Sangamon Sun

Rep. Nikki Budzinski, serving in the U.S. Congress representing Illinois’ 13th district since 2023, has recently addressed several pressing issues through her social media platform. Born in Peoria, Illinois, and a graduate of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Budzinski currently resides in Springfield.

On November 19, 2024, Rep. Budzinski highlighted the challenges faced by independent pharmacies in rural communities across Central and Southern Illinois. She stated that these pharmacies are "a lifeline for rural communities" and criticized "predatory drug middlemen" for their "anti-competitive business practices." The congresswoman spoke on the House floor to bring attention to this issue during #RuralHealthMonth.

The following day, November 20, 2024, she expressed her commitment to ending violence against transgender individuals. As a member of the Equality Caucus, she emphasized the importance of remembering trans lives lost to violence and vowed to work towards ending what she described as an "epidemic of anti-trans hate and violence." Her remarks were shared on #TransgenderDayofRemembrance.

Later that day, Rep. Budzinski announced her participation with over 100 colleagues in urging the House Ethics Committee to release a report concerning allegations against Gaetz. She described these allegations as "serious and concerning," underscoring the necessity of this report for informed decision-making by the Senate regarding his nomination.