Illinois State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes

Traffic fees to be waived for low income Chicagoans under new Cervantes law

Details: Category: Press Releases; Monday, June 30, 2025 01:23 PM

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SPRINGFIELD – Lower income Chicago residents will have one more support in place to help them get back on their feet—any fines or fees from traffic violations will now be waived indefinitely, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Javier Cervantes.

“What makes Illinois such a great place to live is that we show up for one another, and we believe in second chances,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “We do not believe someone should be forced into homelessness because they can’t afford to pay a speeding ticket. This new law extends grace to some of the most vulnerable members of our community, and I am proud to be a leader in getting it passed into law.”

The Cook County traffic fee waiver program was established in 2021 and made fees, fines and costs due to traffic violations eligible for a waiver in Cook County for people suffering financially. Thanks to this program, judges in Cook County have evaluated applications to grant fee waivers under the program over the last three years. However, the program had a sunset date for 2024, which was recently extended until 2025, but as it is currently written, would need to be renewed annually to still be operational.

More FAFSA supports for students secured thanks to Cervantes legislation

Details: Category: Press Releases; Monday, June 30, 2025 10:29 AM

CHICAGO—Thanks to two new laws led in the state legislature by State Senator Javier Cervantes, high school students may soon have access to more supports from their high schools when applying for college and filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as the FAFSA.

“The form is intended to give more students a chance of pursuing higher education,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “We should be doing everything we can to make sure it is as accessible as possible for people to complete, and this measure is a simple step to make completing it easier.”

House Bill 3096 requires high schools to designate a member of their staff to serve as a point of contact for students on matters concerning the application. This creates clarity on who young people can turn to if they have questions or need assistance with the process.

Cervantes celebrates community investments, new revenue opportunities in budget; disappointed in cuts to HBIA

Details: Category: Press Releases; Saturday, May 31, 2025 11:33 PM

SPRINGFIELD – After the Illinois Senate approved the Fiscal Year 2026 budget passed the Illinois state senate, State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“I am pleased that Direct Support Professionals and Community Care Program workers are receiving a wage increase in this year’s budget. As a former SEIU organizer who fought for better wages for these essential workers, I know how important this win is firsthand. These wage increases are long overdue, and I am happy to support a budget that will take care of the people taking care of our loved ones at some of their most vulnerable moments.

“Additionally, I am proud to report that this budget invests more in HOPE Chicago, a local organization that supports South and West side students pursue post-secondary education and workforce pathways debt-free. Last year, I ensured HOPE Chicago received investments from the state to help continue their work supporting students achieve their dreams. I am thrilled that this year, I secured $8 million more for them, so that higher education is more accessible for families throughout our community.

Cervantes initiative extending deadline for standardizing electronic payments for dental care passes Senate

Details: Category: Press Releases; Tuesday, May 27, 2025 01:07 PM

Dental Care

hb1864passage SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes’ latest initiative would give smaller dental practices more time to transition to electronic payments.

“Patients and administrators want dental practices to modernize for efficiency, but if we set a deadline to go fully digital too soon, it will only cause them more frustration and inconvenience,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This measure will extend the deadline to 2027 so smaller practices will have more time to develop their electronic portals and better serve their patients once the deadline comes.”

Previous legislation requires dental providers and insurance companies to begin sharing all information electronically by 2026. While this measure intends to help modernize these practices and make patient payments more efficient, many dental care providers throughout the state have requested more time to make the necessary technological advancements.

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