Deuter Ends Session with Responsible Budget, Marks Progress on Public Safety, Affordability

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Marti Deuter, D-Elmhurst, ended the 2026 spring legislative session by helping craft a responsible budget that makes life more affordable for working families and passing legislation that aims to increase public safety and provide flexibility to local governments.

“In my conversations with residents from all parts of the district, some of the most mentioned topics are affordability and the cost of living,” Deuter said. “Our budget makes strategic investments that will provide stability to some of our most vulnerable communities, even in the face of federal cuts.”

Deuter worked to pass a budget that cuts the cost of government bureaucracy, gives local governments tools for property tax relief, fully funds community-based approaches to public safety and provides funding for social services amid federal cuts. 

In addition to her work in passing a balanced budget, Deuter advanced a number of key measures through the General Assembly, including:

• House Bill 4676, which strengthens protections against caregiver abuse by applying the same standards for long-term care facilities to individuals receiving care at home.

• House Bill 4948, a bipartisan effort to make our streets safer by utilizing new technology to provide an alternative to license suspension for repeat offenders of excessive speeding.

• House Bill 4571, which aims to make homeownership more affordable for middle-class families by giving communities the tools they need to build new housing options for the “missing middle.” 

• House Bill 3811, which aligns the appointment of private professional guardians with the requirements of State Guardians, protecting seniors and their estates from abuse or exploitation.

Other items in Deuter’s legislative agenda included efforts to update the state’s newborn screening process, expand epinephrine delivery options for schools and protect access to health insurance.

“As legislators, it’s important that we’re listening to the feedback we receive from our constituents and stakeholders,” Deuter said. “Good ideas can come from anywhere, and our work this spring has proven just that. I’m immensely grateful to all of our partners who’ve come forward with bold ideas or gave us their honest input as we worked to craft our legislation.”