FAYETTE COUNTY – As part of its Adopt-a-Legislator® program, the Fayette County Farm Bureau welcomed State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) to multiple farms in downstate Illinois to learn about their operations and further develop relationships with farmers in the state.

“The time spent in Fayette County with my family during our tours of the fields and farms was enlightening,” Pacione-Zayas said. “Maintaining connections to the land and relationships with farmers across the state is important for bridging the gap between urban and rural communities in Illinois.  In the months I’ve been a part of the Adopt-a-Legislator program, you recognize the significance of championing policy that benefits the agriculture industry and our environment so Illinois communities can be sustainable and thriving.”

The Illinois Farm Bureau’s Adopt-A-Legislator® Program, which the Fayette County Farm Bureau is a part of, was developed in 2001 with the purpose of building long-term personal relationships between urban state legislators and farmers from across the state. 

This past summer, representatives from The Fayette County Farm Bureau visited the senator in the district she represents to hear about how local stakeholders are pursing urban agriculture, expanding farmers markets, and addressing property tax relief. The senator’s recent visit to Fayette County expanded on that meeting to further her understanding of agricultural and food supply issues in Illinois.

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Dear friend,

It’s been a busy few weeks as the Senate reconvened in Springfield to address measures during our fall session. From investing in the electric vehicle industry to protecting workers throughout the state, the General Assembly passed various measures to help our state move forward.

Read more about the work I did during last week, and explore resources that may be a help to you below.

Additionally, the CDC has officially recommended the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11 years old. Vaccinating children will help protect them from getting COVID-19 and help reduce their risk of severe disease, hospitalizations, or developing long-term COVID-19 complications. Roll out of vaccines for children will begin this week. Find vaccination options near you and learn more here.

As always, feel free to call my office at 773-278-2020, send a text message to 773-207-7838, or send us a note at www.senatorpacionezayas.com/contact-us to set up an appointment in our district office at 3140 W. Montrose Ave. We are here to serve!

Sincerely,

State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas | 20^th District

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SPRINGFIELD – To give parents and students in the Chicago Public Schools a stronger voice in how they operate, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) sponsored a measure to further empower Local School Councils in Chicago while the Board of Education transitions to an elected school board.

“With the passage of the historic Chicago School Reform Act in 1988, Chicago Public Schools leads the nation in facilitating participatory democracy for students, community members and parents through the vehicle of Local School Councils,” Pacione-Zayas said. “By expanding student representation, restoring LSC powers, and transitioning appointed Local School Councils to elected bodies, we are providing greater inclusion and opportunity to increase equity to best serve local school communities.”

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SPRINGFIELD – Following the Senate passage of the Youth Health and Safety Act, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas released the following statement:

“Illinois continues to support reproductive health and provide people a safe haven to exercise their right to choose. While states like Texas continuously strip this right away, today we stand in solidarity with young pregnant people who might not have an adult family member to safely go to about an unplanned pregnancy.

“An unplanned pregnancy can be daunting for anyone, especially for a young pregnant person in an unsafe and unstable living situation. Solutions that help young pregnant people get the support they need will allow them to make the personal health decisions that are best for them.”