BERWYN, Ill. — Today, Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Bridgeview) announced that he secured more than $1 million in capital funding for the replacement of lead water lines in his district. The funding will go to the city of Berwyn and the villages of Riverside, La Grange Park, Brookfield, and Summit.

“Access to clean drinking water should not be determined by your zip code,” said Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid. ”Too many of our residents, especially our children, are still getting exposed to lead from their home’s taps. It shouldn’t be left to residents and towns to shoulder the enormous financial burden of replacing decades of lead water pipes. That’s why I’ll continue to fight for critical state and federal funding to upgrade our infrastructure and keep our communities safe.”

Lead exposure poses serious health risks even at low levels, and no amount of lead in drinking water is considered safe. Children are especially vulnerable: exposure can cause irreversible harm to brain development, leading to learning disabilities and behavioral problems. In adults, lead exposure is linked to high blood pressure, kidney damage, and reproductive health issues. Because lead from aging service lines can leach into tap water invisibly, with no taste, smell, or color, many families have no way of knowing they’re being exposed. Replacing these lines is the only permanent solution to eliminating this hazard at its source.

The Chicagoland area has the highest concentration of lead water service lines in the country, making removal of them a top concern to residents.

“Protecting the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land our children play on is one of my top priorities,” added Rep. Rashid. “Every family in every community deserves a safe and healthy environment, and I’ll keep fighting to make that a reality.”

This investment builds on the more than $3 million in state funds secured by Rep. Rashid in recent years for villages, schools, parks, and social service providers in the district. Additionally, Rep. Rashid successfully advocated for $43 million in federal funding for the 65th & Harlem Avenue rail project that will create an overpass, reducing traffic and improving public safety.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Wrapping up her second spring legislative session, state Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, is highlighting a slew of bills championed through House and Senate chambers that now await governor consideration before being signed into law.

“This year was one focused on ensuring our community members have the support they need to live safely and happily without the constant stress of bills and strapped budgets. I was proud to support a series of cost-cutting focused measures this year, while targeting our most vulnerable communities, especially our disability community, to build up robust inclusiveness and accessibility,” said Briel. “The work done this year is owed to the amazing community I represent—things I hear when I’m knocking doors, when I’m engaging with advocates and, ultimately, tangible ideas that will now bring positive change or direct relief to Illinois families in our neighborhoods.” 

Briel wrapped up the 2026 spring legislative session by leading the following measures now on the governor’s desk for approval:

• • House Bill 4379 enhances Sami’s Law to expand restroom accommodations in ADA-compliant stalls for Illinois children and adults with severe mobility obstacles or other disabilities. 
  • House Bill 4461 protects Illinois homeowners and landowners from medical debt by barring hospital networks from taking aggressive collection actions on primary residences. 

• • Senate Bill 1327 strengthens long-term disability insurance transparency on coverage limits regarding mental healthcare and substance use treatment. 

• • Senate Bill 2761 improves safety and support for young students with service animals by requiring teachers and school faculty receive instruction on service animals during annual training.

Additionally, Briel concluded the spring’s legislative session by supporting a handful of affordability-focused measures that strengthen consumer protection, support senior savings programs, and hold big businesses accountable for hidden schemes and junk fees that raise prices on everyday goods from groceries to delivery services. 

For more information, please email contact@staterepbriel.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – On the heels of last week’s legislative session adjournment, state Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-Carpentersville, is highlighting a series of bills passing both chambers, landing on Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk for consideration to be signed into law. 

“I’m thrilled to see several measures at the very final steps of being signed into law. This spring I prioritized real issues that real people are facing—working to ensure our seniors and aging adults are protected from unlicensed care, supporting our residents with disabilities through enhanced programs, helping families with children with disabilities save for the future, and so much more to strengthen our neighborhoods and community at-large,” said Ness. “There’s more work to do, and I look forward to being back up north, engaging with community members and paving a path for greater change.” 

Ness wrapped up the 2026 spring legislative session by leading the following measures now on the governor’s desk for approval:

• • House Bill 4620 connects young families who have children with disabilities to cost-saving programs, specifically ABLE accounts, as soon as a patient receives a diagnosis; helping plan and save for school, housing and other expenses, as well as earn social security and tax benefits. 

• • House Bill 4612 protects seniors from predatory care by requiring assisted living homes refer residents only to licensed providers and disclose risks of unlicensed care.

• • House Bill 4829 cuts government waste and streamlines Illinois EPA’s authority by removing outdated mandates and a former advisory committee to address new audit findings.

• • Senate Bill 3434 strengthens support for Illinoisans with disabilities by establishing community day services (CDS) to provide social skill-building and encourage residents’ independence in local, public settings.

The above bills passed with bipartisan approval from both House and Senate chambers.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.— State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is sending legislation to the governor’s desk creating new guardrails against financial fraud and physical abuse, commonly experienced in tandem by seniors.

“Essentially what we’re doing here is establishing two steps to report potential fraud and abuse for financial employees: one route for them to protect financial assets and another to confirm the wellbeing of their client,” said Stuart. “Allowing a more comprehensive investigation of potential fraud and physical abuse will make sure accounts are protected, and more importantly that clients are safe.”

House Bill 4911 creates a handful of new safety nets against financial fraud and physical abuse, which are often paired when targeting seniors, allowing financial employees to step in when they notice suspicious and potentially fraudulent behavior.

This legislation was developed with the Illinois Department on Aging, who will develop a new web portal to report suspected financial abuse as part of this measure. While this legislation was designed with seniors in mind, these extra precautions will apply to all suspicious and potentially fraudulent transactions.

“I’m grateful to the Department on Aging and other advocates for their collaboration and support on this really impactful bill, saving seniors money and potentially their lives,” said Stuart. “This is a no nonsense bill crafted to prevent or stop senior financial fraud and abuse. I look forward to the support this bill will bring when signed into law.”

House Bill 4911 passed unanimously in the Senate and with partisan support in the House. Now, the measure is headed to Governor Pritzker’s desk for consideration and to be signed into law.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Margaret DeLaRosa, D-Lombard, wraps up this year’s spring legislative session by passing significant reforms to provide relief for working families and build a brighter future for Illinois.

“After several long nights passing bills on the House floor, hearing from expert witnesses in committees, and collaborating with my colleagues through it all, we’ve officially adjourned for the summer,” said DeLaRosa. “I’ve learned a lot my first year of session, and I look forward to continuing the hard work back at home.”

DeLaRosa sponsored and passed a couple of important bills this year, primarily focused on safety. House Bill 4361 streamlines the process of achieving certification for building inspectors to enhance our ability to ensure buildings are up to code. And, House Bill 4768 allows state entities to prohibit the use of low-speed electronic bicycles on any path within state jurisdiction, prioritizing pedestrian safety, as well as the safety of manual cyclists.

In addition to her own legislation, DeLaRosa co-sponsored, supported, and helped pass a number of significant bills—from cracking down on fraud schemes and junk fees, to adding protections from aggressive debt collection actions, to expanding educational opportunities across the state.

“I’m proud of what I have accomplished this year. It has been a joy to pass legislation that I know will benefit Illinois. I’ll be back in the district for the summer, where I’m excited to have productive conversations in our community, especially at some of the great events we have lined up. I hope to see you there!” said DeLaRosa.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – State Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights, released the following statement on the Chicago Bears’ Board of Directors vote to advance development in Hammond, Indiana:

“For the past several years, we have worked closely with the Chicago Bears to advance a stadium development in Arlington Heights.

“In April, we believed we had found a solution by passing an extensive economic development package that would bolster statewide development while providing much needed property tax relief for working families.

“While Indiana is willing to raise taxes and place additional burdens on working families in a bid to draw in the Bears, that’s not in the best interest of people in our community. I am determined to see the Arlington Park site be responsibly developed, whether through continued conversations with the Bears or other parties.

“I remain committed to putting the needs of the people first, and that means prioritizing financial relief from the gas pump to the kitchen table.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Consumers will be better protected from rising prescription costs under new legislation backed by state Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights, which passed the House last week.

“Reining in the cost of prescription drugs is one of my top priorities this year. Creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board is a real step toward holding big corporations accountable when they put profits over people,” Grasse said. “No parent should have to stretch every dollar to get their child the medication they need. No senior should have to choose between their prescriptions and everything else they rely on to live. This board is about protecting people, plain and simple.”

Senate Bill 3496 establishes the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, which tasks appointed members to review prescription drugs sold in Illinois and establish an upper payment limit (UPL) for consumers. Initially, the board will be tasked with adopting a UPL on 10 prescription drugs that meet Medicare’s Maximum Fair Price (MFP) standards.

Once adopted, the payment limit will apply to those prescriptions when sold in Illinois. The practice is similar to an existing statute meant to protect ratepayers from utility hikes. Ten other states, including New York and Colorado, have established similar boards or granted upper payment limit authority to other agencies in effort to keep prescription drugs affordable and accessible to patients.

“Affordable healthcare is a human right, and securing that right could not be more important as the cost-of-living continues to pose enormous challenges to many Illinoisans,” Grasse said. “The federal government is cutting funding for essential services, but in Illinois, we’re doing everything we can to fight back.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Working to improve the mental health of teachers, state Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville, is advancing legislation to the Governor’s office that requires school districts to develop procedures that support faculty and staff mental health. 

“We all understand the pivotal role that teachers play in our children’ s lives,” said Yang Rohr. “Not only are they teachers, but they’re role models, advisors, coaches and so much more. It’s time that we support the people who support our children by delivering real tools they can use to support their mental health.”

Yang Rohr’s House Bill 4862 requires school boards to develop and implement procedures that support employee mental health. The school districts must show a commitment to supporting mental health in the workplace by applying several different initiatives, including:

• Opportunities for staff to provide feedback on mental health,
• Annual communication that provides information on mental health resources and support available to the staff, and 
• Opportunities for the school board to receive information regarding their mental health initiatives and programs.

“We’ve seen that legislation like this works,” said Yang Rohr. “In Washington, where they have a similar law, it led to increased staff retention rates and improved feelings of belonging and wellbeing. Our teachers deserve the same.”

The legislation received bipartisan support, and it now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature. 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Seniors will be better protected against potential abuse from caregivers under a measure by state Rep. Marti Deuter, D-Elmhurst.

House Bill 4676 would update the felony charge of criminal abuse or neglect by a caregiver to include acts that create a substantial likelihood of harm to the individual being cared for.

“When we entrust people with the care of our loved ones, we expect a certain amount of accountability,” Deuter said. “This legislation provides that accountability and empowers our state’s attorney’s office to deliver it.”

The bill creates penalties for those who create a substantial likelihood of endangerment or harm to an individual’s life, and enables the State’s Attorney to charge caregivers who perform or fail to perform acts with abuse or neglect.

The measure standardizes protections for seniors receiving at-home care with those that already exist for those in long-term care facilities.

“Our seniors are some of the most vulnerable residents of our communities,” Deuter said. “It’s important that we enable our judiciary to hold bad actors accountable and ensure families have peace of mind knowing their loved ones are being properly cared for.”

House Bill 4676 passed the Senate on Thursday, May 21, with broad bipartisan support, and now heads to the governor’s desk.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Fighting to restore affordability for Illinois households, Rep. Marti Deuter, D-Elmhurst, is advancing a package of bills to cut costs on everyday purchases and utilities and ban gimmicks that raise prices.

“Families shouldn’t be nickel-and-dimed every time they go to the store, shop online or pay their bills,” said Deuter. “These common sense measures will improve transparency for consumers and represent a major win for families across our state.”

While the cost of living continues to increase across the board, Deuter is taking charge of what Illinois can control, and championing policy to provide some immediate relief. 

Deuter worked to pass the following cost-cutting measures:

• House Bill 45: Expands access to savings by requiring retailers to honor all advertised sales or coupons, even if customers cannot access an app or operate digital coupons.
• House Bill 228: Cracks down on junk fees and hidden costs by requiring businesses to disclose all mandatory fees and charges added on top of an advertised purchase price.
• House Bill 4248: Bans apps and online retailers from using a shopper’s personal data or demographic profile to raise prices in a practice known as surveillance pricing.

All three measures successfully advanced through the House. House Bills 45 and 228 previously passed the Senate and now await governor consideration before being signed into law.