WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – To raise awareness of domestic violence and support survivors, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is highlighting Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“A huge part of prevention is education, and October provides us the opportunity to learn how to recognize signs of a domestic abuse situation,” Hirschauer said. “Domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of their age, race or gender.”

According to the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in three women and one in seven men are victims of domestic violence. Warning signs of an abusive relationship could be possessiveness, verbal abuse, controlling behavior, controlling finances and abuse of animals. Hirschauer was a sponsor on legislation to create the Domestic Violence Task Force to establish a consistent, uniform statewide system to protect the victims and survivors of domestic violence and hold offenders accountable. 

“Everyone is deserving of relationships that are free from abuse,” Hirschauer said. “At the state level, we are working towards a system that provides the resources people need to escape abusive situations and hold abusers accountable.”

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – Continuing her efforts to provide information on all COVID-19 vaccine clinics and information, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is informing residents of the availability of COVID-19 Booster shots for certain populations.

“As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in the state with the insurgence of the Delta Variant, it’s important that we all take the proper precautions and steps necessary to protect ourselves and those around us that are most vulnerable, like our seniors and those with underlying health conditions,” said Hirschauer. “Booster shots are a way for immunocompromised communities and seniors to better protect themselves from the ongoing surge in COVID cases.”

The Center for Disease Control and Illinois Department of Public Health recommend the following groups get booster shots: 

• People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series.
• People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series.
• People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.
• People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.

Individuals may contact their health care provider or visit www.vaccines.gov to find a nearby location to receive a booster dose.

“As researchers and health professionals continue to research the most effective ways to stay safe, it’s imperative we listen and trust the science,” continued Hirschauer. “In addition to wearing masks, washing hands frequently and social distancing, everyone should look to get the vaccine if they are able to.”

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – To address the root causes of violence across the state and strengthen public safety, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, has been appointed to the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Task Force.

“Public safety and violence prevention are growing concerns as we continue to address turmoil created by the pandemic,” Hirschauer said. “This task force will bring together those working on the frontlines of these issues so we can create a statewide plan to address violence, especially among youth.”

The Public Safety and Violence Prevention Task Force will bring together stakeholders to look at the root causes of violence.  The task force will collect information from law enforcement, prosecutors, and community organizations to identify methods to address violence, especially among young people to cut down on youth recidivism. 

“Violence is an issue that is holding back so many young people who are looking for alternative avenues to success,” Hirschauer said. “A comprehensive plan to combat violence and improve public safety will put us on track to tackle an abundance of issues and set up the next generation for success.”

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – To ensure families have the proper resources necessary to live, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is highlighting the Low-Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG).

“For families struggling to make ends meet, these community assistance programs are necessary to ensure every resident has the resources necessary to live a healthy life,” said Hirschauer. “Many families struggled financially prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID has only made the situation worse. These funds are a lifeline for many families.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity just announced $327 million in new funding for LIHEAP and CSBG. LIHEAP and CSBG offers financial assistance for vulnerable residents to use on rent, utilities, food and other household expenses. To qualify for LIHEAP, households must demonstrate they meet the expanded income requirements of 200% of the poverty level, regardless of immigration status.  Recommended documents for application include Social Security Number, or I-TIN, or other identification and proof of income. Applicants need to supply their utility bill for LIHEAP and lease for rental assistance. The remote application for LIHEAP and CSBG is available now on helpillinoisfamilies.com. To help eliminate any barriers to the application process, the State also provides a hotline service with multilingual assistance in over 30 languages. Residents may visit their local CAA in-person or call the hotline at 1-833-711-0374.

“This program is essential for helping our neighbors in need,” continued Hirschauer. “I highly recommend sharing this information with anyone it could help. As a state, we are focused on supporting all families.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To ensure residents have affordable and accessible healthcare available, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, sponsored a new law that provides certain types of hormonal contraception over the counter.

“According to the Center for Disease Control, 65% of women ages 18 to 49 use some type of birth control on a daily basis,” said Hirschauer. “With birth control being so widely used and comprehensive sexual education being taught in schools to educate students about the safety and effectiveness of birth control, anyone who chooses to use hormonal contraception should be able to receive it with ease.” 

House Bill 135, sponsored by Hirschauer, will allow certain types of hormonal contraceptives to be available for patients over the counter from pharmacists. Interested residents will have to complete a self-screening risk assessment, based upon CDC guidelines, to determine if a patient is eligible for over-the-counter contraception or must see a doctor for further analysis. Once eligible, residents will be able to receive a 12-month prescription of birth control and will also receive information on all birth control options, even ones not available over the counter. The bill was recently passed through both legislative chambers and signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.  

“A person may not be able to go to a doctor due to work, school or personal reasons; sometimes, a person may not even be able to afford a doctor’s appointment but may still need a contraceptive,” continued Hirschauer. “Under new law, people who need birth control can receive it with ease and can have control over their own health.”

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WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – Illinois residents can now check their vaccination status and pull up their vaccine card online through a new program from Illinois Department of Public Health and supported by state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia.

“As the Delta variant of COVID-19 surges and more businesses and events require vaccination status for entry, the new Vax Verify system makes proving vaccination status easy,” said Hirschauer. “Vax Verify is a safe, secure and simple way to pull up your vaccination card if needed, without worrying about confidential information becoming public.”

The Vax Verify program, created by the Illinois Department of Public Health, allows any Illinois resident over the age of 18 to check their vaccination status online. To use Vax Verify, residents must complete a one-time confidential verification process. After verification, residents will be able to view their own record in the Illinois Comprehensive Automated Immunization Registry Exchange (I-CARE). Interested residents can begin verifying their account or view their vaccine status at https://idphportal.illinois.gov.

“Nearly seven million Illinois residents have already gotten the COVID-19 vaccine,” continued Hirschauer. “Vax Verify just continues to simply the process of being vaccinated and putting Illinois on the right track to opening safely.”