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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.

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.”

Originally published by Shaw Local on Dec. 21, 2024. 

Joliet will try to use its eminent domain power to help NorthPoint Development get land for its massive warehouse project amid complaints that the city is going too far to accommodate the developer.

Adding to the intrigue is that the targeted property is owned by CenterPoint Properties, a rival developer that is in court trying to block the NorthPoint project.

Essentially, the city would be using its power to seize property for the public good in a way that would benefit one private developer over its competitor and advance a project that faces intense public opposition.

“Eminent domain should be used sparingly and only for the benefit of the public,” state Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, told the City Council before it voted on the eminent domain measure Tuesday.

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.”