MONTGOMERY, Ill. – Multiple affordability measures cracking down on hidden junk fees and price gouging schemes were signed into law yesterday, thanks to the work of state Rep. Matt Hanson, D-Montgomery.

“With expenses already so high, it’s extremely important that when you go to make a purchase, you know exactly how much you’re paying. These hidden fees and unethical practices from businesses and retailers make budgeting impossible, placing a huge burden on the hard-working families in our state. These new laws intend to address these issues and put the consumer first,” said Hanson.

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.

Hanson worked to crack down on these hidden fees by supporting 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.

Hanson 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, Hanson 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.

ROCKFORD, Ill. – Major affordability measures cracking down on hidden junk fees and price gouging schemes are now law thanks to the support of state Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford.

“Affordability is on everyone’s mind right now—no matter where you reside, what you do for work or what you believe in—it’s clearer than ever that families are struggling to make ends meet,” said West. “Rockford communities deserve assurance that there are people looking out for them with real solutions, and I’m proud to highlight this important set of bills that once and for all ban deceptive tactics that are raising prices that do nothing but make life more expensive for Illinois shoppers. That ends today.”

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

West helped lead a measure cracking down on these hidden fees with 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.

West also strengthened protections for people buying tickets to concerts and sporting events. In 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, he passed House Bill 4984, which bans resellers from offering the sale of tickets they do not actually possess. Additionally, Senate Bill 318 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.

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — On the four-year anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-West Chicago, issued the following statement on the work she has done in Springfield to protect abortion and reproductive rights across the state of Illinois:

“Four years ago, the Dobbs decision marked the culmination of a long-running extremist effort to strip away reproductive freedom. By overturning nearly 50 years of constitutional protections, the Supreme Court opened the door for politicians to interfere in deeply personal medical decisions, criminalize essential healthcare, and put the health and lives of patients at risk.

“In Illinois, we have chosen a different path. We are committed to protecting the right to make personal healthcare decisions free from political interference. That commitment continued on Wednesday as the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act was signed into law—a measure I proudly advocated for and co-sponsored. This law safeguards sensitive reproductive health records, ensuring that out-of-state politicians and prosecutors cannot misuse private medical information to target patients or healthcare providers for care that is legal in Illinois.

“We also passed House Bill 3637, strengthening Illinois’ Shield Law by reinforcing protections for medication abortion and safeguarding healthcare professionals who provide lawful reproductive healthcare in our state. Together, these measures send a clear message: Illinois will not cooperate with attempts to criminalize reproductive healthcare.

“As attacks on reproductive freedom continue across the country, Illinois will remain a place where patients can access care with dignity, privacy, and confidence. I will continue fighting to protect reproductive freedom because every person deserves the right to make their own healthcare decisions—without fear, political interference, or government intrusion.”

CHICAGO — Major affordability measures cracking down on hidden junk fees and price gouging schemes are now law, thanks to the work of state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago.

“Right now, no one can afford to pay more than is absolutely necessary, which is why price transparency and retailer accountability is so important. These unjust practices meant to drive up prices must be put to a stop before they escalate any further. With these three new laws, the price you see will be the price you pay, and families will be able to more easily and accurately budget around their expenses,” said Buckner.

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

Buckner worked to crack down on these hidden fees by supporting 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.

Buckner 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, Senate Bill 318 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.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – In the wake of the surprise shortening of the Illinois girls’ flag football regular high school season, state Rep. Janet Yang Rohr has introduced legislation requiring the statewide athletic association to conduct an equity impact review when changes are proposed that exacerbate inequities between comparable girls and boys sports teams.

“The student athlete landscape has evolved for the better in the fifty years since Title IX passed, and we cannot move backwards from those advancements,” said Yang Rohr. “Young women shouldn’t be losing playing time, especially when their participation rates are the fastest growing in the nation. We need to start holding statewide athletic associations accountable when they strip away these opportunities.”

For the 2026-27 school year, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) extended the length of the boys tackle football pre-season while simultaneously shortening the girls flag football regular season by the same amount of time. This decision by the IHSA highlights the gender inequities that can be prevalent in high school athletics.

Yang Rohr’s House Bill 5799 would require statewide athletic association like IHSA to conduct an equity impact review when changes:

• Reduce opportunities for a girls sport without making similar reductions in a comparable boys sport,
• Cause the length of the regular sports season or the length of the full sports season to differ by more than one week for comparable sports offered to both sexes;or
• Result in the nature and extent of the interscholastic sport offered to not accommodate the interests and abilities of both sexes to a similar degree.

Once the impact review is completed, it must be made available for public comment. They must also provide their impact review to the Illinois State Board of Education, who may issue findings on whether the program is in compliance with the Illinois Administrative Code Sex Equity section and Title IX regulations.

For more information, please contact info@repyangrohr.com.

OTTAWA, Ill. – Major affordability measures cracking down on hidden junk fees and price gouging schemes are now law thanks to the support of state Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa.

“Grocery trip receipts shouldn’t climb week by week for the same products. A price tag shouldn’t double after you’ve hit checkout. These are all commonsense ideas, yet families statewide are footing enormous costs that just aren’t normal—and by no means tenable,” said Briel. “Deceptive practices like these have far too long pushed Illinois shoppers around with hidden fees and price gouging that burn our wallets and stretch our savings. This set of laws puts control back where it belongs—in the hands of Illinois consumers, not billionaire corporations.”

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

Briel worked to crack down on these hidden fees with 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.

Briel also supported greater protections for people buying tickets to concerts and sporting events. In 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, she passed House Bill 4984, which bans resellers from offering the sale of tickets they do not actually possess. Additionally, Senate Bill 318 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.

PEORIA, Ill. – State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, congratulates the Peoria Heights Fire Department and the West Peoria Fire Protection District on receiving grants from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.

“Our first responders dedicate their lives to keeping us safe,” said Gordon-Booth. “With this well-deserved additional funding, our local departments can invest in resources that can keep everyone in our community safer—including our first responders.”

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal awarded a total of $6 million in grant funds across the state, with a focus on small, volunteer and nonprofit fire departments and protection districts. 

The Peoria Heights Fire Department was awarded $26,000 and the West Peoria Fire Protection District was awarded $25,238. Peoria County, as a whole, received over $70,000 in small equipment grants.

“Here in Peoria, we have both career and volunteer firefighters who put their lives on the line to save us in cases of medical emergencies, fires and more,” said Gordon-Booth. “I’m so thankful to our first responders who risk their lives and livelihood for our community each time the alarm sounds.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Lisa Davis, D-Chicago, celebrated the governor’s signing of legislation that marks a major step forward in Illinois’ efforts to strengthen oversight of hemp products, enhance consumer protections, and promote a fairer, more accountable marketplace for the state’s growing hemp and cannabis industries.

“This new law brings greater clarity and accountability to a rapidly evolving industry,” Davis said. “Consumers deserve confidence that the products they purchase have been properly tested, accurately labeled, and held to consistent safety standards. The goal is for Illinois to remain focused on protecting public health while supporting responsible business growth.”

Senate Bill 3222 establishes new statewide rules for hemp products, including licensing requirements, safety standards, testing, labeling, and enforcement. The new law also updates Illinois cannabis regulations to strengthen oversight, improve consumer protections, and ensure hemp and cannabis products are sold safely and legally across the state.

The law also helps expand opportunities for communities that were disproportionately harmed by the failed war on drugs by creating a more transparent and accountable marketplace that supports equitable participation in the industry.

“Equity must remain at the center of Illinois’ approach to cannabis and hemp regulation,” Davis said. “By increasing transparency and creating stronger standards across the industry, this law helps open doors for entrepreneurs from historically underserved communities while ensuring the benefits of this growing market are shared more broadly.”

Senate Bill 3222 was signed into law by the governor and will take effect according to the implementation timeline outlined in the legislation.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.— Working to make life easier and more affordable for everyone in Illinois, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, helped pass another fiscally smart budget, creating no new taxes on working families and no severe service cuts, while advancing her own legislation.

“One issue we can all agree on, no matter our political party, is that the price of our basic needs are far too high, and far too many in our community are really struggling every day,” said Stuart. “Budgeting is complex, but the hard work has paid off as we pass a balanced budget.”

The chaos of the federal government has caused Illinois families to struggle, making the cost of living to skyrocket while social safety nets are axed. Because of these obstacles, Stuart is advocating for a budget that will ease the financial burden too many families in our state are facing.

• This year’s budget fully funds:
• Safety net hospitals, providing care regardless of health insurance status,
• After school programs, and
• the Local Government Distributive Fund, creating more tools for property tax relief.

Highlights of the budget include investments in:

• The Fresh Act, giving Illinoisans who lost SNAP benefits a one time SNAP credit,
• State social services by identifying and reallocating in government efficiencies,
• Families and students by supporting a Back to School Tax Relief program and investing in affordable school lunches, and
• Working class people by temporarily freezing the gas tax, beginning in July.

Stuart additionally sent eight bills to the governor’s desk to be signed into law, continuing her work to improve higher education, while championing a measure expanding access to menopause treatments.

Stuart championed legislation to:

1. Require insurance to cover longer prescriptions of menopause treatment like hormone replacement therapy,
2. Ensure higher education students’ access to opportunity and transparency in their education,
3. Creating new safeguards to protect seniors from financial fraud and physical abuse, and more.

“My experience as an educator is a factor in every decision I make on educational legislation, making improvements because every Illinoisan has the opportunity to receive higher education,” said Stuart. “I’m committed to continuing my work to secure educational opportunity, quality and affordability for every prospective student in our community and across the state.”

BARTLETT, Ill. – State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is inviting residents to attend an End of Session Town Hall detailing Springfield legislative updates and to discuss community priorities on Tuesday, June 30 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bartlett Public Library, 800 S. Bartlett Rd., in Bartlett.

The End of Session Town Hall will focus on topics such as legislation, the FY27 state budget, community safety, and other pressing topics of the 49th District. To ensure there is ample time to discuss all matters, constituents are asked to submit their questions and RSVP in advance by filling out the form on the website: https://www.maurahirschauer.com/event/townhall26-6/.

“Throughout the spring legislative session, I made sure to prioritize the needs and welfare of my constituents,” said Hirschauer. “The bills I passed will help our community thrive as we are waiting for Gov. Pritzker to sign the legislation into law, I want to make sure that our communities are aware that their voices are heard and that their needs are being met.”

The End of Session Town Hall will be held both online and in-person. Community members interested in attending must RSVP prior to the event. Language interpretation will be available. If interpretations are needed, RSVP is required by June 26. Media seeking to cover the town hall is encouraged to RSVP to ensure space is available.

WHO State Representative Maura Hirschauer
WHAT End of Session Town Hall
WHEN Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 7 p.m. until 8 p.m.

WHERE Bartlett Public Library
800 S. Bartlett Rd.
Bartlett, IL

Attendees must RSVP in advance. RSVP/Submit Questions: https://www.maurahirschauer.com/event/townhall26-6/