Latest Updates:

Ford Event Tomorrow at Malcolm X College to Highlight Opioid Overdose Crisis and Upcoming Medicaid Redetermination
CHICAGO – As part of continuing efforts to combat the challenges posed by the opioid epidemic, state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, is partnering with state and local organizations to build Medicaid redetermination awareness, provide Narcan training, and offer other resources at an event scheduled for Friday, March 31 from 9 a.m. to noon at Malcolm X College’s Auditorium, located at 1900 W. Jackson Blvd. in Chicago.

Avelar Hails Grant Funding to Benefit Uninsured Illinoisans
BOLINGBROOK, Ill. — State Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, is celebrating a $4.5 million grant to the Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (IAFCC). The grant money was passed by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last year.

Nichols, Hernandez, Ford to Hold Press Conference Introducing New Procurement Subcommittee
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Cyril Nichols, D-Chicago, will be joined by House colleagues La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago and Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, at a press conference in the State Capitol Blue Room at 11:30am on Thursday, March 30 to discuss the new Higher Education—Procurement Subcommittee, of which Nichols has been appointed Chairman.

Nichols Helps Pass Bill to Guarantee Full-Day Kindergarten
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – All students would be able to receive quality early childhood education under full-day kindergarten legislation that state Rep. Cyril Nichols, D-Chicago, helped pass this week.

Black Caucus Addresses Shooting at Western Illinois University
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Joint Legislative Black Caucus issued the following statement regarding the deadly shooting at Western Illinois University over the weekend.

Wednesday Blue Room Press Conference: Ford to Focus on Efforts to Make School Reading Assignments More Diverse
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Tomorrow at a 10 a.m. Blue Room press conference at the Capitol, state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, will highlight efforts to update school curriculum and require that students in kindergarten through 12th grade be exposed to literature and books of diverse peoples, cultures and backgrounds.

Stava-Murray Passes Bill to Promote Equity in Rent Payments
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Tenants would have more payment options under a bill passed last week by state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, D-Downers Grove, prohibiting landlords from requiring electronic payment.

Manley-Led Bill to Support Hospice Care Centers Passed by House
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Hospice facilities across Illinois will be able to expand the amount of beds and care they provide thanks to a bill passed by state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet.

Ford to Visit Stateville Correctional Center Sunday, Continue Push to Restore Voting Rights for Incarcerated
CREST HILL, Ill. – As part of continued efforts to reinstate incarcerated individuals’ right to vote, state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, will join advocates this Sunday, March 26 at 10 a.m. for a press conference and tour at the Stateville Correctional Center, located at 16830-IL 53 in Crest Hill.

Stuart Passes Bill Expanding Ability of Hygienists to Provide Dental Care to Underserved Illinoisans
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, passed a bill Wednesday that would allow qualified dental hygienists to provide dental care to more uninsured or lower- income Illinoisans.

LaPointe Joins Supportive Housing Providers Association in Fight to End Homelessness
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – With pandemic-era executive orders expiring, state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, is teaming up with the Supportive Housing Providers Association (SHPA) to pass legislation that will enshrine the state’s Interagency Task Force on Homelessness and Community Advisory Council on Homelessness, as well as create an Office to Prevent and End Homelessness.

Ford to Host Town Hall Monday, Join Experts to Discuss Future of Psychedelic Therapy in Illinois
CHICAGO – State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, will lead a town hall panel with experts to discuss the future of psychedelic therapy and his efforts to decriminalize the possession of psilocybin this Monday, March 27 from noon to 2 p.m. at the campus of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC).

Stuart Passes Bill to Expand Access to Community College Programs
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Students interested in community college programs not available at their local community college would be able to attend that program at another community college where that program is available, under a bill just passed by state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville.

Scherer-Backed Bill Would Create Multi-Year Hunting and Fishing Licenses
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Building on recent efforts to encourage hunting and fishing in Illinois, state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, supported legislation that will cut costs and red tape for outdoorsmen across the state.

Kifowit and Huynh to Honor Vietnam Veterans
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Representatives Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, and Hoan Huynh, D-Chicago, are inviting Vietnam War Veterans to come and be recognized in the gallery of the Illinois House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 29th by House Resolution 104.

Hernandez Introduces Legislation to Further Strengthen DREAM Fund for Dreamers in Illinois
CICERO, Ill. — Illinois residents sending money to family overseas will also be able to help Dreamers afford a college education in Illinois under legislation introduced by state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero.

Stava-Murray Passes Bill Prohibiting Library Book Banning
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Local politicians would be prevented from banning books in public libraries under a new bill passed by state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, D-Downers Grove, which empowers librarians and prevents book banning.

Yednock Announces Grant Awards for Local Park and Recreation Projects
OTTAWA, Ill. — Underscoring the importance of parks and outdoor recreation, state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is celebrating hundreds of thousands of dollars in Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grants awarded to the DeKalb Park District and the Cities of Ottawa and Marseilles.