Glowiak Hilton to host virtual discussion on DuPage County vaccine plan

OAKBROOK TERRACE – As the state’s vaccination plan progresses, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is partnering with the DuPage County Health Department to host a virtual conversation to ensure residents are receiving accurate, up-to-date information about the rollout of the vaccine.

“As we work toward providing a vaccine to all eligible residents, communication between officials and the public is a top priority,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Hearing information straight from experts with the DuPage County Health Department will give residents facts they can rely on as we implement our region’s vaccination plan safely and efficiently.”

The meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, March 29 starting at 6 p.m.

DuPage County Health Department Executive Director Karen Ayala and DuPage County Board member Julie Renehan will lead the discussion and answer pre-submitted questions from audience members.

Residents can register here to receive a link to join the meeting and submit questions. The meeting will also be streamed live on Glowiak Hilton’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/senatorsuzy.

Glowiak Hilton advances legislation to support homeless students

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure students experiencing homelessness are aware of available resources, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) advanced an initiative to require higher education institutions to designate one employee to serve as a housing insecurity liaison.

“Our state’s higher education system has a responsibility to fight our youth homelessness crisis and provide students with safe places to live,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Just one trusted employee could prevent homeless students from falling through the cracks by connecting them with aid.”

A study by the University of Chicago found that 4.2 million youth and young adults experienced homelessness during a 12-month period, and that nearly 29% of all young adults who experienced homelessness were enrolled in college or another educational program at the time.

Glowiak Hilton’s legislation requires each institution to appoint a Housing and Opportunities Useful for Students' Excellence (H.O.U.S.E.) liaison. Their responsibilities would include identifying appropriate services, understanding aid eligibility, tracking graduation and retention rates, reporting the number of students using homelessness resources, and developing a plan to provide access to on-campus housing between academic breaks to homeless students enrolled at the institution.

Under the legislation, higher education institutions would also be required to provide information about available services and assistance regarding homelessness in financial aid and admission packets, as well as on the institution's website.

“Stable housing is the basis for academic and social opportunities,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Creating this position is an important step on a long-term path toward eliminating homelessness among our children once and for all.”

Senate Bill 190 passed the Senate Higher Education Committee Tuesday and moves for further consideration before the full Senate.

Glowiak Hilton moves to protect survivors of human trafficking

SPRINGFIELD – More survivors of violent crime would be able to keep their home addresses private as participants in the Illinois Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) under an initiative from State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) that advanced Thursday to expand protections for survivors of human trafficking.

“Survivors of violent crime undergo tremendous emotional and mental trauma,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By adding human trafficking to the list of crimes protected by the ACP, we’re offering survivors some peace of mind that their sensitive personal information is safe.”

Glowiak Hilton’s measure strengthens the ACP by allowing survivors of human trafficking to participate and keep their addresses private. The legislation also clarifies the process for ACP participants to register to vote.

Originally, the ACP was established to protect the locations of domestic violence survivors. Last year, Glowiak Hilton passed a law expanding protections for survivors of sexual assault and stalking, and she has now advanced Senate Bill 593 to allow human trafficking survivors to opt in as well.

Currently, the ACP provides survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking and their household members with a substitute address to use in place of their actual home, school and work addresses in public records. This helps survivors prevent their former abusers from being able to locate them.

For example, the ACP substitute address can be used by participants when creating or updating public records, such as driver’s license or state-issued identification card.

Senate Bill 593 passed the Senate Human Rights Committee and now heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

Glowiak Hilton, Curran host ACA Health Insurance Special Enrollment Event

DuPage County—State Senators John Curran (R-Downers Grove) and Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Oakbrook Terrace) are co-hosting a virtual information session on Monday March 22 to help Illinoisans who need health insurance connect with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace. The online event is in response to the federal government’s decision to open a special enrollment period (SEP) due to COVID-19.

The March 22 virtual event will begin at 1:00 PM and will feature representatives of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and the Illinois Department of Insurance, who will discuss the special enrollment period of the ACA Marketplace and provide information about the new SEP, including eligibility for the Medicaid program and how to enroll.

“This special enrollment period is open to all Illinoisans who need health insurance, and it is a pleasure to work with HFS and the Department of Insurance on this informational event,” said Senator Curran. “The special enrollment period is open now through May 15, and unlike other SEPs, those who enroll now will not have to show documentation of a qualifying life event.”

“In a global pandemic, quality health care is more important than ever,” Glowiak Hilton said. “I encourage all Illinois residents who are underinsured or uninsured to join us and learn more about applying for coverage and protecting their health.”

Those who wish to participate in the online event on March 22 are encouraged to RSVP by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  For additional information, please contact the Curran office at (630) 914-5733 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..