Category: News

Hirschauer Passes Legislation to Protect Survivors of Sexual Assault

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer Passes Legislation to Protect Survivors of Sexual Assault

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Household and family members would be able to request a no-contact order on behalf of a sexual assault survivor who needs protection under legislation introduced by state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, which passed the House on Thursday.

“After experiencing something as traumatic as sexual assault, a survivor should be able to receive any protections they need, including a no-contact order in some cases,” said Hirschauer. “However, they may be scared of retaliation from their assailant if they file for one. By allowing the people closest to the survivor to file for the no-contact order with their consent, my bill would help family members protect their loved one’s safety while also respecting their wishes.”

Hirschauer led House Bill 1742, which recently passed on the House floor. The measure allows any family or household member of a survivor of non-consensual sexual conduct or non-consensual sexual penetration to apply for a no-contact order, as long as they receive consent from the person in need of protection. Currently, a family member is only allowed to apply on behalf of the survivor if they are a minor or physically unable to go to court themselves.

“It is imperative we continue to expand protections and support survivors in every way possible,” said Hirschauer. “I am proud to carry this bill and will continue to work with the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault in the future to pass legislation to change the culture around sexual assault and hold perpetrators accountable for their behavior.”

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

The post Hirschauer Passes Legislation to Protect Survivors of Sexual Assault appeared first on Illinois House Democratic Caucus.

Hirschauer Supports Bill to Help Personalize Cancer Care, Ensure Patients Get Right Treatment at Right Time

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer Supports Bill to Help Personalize Cancer Care, Ensure Patients Get Right Treatment at Right Time

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Insurance companies would be required to cover certain tests that can help determine the best treatment options for cancer patients under legislation that state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia recently voted to approve. 

“A cancer diagnosis comes with many unknowns, and every patient deserves to receive high-quality care without having to jump through hoops with their insurance company,” said Hirschauer. “By making biomarker testing more accessible for a greater number of patients, this bill reduces disparities in our health care system and has real potential to save lives.”

Hirschauer supported House Bill 1779, which would ensure Illinois residents covered by Medicaid or a state-regulated insurance plan have coverage for biomarker testing when medically appropriate. Biomarker testing is the analysis of a patient’s tissue, blood or fluid biospecimen for signs of disease or abnormal function. Increased access to such testing would help health care providers target cancer treatments without forcing patients to go through what can be burdensome or invasive procedures first, ultimately improving outcomes for those receiving cancer care.

“If doctors can use biomarker testing to determine which therapy a patient is most likely to respond to, they may be able to avoid more invasive tests like biopsies and begin proper treatment sooner,” said Hirschauer. “This is a powerful initiative to improve cancer care, and I look forward to it soon becoming law.”

House Bill 1779 passed the House with bipartisan support this week and now awaits consideration in the Senate. 

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

The post Hirschauer Supports Bill to Help Personalize Cancer Care, Ensure Patients Get Right Treatment at Right Time appeared first on Illinois House Democratic Caucus.

Hirschauer Bill Takes Trauma-Informed Approach to School Shooter Drills

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer Bill Takes Trauma-Informed Approach to School Shooter Drills

 

Students and school personnel would receive advance notice of planned active shooter drills

under legislation introduced by state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, aimed at preventing psychological impacts from these training simulations.

“It’s scary and heartbreaking that our reality necessitates preparing teachers and young children for how to respond if an attacker barges into their classroom with a gun,” said Hirschauer. “While there’s a need for law enforcement to train for real emergencies that we all hope never occur, drills that are overly realistic can be extremely traumatizing for children. My bill keeps the well-being of students and staff at the heart of school lockdown drills by taking a trauma-informed approach to these situations.”

Hirschauer, a longtime volunteer with Moms Demand Action, is sponsoring House Bill 2400 to address how lockdown drills affect children. The measure specifies that school shooter drills must be age and developmentally appropriate, include school-based mental health professionals and be announced in advance, with an option for parents and guardians to exempt their child from participating. Under current state law, schools and law enforcement agencies are required to conduct a lockdown drill within the first 90 days of the school year.

“We must continue to do everything in our power to protect students from the physical threat of school shootings, but we can’t jeopardize their mental health in the process,” said Hirschauer. “I am committed to removing the harmful impacts of active shooter drills and making sure they’re conducted in a more effective way.”

“We must continue to do everything in our power to protect students from the physical threat of school shootings, but we can’t jeopardize their mental health in the process”

Image of HB2400 Factsheet

HB2400 – School Law Enforcement Drills FactSheet

Hirschauer District 49 Logo

Reps Hirschauer and Stoneback visit Aurora to learn about NIBIN system

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Reps Hirschauer and Stoneback visit Aurora to learn about NIBIN system

 

Today was an important day in the gun violence prevention movement.

For the first time in years, we heard our President declare gun violence a public health epidemic and outline a comprehensive plan of executive orders that will be crucial steps to curb gun violence across the country.

Here in the 49th District I am taking time to learn about and understand the multifaceted impacts of gun violence in our community. Today, alongside my colleague and sister GVP advocate, Representative Denyse Stoneback, I visited the Aurora Police Department to speak with local law enforcement and ATF representatives about the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network, or the NIBIN, system. 

We saw first hand how shell casings are collected, analyzed, and logged into the network. We heard accounts from officers in the major crimes task force of how leads generated from NIBIN reporting led to the arrest of straw purchasers in Indiana. Aurora PD runs a model NIBIN site that is used by police departments in the collar counties. Communities across Kane, DuPage, Grundy, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, and Will counties benefit from the technology housed and stewarded by the Aurora Police Department.

Thank you to the Aurora Police Department for hosting us and sharing critical information with Rep Stoneback and our teams. The things we learned today will serve to shape our legislative priorities in the areas of gun violence prevention. Gun violence is a public health crisis, and we are committed to working together to keep our communities safe.

“Gun violence is a public health crisis, and we are committed to working together to keep our communities safe.”

 

 

 

Maura IL Icon

 

Hirschauer-Backed Voting Bill to Strengthen Ballot Access Now Law

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer-Backed Voting Bill to Strengthen Ballot Access Now Law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Measures initially put in place to expand voting access during the pandemic will become permanent in Illinois under a new state law supported by state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia.

“Voting and participating in the democratic process are key privileges we have as citizens of Illinois and the United States,” said Hirschauer. “But we need to make sure that all those wanting to vote have the ability to do so, and that we aren’t making things harder for people with disabilities, health issues or seniors to vote. With expanded access to ballot drop boxes and curbside voting, we are making sure residents have every opportunity to use their voice.”

Hirschauer sponsored House Bill 1871, which was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The measure allows local election officials to continue setting up secure drop boxes for mail-in ballots and also clarifies that all vote by mail ballots returned must be accepted, even those without proper postage. Additionally, the new law allows seniors and others who may be unable to stand in line to vote to cast their ballot from their car. While these modifications to state election law were initially designed to facilitate social distancing in response to COVID-19, Hirschauer acknowledges they had a positive impact and worked to make them permanent for all future elections.

“Voting is a fundamental right, and I am so glad to be a part of this bill to expand voting opportunities to residents,” said Hirschauer. “When other states around the country are looking to curb voting access, I am proud to see Illinois at the forefront of protecting voting rights.”

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

The post Hirschauer-Backed Voting Bill to Strengthen Ballot Access Now Law appeared first on Illinois House Democratic Caucus.

Illinois Redistricting Hearings- Make Your Voice Heard

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Illinois Redistricting Hearings- Make Your Voice Heard

I’m working to make local voices heard in the redistricting process.

IL Redistricting process: Upcoming hearings in our area

The House Redistricting Committee wants to hear from youThe House Redistricting Committee will hold three hearings in our area to hear from people in our community about demographic changes in our area and communities with similar needs. 

April 5 – Elgin (virtual) – 5:30pm

April 8 – West DuPage (virtual) – 3:00pm

April 9 – Aurora (In-person) – 4:00pm

Aurora City Hall, 44 East Downer Place
info & create witness slip on ilga.gov

There are 2 steps if you wish to submit written testimony or to speak before the committee (oral testimony): 

  1. Create a witness slip by clicking the info link above for the appropriate hearing, then clicking ‘Create Witness Slips’- fill out the form (use ‘Self’ in the fields for firm/organization unless you are representing a specific organization), and choose ‘oral’ or ‘written’ depending on the testimony you would like to share.
  2. Email RedistrictingCommittee@hds.ilga.gov – include date & region of hearing – and either your written testimony attached as a pdf file (YourName.pdf), or a brief description of the oral testimony you wish to share and your contact information.

Other Ways to Participate

Draw your District Maps

Visit The Illinois House Dems Redistricting Site for information on all the hearings around the state, to draw your own redistricting map, for information on the maps from the 2011 redistricting, and, most importantly, for information on citizen participation in this process.

West Chicago factory vaccinates 600 front-line workers

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
West Chicago factory vaccinates 600 front-line workers

On Monday, around 600 essential workers were able to receive their 1st COVID vaccination conveniently at their workplace after a collaboration between Jel-Sert, Jewel-Osco, DuPage County Health Department, Senator Villa’s Office, and my own office. All the moving parts came together to give the best protection individually to these workers who have been on the lines for the past year. They have great physical protection in place at work and now will have their immune systems trained to fight COVID as well! Thank you to all the individuals who helped to make this vaccination event happen and to each worker who chooses to protect themselves and their community

Read the article at the Daily Herald

Workers prepare to receive their vaccination
Medical providers at vaccination clinic

Newsletter: March News Roundup

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Newsletter: March News Roundup

Hi! I hope you enjoy learning what’s up in our district. Subscribe to these newsletters by entering your email at the bottom of any page of our site. To make sure you see these newsletters in your inbox, add office@repmaura49.com to your contacts!

 

Contents

District Office
Virtual Coffeehouse
Joint Advisory Committees
Youth Art Month

COVID-19

IDPH COVID Ambassadors
Vaccinations in Illinois
Hines VA – Vaccinations for Veterans
Help your Senior friends & neighbors

Illinois State

Dept of Natural Resources Grants

Virtual Coffeehouse

TOMORROW is our second Virtual Coffeehouse at 10am. Sign up now to share your questions, receive the link, and join me in conversation.

Sign up to Attend the Virtual Coffeehouse


In a joint effort with Senator Karina Villa’s office, the joint Advisory Committees exist to learn about and discuss specific topics in the scope of policy and legislation. Committees meet once each month and are led by community volunteers. Contact the respective email to join their list to receive information on upcoming meetings.

Education Advisory Committee – education.49th@gmail.com
Environment & Agriculture Advisory Committee – environment.49th@gmail.com
Mental Health Advisory Committee– mentalhealth.49th@gmail.com
Senior Advisory Committee – seniors.49th@gmail.com

Calling all youth artists! This month, I’m inviting local children and teens to brighten my social media to celebrate the importance of visual arts. Submitted artwork may be featured throughout the month as social media graphics. Please send your drawings, paintings or graphic art designs to office+art@repmaura49.com, along with your name, grade, school, and town. I can’t wait to see all that you’ve created!  

 

 

COVID Ambassadors

Illinois COVID-19 Ambassadors are Illinoisans across the state who play a vital role in supporting current state efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 by promoting and sharing information among their friends, family, peers and neighbors on prevention measures, testing resources, COVID-19 vaccine and other relevant information. Any Illinoisan can volunteer to be an Ambassador.

Become a COVID Ambassador

Illinois COVID-19 Vaccine deployment

Illinois has developed an equity-centric approach to vaccination based on guidelines from doctors and medical professionals at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Our state is delivering the vaccine in phases, beginning with people who are the highest risk of mortality and exposure to coronavirus. 
Vaccinations occur by appointment and as a greater supply of vaccines become available, new vaccination sites are being created all around Illinois. You can find out where vaccinations are given locally by visiting bit.ly/VaccinationLocations.
COVID-19 vaccines are available free at the point of service through a partnership with the federal government. You will not be charged a co-pay or face a deductible just for getting a coronavirus vaccination.
You can find out more about vaccine safety and availability by visiting bit.ly/ILVaccineFAQs. If you have other questions about COVID-19, I encourage you to contact the Illinois Department of Public Health at 1-800-889-3931 or dph.sick@illinois.gov. You can also view the latest news about COVID-19 in Illinois by visiting coronavirus.illinois.gov.

Find Illinois Vaccine Locations

Visit your county’s health department site for more tailored information on current infection, transmission, and vaccination rates and new local vaccination sites.

Kane County Health Dept
DuPage County Health Dept 
Cook County Health Dept

Vaccines for Veterans- Hines VA

Currently, VA is offering COVID-19 vaccine to Veterans already receiving care from the VA, based on CDC and VA risk criteria. If you’re eligible to get a vaccine, your VA health care team will contact you. Check the Hines VA site here for further details.
Veterans who are not enrolled or do not currently receive care at VA can visit VA’s Eligibility web page to learn more: Eligibility For VA Health Care | Veterans Affairs

 

Help your Senior friends & neighbors

Access to COVID-19 Vaccines is available to all Illinois seniors age 65 and over. But access is limited if those seniors are not fluent in internet usage or even computers and email. Many have been helped by their children or friends to get an appointment, but many more do not have those resources to make appointments for them. 

The organizations listed below have agreed to help area seniors with technology issues/difficulty registering for vaccine appointments or information.
If you know of a senior who does not have access to a computer or do not have an email address, ask them to call:
Seniors Services Associates: 630-897-4035 (Aurora), or 847-741-0404 (Elgin).
AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois: 630-293-5990
Association for Individual Development (AID): 630-966-9393
Aurora Public Library District: 630-264-4117
Aurora Township: 630-897-8777 Ext. 1178
Batavia RSVP: 630-406-9993
Family Focus: 331-256-5980
Fox Valley Community Services: 815-786-9404
Gail Borden Public Library District: 847-742-2411
Geneva Public Library District: 630-232-0780
Hampshire Township: 847-683-9464
Kane Senior Council: 630-338-0999
Retina Health Institute – Dr Rashmi Kapur: 847-488-1030
St. Charles Public Library: 630-584-0076
Two Rivers Head Start Agency: 630-264-1444

 

 

 

IDNR Grants

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is now accepting applications for grants through four different programs: 

  • Volunteer Fire Assistance Program,
  • Special Wildlife Funds Wildlife Preservation Fund – Wildlife Rehabilitation Facilities Program, 
  • State Furbearer Fund, and
  • Coastal Management Grants Program

Each grant program has specific eligibility criteria, project guidelines, application guidelines, and scoring criteria. Potential applicants for all of these programs can find more information on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website.

View the Notice of Funding Opportunity for these programs or browse all State of Illinois grant opportunities.

 

 

 

Rep Maura Hirschauer
District Office

 

Hirschauer, Villa Help Secure COVID Vaccines for Manufacturing Workers

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer, Villa Help Secure COVID Vaccines for Manufacturing Workers

 

to best serve the frontline workers who have been serving us so well during this past year

BATAVIA, Ill. – Hundreds of local manufacturing workers received their first dose of the COVID vaccine at a pop-up clinic at Suncast Corporation in Batavia on Wednesday, thanks to advocacy by state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, state Sen. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, and Kane County Health Department officials.

“Yesterday we were able to bring vaccines directly to the workplace in order to best serve the frontline workers who have been serving us so well during this past year,” said Hirschauer. “Suncast, a leading employer in the area, has been transparent and proactive in their mission to keep their employees safe during the pandemic. They were a critical partner in getting the vaccine to their essential workforce.”

Hirschauer helped to secure a total of 1300 vaccines for the employees of Suncast Corporation, where more than 500 essential workers received their first shot on-site on Wednesday.

 

“Suncast, a leading employer in the area, has been transparent and proactive in their mission to keep their employees safe during the pandemic. They were a critical partner in getting the vaccine to their essential workforce.”

 

Hirschauer Backing Effort to End Taxpayer-Funded Exit Bonus for Legislators

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer Backing Effort to End Taxpayer-Funded Exit Bonus for Legislators

 

 

 

a simple change that we can make, not only to improve ethical standards in our state but to save taxpayer dollars

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is sponsoring legislation that would end the practice of legislators claiming a full month’s pay for only one day of work.

“In most professions, employees only get paid for the days that they work and legislators should be held to that same standard,” Hirschauer said. “This is a simple change that we can make, not only to improve ethical standards in our state but to save taxpayer dollars.”

Under current state law, legislators can claim a full month’s salary for just one day’s work. Hirschauer is sponsoring House Bill 3104, which would change the legislative pay schedule to prorate legislators’ salaries so they only get a day’s pay for a day’s work. The issue came to light in recent years after a series of high-profile cases of Illinois legislators having to resign mid-term for ethics violations. In those cases when a legislator left office mid-month they were entitled to a full month’s pay.

“Unfortunately, this issue has been highlighted more recently as legislators from both parties have been forced to leave office in relation to bad behavior and ethics violations,” Hirschauer said. “Especially in those cases, it is wrong for taxpayers to be on the hook to pay a full month’s salary for a legislator who only worked several days.”

 

 

“…it is wrong for taxpayers to be on the hook to pay a full month’s salary for a legislator who only worked several days.”