OTTAWA, Ill. – A handful of Illinois Valley educational spaces and community spots will receive new investments secured through this year’s state budget by state Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, to strengthen and restore local art hubs catering to children, students and families.

“A huge thanks to the Illinois Arts Council for making this funding possible and for their dedication to keeping arts alive across the state. The Illinois Valley is home to so many influential programs through our schools, local organizations and community spaces that inspire residents ranging from toddlers getting their hands on musical instruments for the first time to older adults resparking their passion for theatre,” said Briel. “I couldn’t be happier to see this funding land here at home.”

Several funding awards were given to Illinois Valley art hubs through the Illinois Arts Council following the successful passage of this year’s Briel-backed state budget. The following spaces will receive investments: 

• • Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra: $5,000 to fund K-12 school music programs and public performances. 
  • North Central Illinois ARTworks: $5,000 to support educational outreach, art space developments and local artist support.
  • Starved Rock Country Community Foundation: $5,000 to fund non-profit organizations, schools, museums and libraries throughout Starved Rock Country.
  • Egyptian Theatre: $4,000 to expand staff to support the theatre’s community impact.
  • Hall High School will receive an investment to replace worn equipment, studio seating and storage units for a safe, functional and inspiring learning environment.
  • Children’s Community Theatre of DeKalb will receive an investment to expand opportunities for young people to learn and develop creativity in the arts.

“I look forward to seeing how these grants benefit families across the Illinois Valley, whether by broadening music initiatives, modernizing local museums or opening new avenues for young ones to experience the rewards of creative community engagement,” said Briel.

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DEKALB, Ill. – Illinois Valley residents interested in learning more about legislative updates and other state news are invited to an upcoming town hall hosted by state Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb.

“We’ve had an exciting few weeks seeing important pieces of legislation get signed into law. I’m eager to share these updates with neighbors in our community and hear their thoughts on how we can continue moving forward,” said Briel. “For folks who couldn’t attend our previous town hall in Peru, this is a great opportunity to join fellow community members and discuss the top issues affecting our families. A huge thank you to the congregation for their help planning this event and for letting us use such a beautiful space.”

Briel’s DeKalb Town Hall will take place Thursday, Sept. 10 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb, located at 158 N. 4th Street. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. The discussion will begin promptly at 6 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to RSVP via Google Form (https://forms.gle/ex1AL2QmJZTd5YQ97), or by contacting the district office at contact@staterepbriel.com or 815-587-7912.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As an essential member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee in the Illinois General Assembly, state Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, will continue advocating for veterans’ top concerns and issues across the state as the most recent appointee to the Illinois Veterans Advisory Council.

“I’m honored to serve on this council,” said Briel. “Illinoisans who served our country are essential to our communities. Whether it’s access to specialized healthcare, ensuring qualified veterans are first in line for a good paying job, or simply ensuring every single veteran has food on the table—I’m committed to stability, security and a future our veterans can count on.”

Briel will work alongside bipartisan lawmakers, active military personnel and veteran service organizations to review, study and recommend actionable changes to better support veterans statewide—including improvements to mental health and psychiatric care, home modification and food assistance, employment aid and more to ensure veterans re-entering civilian life have a supportive transition. Briel was appointed to the seat Tuesday by Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch.

“I look forward to collaborating with an expert group of advocates to ensure Illinois veterans remain healthy, safe and proud to call this state home,” said Briel.

To learn more about the Illinois Veterans Advisory Council, visit https://veterans.illinois.gov/.

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

OTTAWA, Ill. – Working towards fairer accommodations for Illinoisans with disabilities, state Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, is highlighting her work expanding Sami’s Law this spring legislative session, which was successfully signed into law by the governor Aug. 7.

“I’m excited we made it to the finish line—getting Sami’s Law signed into our books means more Illinoisans with disabilities and severe mobility obstacles can comfortably use handicap stalls in more restrooms around the state,” said Briel. “This is an example of real change for real people. So many families have expressed the need for more accessible accommodations in our ADA-compliant restrooms so caregivers and loved ones are not forced to change in the back of the car or on a dirty bathroom floor. This expansion of Sami’s Law grants these families and their loved ones the independence and inclusion they rightfully deserve. Everyone should have access to a restroom that fits their mobility needs.”

Sami’s Law was originally signed in 2024, requiring any interstate highway rest stop to include an adult-sized changing table within a handicap stall. Briel’s House Bill 4379 serves as an extension ensuring more ADA-compliant restroom stalls include a changing station for individuals with disabilities weighing over 50 pounds.

Specifically, the measure will require large, public building developments constructed after Jan. 1, 2029, and which exceed 40,000 square feet or more with a capacity of over 1,500, to include an adult changing station in a bathroom stall. By expanding requirements to include most large public buildings, more Illinois children and adults with severe mobility issues or other disabilities can comfortably and privately use these facilities, while also giving caregivers assurance their loved one has adequate accommodations.

House Bill 4379 was signed into law Aug. 7 and goes into effect immediately. For more information, please email contact@staterepbriel.com.

OTTAWA, Ill. – State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, is better protecting service animals in schools and the students who rely on them with a new law requiring teachers receive service animal training as part of their annual training.

“Service animals aren’t pets, they are essential medical equipment that can mean the difference between life and death for their users,” said Briel. “Bullying and harassment have no place in our schools in general, and that’s especially true when that harassment puts students’ medical equipment in harm’s way.”

Senate Bill 2761 will require annual training regarding protection and accommodations for students who rely on service animals in classrooms, in addition to what is already included in required educator training. The bill is in response to growing concerns of students’ service animals being taunted and disturbed in school settings, interfering with their role of caring for their student handler.

“The more teachers and instructional staff know about the critical role service animals play, the better they’ll be able to support the students who rely on them for success in the classroom,” said Briel. “This measure ensures that students across Illinois will be able to bring their service animals to school without fear of causing their animals mental or physical distress.”

The measure passed both chambers with bipartisan support and was signed into law by Gov. Pritzker on July 24.

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

CHICAGO – State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, is promoting an upcoming radio interview tomorrow, Wednesday, July 22, at 6:05 p.m. with WCPT 820 AM’s Patti Vasquez and guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal to discuss recent legislative work advocating for Illinoisans with disabilities. 

“I look forward to discussing such an important topic at such a fitting time. July is Disability Pride Month, a time where we can focus attention and truly advocate for the needs of residents with disabilities and their families. Since stepping into this position, it’s been a privilege to be a voice for the unheard, to work with such passionate individuals and groups, and to be patient but persistent enough to realize while we’ve made important strides in this space, there is much more work ahead,” said Briel.

The interview will run for approximately 10-12 minutes. Those interested in tuning in to the broadcast can listen at heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/. Chicago residents can tune in to 820 AM via radio. 

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

OTTAWA, Ill. – State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, is celebrating recent milestones supporting accessibility and inclusion for Illinoisans with disabilities during July’s Disability Pride Month.

“In a time where the disability community is under attack at the federal level, I’m incredibly lucky to be in a position to advocate for our friends and neighbors no matter their ability. Different does not mean less—different is powerful. And frankly, different is what makes America who we are today,” said Briel. “While we’ve made fantastic strides at the state level from the Dignity in Pay Act, Sami’s Law and other initiatives to improve accessibility, inclusiveness and opportunity, there’s more work to be done to ensure protections and support for the disability community are maintained.”

Briel worked to secure protections for Illinoisans with disabilities this spring legislative session by leading or supporting the following measures:

• Sami’s Law (House Bill 4379): Expands restroom accommodations in new, large public buildings by ensuring more handicap restroom stalls include a changing station for Illinois children and adults with severe mobility obstacles or other disabilities. 

• 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 all school faculty receive instruction on service animals during annual training.

• House Bill 4620: Connects families with children with disabilities to cost-saving ABLE accounts upon receiving a diagnosis, enabling them to plan and save for medical equipment, home adaptations and other necessities.

• House Bill 4472: Aims to improve interactions between law enforcement and neurodivergent drivers by establishing the Blue Envelope Program throughout Illinois. 

“This month is a reminder to love who you are. We belong—and the world works better with us,” said Briel. “That’s why I’m going to keep fighting for people like you, me, your friend, neighbor and any other loved one who lives with a disability.”

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

PERU, Ill. – Joined by her office’s trio of advisory councils, state Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D- Ottawa, is inviting community members to a Pistol Shrimp baseball game this Tuesday, July 21, at approximately 6:30 p.m., to enjoy a sensory friendly themed-night while connecting with local families.

“The Pistol Shrimp baseball team is a summer highlight for so many families in the Illinois Valley. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a sensory-friendly evening while watching a great ball game, enjoying some yummy food and chatting with neighbors you may have never connected with before,” said Briel. “This is also a great time to promote the local councils I host and how anyone who wants to can participate in meaningful conversations with other families in the community. Whether you identify with a specific council or simply want to engage with new neighbors and learn more!”

The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimps will face the Danville Dans. Gates open at 5:35 p.m., one-hour prior to the game’s start at 6:35 p.m. at Schweickert Stadium, located at Veterans Memorial Park (2600 Plank Rd.) in Peru. General admission is free. Special treats will be provided to council members.

Briel will accompany members of her three local advisory councils, which meet monthly to discuss topics of interest through lived experiences and other shared perspectives. Briel hosts the Neurodivergent Council, a space for neurodivergent and autistic individuals to meet and discuss issues affecting the disability community, the Council of Wise Elders, which focuses on seniors and aging issues, and the Council of Emerging Professionals, which recruits local residents ages 17-29 years old to advocate for issues affecting younger generations.

“I’m looking forward to this outing and hope to see a great turnout supporting our Pistol Shrimps,” said Briel. “Everyone is invited! My office is available to help any resident seeking more information.”

For more information on this event or to join one of Rep. Briel’s advisory councils, please email contact@staterepbriel.com or call 815-587-7912.

LASALLE COUNTY, Ill. – In recognition of her work advocating for conservation and rural families in agriculture, state Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, received the 2026 Illinois Farm Bureau Friend of Agriculture Award Saturday at the LaSalle County Fair.

“It’s an honor to receive this recognition from a community of advocates that have the same values and fight as I do—protecting our environment, supporting our farmers and ensuring that the families who work tirelessly to put food on the table have the resources they need to do their jobs best,” said Briel. “It’s beyond motivating that my time in Springfield working across aisles is little by little, day by day, improving the lives of neighbors back home.”

The Illinois Farm Bureau is one of the state’s largest grassroots organizations focused on improving the economic well-being of agriculture and the quality of family farm life. Briel was awarded the annual Friend of Agriculture award for leading and supporting a series of legislation this year that protects Illinois’ environment, supports farmers and agriculture workers, incentivizes sustainability and cuts red tape limiting resources and production.

“The work is far from over and I’ll continue working on legislation that protects farmers, their rights and their land,” said Briel.

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

OTTAWA, Ill. — State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, is highlighting a new law signed Friday set to improve interactions between law enforcement and Illinois drivers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by establishing the Blue Envelope Program throughout Illinois.

“By opening this opportunity for neurodivergent drivers, individuals on the spectrum can count on a safe and confidential plan whenever they are at a traffic stop or other emergency situation where interaction with law enforcement is necessary,” said Briel. “We’ve seen this program’s success in parts of the state already, as well as communities across the country, and it’s more than fitting that this useful tool is extended to all neurodivergent Illinoisans.”

Briel supported House Bill 4472 this spring, creating the Blue Envelope Program in Illinois to support easier and safer interactions for neurodivergent drivers when stopped by law enforcement. Working with the Secretary of State’s (SOS) office, residents diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum may use a SOS blue envelope to hold important documents, such as identification and insurance, required to operate their motor vehicle. With all necessary information in one location, individuals can locate documents easily in potentially high stress situations.

This voluntary program seeks to help both law enforcement and drivers in the neurodivergent community feel safe and prepared in their interactions. Additionally, first responders will be able to identify and aid neurodivergent individuals by their blue envelope and work to anticipate any communication barriers during law enforcement interactions.

“This bill is a significant step forward for the neurodivergent community—and a rare but fantastic example of policy that accepts autism and its differences, not assimilates it,” said Briel. “When an officer approaches you as a neurodivergent individual, it’s true that the outcome is not always perfect—the Blue Envelope Program changes that.”

The bipartisan measure was signed into law by the governor Friday afternoon.