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Cervantes echoes importance of investment in criminal legal reform, environmental justice in governor’s budget address

• Budget
• Environmental Justice
• Health Care Access
• FY 26

SPRINGFIELD – After Governor JB Pritzker’s budget address Wednesday afternoon, State Senator Javier Cervantes (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“It is promising that the governor’s budget proposal included funding to address environmental issues that impact Illinoisans, including investments in clean water infrastructure. While this is a good start, it does not fully address the needs of people living in my community and many throughout the state, who are being exposed to harmful chemicals and pollutants that jeopardize their well-being. I plan to advocate for more funds toward addressing environmental justice in the final Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

"Additionally, ensuring access to quality health care in historically underserved communities—like those in the 1st Senate District—is one of my top priorities. Far too many families struggle to access the medical care they need, and it is critical that our state invests in bridging these gaps. I am hopeful that the proposed budget allocates funds to address this issue, including a large investment in Medicaid and Medicare, and hope that it is implemented in the final budget.

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Cervantes initiative to waive traffic fees for low income Chicagoans

• Cook County
• Criminal Law
• Traffic fees

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Cervantes’ new initiative could help get lower income Chicago residents back on their feet in a small way—by creating a permanent program to waive the fines or fees from traffic violations they may have.

“People already struggling to make ends meet may be one small setback from losing everything,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This initiative will extend grace to Chicagoans with lower incomes, and ensure that one small mistake does not irrevocably change their livelihood.”

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.

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Cervantes to serve as chair of Senate Criminal Law Committee

• Violence Prevention
• Criminal Law
• Committee Assignments

SPRINGFIELD – With a new session of the Illinois General Assembly underway, State Senator Javier Cervantes was recently selected to serve as the chair of the Senate Criminal Law Committee for the 104^th General Assembly.

“It is an honor to be selected as the chair of any committee, but I take special pride to serve as your chair of the Criminal Law Committee,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “In this role, I will be able to build on my previous legislative efforts and lead the committee in challenging outdated, unjust practices to create a better, nonviolent future.” 

As chair, Cervantes will help prioritize and guide discussions on legislative initiatives, oversee informational hearings on issues related to criminal law, and more. Cervantes hopes to support initiatives aiming to address the root causes of violence and further rehabilitation efforts. He also plans to highlight legislation that clarifies existing measures to prevent harmful misinterpretations that have historically led to people of color facing higher sentences than their action justifies.

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