overhead view of the apartment buildings that burned in the fire on 11-30-23.

Yesterday, nearly 100 of our neighbors in West Chicago became homeless due to a large fire consuming their homes. The support in the community is immense, with over 40 representatives of organizations present on calls to organize the followup to the first responses from West Chicago Fire Protection District,   West Chicago Police Department, and the Red Cross of Illinois.

Thank you to WeGo Together for Kids for coordinating donations and to New Hope Methodist Church for jumping in immediately and receiving donations for these displaced families and to all the community organizations that are supporting and will continue to support these neighbors in the coming weeks.

Donations Needed:

Monetary donations are needed and welcomed. Anything donated at this link between now and Dec 31 will go toward the fire victims (no need to choose a fund).

Clothing donations CLOSED at this time- please consider a monetary donation or check back if additional items are needed.

The following items are needed for victims of the Main Park Apartments fire. ONLY these items. Please do NOT donate summer clothing, shoes, etc. Families are homeless and have very limited space to store items.
Donations can be dropped off at New Hope Methodist Church, 643 E Washington, West Chicago, 9am-4pm.

NEW

Men’s underwear (boxer briefs): size S-2XL
Women’s underwear size S-XL
Children’s underwear all sizes
Socks for all genders

GENTLY USED

Sweatpants: Men’s size S-2XL, Women’s size S-XL, Kids all sizes
Sweatshirts and warm tops: Men’s size S-2XL, Women’s size S-XL, Kids all sizes
Men’s shoes: Sizes 7, 7.5, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 13
Women’s shoes: Sizes 6-9 fulfilled
Kids’ shoes: all sizes
Bras: preferably sports bra type in all sizes

Follow WeGo Together for Kids for the most up-to-date info on donations needed.

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

Congress, State Senate, State Representative Shared Office Open House Saturday, June 24, 2023 10am-12pm 946 Neltnor Blvd #102-104 West Chicago, IL 60185 Come Visit Us!

June 24, 2023 @ 10:00 am 12:00 pm

My office has joined with the offices of Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (IL-03) and our own State Senator Karina Villa in a single space to serve constituents. Three fierce women joining offices in one space will serve constituents both at the state AND federal levels!

Come visit our new space in West Chicago on Saturday, June 24, 2023 between 10am-12pm.

Program begins at 10:30 with a few words, ribbon cutting, music, and entertainment.

946 N Neltnor Blvd #104, West Chicago, IL 60185

Congress, State Senate, State Representative Shared Office Open House Saturday, June 24, 2023 10am-12pm 946 Neltnor Blvd #102-104 West Chicago, IL 60185 Come Visit Us!

We hope you’ll take this opportunity to also contribute to our collection for the Not Your Typical School Supply drive, supporting Go With the Flow, a local organization that will distribute the products where they are most needed throughout the far western suburbs.

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1 in 5 students will experience period poverty this school year. If students don’t have access to period products, they will not feel confident going to school. This drive’s mission is to keep students attending class and extracurricular activities without having to pause for their period.

Supplies Needed:

  • Pads
  • Panty Liners
  • New Underwear (all sizes & styles)
  • Cosmetic Bags
  • Deodorant
  • Face Wash
  • 4oz. Shampoo & Conditioner
  • 4oz. Body Wash & Body Lotion
  • Toothbrush & Toothpaste
  • Razors & Shave Cream

State Representative Maura Hirschauer

331-465-9661

View Organizer Website

State Senator Karina Villa

(630) 326-9319

View Organizer Website

Congresswoman Delia Ramirez

(773) 799-8219

View Organizer Website

Offices of Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, State Senator Karina Villa, and State Representative Maura Hirschauer

946 Neltnor Blvd #102-104
West Chicago, IL 60185 United States
+ Google Map

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Nursing home residents would enjoy greater protection from restraining practices and unnecessary overmedication under new legislation led by state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia.

“Nursing home residents are some of our most vulnerable community members, and they deserve safe, dignified treatment in all circumstances,” Hirschauer said. “This legislation seeks to prevent harmful restraining practices and the misuse of psychotropic drugs so that nursing home residents receive helpful services free of harm or misconduct.”

Senate Bill 1497 specifies when and how positioning devices can be used to restrain someone in order to maintain the health and safety of a resident. The bill distinguishes between positioning devices and physical restraints, and allows residents to request positioning devices to assist with stability and movement. To prevent the misuse of psychotropic drugs, the bill also clarifies that psychotropic drugs are only to be used to treat a specific diagnosed and documented condition, or if clinical documentation in the resident’s medical record supports the use of the medication over the other alternatively prescribed medications. Senate Bill 1497 is an initiative of Hirschauer and state Sen. Karina Villa’s Joint Senior Advisory Committee, a group of civically-minded community members who discuss and propose legislation.

“According to the American Association of Retired Persons, Illinois is the second worst state in the misuse of psychotropic drugs in nursing homes in America. This is unacceptable,” Hirschauer said. “When we trust nursing homes with the care of our loved ones, we expect them to treat them with the safest and highest quality of care. This bill helps make that so. I encourage my colleagues in the House to pass this bill and protect nursing home residents across Illinois.”

Senate Bill 1497 now heads to the House floor for consideration. For more information on Hirschauer’s legislative agenda, please visit www.ilga.gov.

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

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is hosting a Mobile Secretary of State event on Friday, April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hanover Township Senior Center located at 240 Illinois Route 59 in Bartlett.

“Due to a variety of circumstances, many people might not be able to go to the DMV to renew their licenses or access other services,” Hirschauer said. “This event is the perfect opportunity to skip the long lines at the DMV and conveniently receive the services the Secretary of State’s office provides.”

Event attendees will be able to take advantage of basic DMV services, such as vision testing, driver’s license/state ID renewal, license plate stickers, and more. Proper identification is required for these services. No cash will be accepted. All payments must be made by check, credit card, debit card, or money order.

“Bringing useful services to our community through events like this one is one of my top priorities as your state representative,” Hirschauer said. “I will always work to make the lives of my constituents easier. I encourage anyone who needs DMV services to join us for this event.”

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Hirschauer’s district office at 331-465-9661 or 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

To the People of Kane County:

Gun violence is a uniquely American public health epidemic; while we know the remedies, public officials like Sheriff Ron Hain refuse to prescribe them. We are fighting every day for those remedies, so on one point we agree with what the Sheriff said in this Daily Herald headline: we are also embarrassed that Sheriff Hain has a “D” by his name.

The Protect Illinois Communities Act is not about politics, it is common sense public safety policy that will keep weapons of war out of neighborhoods and homes. It was publicly discussed at three subject matter hearings in December of 2022. If the Sheriff had cared to pay attention or check his facts he would have seen that several representatives from law enforcement spoke on the record in support of the bill at a hearing on December 20, 2022. But, much to the detriment of the people of Kane County, Sheriff Hain doesn’t care about facts, he prefers to spread misinformation and stoke the flames of controversy.

Families in our community have been loud and clear — enough is enough. There is nothing political about dropping your child off at school and fearing you may never see them again. No Kane county resident should feel unsafe celebrating at a parade, shopping at their local grocery store, or gathering in a park. Legislators in Illinois heeded the calls of our constituents and joined eight other states in banning the sale and possession of assault style weapons. We took action and we stand by our commitment to common sense gun safety. 

Gun violence is a complex and multifaceted public health crisis and each piece of the puzzle deserves attention — from sustained investment in community violence intervention programs and, yes, mental health support, to job creation and addressing inequalities in our public schools. But for us to continue to pretend that the mass proliferation of guns isn’t the number one factor contributing to gun violence is to deny both basic common sense and empirical research in a way that is either embarrassingly naive or maliciously disingenuous. We do need a more comprehensive approach to mental health treatment, we need to expand access to opportunity, and we need to bridge political and cultural divides – but no serious approach to gun violence can ignore the ease of access to weapons of war.  

Again, we ask Sheriff Hain to step back from public disputes and commit to working together on public safety policies that will benefit the people of Kane County. Our doors are always open for collaboration and he knows where to find us.

Sincerely,

Senator Cristina Castro – 22nd District
Senator Karina Villa – 25th District
Representative Barbara Hernandez – 50th District
Representative Maura Hirschauer – 49th District
Representative Anna Moeller – 43rd District

To the People of Kane County:

We are four Illinois State Representatives that represent many of you and your families in Kane County. Like you and so many others who have contacted us in recent days, we are disappointed by the recent statement from the Kane County Sheriff that misrepresents the Protect Illinois Communities Act. We are additionally alarmed by statements from sheriffs across the state that call into question the constitutionality of the law. Sheriff offices have no authority to determine the constitutionality of a law–that is up to the courts. Nor can they pick and choose which laws to enforce; they must enforce them all.

This bipartisan law is the product of hundreds of hours of negotiations and advocacy from across our shared community, including with the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Association of Police Chiefs, and the Illinois Association of Sheriffs. Law enforcement was given a seat at the negotiating table and several of their changes were incorporated into the final bill.

Many of us have been working on gun violence prevention policy for years, and we recognize that gun violence is a complex and multifaceted public health crisis and each piece of the puzzle deserves attention. We agree with the Kane Sheriff that expanding funding and access to mental health services is an important component of gun violence prevention. That is why we have invested over $500 million in community based violence interruption programs, including diversion programs and youth employment opportunities. We have expanded tele-health for mental health providers, and designated that 20% of the revenue from cannabis sales go directly toward statewide mental health funding.

We also agree with Sheriff Hain that another key factor in preventing gun violence is assuring that law enforcement has the tools and technology they need to solve crimes – which is why we supported over $200 million in new funding for law enforcement. In fact, this Act provides further protection to our law enforcement as assault rifles, extended magazines, and rapid-fire modifications put law enforcement at particular risk. A statewide ban of assault weapons, high capacity magazines, and switches protects and supports our police.

We are concerned that the sheriff’s statement will create confusion as we work to implement the law over the coming months. Despite what the sheriff would like you to believe this Act puts forth negotiated provisions to protect law abiding gun owners: it is not a gun grab. The law does not require the seizure of assault weapons and large capacity magazines. Nor does it dictate that the sheriff’s department go door to door checking FOID cards and gun cabinets.

Instead, the Act gives law-abiding gun owners over 300 days to apply for an endorsement on their FOID cards that will ensure that they lawfully keep any assault-style weapons that were lawfully purchased and possessed prior to January 11, 2023.

Illinoisans have experienced too much gun violence, with impacts that go beyond the devastating loss of life or physical injury. Lingering trauma destroys us from within and to force our constituents to endure these effects is negligent and reprehensible. By banning the sale and distribution of assault weapons, high-capacity ammunition magazines, and switches in Illinois, the Protect Illinois Communities Act makes our schools, parades, grocery stores, places of worship, and workplaces safer from the gun violence that is a threat to our wellbeing everywhere.

We intend to work collaboratively with the Illinois State Police, the Governor’s Office, the Attorney General, the Kane County Sheriff, and local law enforcement to ensure that this life-saving law is successfully implemented. We invite Sheriff Hain to contact us directly with his concerns and questions as we move forward cooperatively, in the interest of community safety.

Sincerely,
Rep. Barbara Hernandez, 50th District
Rep. Maura Hirschauer, 49th District
Rep. Anna Moeller, 43rd District
Rep. Suzanne Ness, 66th District

To the People of DuPage County:

We are the 16 Illinois State Senators and Representatives that represent the overwhelming majority of you and your families in DuPage County. Like so many concerned individuals who have contacted us in recent days, we are dismayed and angered by the recent pronouncement by the DuPage County Sheriff to unilaterally direct his office to flout and disregard the duly passed and signed Protect Illinois Communities Act. The Sheriff has no authority to determine the constitutionality of a law–that is up to the courts. Nor can he pick and choose which laws to enforce; he must enforce them all.

This bipartisan law was the product of hundreds of hours of negotiations and advocacy from across our shared community and constituents. It will fight the senseless barrage of gun violence that has plagued our state for far too long. By banning the sale and distribution of assault weapons, high-capacity ammunition magazines, and switches in Illinois, the Act makes our schools, neighborhoods, parades, grocery stores, and workplaces safer from the gun violence that is a threat to our wellbeing everywhere.

The DuPage County Sheriff’s intention to violate his sworn duty to uphold our state’s laws is a dereliction of duty and puts our safety at risk. The Sheriff’s words send a clear message that lawbreakers are welcome here. Should any related tragedy occur within our borders, not only will he bear responsibility for the resulting and everlasting scars upon our community, but he also will put our livelihoods and property tax dollars at risk, as his declaration now opens us up to financial liability.

Please know that even if the DuPage County Sheriff will not do his job to protect you, we as your Illinois Senators and Representatives are already doing so with the full weight of our offices. We are working closely with the Illinois State Police, the Governor’s Office, the Attorney General, and additional levels of state and local government and law enforcement to ensure that we will fill the void left when the sheriff abandoned his duty to protect our community. We will never abandon the constituents that we have sworn to serve, not only in DuPage County, but for the whole state.

Sincerely,

Senator Laura Ellman, 21st District
Senator Laura Murphy, 28th District
Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton, 23rd District
Senator Rachel Ventura, 43rd District
Senator Karina Villa, 25th District
Rep. Dagmara Avelar, 85th District
Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock, 46th District
Rep. Terra Costa Howard, 42nd District

Rep. Barbara Hernandez, 50th District
Rep. Norma Hernandez, 77th District
Rep. Maura Hirschauer, 49th District
Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, 84th District
Rep. Jenn Ladisch Douglass, 45th District
Rep. Michelle Mussman, 56th District
Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, 81st District
Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, 41st District

Originally published at IllinoisHouseDems.com

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois House Democratic Women’s Caucus (IHDWC) recently
elected their leadership team for the 103rd General Assembly. They are:

  • State Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, D-Downers Grove, Chair
  • State Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Champaign, Vice Chair
  • State Rep. Dagmara Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, Secretary
  • State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, Treasurer

“I am honored by the trust my colleagues have placed in me,” Stava-Murray said. “Crafting
policy to promote the interests of women statewide, especially in the post-Dobbs age, is an
important responsibility, and one that will impact the lives of half our state’s population. The
intrinsic set of issues that women face in our society present unique obstacles for advocates and
policymakers to overcome. I welcome the challenge, and I am eager to get started.”

“I am honored to be joining the leadership of the Women’s Caucus and bringing my experience
and perspective to the fights ahead of us,” Ammons said. “Women have always played a critical
role in the fight for equality, justice and a better future for women, minorities and all those who
find their lives wrought by injustice. I am excited to work with my colleagues and the rest of the
caucus in advancing legislation that will lift up women across Illinois.”

“Illinois women, and women of color in particular, face unique challenges that necessitate
collaborative and creative policy solutions,” Avelar said. “As the secretary of the Women’s
Caucus, I am ready to listen to and learn from my sisters-in-service so that we can formulate
legislation that uplifts women across the state. Our diversity is our greatest strength, and I will
work tirelessly to make sure the work of the Women’s Caucus reflects as such.”

“Through my work as a community activist and as a state representative, I know first-hand what
a tremendous impact women leaders have on their communities and the state of Illinois as a
whole,” Hirschauer said. “As a member of the IHDWC leadership team, I am deeply committed
to continuing that legacy so that women of all backgrounds have equal opportunities to grow and
thrive.”

The IHDWC works to promote the leadership of women elected to the Illinois House of
Representatives and to craft inclusive policy outcomes for the state. The caucus is working to
address systemic challenges for women, and to provide resources to elevate the role of women in
public service.

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.”