Tag: community

Freezing Congressionally-approved funding is not fiscal responsibility, it’s abandonment.

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Freezing Congressionally-approved funding is not fiscal responsibility, it’s abandonment.
(excerpts from video):

I am very proud to be the representative of West Chicago, a vibrant community in western DuPage County. In West Chicago we have a saying, “West Chicago has heart; West Chicago tiene corazón.” and in West Chicago we DO have heart: the beating heart of the community is our schools.

Our schools do more than educate: They feed hungry families, they provide mental health care, they create leadership opportunities for students and parents. They help solve transportation challenges. They support families facing food and housing instability. They truly wrap their arms around the whole child and the whole family. And because of that, they have earned trust in our community.

The reason West Chicago School District 33 has been able to provide these life-changing services is they receive federal Full Service Community Schools grant dollars. And let me tell you: those dollars are stretched, maximised, and poured directly back into children and families.

Then, just days before winter break, everything changed. The rug was ripped out from West Chicago.

Effective December 31, 2025, the Donald Trump administration froze $18,500,000 ($18.5M) in Full Service Community School Grants across Illinois. And over the past year, the US Department of Education has cancelled hundreds of grants, serving schools from Metropolis to Chicago. Schools that depend on this funding to serve our most vulnerable children.

These are not items on a spreadsheet. These are children, these are our families, and these are real lives. This is not just happening in West Chicago, it is happening from Southern Illinois all the way to Northern Illinois.

Let’s be clear: feeding a hungry child is not political. Providing mental health care is not ideological. Helping a student learn English is not controversial. And offering after-school tutoring is not radical. It is compassionate. It is responsible. And it is necessary.

This is not fiscal responsibility.
This is abandonment.

We call on Congress to release every single dollar of Congressionally-approved funding for Illinois children.

We are not turning our backs on our kids here in Illinois. If Washington refuses to stand up for our families, we will stand up for ourselves. We will fight for our schools. We will fight for our communities. And we will fight for every child’s and family’s right to opportunity. That’s whaty HB5362 and HB5363 are so important: so as a state we can continue to fund the good work that Illinois’ schools are doing. Because in Illinois we do not balance our budget on the backs of families and children.

Maura Hirschauer headshot 2022

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

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

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

Mid-Session Town Hall

Mid-Session Town Hall

March 4 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm CST

Join Representative Hirschauer for a mid-session town hall on legislation, budget, community safety, and pressing topics of Illinois’ 49th District. Register with your topics of priority and your specific questions to ensure they are discussed that evening.

This event will be presented in person, in English, with automated captions available on Zoom in many languages. If you would like in-person interpretation to another language, please register by Feb 28 for accommodations. Automated translations may be inaccurate. If something seems alarming or out of context, please contact our office for clarification and we will consult an interpreter to facilitate understanding of your concerns and Rep Hirschauer’s response.

Register below. Zoom links will be sent the day of the event.

Acompañe a la Representante Hirschauer en una reunión pública a mitad de sesión sobre legislación, presupuesto, seguridad comunitaria y temas urgentes del Distrito 49 de Illinois. Inscríbase con sus temas prioritarios y sus preguntas específicas para asegurarse de que se aborden esa noche.

Este evento se presentará en inglés con subtítulos automáticos disponibles en varios idiomas. Si desea interpretación en persona a otro idioma, registraste antes del 28 de febrero para realizar adaptaciones. Las traducciones automáticas pueden ser inexactas. Si algo le parece alarmante o fuera de contexto, comuníquese con nuestra oficina para obtener una aclaración y consultaremos con un intérprete para facilitar la comprensión de sus inquietudes y aclarar la respuesta de la Representante Hirschauer.

Se requiere registro a continuación. Los enlaces de Zoom se enviarán el día del evento.

Free

State Representative Maura Hirschauer

331-465-9661

View Organizer Website

Bartlett Public Library District

800 S. Bartlett Road
Bartlett, Illinois United States
60103
View Venue Website

There is only a single, consolidated Dial-a-Ride program in Kane County

Posted on by Intern Rep Hirschauer
There is only a single, consolidated Dial-a-Ride program in Kane County

The Ride in Kane program, the local Dial-a-Ride service that provides curb-to-curb transportation to seniors and people with disabilities living in Kane County, has transitioned to a new, countywide coordinated ride model.

This change makes it easier for riders to register, schedule trips, and access public transportation for all eligible residents across Kane County.

See the Ride in Kane webpage, Dial-a-Ride Services: Kane County webpage or call the Ride in Kane information line at 630-762-2600 for further information or to request service.

Solo habra un servicio de Transporte a domicilio de Kane County, un cambio local a nivel de Condado.

El programa Ride in Kane, el servicio local de transporte a domicilio que ofrece transporte de puerta a puerta a personas mayores y personas con discapacidad que viven en el condado de Kane, ha adoptado un nuevo modelo de transporte coordinado a nivel de condado.

Este cambio facilita el registro, la programación de viajes y el acceso al transporte público para todos los residentes elegibles del condado de Kane.

Consulte la página web de Ride in Kane, Servicios de Transporte a Domicilio: Condado de Kane, o llame a la línea de información de Ride in Kane al 630-762-2600 para obtener más información o solicitar el servicio.

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

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

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

Rep. Maura Hirschauer Reflects after Minnesota ICE Shooting; Emphasizes Duty to Stand Up, Speak Out, and Shine a Light on Truth

Posted on by Intern Rep Hirschauer
Rep. Maura Hirschauer Reflects after Minnesota ICE Shooting; Emphasizes Duty to Stand Up, Speak Out, and Shine a Light on Truth

WEST CHICAGO — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, issued the following statement in response to the killing of Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration agent during a reckless immigration enforcement action.

Do not look away. Yesterday, January 7, 2026, federal immigration agents shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota leaving her six year old child orphaned and a community in anguish. On September 12, 2025 federal immigration agents shot and killed Silverio Villegas González in Franklin Park, Illinois leaving his two young children orphaned and our community in anguish. We mourn the loss of Renee, Silverio, and every life taken or forever changed by the actions of our reckless federal government. The ripple effects of these tragic events eerily echo throughout cities across the United States where the presence of federal immigration agents threaten community safety. 

No one is safe when inadequately trained federal agents, armed to the hilt with hand guns, assault style weapons and tear gas, speed through city streets sowing chaos at every turn.

Today my thoughts are with the family of Renee Nicole Good and the people of Minnesota. May her memory be a blessing and a spark that ignites meaningful, peaceful change. We must not look away – we all have a responsibility to stand up, speak out, and shine a light on truth. 

My thoughts are also with my neighbors here in Illinois. To our immigrant community who continue to work, go to school, and find joy despite the constant terror of the federal government – I see you and I stand with you. And to our neighbors who continue to protect each other in spite of the danger – you answer the call of pre-dawn signal chats, patrol community streets, and blow whistles to warn of danger – thank you. Together we protect us. 

Representante Maura Hirschauer reflexiona tras el tiroteo de ICE en Minnesota; enfatiza el deber de ponerse de pie, hablar y arrojar luz sobre la verdad

“Ayer, 7 de Enero del 2026, agentes federales de inmigración le dispararon y mataron a Renee Nicole Good en Minnesota dejando huérfano a su hijo de seis años y a toda una comunidad destrozada. El 12 de septiembre de 2025 agentes federales de inmigración le dispararon y mataron a Silverio Villegas Gonzalez en Franklin Park, Illinois, dejando huérfanos  a sus dos hijos pequeños y a nuestra comunidad sumida en dolor.” 

“Estamos de luto y lamentamos profundamente la pérdida de Renee, Silverio, y de cada vida arrebatada o marcada para siempre por las acciones insensatas de nuestro gobierno federal. Los efectos secundarios de estos eventos trágicos que recorren ciudades de todo Estados Unidos, donde la presencia de agentes federales de inmigración pone en riesgo la seguridad de las comunidades.”

“Nadie está a salvo cuando agentes federales deficientemente mal capacitados, armados hasta los dientes con pistolas, armas tipo asalto y gas lacrimógeno, se lanzan a toda velocidad por las calles de la ciudad, sembrando caos a cada paso.” 

Hoy mis pensamientos están con la familia de Renee Nicole Good y con la  gente de Minnesota. Que su memoria sea una bendición y una luz que encienda un cambio real y pacifico. No debemos apartar la mirada y todos tenemos la responsabilidad de resistir, alzar la voz, y sacar la verdad a la luz.”

“Mis pensamientos también están con mis vecinos aquí en Illinois. A nuestra comunidad inmigrante que sigue trabajando, yendo a la escuela, y encontrando alegría a pesar del terror constante del gobierno federal. Yo los veo y estoy con ustedes. Y a nuestros vecinos que continúan protegiéndose unos a los otros a pesar del peligro.  Que responden a los chats de alerta antes del amanecer, patrullan las calles y hacen sonar silbatos para avisar del peligro, gracias. Juntos nos cuidamos.”

Maura Hirschauer headshot 2022

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

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

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



Hirschauer Responds to Devastating Funding Cuts to West Chicago Schools, Programs, Social Services

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer Responds to Devastating Funding Cuts to West Chicago Schools, Programs, Social Services

Spanish

WEST CHICAGO — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is responding to recent news that the federal administration will halt tens of millions of dollars in grants set aside to strengthen schools in low-income communities, including District 33 in West Chicago.

“This abrupt decision to pull funding from schools serving some of our most vulnerable students is absolutely devastating,” said Hirschauer. “These funds provide critical lifelines—hot meals, enrichment programs, and after-school sports and clubs that support children’s positive development as they grow. What makes this even more gut-wrenching is that the president’s anti-DEI rhetoric is being used to justify stripping away resources from our children. The cruelty of the federal government truly knows no bounds.”

District 33 is one of 70 Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) grantees that were expecting more than $380 million in federal awards between now and 2028. In Illinois, the organization ACT Now facilitates these funds to serve over 19,000 students across 32 public schools annually, including support for Leman Middle School (LMS) and Wegner Elementary Schools in District 33.

Due to the Trump Administration’s executive orders limiting DEI in school settings, the West Chicago school district was notified Friday that it will lose access to critical funds starting Jan. 1st—leaving handfuls of staff and several community partners scrambling to provide for students relying on programs, including extended learning time, health care, tutoring programs, meals, and more.

A total of over $55 million in funding will be discontinued over the next three years across Illinois, jeopardizing the district’s full-time Community School Administrator, academic and enrichment programming, mental health and social service partnerships, and more.

“To take funding away from students, educators, and families with no notice, and during the holiday season is unconscionable. While the decisions made in Washington continue to wreak havoc on hard working Illinoisans, my focus remains fighting for the communities we deserve,” said Hirschauer. “That includes protecting and investing in our schools to ensure that every child has access to learning, opportunity, and the unforgettable lessons that take place in classrooms every day.”

“To take funding away from students, educators, and families with no notice, and during the holiday season is unconscionable. While the decisions made in Washington continue to wreak havoc on hard working Illinoisans, my focus remains fighting for the communities we deserve,” said Hirschauer. “That includes protecting and investing in our schools to ensure that every child has access to learning, opportunity, and the unforgettable lessons that take place in classrooms every day.”

Hirschauer responde a devastadores recortes de financiamiento a las escuelas, programas y servicios sociales de West Chicago

La representante estatal Maura Hirschauer, demócrata de Batavia, está respondiendo a noticias recientes de que la administración federal suspenderá decenas de millones de dólares en subvenciones destinadas a fortalecer las escuelas en comunidades de bajos ingresos, incluido el Distrito 33 en West Chicago.

“Esta decisión abrupta de retirar fondos a escuelas que atienden a algunos de nuestros estudiantes más vulnerables es absolutamente devastadora”, dijo Hirschauer. “Estos fondos brindan apoyos esenciales: comidas calientes, programas de enriquecimiento y deportes y clubes extracurriculares que respaldan el desarrollo positivo de los niños a medida que crecen. Lo que hace esto aún más doloroso es que la retórica anti-DEI del presidente se esté utilizando para justificar el despojo de recursos a nuestros niños. La crueldad del gobierno federal realmente no conoce límites”.

El Distrito 33 es uno de los 70 beneficiarios del programa de Escuelas Comunitarias de Servicio Completo (Full-Service Community Schools, FSCS) que esperaban recibir más de 380 millones de dólares en fondos federales entre ahora y 2028. En Illinois, la organización ACT Now administra estos fondos para atender a más de 19,000 estudiantes cada año en 32 escuelas públicas, incluido el apoyo a la Escuela Intermedia Leman (LMS) y a la Escuela Primaria Wegner en el Distrito 33.

Debido a las órdenes ejecutivas de la Administración Trump que limitan las iniciativas de DEI en entornos escolares, el distrito escolar de West Chicago fue notificado el viernes de que perderá acceso a fondos críticos a partir del 1 de enero, dejando a varios miembros del personal y a numerosos socios comunitarios luchando por seguir apoyando a los estudiantes que dependen de programas como tiempo de aprendizaje extendido, atención médica, tutorías, comidas y más.

Un total de más de 55 millones de dólares en fondos será descontinuado en Illinois durante los próximos tres años, poniendo en riesgo el puesto de Administrador de Escuelas Comunitarias de tiempo completo del distrito, así como programas académicos y de enriquecimiento, alianzas de salud mental y servicios sociales, entre otros.

“Quitar fondos a estudiantes, educadores y familias sin previo aviso y durante la temporada navideña es inconcebible. Mientras las decisiones tomadas en Washington continúan causando estragos entre los trabajadores de Illinois, mi enfoque sigue siendo luchar por las comunidades que merecemos”, dijo Hirschauer. “Eso incluye proteger e invertir en nuestras escuelas para garantizar que cada niño tenga acceso al aprendizaje, a oportunidades y a las lecciones inolvidables que ocurren todos los días en las aulas”.

Maura Hirschauer headshot 2022

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

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

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

“Do not turn away.”

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
“Do not turn away.”

That’s what I tell people who pass through our community of West Chicago on Route 59 or Route 38 on their way to other places. Take a detour, and explore our historic community that was built up and around the railroads, and by immigrants from all over the globe. Wander through our downtown, grab a strong coffee from our local coffee shop, enjoy homemade gorditas and deliciously soft concha.

West Chicago is normally a quiet town, but if you look closer you will now see unmarked SUVs, trucks and vans with tinted windows patrolling our tree lined streets, circling neighborhood schools, spreading fear with every turn. Do not turn away. These are ICE agents, and they are here simply because West Chicago is a largely Latino community. They are not armed with judicial criminal warrants; they are armed with guns and pepper spray. These agents are not protecting our community from criminals; they are abducting fathers on their way home from school drop-off, aunts and uncles leaving a shift at a local factory, college students attending early morning classes.

Do not turn away—pay attention to the cries of our neighbors. They have been living peacefully, working hard, paying taxes, raising their families, going to church. The vast majority of people here are citizens, while others dream of a path. Everyone in West Chicago now feels as if their world has turned upside down. They are terrified of leaving their house and never seeing their children again. They are not criminals—they are your neighbors and ICE is holding them hostage.

The federal administration’s deployment of ICE in our peaceful neighborhoods is not keeping us safe, in fact it is doing quite the opposite. There is no part of “Operation Midway Blitz” that is aimed at solving the systemic issues in our immigration system. Instead, the “blitz” has left our families and neighborhoods vulnerable. Unaccountable, masked ICE agents are undermining years of work by our law enforcement to build trust with the communities they serve. Families are too afraid to call the police – even in dire emergencies. The fear tactics of ICE have forced our neighbors to think twice before calling for help.

Our current immigration policy is broken, and instead of rolling up his sleeves, doing the work of governing, and offering solutions to fix it, President Trump is choosing to target and torture the very immigrant community that weaves the fabric of this nation. It is a cowardly and weak choice, and above all it is a dangerous one. Every single person in our community is put in harm’s way when ICE agents roam our neighborhoods. 

Sadly, our community is not alone. ICE agents are terrorizing communities throughout our state; towns like Elgin, Aurora, Franklin Park, Glendale Heights and Addison; and neighborhoods throughout the city of Chicago.

Please, do not turn away. Witness the educators, administrators and childcare workers who are working overtime—arriving early and staying late—to ensure that students are safely cared for during the school day. Notice the factory workers, who despite the real fear of ICE abduction, continue to show up to do their essential jobs and keep our economy moving. Recognize the laborers who persist on job sites building integral infrastructure, or maybe even improving and repairing your own home. Observe the small business owners who open their doors even as the threat of ICE looms.

Do not turn away, take action. Join community members who have organized to keep watch, document stops, and support each other through fear and uncertainty. Donate to your local foodbank. Shop and eat at immigrant owned businesses and restaurants. And most importantly, spread truth. ICE is not in our community serving judicial criminal warrants. ICE is not detaining violent offenders. Instead, they are stripping away due process rights, profiling people simply based on the color of their skin, and forcing entire communities to live in fear. That does not keep our communities safe—we do. Please join us.

edited version published Chicago Sun-Times, 10/4/25

Maura State IL Icon

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

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

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

Celebrate our community with Crafts!

Celebrate our community with Crafts!

September 29, 2025 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm CDT

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month my office is partnering with Gallery 200 to offer a drop-in craft for kids to celebrate West Chicago’s vibrant history. Families of all ages and sizes are welcome!

Free

State Representative Maura Hirschauer

331-465-9661

View Organizer Website

Bartlett Public Library District

800 S. Bartlett Road
Bartlett, Illinois United States
60103
View Venue Website

Mexican Independence Day

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Mexican Independence Day

En español

Image of Rep Hirschauer in a purple dress next to the front of a giant piñata of a burro of many bright striped colors. A street lamp has a United States flag posted and waving in the breeze, while Mexican papel picado are strung to and from the next street lamp posts.

This Mexican Independence Day, while ICE threatens my neighbors and constituents, I choose to honor the hardworking people who make our community thrive.

I celebrate the educators and school administrators who arrive early and stay late to ensure students are safe and cared for as immigration enforcement officials circle our neighborhoods. I honor the union factory workers who protect one another during shift changes. I recognize the business owners who stand firm, refusing to let ICE enter without a federal judicial warrant. And I uplift the community members who organize to keep watch, document stops, and support each other through fear and uncertainty.

ICE does not keep our communities safe—we do. ICE sows division, chaos, and fear. We build unity, peace, and care for our immigrant neighbors and for each other.

So we chose joy. We chose to dance and sing with ballet folklórico and mariachi. We chose to support Mexican businesses, savor delicious food, and celebrate beautiful art. We chose to create safe spaces filled with peace and celebration.

Viva México!

Día de la Independencia de México

Este Día de la Independencia de México, mientras ICE amenaza a mis vecinos y electores, elijo honrar a las personas trabajadoras que hacen prosperar a nuestra comunidad.

Celebro a los educadores y administradores escolares que llegan temprano y se quedan hasta tarde para garantizar la seguridad y el cuidado de los estudiantes mientras los agentes de inmigración patrullan nuestros vecindarios. Honro a los trabajadores sindicalizados de fábricas que se protegen mutuamente durante los cambios de turno. Reconozco a los dueños de negocios que se mantienen firmes, negándose a permitir la entrada de ICE sin una orden judicial federal. Y aplaudo a los miembros de la comunidad que se organizan para vigilar, documentar las detenciones y apoyarse mutuamente ante el miedo y la incertidumbre.

ICE no mantiene seguras a nuestras comunidades; nosotros sí. ICE siembra división, caos y miedo. Construimos unidad, paz y cuidado para nuestros vecinos inmigrantes y para nosotros mismos.

Así que elegimos la alegría. Elegimos bailar y cantar con ballet folklórico y mariachi. Elegimos apoyar a los negocios mexicanos, disfrutar de la deliciosa comida y celebrar el arte. Elegimos crear espacios seguros llenos de paz y celebración.

¡Viva México!

Maura State IL Icon

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

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

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

Policy and Change

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Policy and Change

Thoughts and prayers? Two children were killed and at least 17 others injured when a gunman fired several rounds of bullets through the open windows of a Catholic church this morning. Thoughts and prayers have not and will not extinguish the gun lobby’s stranglehold on this country. We must stand up and pass real, comprehensive, nation-wide gun safety policies: a national assault weapon and high capacity magazine ban, and universal background checks.

Instead, we have a federal government defunding valuable and proven community violence intervention programs, and encouraging deregulation of firearms by eliminating the $200 tax stamp on suppressors, short-barreled rifles and shot guns. The steps taken by President Trump puts all of our communities at risk — we cannot stand by and watch as our federal gun safety policy buckles under the gun lobby’s pressure.

Here in Illinois we have taken the steps to keep our communities safe: from banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines in the Protect Illinois Communities Act, to keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous abusers in Karina’s Law, to mandating the safe storage of firearms when children are present in the Safe at Home Act. We are working every single day to save lives from gun violence. Make no mistake, there is more work to do. As the chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Policy, I am committed to doing that work. 

We must value our children over our guns. We must commit to creating a world in which parents can drop their children off at school, at church, at playgrounds — without fear of gunfire. My heart breaks for the families who lost their precious babies today, and for the school community whose lives will be forever changed. We will honor their lives, not with thoughts and prayers alone, but with a commitment to action and change.

Maura State IL Icon

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

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

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

CUB Utility Bill Clinic

CUB Utility Bill Clinic

October 22, 2025 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm CDT

Citizens Utility Board will be hosting a Utility Bill Clinic at our Mobile DMV Event, on October 22nd, at the Hanover Township Senior Center!

CUB counselors will be available at the event to answer questions about your gas, electric, and telecom bills. Additionally, there will be information on spotting unnecessary charges, methods to reduce your utility bills such as rebates and energy efficiency programs, avoiding scams, and options to access solar.

From 10 AM – 12 PM appointments will be required as they take one-on-one consultations, you can register by calling 331-465-9661. Walk-ins are available from 12 PM – 2 PM on a first come, first served basis along with general resources and information. Please bring copies of your most recent utility bills if you would like personalized advice from a CUB counselor.

Bartlett Public Library District

800 S. Bartlett Road
Bartlett, Illinois United States
60103
View Venue Website