Illinois State Senator Rachel Ventura
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Ventura advances measure to address shortage of behavioral health practitioners

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Thursday, May 22, 2025 08:24 PM

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SPRINGFIELD – To address workforce gaps in the behavioral health care workforce across the state, State Senator Rachel Ventura worked alongside State Representative Nabeela Syed to lead House Bill 3487 through the Senate.

“Our state’s rural areas continue to suffer due to a lack of mental health professionals,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Accurate and recent data can greatly assist in addressing the behavioral health care workforce needs we have in this state. When we know the totality of the situation, we can come up with better solutions, such as grants or improved training programs to help this essential field.”

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Ventura backed legislation to create rewilding strategies, revitalize ecosystems across Illinois

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Thursday, May 22, 2025 02:06 PM

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SPRINGFIELD – To support ongoing efforts aimed at protecting and revitalizing local landscapes and ecosystems, State Senator Rachel Ventura and State Representative Anna Moeller advanced legislation through the Senate that would create new rewilding strategies by giving the Illinois Department of Natural Resources more authority to implement conservation tactics.

“By creating a holistic rewilding strategy for the state, we can see landscapes restored to their previous state — a major win for the environment and their local ecosystems,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Over the last few decades, countless species of wild animals and plant life have been reduced significantly or completely lost to human activity, making this legislation timely and critically needed.”

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In wake of federal cuts, Ventura leads charge to expand Illinois broadband access

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Wednesday, May 21, 2025 09:54 PM

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SPRINGFIELD – Despite repeated promises from the federal government, high-speed internet access remains a distant goal for many communities — especially in rural Illinois, where service is often spotty, unreliable or altogether unavailable. In response to federal inaction and recent funding withdrawals, State Senator Rachel Ventura worked alongside State Representative Amy Briel to lead the passage of House Bill 1062 in the Senate, providing a strategic state-level response to a growing digital divide.

“Broadband access should be available to all. This legislation aims to prioritize anchor institutions to quickly improve our state’s broadband network in the most cost-effective way possible,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “By utilizing existing and nearby infrastructure, vulnerable communities can increase access to high-speed internet, which is critical for daily life.”

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Ventura supports right to boycott, calls for more support of Illinois Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act

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Wednesday, May 21, 2025 06:59 PM

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SPRINGFIELD – On Wednesday, State Senator Rachel Ventura joined the Illinois Coalition for Human Rights (ICHR) in solidarity alongside State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid and several state legislators and advocates in support of House Bill 2723 and Senate Bill 2462, also known as the Illinois Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act. The proposed legislation would lift state pension investment restrictions placed on companies engaged in boycotts of Israel.

Following the press conference, Ventura released the following statement:

“Now more than ever we need to send a strong message that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and continuous human rights violations inflicted by the state of Israel will not be supported with Illinois dollars. 

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More Articles …

  1. Ventura measure to create rewilding strategies, revitalize ecosystems across Illinois
  2. Ventura measure to allow pharmacists to dispense non-hormonal contraception options
  3. Ventura measure to improve broadband infrastructure statewide
  4. Ventura-backed measures to improve licensure processes, expand health care educational opportunities advance in Senate
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Office Info

District Office:
221 Springfield Ave., Unit 3
Joliet, IL 60435
(331) 290-0443
(815) 240-9057 [TEXT]

Springfield Office:
119B Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8800

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