Cervantes celebrates community investments, new revenue opportunities in budget; disappointed in cuts to HBIA
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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
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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.
Cervantes initiative to improve parole eligibility process for youth offenders passes Senate
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SPRINGFIELD--State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes led legislation to clear up the timeline for people who were committed an offense under the age of 21 to petition for parole is one step closer to becoming law, passing the Senate on Thursday.
“In Illinois, we believe in second chances, and the power of rehabilitation to transform the lives of people who have committed criminal offenses,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “We are continuing to work toward a more humane criminal justice system, and give young people the chance to apply for parole earlier and get a fresh start.”
Currently, young people who were under 21 at the time of committing a criminal offense can file a petition for a parole hearing up to three years before they are eligible for parole. If appropriately filed, the Prisoner Review Board sets a parole hearing date three years from the date it received the petition. However, sometimes a person is already eligible for a youthful parole hearing when they file a petition because they have already served the required number of years. This has caused some confusion when they file a petition over if the parole hearing can take place within a year, or if they have to wait three years for a hearing.
Cervantes-led measure to increase supports for students completing the FAFSA clears Senate
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SPRINGFIELD—High school students may soon have access to more supports when applying for college and filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as the FAFSA, thanks to two measures led by State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes, which recently passed the Senate.
“There are many barriers for young people to fill out the FAFSA, including the forms being confusing for students who may be the oldest in their family or the children of immigrants with English as a second language,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “If we want our young people to pursue higher education, we need to make the process of applying for financial aid easier. Ensuring their schools have designated times and an expert on the application is an easy way to do that.”
After many students struggled to complete FAFSA applications for the 2024-2025 academic year, Cervantes and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission developed legislation to offer assistance for students wishing to fill out the FAFSA. First, House Bill 3096 would require high schools to designate a member of their staff to serve as a point of contact for students on matters concerning the application. This would create clarity on who young people can turn to if they have questions or need assistance with the process.
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