Category: Legislation

Hirschauer Passes “Karina’s Bill” to Protect Domestic Violence Survivors From Firearms

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer Passes “Karina’s Bill” to Protect Domestic Violence Survivors From Firearms

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, delivered Karina’s Bill (HB4144), legislation that will protect domestic violence survivors from firearms. The product of years of negotiation and advocacy by Hirschauer along with domestic violence and gun violence prevention advocates, Karina’s Bill will clarify and strengthen the law regarding the firearm remedy in criminal and civil orders of protection. 

“After years of fighting in Springfield and in the courts, and after extensive negotiation and advocacy, the passage of Karina’s Bill marks a significant step forward in protecting domestic violence survivors from firearms,” Hirschauer said. “This survivor-centered bill honors the memory of Karina Gonzalez and her daughter Daniela who were murdered by an abuser who should have never had access to a firearm.

Everyone who dreams of a future without gender-based violence knows that we cannot erase tragedies in the past, but we can and we must work to build a better future in memory of victims, survivors, and all who love them. The passage of Karina’s Bill is a long overdue step in that direction.” 

Karina’s Bill combats the deadly combination of guns and domestic violence by strengthening the firearm remedy within the order of protection process and empowering judges with the ability to order the removal of guns from abusers who have been deemed a credible danger. The bill also clarifies the process for survivors, judges, and law enforcement when the firearm remedy is involved in criminal and civil orders of protections. Research has shown that the presence of a gun in a home where domestic abuse occurs increases the risk of homicide by 500%. 

“In a domestic abuse situation, a gun becomes a means of control. It is used to stop survivors from leaving threatening situations, it can perpetuate the cycle of abuse, and ultimately it can turn a dangerous situation into a deadly situation,” Hirschauer said. “This bill is about protecting survivors. And most importantly, it is about valuing women’s lives more than we value guns.”

Temporary Visitor Drivers Now Eligible to Apply for Standard Driver’s License
(Haga Click Aqui para Espanol)

Posted on by Intern Rep Hirschauer
Temporary Visitor Drivers Now Eligible to Apply for Standard Driver’s License (Haga Click Aqui para Espanol)

Starting July 1st, 2024, the Temporary Visitor Driver’s License was discontinued, and all previous holders are eligible to apply for a Standard Driver’s License/State ID in its place. Immigrants with a TVDL, whether documented (without an SSN) or undocumented, can visit ILSOS.gov/TVDL or their nearest Secretary of State building in-person to apply. There is no test required, but applicants must have their TVDL card and number on-hand and pay a $5 service fee.

Download English HandoutDownload

If you’ve never had a TVDL card, you are still eligible for a First Time Driver’s License by setting up an appointment with your nearest DMV. You will be required to take a vision, written, behind-the-wheel driving tests, and additionally must bring:

  • A current or expired (up to two years)
    passport or consular card
  • Proof you have auto insurance
  • Proof you are a current Illinois resident
  • Proof you have lived in Illinois for at least a year
Descargar Versión en EspañolDownload

If you have any further questions, please reach out to us at (331) 465-9661, or email us at office@repmaura49.com.

Los conductores visitantes temporales ahora son elegibles para solicitar una licencia de conducir estándar.

A partir del 1 de julio de 2024, se suspendió la licencia de conducir temporal para visitantes y todos los titulares anteriores son elegibles para solicitar una licencia de conducir estándar/identificación estatal en su lugar. Los inmigrantes con una TVDL, ya sean documentados (sin SSN) o indocumentados, pueden visitar ILSOS.gov/TVDL o el edificio de la Secretaría de Estado más cercano en persona para presentar la solicitud. No se requiere prueba, pero los solicitantes deben tener su tarjeta TVDL y su número a mano y pagar una tarifa de servicio de $5.

Si nunca ha tenido una tarjeta TVDL, aún es elegible para obtener una licencia de conducir por primera vez al programar una cita con el DMV más cercano. Se le pedirá que realice exámenes de la vista, escritos y de conducción al volante y, además, deberá traer:

  • Pasaporte o tarjeta consular, vigente o vencido (hasta dos años)
  • Prueba de que tienes seguro de auto
  • Prueba de que es residente actual de Illinois
  • Prueba de que ha vivido en Illinois durante al menos un año

Si tiene más preguntas, comuníquese con nosotros al (331) 465-9661 o envíenos un correo electrónico a office@repmaura49.com.

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

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
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.

Karina’s Bill will close loopholes and strengthen state law to keep more survivors safe and ultimately save lives.

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Karina’s Bill will close loopholes and strengthen state law to keep more survivors safe and ultimately save lives.

The intersection of intimate partner violence and gun violence is deadly and the ripple effects of the trauma echo far beyond the intimate relationship – affecting children who live with and witness it, and the family members, coworkers, and law enforcement who respond to it. Our top priority in the legislature is keeping people safe, especially survivors of domestic and gender-based violence. An order of protection is a key tool to help protect survivors, especially as they try and leave a violent relationship.

Right now, the order of protection process is failing too many domestic violence survivors, especially when firearms are involved. When an order of protection is granted with the firearm remedy, that gun needs to be removed from the home immediately. We cannot have any ambiguity about this process, the stakes are too high.

Karina’s Bill will clarify the law and give law enforcement clear directives on removing firearms from the home. This legislation is critically important as domestic violence is on the rise both in Chicago and across our state. Last year, there were 56 domestic violence homicides across Illinois, up from 40 in 2021 and 37 in 2020. Added to the rise in domestic violence is the proliferation of firearms across our state. In the US, intimate partner homicide represents 40-50% of the murders of all women.

We have taken a number of important steps forward in gun violence prevention in Illinois in recent years, but we cannot stop doing this important work. Karina’s Bill will close loopholes and strengthen state law to keep more survivors safe and ultimately save lives.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the legislature is scheduled to be in session in a few weeks. I am going to do everything in my power to ensure this bill is passed during the Veto Session. We cannot sit by while tragedies like the one that struck Karina, Daniela, and their family continue to occur.

Get the latest bill one-pager

Karina’s bill:

  • Requires firearm removal to occur during service of an emergency order of protection (OP) when granted by a judge.
  • Clarifies existing language in statute for a judge to issue a warrant when granting the firearm remedy to allow for consistent firearm removal enforcement across the state.
  • Closes a loophole in current statute by barring transfer of ownership of firearms when the firearm remedy is granted.
  • Adds dating partners and ex-dating partners to the list of petitioners in the firearm restraining orders act to create additional avenues of firearm relief when an OP is not needed.
text reads "Guns make domestic violence deadly. Access to a gun makes a survivor of domestic violence 5 times more likely to be fatally shot by an intimate partner."

Hirschauer: Lifesaving Medication Needs to be Accessible

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer: Lifesaving Medication Needs to be Accessible

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

Assault Weapons Ruling Upholds the Work Neighbors Sent Me to Do

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Assault Weapons Ruling Upholds the Work Neighbors Sent Me to Do

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

23-08-11_AWB-Ruling_LetterDownload

Hirschauer Highlighting New Law Requiring Five Days of Paid Time Off For Employees

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer Highlighting New Law Requiring Five Days of Paid Time Off For Employees

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — Every worker in Illinois will have access to paid leave that can be used for any reason under a new law backed by state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia.

“Not all parents can call off work to care for their sick child, and too many people have no way to take time for their mental health or life needs,” Hirschauer said. “This legislation addresses working parents’ needs by allowing them to take off during unexpected circumstances. Requiring that all employees receive paid leave protects Illinois working families from having to choose between losing a paycheck and caring for a family member.”

Hirschauer voted to pass the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, which requires all employers to grant their employees working a minimum of 40 hours a week five days of paid leave per year for personal use. Under this new law, workers can earn paid leave starting on their first day of employment, which translates to one hour of leave for every 40 hours of work. The law ensures that employees can use their paid leave as soon as the 90th day of employment. Paid leave may be used as employees desire to conduct personal business without providing a reason or any documentation or certification for the absence. The law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024

“As a working parent, I understand the unexpectedness of family illnesses, doctor appointments, and or auto repair emergencies,” Hirschauer said. No one should be penalized or lose a paycheck for missing work because of an unforeseen emergency. This legislation is a step in the right direction, and we need more like it to address working families’ needs.”

For more information, please contact 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

Hirschauer Fighting to Provide Educational Support Employees with Fair and Livable Wages

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer Fighting to Provide Educational Support Employees with Fair and Livable Wages

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. —State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is working hard to pass a bill that will provide fair compensation for all educational support service employees in Illinois.

“Our school employees are the backbone of our education system,” Hirschauer said. “They play a large role in our children’s lives by ensuring that every student has the support they need to thrive. Yet, so many of these dedicated individuals struggle to make ends meet, which is why they deserve fair compensation for their hard work.”

The proposed bill will amend the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code, which will increase the minimum hourly rate for school district employees to a rate of not less than $20 for the 2024-2025 school year and increase by a dollar consecutively through the 2026-2027 school year. The legislation aims to provide educational support service employees with a fair and livable wage, including custodial employees, transportation employees, food service providers, classroom assistants, and administration staff.

“Behind every student, there is a team of dedicated school employees who work tirelessly to ensure their success,” Hirschauer said. “This bill is not just about fair wages, it’s also about showing our appreciation for those who care for our children every day. It’s time we stand together to demonstrate to these incredible individuals that their selflessness and dedication have not gone unnoticed.”

For more information, please contact 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

Hirschauer to Prioritize Gun Violence Prevention, Working Families in Second Term

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer to Prioritize Gun Violence Prevention, Working Families in Second Term

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.”

Hirschauer Defends Reproductive Health Rights

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
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 HirschauerRep. 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