Latest Updates:
Vella Bill to Ease Teacher Shortage Advances to Senate
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Dave Vella, D-Rockford, has successfully advanced a bill helping local school districts respond to ongoing teacher shortages by fairly compensating overtime hours educators often take on.
Vella Bill Aimed at Shifting Juvenile Focus Towards Rehabilitation Advances to Senate
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Dave Vella, D-Rockford, has successfully advanced a bill that would change how Illinois courts handle younger teens, focusing more on rehabilitation than punishment.
WEDNESDAY: Ness, COWL to Hold Annual Taste of the Capers Event
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-Carpentersville, co-chair of the Conference of Women Legislators (COWL), is highlighting COWL’s annual Taste of the Capers event this Wednesday, May 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the State House Inn located at 101 E. Adams St. in Springfield, Illinois.
Manley Supports Family Involvement at Edna Keith School Family Bingo Night
JOLIET, Ill. – In an effort to help build family involvement in schools, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, was one of the many sponsors for the Edna Keith Elementary School Family Bingo Night on April 29, by providing snacks and drinks for everyone.
Gill Passes Resolution Recognizing Hero Day to Honor First Responder Deaths in Line of Duty
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.— State Rep. Mary Gill, D-Chicago, passed a resolution to recognize August 26, 2026 as Hero Day to honor the bravery, dedication and sacrifices of first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty.
State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford and Alderwoman Rodriguez-Sanchez to Spotlight Brown University Research on Overdose Prevention Sites and Advocate for Pilot Program on Chicago’s West Side
CHICAGO – State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, is partnering with local public health organizations, elected officials, and researchers from Brown University to highlight new research on the efficacy of overdose prevention sites (centers) in reducing preventable overdose deaths and improving public health outcomes.
Ammons Reflects on Successful Expungement Summit
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – State Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, aided in hosting yet another successful Expungement Summit last month. These events are designed to provide legal assistance, advice and guidance to individuals looking to expunge their criminal records.
Ammons Bill Creating the Office of Genealogical Affairs Study Committee Passes in House
A staunch advocate for equity, reparations and righting the historic oppression of Black and other people of color, state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, has passed legislation to create a committee to study forensic and historical accountability to consider the implementation of a permanent Illinois Office of Genealogical Affairs.
Manley Proposes Property Tax Reforms, Creating Accountability and Equity
In an effort to reduce the wrongly inflated property tax burden for many Illinois homeowners, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, has proposed legislation aimed to add accountability that would give county supervisors of assessments authority to step in and correct when township assessors fail to assess commercial and industrial developments properly, completely, or at all. The potential shift in assessed properties could mean millions of dollars for a staggering number of wrongly-taxed homeowners.
Ryan Seeks to Remove Burdensome Language Requirement for High School Students
State Rep. Rick Ryan, D-Evergreen Park, is seeking to remove the two-year foreign language requirement Illinois high school students must complete to receive a high school diploma.
Faver Dias Releases Statement on Louisiana v. Callais
GRAYSLAKE, Ill. – Following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, dismantling a critical provision in the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, state Representative Laura Faver Dias, D-Grayslake, released the following statement:
Gong-Gershowitz-Led AI Working Group Discusses Consumer Protection, Responsible Innovation
CHICAGO – The House Democratic AI Working Group, chaired by state Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview, held a subject matter hearing on Monday, May 4, to discuss efforts to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) in order to protect consumers and safeguard elections in Illinois.
Manley, Carpenters, Build Planter Boxes for National Hook-Up of Black Women Community Garden
JOLIET, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, along with the Carpenters Local 174, replaced the raised garden planter boxes at the National Hook-Up of Black Women (NHBW) Joliet Chapter administrative office. The community garden serves the surrounding community, as well as to teach young people how to grow their own vegetables.
Ryan Bill Aims to Expand Public Defender Assistance in Illinois Courts
EVERGREEN PARK, Ill.—State Rep. Rick Ryan, D-Evergreen Park, is expanding legal assistance for Illinois drivers charged with driving under the influence (DUI) with a new measure that will allow public defenders to represent DUI clients in both criminal cases and civil hearings.
Katz Muhl Passes Legislation to Empower Local Libraries in E-Book Negotiations with Publishers
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Local libraries in Illinois will have new protections in e-book and audiobook negotiations with publishing companies after state Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl, D- Northbrook, passed groundbreaking legislation to prohibit abusive contracts between libraries and publishers.
Gabel Responds to Supreme Court Decision Gutting Voting Rights Protections
EVANSTON, Ill. – Wednesday, the United States Supreme Court ruled in the case of Louisiana v. Callais to dismantle many voting rights protections contained in the Voting Rights Act. The ruling is expected to allow southern states to draw new congressional maps to favor Republicans by splitting majority-minority districts previously protected by the Voting Rights Act.
Johnson Releases Statement on Louisiana v. Callais
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, dismantling a critical provision in the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, state Representative Gregg Johnson, D-Rock Island, released the following statement:
Mussman-Backed Bill Allows Autism Evaluations to be Administered Earlier, Diagnoses Given Faster
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, supported legislation allowing qualified speech-language pathologists to diagnose autism spectrum disorder (ASD) if the child is under age three and has no co-occurring medical conditions. With more evaluators, more evaluations can be conducted and more diagnoses given.