CHICAGO —  State Representative Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, released the following statement today following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in West Virginia v BPJ, which allows states to prevent transgender athletes from participating in sports that align with their gender identity :

“First and foremost, Illinois’ laws protecting trans youth are not impacted by today’s United States Supreme Court decision in West Virginia v BPJ. The court upheld the West Virginia law targeting trans student athletes, but that ruling does not repeal any of our state’s laws affirming the rights of trans students to fully participate in their schools by protecting access to appropriate locker rooms and restrooms in all public and non-religious private schools and allowing trans student athletes to participate in school sports through Illinois High School Association policy.

“While states across the country continue to find new and increasingly cruel ways to bully transgender kids, Illinois will continue to do everything in our power to protect them. This decision, while another example of the ways this court and this administration continue to use children as political punching bags, does not impact the protective laws that states like Illinois have put in place. 

“The fight is not over, of course. This Congress, administration, and court will continue to try and find ways to spread their hatred. Through litigation led by Attorney General Kwame Raoul and legislation supported by my General Assembly colleagues and Governor Pritzker, we will continue to seek ways to provide as many protections as we can, for as long as we can, recognizing the limitations of state laws in the face of federal legislation and federal subpoenas.”

GLENVIEW, Ill. —  State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview) released the following statement today following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to uphold birthright citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment, rejecting President Trump’s executive order that sought to deny automatic citizenship to children born in the United States to immigrant parents:

“This decision is personal for me. My grandparents came to this country as Chinese immigrants and faced deportation under the Chinese Exclusion Acts. They won the right to stay by challenging the constitutionality of those race-based laws. It was my father’s birthright citizenship that secured his place here, and made everything that came after possible, including my own life and the chance to serve in this legislature. I grew up understanding that citizenship and belonging are not always guaranteed. They have had to be fought for, generation after generation.

“That is exactly why today’s ruling matters so much. The Supreme Court looked to the same case that gave my family’s history its legal shape — Wong Kim Ark, the 1898 decision affirming that a child born on American soil to Chinese immigrant parents was, and is, an American citizen. That precedent held firm today, more than a century later, against an attempt to unwind it.

“The Fourteenth Amendment does not draw distinctions based on where your parents came from or what status they held when you were born. It says, in plain language, that if you are born here, you belong here. That is not a technicality. It is the foundation of what makes this country’s promise real rather than conditional — that citizenship is not a privilege reserved for some, but a birthright extended to all.

“I think often about what it would have meant for my own family if my father’s citizenship had depended on my grandparents’ immigration status rather than on where he was born. Today’s ruling means another generation of children born to immigrant families, regardless of their parents’ immigration status, will not have to wonder whether they belong.

“This is a good day for the Constitution, and a good day for every family in Illinois and across the country who has ever had to fight to be seen as fully American. I will keep working to make sure our laws reflect the equality this country promises — not just to some of us, but to all of us.”

DES PLAINES, Ill. — State Rep. Justin Cochran, D-Des Plaines, will be at Centennial Park in Des Plaines, on the corner of Center St. and Oakwood Ave. following the Des Plaines Fourth of July Parade, providing free hot dogs courtesy of Sysco Foods and the Des Plaines Park District.

“Come by, meet my staff and I, get a free hot dog, and celebrate America being 250 years young,” Cochran said. “See you there!”

The Des Plaines Independence Day Parade will kick off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 4. Additional information about the route is available at https://www.desplainesil.gov/Departments/Media-Services/Events/Independence-Day-Celebrations.

GURNEE, Ill. — Major affordability measures cracking down on hidden junk fees and price gouging schemes are now law, thanks to the work of state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee.

“We’ve all been there: adding an item to your cart, going to check out, only to find out the total has spiked due to extra ‘fees’. Or waiting in the queue for concert tickets, and when you finally get in, all the seats are gone or the price per seat is way more than you expected. It’s not fair. You end up either not making the purchase, or paying way more than you should have. That’s exactly what we’re preventing with these new laws,” said Mason.

Often disguised as “convenience” or “processing” fees, hidden junk fees cost families around $3,000 every year, according to consumer reports, driving the affordability crisis and making everyday purchases more expensive.

Mason worked to crack down on these hidden fees by backing House Bill 228, which is now law. The measure requires businesses to display all mandatory fees and charges they are adding on top of a purchase price and gives the attorney general’s office more authority to hold businesses accountable for not disclosing surprise fees.

Mason also worked to expand protections for people buying tickets to concerts, shows, and sporting events. House Bill 4984 prohibits resellers from offering the sale of tickets they do not actually possess. This law is a response to high-profile reports of abusive practices perpetrated by ticket resellers and AI-powered “bot farms” purchasing mass amounts of event tickets to be resold at two or three times the face value. Additionally, Mason co-sponsored Senate Bill 318, which bans the use of bots to buy tickets in excess of posted limits of online ticket sales or to circumvent electronic queues and other waiting periods. 

These measures are now law.

JOLIET, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is highlighting a new round of state grants to help fire and EMS departments with small equipment purchases.

“I’m grateful for our dedicated first responders who put their lives on the line to help us each and every day,” Manley said. “It’s critical that they have the tools they need to maximize their capabilities and perform their job safely and effectively. This is helpful funding that will boost resources for local departments and help to make our communities safer.”

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal is awarding $6 million across 260 fire departments and EMS providers statewide as part of the 2026 Small Equipment Grant Program. This funding will support the purchase of firefighting and ambulance equipment that otherwise would not have been bought.

Communities represented by Manley that are receiving funds include:

• Village of Bolingbrook Fire Department: $12,825
• Joliet Fire Department: $26,000
• Plainfield Fire Protection District: $23,580

Additional information about the grant and a full listing of awardees can be viewed at https://sfm.illinois.gov/news/release.html?releaseid=32586.

For more information, please contact repmanley@gmail.com.

LISLE, Ill. – State Rep. Margaret DeLaRosa, D-Lombard, invites her district to participate in a free community shred event, co-hosted with state Sen. Laura Ellman, D-Naperville, on Saturday, June 27, from 9 a.m. to noon.

“Documents that have sensitive information can be hard to get rid of, and before you know it, you have boxes full of papers you no longer need, but can’t just toss in the bin. Protect your privacy by stopping by our shred event,” said DeLaRosa. “You can shred up to two banker’s boxes full of documents, and we’re also collecting paper product donations. Doing some spring cleaning and giving back to our community sounds like the perfect Saturday to me. I hope you’ll join me!”

The free shred event will take place at the Lisle Park District Recreation Center parking lot, located at 1925 Ohio St. in Lisle. Attendees are asked to bring no more than two banker’s boxes of documents to shred. DeLaRosa will also be accepting paper product donations, such as paper towels and toilet paper, for the Lisle Township Pantry.

For more information, please contact ILHouse42@gmail.com. 

Who: State Representative Margaret DeLaRosa and State Senator Laura Ellman

What: Free Community Shred Event

When: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 9 a.m. – noon

Where: Lisle Park District Recreation Center Parking Lot

1925 Ohio St. Lisle, IL, 60532

CHICAGO — The latest balanced state budget was signed into law early today, thanks to the work of state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, who prioritized relief for Illinoisans and investment in critical resources the Trump Administration is trying to slash. 

“Times are tough for the millions who call Illinois home – due in no small part to the reckless efforts by the Trump Administration to kick families off SNAP, hold back congressionally-approved funds for roads, schools, law enforcement and more,” Hernandez said. “I am proud of the House’s work to put together a state budget that fills these resource gaps and puts us on a better financial footing. There’s no doubt in my mind that Washington will continue to try to hinder our efforts to support families, but today’s developments will give us the tools we need to lower costs and create a brighter future for our communities.”

The Hernandez-backed budget takes a number of smart steps to help families, including:

• Nearly $100 million to help families afford groceries and put food on the table. Hernandez’s budget includes a new FRESH Program, which provides a one-time credit of up to $400, giving families a lifeline while they work with providers to reactivate benefits. Additionally, the budget expands free and reduced-cost school lunches ensuring children affected by SNAP cuts have a sustainable meal, and funding for the Illinois Grocery Initiative to expand access to fresh food in food deserts. 

• Making back-to-school shopping more affordable by cutting the state sales tax on clothes, supplies and essentials for students, families and teachers beginning in August.

• Restoring property tax relief grants for schools so communities can get relief. 

• $500 million focused on affordable homes for working families, including investment in new home construction to meet the needs of working families who do not qualify for traditional assistance, but still face a significant lack of quality homes in their price range—a growing population known as the “missing middle.” 

• Keeping our streets and families safe by fully funding homeless prevention and community-based violence prevention initiatives. 

This budget keeps families safe and strengthens communities. As families face healthcare access threats like Medicaid cuts, the new state budget delivers full funding to maintain and operate critical safety-net hospitals, with an additional $10 million dedicated to support Federally Qualified Health Centers for the most vulnerable families.

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — A state budget focused on affordability is now law thanks to state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-West Chicago, who helped pass a balanced budget prioritizing direct relief for Illinoisans and investing in the resources Washington is trying to slash.

“As a working mom, I know that affordability is top of mind for all Illinoisans because I feel it too,” said Hirschauer. “We cannot balance our budget on the backs of everyday people. That’s why I continue pushing for responsible revenue options that keeps our communities safe, expands access to critical support and invests in our children.”

Hirschauer’s work this legislative session concluded in passing a fiscally and socially responsible budget that relieves the cost-of-living crisis while making key investments in food security and other state services at risk of federal funding losses or total elimination. 

The budget takes a number of smart steps to help families make ends meet, including:

• Nearly $100 million to help families afford groceries and put food on the table. As Washington slashes nutrition assistance for more than 100,000 Illinoisans, Hirschauer’s budget includes a new FRESH Program, which provides a one-time credit of up to $400, giving families a lifeline while they work with providers to reactivate benefits. Additionally, the Hirschauer-backed budget expands free and reduced-cost school lunches ensuring children affected by SNAP cuts have a sustainable meal, and funding for the Illinois Grocery Initiative to expand access to fresh food in food deserts. 

• Making back-to-school shopping more affordable by cutting the state sales tax on clothes, supplies, and other essentials for students, families, and teachers beginning in August.

• Freezing the gas tax to give families a break at the pump.

• Restoring property tax relief grants for schools so communities statewide can get relief. 

• $500 million focused on affordable homes for working families, including investment in new home construction to meet the needs of working families who do not qualify for traditional assistance, but still face a significant lack of quality homes in their price range—a growing population known as the “missing middle.”  

This budget keeps families safe and strengthens communities. As families face healthcare access threats like Medicaid cuts, the new state budget delivers full funding to maintain and operate critical safety-net hospitals, with an additional $10 million dedicated to support Federally Qualified Health Centers for the most vulnerable families. Public safety initiatives including homelessness prevention and community-based violence prevention will also receive full funding.

AURORA, Ill.— A state budget focused on affordability is now law thanks to state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, who helped pass a balanced budget prioritizing direct relief for Illinoisans and investing in the resources Washington is trying to slash.

“In the last year, working families have struggled to make ends meet and afford daily necessities. Washington continues to cut assistance programs, raise everyday prices and ignore what our communities need,” said Hernandez. “That’s why I am delivering a state budget that provides working families with the access, support and relief they need. Whether it’s investing in schools, funding safety-net hospitals, or creating nutrition assistance programs, our budget makes one thing clear: we’re putting our communities first.”

Hernandez’s work this legislative session concluded in passing a fiscally and socially responsible budget that relieves the cost-of-living crisis while making key investments in food security and other state services at risk of federal funding losses or total elimination. 

The budget takes a number of smart steps to help families make ends meet, including:

• Nearly $100 million to help families afford groceries and put food on the table. As Washington slashes nutrition assistance for more than 100,000 Illinoisans, Hernandez’s budget includes a new FRESH Program, which provides a one-time credit of up to $400, giving families a lifeline while they work with providers to reactivate benefits. Additionally, the Hernandez-backed budget expands free and reduced-cost school lunches ensuring children affected by SNAP cuts have a sustainable meal, and funding for the Illinois Grocery Initiative to expand access to fresh food in food deserts. 

• Making back-to-school shopping more affordable by cutting the state sales tax on clothes, supplies, and other essentials for students, families, and teachers beginning in August.

• Freezing the gas tax to give families a break at the pump.

• Restoring property tax relief grants for schools so communities statewide can get relief. 

• $500 million focused on affordable homes for working families, including investment in new home construction to meet the needs of working families who do not qualify for traditional assistance, but still face a significant lack of quality homes in their price range—a growing population known as the “missing middle.”  

This budget keeps families safe and strengthens communities. As families face healthcare access threats like Medicaid cuts, the new state budget delivers full funding to maintain and operate critical safety-net hospitals, with an additional $10 million dedicated to support Federally Qualified Health Centers for the most vulnerable families. Public safety initiatives including homelessness prevention and community-based violence prevention will also receive full funding.