Rep. Hirschauer Responds to Villa Park Tragedy

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, issued the following statement regarding the tragic homicide that took place over the weekend in Villa Park.

“The murder of Julie Elguezabal is a tragedy and another unacceptable loss resulting from the intersection of domestic violence and firearms. While we collectively condemn this horrific act of violence, we must also collectively take action to right this wrong. Legislation that would remove firearms from the hands of domestic abusers remains stalled in the Illinois State Senate. Karina’s Bill (SB 2633) would allow judges to issue search warrants along with orders of protection so that law enforcement can search homes and immediately remove firearms from domestic abusers. Compared to this time last year, there is a 65% increase in the number of victims killed in firearm-related incidents across Illinois, according to The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence. We cannot let this trend continue and must pass this lifesaving bill this session.

In response to Julie Elguezabal’s murder, DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin was quoted as saying, ‘Perhaps a legislative fix or internal remedy could improve this outcome.’ On this point, I agree with the State’s Attorney — passing Karina’s Bill and giving law enforcement the tools they need to directly confiscate guns from domestic abusers will save lives. I encourage all of us in positions of leadership to ensure these safeguards are in place to protect survivors who are seeking to leave violent relationships.

Each day that passes without action on Karina’s Bill means more lives shattered and more futures stolen. We owe it to every victim and their families to ensure that they have the protection they need to reclaim their safety. My heart is with the family of Julie Elguezabal, and for hopefully the last time, I say: enough is enough. It is time that we pass Karina’s Bill and end the cycle of firearm-involved domestic violence homicides.”

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

Hirschauer Cracks Down on Discrimination with New Protections for Reproductive Health Decisions

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Reproductive health decisions will be better protected under a new bill passed by state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, ensuring that employers, landlords, financial institutions, and others can never discriminate against a person on the basis of contraception decisions, utilization of abortion care, or fertility treatment including in vitro fertilization.

“No one should ever face stigma for making decisions about their own reproductive health. I’m proud to stand alongside my colleagues who have fought bravely to ensure that bodily autonomy is a fundamental right here in Illinois, and it will remain one,” said Hirschauer. “Discrimination has no place in our laws, our workplaces, or our communities. As other states turn back time and move backward towards antiquated law, we’re sending a clear message — everyone deserves the right to make decisions about their own bodies without fear of retribution or bias.”

In striking down decades of protections for reproductive rights, the Supreme Court’s 2020 Dobbs v. Planned Parenthood decision left a complicated legal landscape in which private medical decisions once shielded at the federal level are now far less settled.

Continuing her work to uphold the right to choose Illinois, Hirschauer voted to pass House Bill 4867, which protects a variety of reproductive health decisions under the state’s Human Rights Act. Current law prohibits a business from terminating an employee, a landlord from refusing to rent to a person, or other arbitrary denial of basic accommodation to a person because of pregnancy. Hirschauer voted to expand these protections to also prevent discrimination against people for utilizing reproductive health services including abortion care, contraception, or in vitro fertilization.

The legislation was backed by Planned Parenthood, the National Employment Lawyers Association, and the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

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 Spotlights Improved Access to Reproductive Health Care

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

Hirschauer Reacts to Governor’s Budget Address

 

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

Yang Rohr, Hirschauer Invite Community to Veterans Open House

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

Hirschauer Joins National Gun Safety Leaders at the White House to Address Violence Prevention

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

How to Support West Chicago Apartment Fire Victims

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.

Veterans History Project

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.

Members of the Illinois House of Representatives Democratic Women’s Caucus and allies statement on recent gun violence:

Members of the Illinois House of Representatives Democratic Women’s Caucus and allies release the following statement:

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the recent gun violence that has again struck our state and our nation. How many people must die before addressing the deadly intersection between domestic violence and firearms? This fatal combination was again painfully evident in the recent murder of Adrianna Lopez, who was shot and killed allegedly by an abusive ex-boyfriend who also shot an Illinois State Trooper. These incidents are grim reminders that the ripple effects of trauma echo far beyond the intimate relationship – affecting children who live with and witness it, and the family members, and law enforcement who respond to it.

The tragic events that unfolded in Maine are all too common, and we cannot relent in our mission to get weapons of war off our streets and out of our communities. Though details are still emerging, early news reports have suggested the suspect, Robert Card may have a history of domestic violence. A recent study showed that in more than two-thirds of mass shootings, the perpetrator either killed family or intimate partners or the shooter had a history of domestic violence.

“While we have made progress in recent years to combat the gun violence epidemic, our work is far from over. We have one more week of the veto session upcoming, and collectively, we urge the General Assembly to pass additional legislation like Karina’s Bill to combat gun violence and get guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.”

Rep. Dagmara Avelar-85th

Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock-46th

Rep. Mary Beth Canty-54th

Rep. Kelly Cassidy-14th

Rep. Sharon Chung-91st

Rep. Terra Costa Howard-42nd

Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado-3rd

Rep. Laura Faver Dias-62nd

Leader Robyn Gabel-18th

Rep. Mary Gill-35th

Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz-17th

Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar-22nd

Rep. Will Guzzardi-39th

Leader Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez-2nd

Leader Barbara Hernandez-50th

Rep. Norma Hernandez-77th

Rep. Maura Hirschauer-49th

Rep. Hoan Huynh-13th

Rep. Jenn Ladisch Douglass-45th

Rep. Lindsey Lapointe-19th

Leader Natalie Manley-98th 

Leader Theresa Mah-24th

Rep. Joyce Mason-61st

Rep. Anna Moeller-43rd

Rep. Michelle Mussman-56th

Rep. Suzanne Ness-66th

Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid-21st

Rep. Anne Stava-Murray-81st, Women’s Caucus Chair

Rep. Nabeela Syed-51st

Rep. Ann M Williams-11th

Rep. Janet Yang Rohr-41st

Learn more about Karina’s Bill.

Hirschauer: SCOTUS Must Protect Reproductive Health Medications

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