SPRINGFIELD – Hundreds of members from the Service Employees International Union joined State Senator Lakesia Collins at the Capitol on Wednesday to speak about the challenges faced by home health care workers.

“Home care workers give their life to taking care of our communities and deserve to know Illinois has their back,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “As a former home health care worker, I know the struggle and challenges they face, and as a legislator, I am fighting for their right to be fairly paid and protected.”

Collins, a fierce advocate for SEIU and health care workers across Illinois, is proud to join advocates to support Senate Bill 120, which would increase the rate for in-home services under the Community Care Program to $32.75 to support a minimum wage of $20 an hour for direct service workers.

CHICAGO – Over 500 people joined State Senator Lakesia Collins over the weekend at her fifth annual Mother’s Day Block Party, celebrating mothers across the 5^th Senate District through joy, healing and the power of care.

“This was a beautiful opportunity to give back to our community and spoil the mothers who take care of us day to day,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “As a mother, I am proud to support all of us working to take care of our families. Thank you to all who came out to support our working mothers and to show them how important they are to our lives.”

Collins’ Mother’s Day Block Party brought over 70 community-based organizations to Chicago’s West Side, giving away free groceries, health screenings, wellness services and resource support and creating a space for every caregiver to feel seen and celebrated.

SPRINGFIELD – To help address health care deserts and ensure mothers get the care they need, State Senator Lakesia Collins is moving legislation to give certified nurse midwives more independence and greater flexibility in care they provide.

“This legislation will give certified nurse midwives more opportunities to collaborate, lead and deliver care families can trust,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “By modernizing outdated rules, we are making health care more accessible across Illinois.”

Currently, certified nurse midwives often have to collaborate formally with a physician to practice at full scope, but this can pose a challenge as more than one-third of Illinois counties lack maternity care. Under Collins’ legislation, House Bill 2688, CNMs would be allowed to provide out-of-hospital birth services at licensed birth centers without the need for a formal collaboration agreement, as long as they have permission from the birth center’s clinical director.

CHICAGO – State Senator Lakesia Collins secured $1.1 million to help Chicago Women in Trades and the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association build pathways to good-paying jobs across Chicago.

“Creating clearer pathways and opportunities for our residents is the number one way to help them achieve success,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “With this funding, local organizations can prepare residents for long and fulfilling careers.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded $19 million in grant funding through the Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program to 38 organizations across the state. The purpose of the funding is to create more pathways for residents to access pre-apprenticeship programs and registered apprenticeships, which provide greater opportunities to secure lifelong careers in the construction trades. In Collins’ district, Chicago Women in Trades and the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association will each see $550,000 to support pre-apprenticeship students.

"Chicago Women in Trades is grateful to the state for investing in people as well as infrastructure, making Illinois a national leader in providing pathways for women and people of color to access high-wage careers in the construction trades," said Jayne Vellinga, executive director of Chicago Women in Trades. "While women currently make up only 5% of Illinois apprentices, our Women Build Illinois Program, supported by Illinois Works, is helping change that statistic. This investment opens doors to family-sustaining careers for women historically excluded from these opportunities. We're providing not just skills training but creating a support system that helps women enter and succeed in lifelong careers in the trades."