Ventura looks ahead to second term

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura was sworn in for her second term to represent Illinois’ 43rd Senate District on Wednesday.

“I am honored to continue my work in the Illinois Senate and to bring forward solutions for people in my community and across Illinois – not just the rich and powerful,” said Ventura (D-Joliet).

During her first term as a state senator, Ventura led efforts to address the climate crisis, reform criminal justice, protect renters, infrastructure investments, consumer protections and educational improvements.

She supported increasing the child tax credit, increasing the standard deduction to keep pace with inflation, freezing the gas tax and fought for investments in the district to help alleviate the financial impacts on residents and local governments.

“Working families need someone who will uphold the values we all share,” said Ventura. “I am proud of my track record on delivering for our community, and look forward to building on the progress we’ve made together. I know there is much more work that needs to happen, especially to shrink the wealth gap.”

Senator Ventura represents Illinois’ 43rd Senate District, which includes portions of Bolingbrook, Joliet, Lockport, Romeoville and surrounding communities.

Ventura applauds efforts to make Prisoner Review Board Medical Release procedure more transparent

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura, a staunch advocate for criminal justice reform, announced her support of House Bill 3288, which includes portions of her previous bill, House Bill 5396, to address Prisoner Review Board transparency and changes to the structure and procedures of the board.HB 3288 was sponsored by Senate President Don Harmon, who thanked Ventura and her interns for their work on this bill in the Senate Executive Committee.

“Essential changes are needed to enhance the fairness and transparency of Illinois’ medical release procedures,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Our actions must reflect our values; we are sending a clear message that as a body our belief in justice is inclusive of compassion, rehabilitation, as well as fiscally responsible.”

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Ventura, Avelar to host Holiday Turkey Giveaway with Meridian

BOLINGBROOK – State Senator Rachel Ventura and State Representative Dagmara Avelar are partnering up with Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. (Meridian) to host a Holiday Turkey giveaway for those in Bolingbrook on Dec. 18.

“Giving back to the community in any way we can has been a priority of mine since entering office,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “We want families in need to know they have holiday meal options, including food pantries, available in the district to help food insecurity. I’m grateful we could partner together and make the holidays happier for our community.”

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Ventura: The Illinois CURE Act can save countless lives

CHICAGO – State Senator Rachel Ventura pushed for the CURE Act to receive support at the House Mental Health & Addiction Committee hearing on “Psychedelics as Behavioral Health Treatment” Tuesday to shed light on the potential of psychedelics to alleviate mental health, addiction, PTSD and trauma issues.

The hearing included insight from behavioral health professionals and consumers, along with testimony on the importance of House Bill 1/Senate Bill 3695, known as the Illinois CURE Act sponsored by State Representative La Shawn K. Ford and Ventura.

“The Illinois CURE Act can save countless lives – integrated therapy-based sessions following exposure would create real change in an individual’s life who has exhausted other methods previously. Psilocybin would open new pathways in the brain to help pinpoint things that need to be worked on,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “During this subject matter hearing my colleagues and I had the opportunity to explain that plant medicine, such as psilocybin, has long been stigmatized. I am dedicated to this bipartisan collaboration and remain hopeful that we can pass this historic legislation that would aid not only veterans, but all Illinoisans, suffering from mental illnesses, PTSD, substance abuse and more.”

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