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.

DES PLAINES, Ill. — State Rep. Justin Cochran, D-Des Plaines, is highlighting available resources and safety information following flooding originating from the Des Plaines River impacting the north suburban Chicago area over the weekend. The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings that could remain in effect over the next few days, and has said it expects waters to remain above flood stage or even approach major flood levels later in the week.

“Dangerous weather conditions are not to be taken lightly and protecting our homes and families is crucial,” Cochran said. “My office is closely monitoring this developing situation in concert with local officials. I’ve been in touch with Mayor Goczkowski and we are working together to ensure that all available support is being directed to those impacted. We are continually evaluating what state support is available and appropriate and will coordinate with the Governor based on evolving conditions.

“Do not hesitate to reach out to my office if you need information or assistance.”

Cochran’s constituent service office can be reached at 847-635-6821 or contact@repjustincochran.com. 

The City of Des Plaines has announced that city departments are coordinating to respond to this situation as it develops.

As of Monday morning, sandbags remain available for pickup from the Public Works facility at 1111 Joseph Schwab Rd. Public Works may also establish sandbag filling stations throughout the area as developing conditions warrant.

Cochran’s office is also sharing the following safety information from Ready Illinois with the public:

• Flooding, particularly near rivers and their tributaries, can continue to persist or worsen even after storms pass. Continue to exercise caution until officials advise that dangerous conditions have passed.
• Listen to all warnings and information from local and state public safety authorities.
• DO NOT drive through standing water, particularly if you are not certain how deep it is. Water deep enough to endanger a vehicle can appear shallow.
• Wear proper protective clothing and equipment when cleaning up following a flood—including work gloves, sturdy boots and long sleeves.
• If there are downed power lines, avoid the area, especially any standing water, which could be electrified.
• Avoid standing water even if there are no downed wires, as it could be contaminated.
• If you have property damage, document it with photos before cleaning up.
• Do not use generators indoors. Only use them outdoors with proper ventilation.
• Beware of scams following any disaster. Safeguard personal information and never pre-pay for services.
• Visit ready.illinois.gov for more information.
• Follow the City of Des Plaines’ official website—desplainesil.gov—for current warnings, information or announcements. 

“This is an ongoing situation and area businesses and families need to be paying attention,” Cochran said. “Just because the storms have passed does not mean the flooding will now subside. Remain vigilant and make preparations to keep your homes and families safe.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Justin Cochran, D-Des Plaines, passed a bill Tuesday requiring transparency from diaper-makers as to the materials in their products.

“A kid’s diaper is the one thing they wear the most, and it’s the only thing they wear that doesn’t have a label on it that says what it’s made of,” Cochran said. “Kids are also some of the most vulnerable to things like allergens, chemicals and other potentially irritating materials. That’s why parents need to know what their kids’ diapers are made from.”

Cochran’s House Bill 4702 would require, beginning one year from its effective date, that all diapers sold in Illinois carry a plain and conspicuous label listing all ingredients in order of highest to lowest content—in addition to, not instead of, any other labeling requirements.

There would be a fine for anyone who fails to comply with the labeling requirement, based on an agreement reached with the industry during negotiations. But Cochran says it’s not about fines.

“At the end of the day, this is about centering families. The requirement here—list the materials that are in your diapers on the box they come in—isn’t burdensome or unusual, and regulating these companies isn’t the point.” Cochran said. “The point is giving parents the tools and the information they need to protect their children from allergens. The point is promoting greater safety for the youngest kids in our state and greater empowerment for their families. In my book, families come first, and if you’re not onboard with that, I’m more than comfortable saying that you don’t get to put your product on people’s kids.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — As Tuesday marked the four-year anniversary of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine as part of its unprovoked war of aggression against its neighbor, state Rep. Justin Cochran, D-Des Plaines, sponsored a resolution condemning Russia and calling for the end of its attempted conquest.

“Four years ago, in 2022, we all watched as Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, a heinous act that has since developed into the deadliest European war since World War II,” Cochran said. “Not since 1945 has a nation-state engaged in such large-scale, naked aggression without any provocation or justification. That’s why it’s important not to allow this awful conflict to get lost in the noise of a world where brazen transgressions are increasingly common.”

Cochran’s House Resolution 693:

• Condemns the unlawful invasion and occupation of Ukrainian territory by the Russian Federation based on a meritless propaganda narrative;
• Condemns massacres and other war crimes carried out by Russian troops, including the kidnapping and forced deportation of Ukrainian children and calls for their immediate return;
• Calls on the Russian Federation to pull all troops out of Ukraine and put aside its fabricated territorial claims.

Cochran filed the resolution Tuesday afternoon after meeting in the statehouse rotunda with Ukrainian-American advocates for peace and Ukrainian sovereignty. 

“The gallant people of Ukraine continue to face a nightmare every day—that of death, maiming, subjugation and unspeakable atrocities at the hands of a giant rogue state acting with no regard for sovereignty, human rights, international law or for the lessons of history,” Cochran said. “While it’s sadly far from certain, we can hope for an end to this carnage before another of these anniversaries arrives. Until then, it falls to each of us not to allow this terrible injustice to go unrecognized.”

House Resolution 693 currently awaits committee assignment.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Justin Cochran, D-Des Plaines, issued the following statement after attending Gov. JB Pritzker’s budget and State of the State address to the General Assembly on Wednesday.

“The governor has addressed the General Assembly and confirmed what we’ve all been seeing—too much is too expensive, and families are struggling more than is necessary. The sharing of his plan is the first step, but now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and begin the real process in earnest. The main work of crafting a budget involves turning hopes and aspirations into words on paper that make them real for Illinois families.

“Of course, getting it done for Illinois also involves an extra challenge this year—working to counteract the malicious inhumanity coming out of Washington. We’ve all seen that their policies are not compassionate, responsible, smart or disciplined. That’s why our budget has to be all four. I look forward to the process and the challenge of investing in a brighter future for Illinois.”

DES PLAINES, Ill. — State Rep. Justin Cochran, D-Des Plaines, has filed a bill that would update the terminology in existing laws that is used to describe persons with disabilities, replacing outdated terms that are no longer in use and bringing Illinois’ language closer to that which is used in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

“The words we use matter, and this is especially true when we use them in connection with people who are members of vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities,” Cochran said. “That’s why I’m partnering with experts and advocates to ensure that the laws of our state are keeping up with evolving standards for referring to our neighbors and fellow citizens in a manner that is respectful and in keeping with their inherent dignity.”

Cochran’s House Bill 4284 would make technical changes to a wide variety of acts and statutes, changing all occurrences of, for example, “disabled person” to “person with a disability,” and “handicapped” to “has a disability.” The bill was inspired by Massachusetts’ Senate Bill 2563 which updated that state’s laws in a similar way. Cochran is working with advocates including the Special Olympics and the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is also providing constructive feedback.

“Language shapes how people are seen and treated, and person-first terminology reinforces that individuals are not defined by a disability,” said Pete Beale-DelVecchio, President and CEO of Special Olympics Illinois. “Inclusion begins with how we speak about one another and this legislation reflects the dignity of individuals with disabilities and reinforces the inclusive values we strive for across Illinois.”

“A measure like this might seem like a small thing but, particularly in times like these, when basic decency often seems to be in short supply, it’s especially important for good people to do everything we can to stem the tide and move the world in a better direction, even if the going is slow,” Cochran said. “That’s why I don’t think this is a small thing, in reality. Big problems grow from small roots, and when we start with respect, we start with a strong foundation to build in a better direction.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Justin Cochran, D-Des Plaines, arrived in Springfield this week to begin discharging his duties as a member of the Illinois House, and capped the week by helping to pass five major resolutions taking aim at the Trump administration amid a nationwide furor over policies that have resulted in deadly authoritarian crackdowns, loss of critical benefits for vulnerable people and the unprecedented abduction of a foreign head of state and unilateral occupation.

“What I’d like to be saying this week is how honored I am to have the privilege of representing the people of my community on the floor of the House, but this isn’t just another week,” Cochran said. “While I am honored, more than I know how to say, what’s clear to me is that the usual remarks are not constructive in the situation we find ourselves in. What’s important now is for the people’s representatives to get straight to work calling out the lawlessness and chaotic blundering of the administration in Washington and, more than that, its illegal and authoritarian tactics. This critical moment calls for action, and that’s what I’ve tried to contribute this week.”

Cochran was appointed to his seat in December after longtime state Rep. Marty Moylan, D- Des Plaines retired for health reasons. He previously served the community as Moylan’s chief of staff.

Cochran voted Wednesday to:

• Urge Congress to reinstate the healthcare subsidies within the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 to keep healthcare affordable and accessible for over 500,000 Illinoisans who depend on the ACA marketplace.
• Call for the immediate release of the $10 billion in child care funds frozen across democratic-majority states, including over $1 billion to Illinois families and children facing poverty, chronic illness or disability.
• Prompt the United States Treasury to issue $2,000 payments to every American household with an annual income below $250,000 to account for the lost wages and savings undone by Donald Trump’s tariff scheme that raised prices for every U.S. family.
• Call on Congress to hold Donald Trump accountable for his illegal use of military action and American dollars to fund illegitimate operations, including in Venezuela, unprovoked attacks toward Cuba and Iran, and threats of forcefully pursuing Greenland’s autonomous territory.
• Condemn the excessive and deadly force deployed by civil immigration agents under the direction of Trump’s Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, by calling for her immediate resignation and an independent investigation into committed, directed or covered up acts of violence, killings and deaths in immigration custody.

“The actions we’ve seen coming out of Washington over the last year do not reflect who we are as Americans and are completely out of step with our core values and the rule of law,” Cochran said. “Taking office in times like these will be a challenge, but it’s one I’m prepared for. I won’t stop working and supporting my new colleagues until our communities are safe and secure against authoritarian abuses once again.”