Rep. Hirschauer Highlights Back to School Sales Tax Holiday on School Supplies

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is highlighting the upcoming back to school sales tax holiday on school supplies and certain school-related items that will take place August 5-14. During that period, sales tax for school supplies and qualifying clothing and footwear will be cut.

“As a parent, I know back to school shopping can be expensive, especially as families deal with the impact of inflation,” Hirschauer said. “This sales tax holiday will save families money during these challenging times so that their children are adequately prepared for the upcoming school year.”

Hirschauer passed the sales tax holiday as a part of the Illinois Family Relief Plan, which also includes savings on gas and groceries. Qualifying items include school supplies, such as notebooks, backpacks, calculators, crayons, pencils and more. Footwear and clothing items that retail for less than $125 per item qualify for the sales tax holiday as well.

“When children have the school supplies they need, they can fully focus on participating in class and get the most out of their academic experience,” said Hirschauer. “I urge families to plan ahead and take advantage of the savings during the sales tax holiday this August to support their students this school year.”

For more information, please contact Hirschauer’s office at office@repmaura49.com.

Rep. Maura HirschauerRep. Hirschauer Named to Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group

(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

Rep. Hirschauer Named to Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, will continue her fight to get weapons of war off our streets as a member of the new House Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group.

“No one should feel unsafe on a trip to the grocery store, sitting in a classroom, attending a parade or simply living their lives. Yet too often, gun violence turns these seemingly-harmless situations deadly, stealing the lives of innocent people,” Hirschauer said. “We must use our anger and grief to take action and make sure mass shootings and everyday gun violence become relics of the past. Gun violence is a public health crisis that we must address.”

In the aftermath of the Fourth of July shooting in Highland Park, Hirschauer and colleagues on the Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group will work with stakeholders and community advocates to propose meaningful legislative solutions to curb gun violence and improve public safety.

Hirschauer’s placement on the Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group is a continuation of her work to promote gun safety and gun control measures. She recently took part in a meeting with White House leaders on state-level action to hold gun manufacturers accountable for their role in mass shootings. She has also sponsored bills to create a firearm registry and ban assault weapons statewide.

“Illinois has the power and momentum to take strong legislative action to prevent gun violence and keep our families and communities safe, and I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues and other stakeholders to craft a shared response to address gun violence and firearm safety,” Hirschauer said. “Gun violence is a complex public safety issue that calls for multifaceted solutions, and I am confident the work of the House Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group will inform and inspire meaningful change for our communities.”

For more information on Hirschauer’s legislative agenda, please visit www.ilga.com or contact her office at office@repmaura49.com.

Rep. Maura HirschauerRep. Hirschauer Named to Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group

(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

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — In the wake of the Fourth of July mass shooting in Highland Park,
state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, and other state lawmakers from Illinois, California,
New York and Delaware met with senior White House officials on efforts to prevent gun
violence and hold gun manufacturers accountable for their role in the gun violence epidemic.

“Gun manufacturing is a multi-billion dollar industry that consistently puts profits ahead of the
health and safety of our families, communities and children. The fact this industry faces little to
no consequence for their products’ role in the devastating violence done to communities like
Uvalde, Buffalo, and Highland Park is disgusting and fundamentally wrong,” Hirschauer said.
“As we continue to fight for solutions to prevent gun violence, we must hold these powerful
companies accountable for the irreparable harm they’ve caused.”

At the meeting, legislators from all four states discussed the steps New York, California, and
Delaware have taken to hold the gun industry accountable for their part in fueling the current gun
violence epidemic, as well as possible measures and tactics Illinois leaders are considering to
address this issue.

“Gun violence is a complex public health crisis that necessitates multifaceted, shared solutions. I
am extremely grateful to the White House and my contemporaries in New York, California, and
Delaware for their collaboration as we look to solve this disturbing issue,” said Hirschauer.
“Illinois has a long way to go, but we are fortunate to have the power and resources to take
serious action to prevent gun violence and keep our communities safe.”

Hirschauer previously introduced two bills to prevent gun violence. House Bill 3222 would
create Illinois’ first assault weapons registry, which would help law enforcement solve gun
crimes and disarm dangerous individuals. She also introduced House Bill 5522, a complete ban
on assault weapons and high capacity magazines, both of which are often used in mass
shootings. Both bills are currently awaiting consideration by the Illinois General Assembly.

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Readout of White House Meeting with State Legislative Leaders on Holding Gun Manufacturers Accountable

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, released the following statement in response to the tragic Fourth of July shooting in Highland Park, Illinois:

“Yesterday, on a day dedicated to celebrating freedom, a community’s freedom to gather in peace was shattered by gunfire: a uniquely American tragedy on a uniquely American holiday. I stand in solace with the victims and survivors of yesterday’s mass shooting in Highland Park. My heart is with the community that, like so many other communities in this state and country, is reeling from the effects of gun violence.

…above all else, it is about guns.  It is about access to guns, proliferation of guns and adoration of guns. We cannot move forward in peace and security until we address access to assault weapons and high capacity magazines.

“Gun violence is a complex and multifaceted public health crisis, but make no mistake — above all else, it is about guns.  It is about access to guns, proliferation of guns and adoration of guns. We cannot move forward in peace and security until we address access to assault weapons and high capacity magazines. No family should feel unsafe celebrating at a parade, shopping at their local grocery store, gathering in a park or dropping their children off at school. The state of Illinois has the power and opportunity to take decisive action that will keep our communities safe. We must act. 

“We must honor the victims of this injustice not only with our words, but with our actions. That’s why I will continue fighting to ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines, and create an assault weapons registry. We are not free until we are safe from gun violence.”

###

Rep. Hirschauer Defends Reproductive Health Rights as SCOTUS overturns Roe v. Wade

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, issued the following statement upon learning of the overturning of Roe v. Wade:

“Though we knew it was coming, today’s fatal decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to strip our autonomy over personal health care decisions is devastating. Make no mistake, overturning Roe v. Wade and almost 50 years of precedent is dangerous for people in every corner of our country. The most fatal repercussions will be felt by women of color, who already face deadly barriers in accessing reproductive healthcare. Abortion is healthcare — often life-changing and life-saving health care. Led by an out of touch, conservative court, our country took a heartbreaking step backwards today.

As we watch the rights of our neighbors crumble, it is our duty to take action. We have done our best to protect reproductive freedom here in Illinois, but our work is not done. I will continue to fight for the rights of ALL people to access reproductive choice in Illinois.

“Here in Illinois our reproductive freedom is codified into law; protected by the passage of the Reproductive Health Act in 2019. We stand as a beacon of reproductive rights and justice in the Midwest. Illinois is proud to be a safe haven for our neighbors. To do that effectively we must increase access to reproductive healthcare for everyone. We must make good on our promise of being a haven through policies and funding that supports providers and patients and ensures access to abortion care. A right is useless without access.

“To protect the right to safe abortion in Illinois, I sponsored House Bill 1464. The bill clarifies that a medical professional licensed in Illinois cannot be disciplined in Illinois if another state suspends or revokes their license for participating in or performing an abortion. In this post-Roe era, it is essential we protect our providers from unnecessary sanctions so they can continue to provide vital reproductive health care services. It is critical that we take action on this and other measures in the Special Legislative Session proposed by Governor Pritzker. I am ready.

“As we watch the rights of our neighbors crumble, it is our duty to take action. We have done our best to protect reproductive freedom here in Illinois, but our work is not done. I will continue to fight for the rights of ALL people to access reproductive choice in Illinois.”

###

State Rep. Hirschauer Appointed to Community Health Workers Review Board

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Representative Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, has been appointed by Illinois Speaker of the House Emanuel “Chris” Welch, to the Community Health Workers Review Board (CHWRB). The board, created in 2021 by Article 5 of HB 158, will serve as the regulatory body which develops and oversees initial certification and certification renewal of community health workers.

“I am honored to have been chosen for this appointment,” said Rep. Hirschauer. “Ensuring that community health workers have a fair, efficient and effective certification and renewal process is critical to providing Illinoisans with high quality healthcare services.”

HB 158 is referred to as the Illinois Health Care and Human Service Reform Act, and contains provisions addressing community health workers, hospital reform, medical implicit bias training, substance abuse and mental health, access to health care, hospital closures, managed care organization reform and maternal and infant mortality.

Hirschauer’s appointment was pursuant to SB 336, passed later in 2021, in response to agency feedback, and which contained additional provisions to better effectuate the requirements of HB 158. Under SB 336, the Speaker of the House is tasked with making several appointments to the Board, including three legislators.

The other legislators appointed by Welch were Rep. LaToya Greenwood and Rep. Camille Y. Lilly.

“Healthcare is a human right and high quality healthcare requires that the qualified professionals who provide it can continue to do their vital work with a minimum of bureaucratic interruption and red tape,” said Hirschauer. “But this has to be balanced against the need to ensure that corners are not cut. My colleagues and I look forward to taking on this challenge and helping to enhance healthcare outcomes throughout our state.”

For more information call Rep. Hirschauer at 331-465-9661 or email office@repmaura49.com.

Rep. Maura HirschauerRep. Hirschauer Named to Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group

(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

Rep. Hirschauer Named to Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – Following media reports of leaked documents indicating the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade may be overturned, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, released the following statement:

“The leaked draft opinion on the future of Roe v. Wade is dangerous and deserves our full outrage and attention. Here in Illinois, we fought to codify reproductive freedom in the Reproductive Health Act in 2019. Here in Illinois, all folks have autonomy over their health choices despite what happens in the Supreme Court.

To protect the right to safe abortion in Illinois, I sponsored House Bill 1464. The bill clarifies that a medical professional licensed in Illinois cannot be disciplined in Illinois if another state suspends or revokes their license for participating in or performing an abortion. In what may turn out to be a post-Roe era, it is essential we protect our providers from unnecessary sanctions so they can continue to provide vital reproductive health care services.

The ability to make personal health care decisions should not be dependent on your zip code or bank account balance. Make no mistake, this leaked decision, if held true, will disproportionately affect poor people and people of color and will turn back the clock on any small steps towards equity and justice we have made over the years. We must not go back.”

Rep. Maura HirschauerRep. Hirschauer Named to Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group

(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

    Rep. Hirschauer Named to Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group

    SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As part of her continued support of women’s rights, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, passed several measures to defend reproductive rights in Illinois.

    “Access to comprehensive, affordable reproductive health care saves lives and allows people to live to their fullest potential,” said Hirschauer. “Everyone deserves to make the health care decisions that are best for them. I will always stand up for a woman’s right to choose.”

    Performing a safe, legal abortion in Illinois is not a crime and that’s why Hirschauer sponsored and voted for House Bill 1464, to ensure our doctors are not punished by other states’ draconian laws. House Bill 1464 clarifies that a doctor licensed in Illinois cannot be disciplined in Illinois if another state suspends or revokes their license for participating in or performing an abortion. This bill protects doctors from unnecessary sanctions so they can continue to provide the vital health care services Illinoisans need.

    “Reproductive health care is under attack across the country and we cannot count on the Supreme Court to uphold our fundamental right to make personal decisions about our health,” said Hirschauer. “Illinois sits as a beacon of safety for reproductive freedom and we must stand strong behind health care professionals who are committed to providing safe, legal, accessible reproductive health care. I was proud to sponsor HB1464 to protect Illinois health care providers from the decisions extreme politicians are making in other states.”

    Rep. Maura HirschauerRep. Hirschauer Named to Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group

    (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

      Rep. Hirschauer Named to Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group

      WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – To combat the effects of inflation and help residents in need, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, and state Sen. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, are hosting a food drive to benefit St. Andrew Lutheran Church’s weekly food distributions in partnership with the People’s Resource Center.

      “As we navigate these difficult times, it is inspiring to see neighbors coming together to support each other. My office, in partnership with Sen. Villa, will be collecting food through the month of April to support St. Andrew Lutheran Church and families in our community,” Hirschauer said. “I encourage everyone to give what they can. Every donation makes a difference.”

      Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at Rep. Hirschauer’s district office, 946 Neltnor Blvd #108 West Chicago, IL 60185, or St. Andrew Lutheran Church 155 N. Prince Crossing Rd. West Chicago, IL 60185. To make a monetary donation, please visit https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=dd1c61and put “St. Andrews” in the program designation box.

      “I want to thank Pastor Josh Ebener and St. Andrew Lutheran Church for all the resources they have provided to the West Chicago community during the pandemic, including their weekly food distribution with People’s Resource Center,” said Villa. “I am happy to collaborate with all stakeholders to help our community.”

      “So many families in our community that were already stretched thin are feeling the impact of inflation, of rising rents and prices at the grocery store and the pump,” said Pastor Josh Ebener of St. Andrew Lutheran Church. “We would welcome any monetary or food donations to ensure we can adequately respond to this great need and are grateful for all the support.”

      “Inflation has become a national topic of discussion, and it is now an increasing problem for many local families,” said West Chicago Mayor Ruben Pineda. “As West Chicago families begin to feel the full effects of rising costs of living, we need to come together to support one another as a community. Donating essential goods and money to the St. Andrew Church Food Pantry is a great way to achieve this.”

      Rep. Maura HirschauerRep. Hirschauer Named to Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group

      (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

        Rep. Hirschauer Named to Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group

        SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – After this week’s indictment of former House Speaker Michael Madigan, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, issued the following statement:

        “The first vote I made as State Representative in the 49th District was to elect new leadership under Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch, and usher in a new day in the Illinois House. Since that time, I have worked hard every single day for the people of the 49th District. In just one year I have delivered on ethics reform, groundbreaking climate policy and a balanced budget that’s earned us our first credit ratings increase in a generation. 

        “This week’s 22-count indictment handed down to former Speaker Mike Madigan is significant and proves to the people of Illinois that elected officials are not above the law and illegal behavior will be prosecuted.

        “My focus continues to be on the community of the 49th District and how to best serve your diverse and important needs. There is much work to be done as we recover and rebuild after a difficult few years.”

        Rep. Maura HirschauerRep. Hirschauer Named to Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group

        (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 Reacts to Madigan Indictment, Emphasizes Need for Strong Ethics and Accountability appeared first on Illinois House Democratic Caucus.