Hirschauer Reflects on the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Overturn

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — On the four-year anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-West Chicago, issued the following statement on the work she has done in Springfield to protect abortion and reproductive rights across the state of Illinois:

“Four years ago, the Dobbs decision marked the culmination of a long-running extremist effort to strip away reproductive freedom. By overturning nearly 50 years of constitutional protections, the Supreme Court opened the door for politicians to interfere in deeply personal medical decisions, criminalize essential healthcare, and put the health and lives of patients at risk.

“In Illinois, we have chosen a different path. We are committed to protecting the right to make personal healthcare decisions free from political interference. That commitment continued on Wednesday as the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act was signed into law—a measure I proudly advocated for and co-sponsored. This law safeguards sensitive reproductive health records, ensuring that out-of-state politicians and prosecutors cannot misuse private medical information to target patients or healthcare providers for care that is legal in Illinois.

“We also passed House Bill 3637, strengthening Illinois’ Shield Law by reinforcing protections for medication abortion and safeguarding healthcare professionals who provide lawful reproductive healthcare in our state. Together, these measures send a clear message: Illinois will not cooperate with attempts to criminalize reproductive healthcare.

“As attacks on reproductive freedom continue across the country, Illinois will remain a place where patients can access care with dignity, privacy, and confidence. I will continue fighting to protect reproductive freedom because every person deserves the right to make their own healthcare decisions—without fear, political interference, or government intrusion.”

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 Defends Reproductive Health Rights

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Upon the passage of the Patient and Provider Protection Act by the Illinois House of Representatives, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, released the following statement:

“Illinois is a state where everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, is welcome to access the health care they need to live as their truest selves. Today, the Illinois House of Representatives reaffirmed that truth by passing the Patient and Provider Protection Act. Among other provisions, this legislation strengthens and expands reproductive freedoms and access to reproductive and gender-affirming health care.

“Abortion, contraception, PrEP and PEP medication and gender-affirming care are all forms of healthcare — often life-changing and lifesaving health care. By expanding access to these resources, vulnerable Illinoisans will receive the care they need to live happy and healthy lives. I urge the Senate to take up this bill to positively benefit all Illinoisans and help our state maintain its stature as a leader in reproductive freedoms and inclusive health care.”

Rep. Maura HirschauerHirschauer Pushes for More School Nurses, Funding for School Health Services in Coming Budget

(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

Hirschauer Pushes for More School Nurses, Funding for School Health Services in Coming Budget

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – In a continued effort to improve education in Illinois, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is introducing a measure to fund a study on school nursing capacity in Illinois.

“Countless low-income children with health conditions have most of their health needs met by school nurses, and the high level of care many of those nurses provide is a testament to their skill and dedication. It’s far from ideal, but school nurses provide a backstop when regular health services are unaffordable,” Hirschauer said. “However, the sad reality is that many kids in our communities don’t even have access to a school nurse. Illinois schools are facing a shortage, and it’s past time we get to work ending that. The study I am proposing will give us invaluable information on how to address this issue.”

In tandem with the Illinois Association of School Nurses (IASN), Hirschauer filed House Bill 5601, a measure to fund a study on school nursing capacity in Illinois. The study aims to understand the reasons for the current shortage and create new solutions to end it. Hirschauer has been a champion for revamping and improving education in Illinois; casting key votes on the House Appropriations: Elementary and Secondary Education committee, the House Child Care Accessibility and Early Childhood Education committee and the House Elementary and Secondary Education: School Curriculum and Polices committee.

Gloria Barrera, President of the IASN said, “Every child deserves access to a school nurse, no matter their zip code. Our goal is to achieve having a certified and licensed school nurse in every school district to supervise the health services program, that being said, we need the data to support that. We thank Representative Hirschauer for introducing HB5601 to appropriate $250,000 from the SBE Federal Department of Education Fund to the State Board of Education for a grant to contract with IASN to complete a study for school nursing capacity in this state, effective July 1, 2022.  The data collected will help drive action for our work in the future. We are asking legislators to support this bill. They’ll be hearing from school nurses in their districts very soon to further explain why this is essential to school health here in Illinois.”

Rep. 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

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