WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, was presented the 2025 Legislative Champion Award today from The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence for her work leading the passage of Karina’s Law, which took effect this spring.

“After years of fighting in Springfield and in the courts, and after extensive negotiation and advocacy, the passage of Karina’s Law marks a significant step forward in protecting domestic violence survivors from firearms,” Hirschauer said. “This survivor-centered law 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. Although we cannot erase tragedies in the past, Karina and Daniela’s legacy will live on with each life they save with this law.”

Karina’s Law (House Bill 4144) combats the deadly combination of guns and domestic violence by strengthening the firearm remedy within the order of protection process and allowing judges 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.

After years of negotiation by Hirschauer and advocates, Karina’s Law was successfully signed by Governor Pritzker in February.

“We must work to build a better future in memory of victims, survivors, and all who love them. Karina’s Law is a long overdue step in that direction,” said Hirschauer. “Thank you to The Network for this recognition, but ultimately, thank you for continuing your advocacy and support for so many men and women who go through the unconscionable. Your work remains integral to building a future where preventable violence is no longer normalized in our communities.”

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – Highlighting impactful advancements in public safety and preventative violence legislation, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, was awarded the 2025 Profile in Courage Award from the Gun Violence Prevention PAC (GPAC) Wednesday, October 15.

“Gun safety and gun ownership are not at odds. They go hand in hand. We all share the same goal—keeping firearms out of the wrong hands and preventing tragedies before they happen,” said Hirschauer. “I’m honored to be recognized by such a supportive organization that is steadfast in creating safer communities for our families and children.”

Hirschauer has led significant firearm reform in the Illinois General Assembly as the House Gun Violence Prevention Chair. Earlier this year, the Hirschauer-led Karina’s Bill (House Bill 4144) was passed into law, protecting survivors of domestic violence by ensuring firearms are removed when an order of protection is issued—preventing incidents from turning deadly. Hirschauer also led the passage of the Safe Storage Act (Senate Bill 8), first-of-its-kind legislation that codifies firearm storage so weapons are inaccessible to minors, individuals in crisis and those prohibited under Illinois or federal law from having one. The measure also strengthens firearm reporting (House Bill 850). Studies show that states with similar laws decreased unintentional shootings by children by 78% and the movement of illegal guns in communities by 46%.

“We all have an integral role in reforming our laws that can allow violent offenders to slip through the cracks. Together, we’re building a future where gun violence is no longer normalized, but stopped,” said Hirschauer. “Thank you to GPAC for this award and for shining a light on the urgent need for policy change. Action and advocacy work, and this award is a testament to GPAC’s continued drive toward positive progress for our communities.”

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – Working to keep firearms out of the wrong hands and prevent accidental shootings, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, successfully passed the Safe Gun Storage Act into law Monday. The new law works to keep guns out of the wrong hands, protect children from unintentional shootings, and track lost and stolen firearms by codifying ‘safe storage’ practices widely used by Illinois firearm owners.

“Safe firearm storage and responsible gun ownership are practices on which all of us, gun owners and non-gun owners alike, can agree,” said Hirschauer. “Senate Bill 8 is a common-sense gun safety measure that enhances safe firearm storage requirements and strengthens the reporting and data collection processes for lost and stolen guns.”

Hirschauer’s Senate Bill 8, known as the Safe Gun Storage Act, will enhance gun storage safety and address stolen firearm requirements with the ultimate goal of preventing access to firearms by minors, at-risk individuals, and those prohibited from possessing them. The bill would require firearm owners to secure their weapons in a locked container, rendering them inaccessible and unusable to anyone except the owner or an authorized user.

Additional provisions in a companion bill, House Bill 850, will tighten the reporting requirements for lost and stolen guns. House Bill 850 was signed into law last month.

“By promoting responsible gun ownership, this bill aims to prevent unauthorized access to firearms — helping reduce unintentional injuries, suicides, and acts of intentional harm, including school shootings," said Hirschauer. “This is a big step in promoting universal firearm safety and storage, and will ultimately save lives.”