WEST CHICAGO, Ill.  — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, issued the following statement following an announcement that Walgreens will be adding Mifepristone, a life-saving reproductive health care medication, to some Illinois stores:

“Here in Illinois, reproductive freedom is a fundamental right. The measures my colleagues and I have passed in recent months — all while a radical Supreme Court and extremists come knocking on our door — prove that the state of Illinois is committed to prioritizing the right to bodily autonomy,” said Hirschauer. “Granting access to a life-saving reproductive health care medication such as mifepristone is a step in the right direction, but we know there is more work to be done as we create a future where reproductive justice is not just a promise — but a reality for all.”

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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

 

WEST CHICAGO, Ill.  — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, issued the following statement in response to Gov. JB Pritzker’s annual budget address:

“Yesterday, we began the hard work of crafting a state budget that reflects our shared values and that will benefit the millions of hardworking Illinoisians that call this state home,” Hirschauer said. “As always, I bring the needs of the 49th District with me to Springfield and will ensure that your voices are heard throughout the budget process. I am proud of the recent work we have done to create a legacy of fiscal responsibility — we will continue to spend our dollars wisely, making sound investments and spending within our means.”

“There is no greater investment we can make than in Illinois family and children,” continued Hirschauer. “I am thrilled that the Governor’s introduced budget prioritizes historic investments in childcare, early childhood, and public education. We will make Illinois the best state in which to raise your family with the brightest and boldest students in the nation. I am excited for the work ahead because when we invest in our communities and families, we all thrive.”

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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

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – State Reps. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville, and Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, are partnering to host an open house to showcase resources available to veterans in their communities. 

“Veterans and military families sacrifice so much to keep our communities safe, our freedoms secure, and the future bright,” Hirschauer said. “We have the chance to connect our service members with the state and local services and resources they need, so I’m excited to partner with my colleagues to give back to these veterans and their families.” 

Yang Rohr and Hirschauer are hosting the open house along with state Sen. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, on Wednesday, Jan.10 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the VFW Post #6791 at 431 N. Neltnor Blvd. in West Chicago. Attendees will be given the opportunity to ask questions and share their thoughts on upcoming legislation to their elected representatives. This town hall will be the first of many, as the new community advisory committee will meet periodically throughout the year both in-person and virtually. 

“While my work in Springfield has helped honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans, we have to do more at the local level. We owe it to our veterans to provide an easy, approachable setting to access housing, medical and other resources they may need,” Yang Rohr said. “I encourage local organizations to save a table and for the community to come out if they have any questions about the resources available to them.” 

For more information, contact Hirschauer and Yang Rohr at btejeras@hds.ilga.gov

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Rep. Janet Yang RohrRep. Janet Yang Rohr

(D-Naperville)
41st District

Springfield Office:
231-E Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-6507

District Office:
475 River Bend Rd.
Suite 500
Naperville, IL 60540
630-296-4157
info@repyangrohr.com

WASHINGTON D.C. — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D- Batavia, joined state legislative leaders at the White House on Wednesday to launch a nationwide gun safety initiative. 

“I am honored to meet with other state legislators at the White House to discuss the gun violence epidemic that has affected families in every corner of the country,” Hirschauer said. “The deadly status quo is unacceptable. It is important that we come together to share the common sense gun policy ideas that are taking shape in states across the country. Together, we can craft comprehensive legislation to address everything from firearm industry accountability to innovative community-based violence prevention programs.” 

The Safer States Initiative, put forth by the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, will provide key actions states should take in order to reduce gun violence, including responsible gun ownership and safe storage, enhanced background checks, and wrap-around support for survivors and their families. Model pieces of legislation created by the U.S. Department of Justice will be available to attending legislators that curb reckless gun storage and lost or stolen firearms reporting. 

In her first three years as a State Representative, Hirschauer has pushed for several measures in Springfield to curb gun violence, including the Protect Illinois Communities Act, which banned assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, and Karina’s Law, which addresses the deadly intersection of domestic violence and firearms. This session, Hirschauer has introduced three House bills that prioritize safe gun storage and increased education around guns. 

Hirschauer’s House Bill 2723 will prevent young children from accessing firearms in the home. She is partnering with the Secretary of State’s office to provide accessible information on safe gun storage in the home (House Bill 2545), and she is also working with the Department of Public Health to distribute information to families on the dangers to children with unsecured firearms (House Bill 3371). 

“Reducing gun violence has been my top priority since day one, and knowing the White House is a partner, not a hindrance, in this effort is reassuring as we work with other states to put an end to gun violence once and for all,” said Hirschauer. “By prioritizing gun safety from purchase to storage, we can stop gun violence in the home and in the community. I’m honored to be a part of this progressive movement emphasizing safety and education over pandering to a right-wing extremist wishlist. Together as a country, we are enacting common sense policy that will keep us all safe.”

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

The Illinois Secretary of State’s office is asking Illinois military veterans and their families to share their stories, photos and mementos for future generations as part of the Illinois Veterans History Project. The Illinois Veterans History Project is a statewide initiative that collects, preserves and makes accessible first-hand recollections of veterans and civilians who served the five military branches.

“It is an honor to commemorate the brave Americans who have served our country,” said Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. “Our state’s Veterans History Project shines a spotlight on veteran voices and serves as a permanent record for Illinois veterans to memorialize their experiences and contributions to ensure they are not forgotten.”

Giannoulias encourages veterans and their family members to submit materials so his office can digitize them and make them available online.

To submit an entry, visit www.ilsos.gov/veteranshistoryproject and complete and fill out an Illinois Patriot Information Form to the Illinois State Library. Completed forms can be submitted electronically to ilvhp@ilsos.gov or by mail to the Illinois State Library, 300 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701−1796. For more information about the Illinois Veterans History Project, call (800) 665-5576 – ext. 4, email ilvhp@ilsos.gov or visit the website at www.ilsos.gov/veteranshistoryproject.

The public can visit www.idaillinois.org and search Veterans History Project to view submissions, which can be searched by name, war and hometown of veterans who have submitted materials. Oral history interviews are also available on the project’s YouTube page at youtube.com/user/ilveteransproject.

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, joined more than 600 other representatives from across the country to urge the U.S. Supreme Court to defend access to mifepristone, which can safely end a pregnancy and treat miscarriages.

“As far-right judges and groups push regressive, anti-choice policies, we will continue to push back and reaffirm the fundamental right to bodily autonomy,” Hirschauer said. “This drug has been a safe and reliable option for countless Americans for over 20 years. We will not sit idly by as this becomes less available to those who need it most. I am proud to join 48 other Illinois House and Senate members to reaffirm the right to choose.” 

Hirschauer co-signed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court urging the high court to reject a right-wing judge’s effort to restrict access to mifepristone, which can be used to end a pregnancy or treat a miscarriage. The judge’s initial ruling not only diminishes a provider’s ability to prescribe mifepristone over the phone, online or through the mail but also lowers the period in which someone can access the drug. Typically, at-home pregnancy tests are reliable after four weeks of a missed menstruation cycle. If the Supreme Court upholds the lower court’s ruling, the time limit would decrease from ten weeks to seven weeks. 

Hirschauer has a strong history of fighting for the right to choose. She passed the Patient and Provider Protection Act, legislation introduced to counter the Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade. Additionally, Hirschauer worked to expand access to emergency contraception, keep sensitive information out of the hands of politicians who seek to prosecute women seeking reproductive healthcare in Illinois and allow patients to receive hormonal birth control over-the-counter.

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

Hirschauer Champions Trauma-Informed Care in Task Force Appointment

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, was appointed to the Healing-Centered Illinois Task Force, continuing her commitment to more effective and compassionate  approaches to tackling Illinois’ biggest health issues. 

“We need to move beyond old ways of treating patients and problems if we are going to combat our state’s physical and mental health issues,” Hirschauer said. “I am excited to bring the voices and insight of my community and stakeholders to this appointment as we work collaboratively to shape a better future for healthcare in Illinois. By looking at our leading health problems through the lens of individual and generational trauma, our healthcare system can better serve the people.” 

The Healing-Centered Illinois Task Force is a product of Senate Bill 646, which moves Illinois into a trauma-informed direction. The task force would align definitions and goals laid out in the Whole Child Task Force, Children’s Mental Health Plan, and the recent Children’s Mental Health Transformation Initiative. Receiving trauma-informed care means that healthcare professionals at the clinical and organizational level understand a patient’s complete history, even the history often overlooked in mainstream healthcare practices. By opening up relationships between patients and providers, treating health issues can become more long-lasting and effective.

For more information on Senate Bill 646 and the Healing-Centered Illinois Task Force, 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

    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

    WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – State Rep. Maura Hirschauer released the following statement Friday after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld legislation she worked to pass banning the sale of assault rifles, high-capacity magazines, and rapid-fire modifications:

    “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.”

    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

    SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Building on years of advocacy, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D- Batavia, passed a balanced budget and legislation that prevents gun violence and invests in youth and community development.

    “When the Governor introduced his budget proposal months ago, I made it a priority for the final product to help bolster community safety by tackling the root causes of violence. I am proud to have supported a budget that invests in violence interruption and prevention services to keep our communities safe,” Hirschauer said. “Our budget is a representation of what we value, and this year’s budget sends an unequivocal message that the safety and wellbeing of our children and communities is essential.”

    The Hirschauer-backed fiscal year 2024 budget provides millions of dollars in funding for non- profit organizations and local governments for violence interruption and prevention, community development, and youth employment. It also fully funds a multi-million dollar safe gun storage public awareness campaign to help prevent unintentional shootings, saving many, especially children, from accidental death and gun-related injuries.

    In concert with the violence prevention measures in the budget, Hirschauer recently passed a House Bill 676 which would, among other measures, keeps guns out of the hands of domestic abusers by clarifying that the respondent of the firearms restraining order is prohibited from acquiring or possessing any firearms for the duration of the order of protection and outlining the process and timeframe for firearms to be seized after the entry of the order of protection. The bill also permits intimate partners to petition for a firearms order of protection, closing what is commonly known as the “boyfriend loophole.”

    “In Illinois, we can compassionately govern while still maintaining strong fiscal responsibility to create a safer, brighter future,” Hirschauer said. “Though we’ve made tremendous progress this session, our work is still ongoing, and I will always stand up for the safety and wellbeing of Illinois families.”

    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 #104
    West Chicago IL 60185