer joins Lieutenant Governor at the Wilma Rudolph Learning Center to Celebrate Women’s History Month March 14, 2022
Rep. Hirschauer had the privilege of representing not just the 49th, but women throughout the state and history as part of Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton‘s Women’s History Month visit at Wilma Rudolph Learning Center. Students from William H. Brown School of Technology also joined the assembly.
With their school’s namesake as a role model demonstrating that they can do anything, these kids show every day that they’re advocating for themselves and ready for the next challenge.
Schools are Maura’s favorite places to visit because, as a former teacher, she knows that investment in the education of tomorrow’s leaders is essential to the health and prosperity of our state.
Moms Demand Action Advocacy Day March 23, 2022
Representative Hirschauer was a panelist for Moms Demand Action Advocacy Day. The Representative informed constituents about ongoing legislation to prevent gun violence in the community. She emphasized the need for education on safe gun storage to prevent further death of young children and suicide. Representative Hirschauer says that now is the time to advocate for bills like HB5193  for schools to have safe gun storage information more available for families and HB4729 to fund gun storage campaigns to reduce gun violence all throughout Illinois.  Rep. Hirschauer is grateful for all the work Moms Demand Action does in our community to reduce gun violence and save lives.

District Office in Action

March 24th, 2022
Batavian Ethan Tarver completed his Eagle Scout Project in collaboration with Suicide Prevention Services of America and Chief of Staff Miguel was present to witness.  The informative event included a screening of The S Word, a film that amplifies the voices of attempted suicide survivors, followed by a live panel that talked about ways to reach out to people who are in need of help. The overarching message was, “Do not fear using the word suicide.” We are proud of Eagle Scout Ethan for having this difficult conversation with the Batavia community. This is what advocacy looks like!
District 49 is expanding our staff! If you have a passion for serving the community and are interested in the ways our state office can serve constituents, then this could be an opportunity for you! We are currently accepting local applicants for a Constituent Service and Community Outreach Coordinator, as well as for Fall Interns. Contact the office at 331-465-9661 with questions or submit a cover letter, resume, and references to office@repmaura49.com.

Upcoming Events

April 27 – Mobile DMV
with Senator Karina Villa
10am-2pm
West Chicago Public Library
118 W Washington St, West Chicago
Whole Family Health Fair
Food Distribution and Health Resources
Saturday Apr 30, 8am-12pm
St. Andrew Church
155 N Prince Crossing Rd, West Chicago
Veterans’ Breakfast
Saturday June 4, 9am-11am
VFW West Chicago
431 N Neltnor Blvd, West Chicago

Around the State

Notices of Funding Opportunities

Description Deadline
IDOA Specialty Crop Block Grant April 15
Illinois BioDiversity Field Trip Grant January 31, 2023
DCEO (State + Federal) Various
Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance Various
Upcoming: IDOA Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA)
 

Scholarships

Description Deadline
Conference of Women Legislators (COWL) April 15
Aspiring Black CPA Scholarship May 1
 

Internships

DCFS Academic Internships – Fall April 15
District Office Academic Internships – Fall Submit resume & cover letter to office@repmaura49.com
 

Employment

Illinois Solar Energy Association Virtual Solar Job Fair April 14
Work For Illinois – State Employment Portal
Constituent Service and Community Outreach Coordinator ongoing until position is filled
 
Illinois House Democrats pass measure protecting providers of abortion-related medical services

Representative Hirschauer’s leadership on HB1464 was featured in this article from Capitol News Illinois! Learn more about this legislation and how Illinois is supporting women and their reproductive rights while many states are trying to remove these essential health services.

February Update from the 49th District

Contents
Reflection
Around the District
In Springfield
2021 Legislative Review
Upcoming Events


Notice of Funding Opportunities
Scholarships Available
State of Illinois Employment Opportunities

Reflection

February marks Black History month and I want to start off by recognizing  the accomplishments of our first ever Black Speaker of the House, Emanuel “Chris” Welch. I was honored to usher in a new day in Springfield with my vote for Speaker Welch in January of 2021 and I am proud to serve under his leadership. Speaker Welch has fostered a culture of teamwork and equity as we work to pass critical legislation that will help Illinoisans thrive. I look forward to working with the Speaker to create an Illinois that works for us all.   

Maura

Around the District

Representative Hirschauer Tours Hanover Township  February 4, 2022

I visited Hanover Township and learned about the various services it offers to our constituents. Aging Services, Community Health, and Youth and Family services name just a few. Hanover Township has friendly staff and volunteers ready to assist. Thank you for the wonderful tour of Hanover Township, Supervisor McGuire and staff! 

Click here to access Hanover Township full list of services. You can also contact our office at 331-465-9661 and we will connect you to the services. 

Speaking to Professor Phelps’s Social Policy Classes February 4, 2022
I had the honor to speak to a group of bright talented social work students at Aurora University.  We had a terrific discussion about the power of mentorship, the importance of finding and using your voice to enact change, and the impact of listening and leading with empathy. Our future is brighter because of them. 
Thank you to Dr. Don Phelps for inviting me to speak and for his work in educating and mentoring social workers in Illinois.

In Springfield

February is a busy month in Springfield as my colleagues and I work hard to move our bills through committees. Since my election I have spent many hours listening to the needs of our constituents and learning from them and these conversations guide the legislation I draft. This week I introduced HB5193, a bill to ensure that safe gun storage information is included in our public schools’ handbooks to aid in the reduction of gun violence. Mental health crises are on the rise in our school aged population and it is important to understand the dangerous intersection of access to unsecured guns and mental health. Addressing the role of firearms is essential in suicide prevention, and our schools play a valuable role in sharing that information with families. Promoting positive messages about keeping children and communities safe through safe gun storage is a key strategy to reducing unintentional gun injuries and death, death by homicide, and suicide. Learn more about safe gun storage here.

I also passed SB1711 through the Revenue Committee. SB1711 made key changes to improve the Historic Tax Credit Act and will serve to preserve our historic buildings and revitalize communities and spur economic growth.

I am here to listen to the needs of all constituents. Feel free to reach out to my office at 331-465-9661 for any issues or concerns. I am here to serve.

2021 Legislation

I had a productive first year in the House, sponsoring or having a strong roll in bills that will reduce trauma, support victims, and help the most vulnerable.

  • Gun Violence Prevention
    • School Law Enforcement Drills (HB2400)
    • Fix the FOID (HB1092)
  • Education
  • Survivors of Sexual Violence
    • Sexual Assault Evidence Tracking (HB1739)
    • Civil No Contact Orders- family member (HB1742)
  • Immigration
    • Undocumented Resources (HB3438)

Additionally, I am proud to have been a part of the 102nd General Assembly that

District Office in Action

On Fridays, the District Office staff is getting into the community. Recently they were at St. Andrew Church in West Chicago helping prepare for their Saturday community food distribution. Thanks to the hard work of volunteers, St. Andrew Church is able to feed over 400 families. If you are interested in volunteering opportunities contact us at 331-465-9661. You can also reach out to St. Andrew Church directly at 630-231-3787.

Upcoming Events

April 27 – Mobile DMV – Senator Villa
10am-2pm
West Chicago Public Library, 118 W Washington St, West Chicago

Whole Family Health Fair
Food Distribution and Health Resources
Saturday Apr 30, 8am-12pm
St. Andrew Church
155 N Prince Crossing Rd, West Chicago

Veterans’ Breakfast
Saturday June 4, 9am-11am
VFW West Chicago
431 N Neltnor Blvd, West Chicago

 

Budget proposal is fiscally and socially responsible

Today, the Governor outlined a fiscally and socially responsible budget proposal that demonstrates that Illinois is on the strongest financial footing we’ve had in decades. We can use this surplus to invest in the people and communities who need help the most, be great stewards of our debt, and set the stage for future growth. 

After almost two years of struggling through a global pandemic, working families are in desperate need of support. I appreciate that the governor’s proposal includes using much of this surplus to provide direct tax relief to families and their everyday needs. Illinoisans are feeling the pain of inflation while still recovering from the financial hit of the pandemic. The Governor’s proposal for a 1-year moratorium on state grocery taxes and a 1-year freeze on the gas tax will give families assistance in these unprecedented times.

Throughout the pandemic our students and teachers have suffered through interrupted learning; and working families have struggled to find and maintain affordable childcare. I am glad to see Governor Pritzker is calling for half a billion dollars to fund preK-12 schools, which includes $150 million for early childhood education. Prioritizing state dollars to support our talented students, teachers, administrators, and support staff is critical to growing a strong and bright future.

However, to truly make a difference in the lives of Illinois families, we cannot ignore the importance of early intervention services and affordable day care. Throughout the pandemic our littlest and most vulnerable learners have received interrupted early intervention care. Disparities in development and kindergarten readiness, already wide, are growing deeper and more stark with underfunding of critical programs. Child care providers, early childhood educators, and caregivers need well-funded support to grow programs to meet the needs of Illinois families. I urge the Governor to expand the 10% increase for early education to include Early Intervention (EI) services and the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).

Governor Prizker presented us with a budget that puts the needs of Illinoisans first. His proposal marks an optimistic start to our budgeting process and I look forward to digging into the details to ensure that folks in the 49th District have the support they need to thrive.

Maura Portrait

 

After almost two years of struggling through a global pandemic, working families are in desperate need of support. I appreciate that the governor’s proposal includes using much of this surplus to provide direct tax relief to families and their everyday needs.

 

 

Maura IL Icon

 

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – To help manufacturers reinvest in the local workforce and build a greener economy, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, supported legislation to provide tax incentives for auto producers and manufacturers in the electric vehicles industry. 

“The popularity of electric vehicles is on the rise, and this gives Illinois auto makers the opportunity to bring more jobs to our communities while investing in sustainable energy,” Hirschauer said. “This legislation will reward manufacturers who choose to do business in Illinois and create jobs for our local communities.”

Hirschauer is a sponsor of the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois), creating tax credits for manufacturers who add or create new jobs in Illinois.  The tax credits can be used for various operating costs like job training and construction costs. This legislation passed both the house and senate during October’s veto session and has been sent to the governor. 

 “As we continue to recover from the pandemic, it is essential to give our local business owners and manufacturers the opportunity to get back on track and reinvest in the economy,” Hirschauer said. “With initiatives like REV Illinois, our state can reward our local manufacturers and attract new businesses and opportunities for employment.”

# # #

Rep. Maura HirschauerRep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

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

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

The post Hirschauer-Backed Legislation Supports Manufacturers, Economic Growth appeared first on Illinois House Democratic Caucus.

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – To increase access to vital mental health services, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, sponsored a new law to expand insurance coverage for mental health services.  

“Accessibility to mental health care, especially as we continue to recover from the pandemic, is essential,” Hirschauer said. “Under new law, people will now have access to necessary mental healthcare and know that their insurance will cover it.”

House Bill 2595 expands the standards for medically necessary treatment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders and requires insurers to cover medically necessary treatment. It also prohibits insurers from limiting the duration of benefits or coverage for the treatment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders and conditions. The law will take effect starting Jan. 1, 2023.

“Despite mental conditions not being visible, they are just as important and need to be covered by insurance, just like any other disorder or illness,” Hirschauer said. “This new law will give those suffering with mental, emotional, nervous, or substance abuse disorders the care they need to regain control of their health.”

# # #

Rep. Maura HirschauerRep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

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

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

The post Hirschauer Sponsored Law Improves Accessibility to Mental Health Care appeared first on Illinois House Democratic Caucus.

 

The time for small steps has passed.

This picture – our 6 year old Teddy soaking in a beautiful Illinois sunset – is one image I held in the forefront of my mind when I voted yes on SB2408 last night. The time for small steps has passed. Scientists have rung the alarm for our planet, for the future of our children and grandchildren, stating that we are on a code red for humanity. Our planet is burning, and increasingly severe weather is hurting our communities and agriculture.

Late last night my colleagues and I answered the call, passing SB2408, a nation-leading climate and equitable jobs bill. We made the critical decision to save our planet while being financially responsible. We set Illinois on a path to a greener future by delivering 100% carbon free power by 2045 while creating new jobs that are rooted in equity.

Thank you to Representatives Evans, Gabel, Hoffman, and Williams for the hours of negotiations, advocacy and work put into this bill. And thank you to Speaker Welch for prioritizing and standing strong for this critical work. Together we took the first critical step towards a sustainable, healthy planet for children across Illinois.

 

Our planet is burning, and increasingly severe weather is hurting our communities and agriculture.

 

 

Maura IL Icon

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Combining her advocacy and work to end gun violence, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, supported  a comprehensive gun safety legislation package that was signed into law Monday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“Gun violence is a multifaceted and complex issue that must be addressed on all fronts, from supporting law enforcement with the tools and technology they need to solve gun crimes and track illegally trafficked guns, to funding mental health, community-based violence intervention programs, and education,” said Hirschauer  “House Bill 562 is not a magic fix for the gun violence that plagues our state. It is, however, a crucially important step that we are taking today to prevent mass tragedies and everyday gun violence, and keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous people.”

House Bill 562, supported by Hirschauer, takes several steps to combat gun violence and streamlines the FOID applications process by:

  • Requiring federal background checks for all private gun sales
  • Directing $9 million in funding for mental health to communities most impacted by gun violence
  • Allowing for a single FOID/CCL card
  • Strengthening requirements for the Illinois State Police to monitor state and federal databases for people prohibited from owning guns
  • Creating a database of stolen guns
  • Allowing for voluntary fingerprinting as an incentive for reduced application fees and automatic renewal of gun licenses
  • Creating an appeals board for FOID applicants

“The gun violence that plagues our state takes many forms: suicides, homicides, intimate partner violence, police shootings—all of them are lethal,” said Hirschauer. “It is our job, as legislators, to enact public policies that will keep Illinoisans safe, and I will continue to fight for strong, common sense gun violence prevention initiatives. House Bill 592 is a step in the right direction, but we have a  lot more tough work to do.”

Rep. Maura HirschauerRep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

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

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

The post Hirschauer-Backed Comprehensive Gun Safety Legislation Signed into Law appeared first on Illinois House Democratic Caucus.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To ensure education in Illinois reflects the diversity of the state, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, sponsored a new state law that requires Asian American history to be added to the school curriculum.

“This historic measure will make Illinois the first state in the country to require Asian American history to be taught in schools,” said Hirschauer. “We are in an unfortunate time when people of Asian descent are facing discrimination solely based on their ethnicity. This bill will not only work to combat discrimination against Asian Americans, but also ensure that people of every background in Illinois are recognized for their contributions in national and world history.” 

The Hirschauer-backed House Bill 376, also known as the Teaching Equitable Asian American History Act, was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker after receiving strong bipartisan support in both chambers of the General Assembly. Starting with the 2022-2023 school year, all public elementary and high school students will be required to complete a unit on Asian American history, including the history of Asian Americans in the Midwest and Illinois.

“Asian American history is American history,” said Hirschauer. “This legislation will not only better educate our youth, but also give Asian American students the chance to see their culture represented in the classroom. I am happy to see this much-needed legislation signed into law.”

Rep. Maura HirschauerRep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

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

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

The post Hirschauer-Backed Legislation to Teach Asian American History Signed into Law appeared first on Illinois House Democratic Caucus.