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

“Families across Illinois are doing everything right—working hard, raising their children, and contributing to their communities—but too many are still struggling under the weight of rising costs,” Crawford said. “That’s why this budget is so important. It delivers relief where it’s needed most, protects critical services, and invests in the future of working families. Every Illinoisan deserves the chance not just to get by, but to succeed, and that’s exactly what we’re fighting for.” 

Crawford’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 over 100,000 Illinoisans, Crawford’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 Crawford-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.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- Following the conclusion of the spring legislative session, state Rep. Michael Crawford, D-Chicago, is highlighting key measures he advanced this year to strengthen student support services, expand workforce development opportunities, and invest in Illinois’ future.

“Every family deserves access to quality education, economic opportunity, and the resources needed to succeed,” Crawford said. “This session, we took meaningful steps to support students in the classroom and create new pathways to good-paying careers. These measures reflect our commitment to building stronger communities and expanding opportunity across Illinois.”

Among the key pieces of legislation are:

House Bill 4397: This measure modernizes Illinois law by aligning it with the training and licensure standards already required of school psychologists. The legislation requires school psychologists to hold a specialized degree in school psychology, complete at least 60 graduate credit hours, and finish 1,200 hours of supervised experience. By codifying these established standards, the bill helps ensure students continue to receive high-quality mental health, behavioral, and educational support services in schools throughout the state.

House Bill 3460: This legislation creates new apprenticeship pathways for individuals pursuing licensure in barbering, cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology. By expanding access to affordable, hands-on training opportunities, the measure helps remove barriers to entering these professions while strengthening Illinois’ workforce and providing employers with a pipeline of skilled talent.

“Investing in people is one of the most important responsibilities we have as legislators,” Crawford added. “Whether it’s helping students access critical support services or opening doors to career training and workforce opportunities, these initiatives will have a lasting impact on individuals, families, and communities across our state.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- State Rep. Mike Crawford, D-Chicago, advanced legislation to the governor’s desk aimed at strengthening support for students’ academic, behavioral, and mental health needs in schools.

“Every student deserves access to qualified mental health professionals who are equipped to help them succeed both academically and emotionally,” Crawford said. “This legislation modernizes Illinois law to reflect the current standards already used in school psychologist training programs and helps ensure students receive high-quality, evidence-based support.”

House Bill 4397 updates Illinois law to reflect the training and licensure standards that school psychologists are already expected to meet today. The bill requires school psychologists to have a specialized degree in school psychology, complete at least 60 graduate credit hours, and finish 1,200 hours of supervised experience — requirements that are already standard in most accredited training programs. 

The legislation is intended to close outdated gaps in state law, without creating new barriers for qualified professionals entering the field.

The bill also clarifies the services school psychologists may provide, including assessments, mental and behavioral health support, crisis intervention, collaboration with families and community agencies, and programs designed to promote student success.

“School psychologists are often on the front lines of helping students navigate academic pressures, emotional challenges, and mental health concerns,” Crawford said. “By updating state law to match today’s professional standards and clearly defining their role, this measure helps ensure students and families can count on consistent, high-quality support in every school.”

House Bill 4397 has passed both chambers of the General Assembly and now awaits the governor’s signature.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- State Rep. Michael Crawford, D-Chicago, is advancing legislation to the governor’s desk that creates apprenticeship pathways in the barbering and cosmetology industries across Illinois.

“For many Illinoisans, careers in barbering and cosmetology can provide economic opportunity, entrepreneurship, and long-term stability,” Crawford said. “This legislation creates an additional pathway into these professions by allowing individuals to earn as they learn through paid, hands-on training while working toward professional licensure.”

Crawford-led House Bill 3460 creates apprenticeship pathways for individuals pursuing licensure in barbering, cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology professions. The measure expands opportunities for individuals seeking affordable career training options while helping businesses develop skilled workers.

Traditional barber and cosmetology schools will remain important and valuable options for education and training throughout Illinois. House Bill 3460 creates another pathway for individuals who may benefit from an apprenticeship model that combines workforce training with practical experience.

“Apprenticeships give people the opportunity to build skills, gain real-world experience, and earn income at the same time,” Crawford said. “By creating these pathways, we are helping reduce financial barriers to entering these professions while strengthening Illinois’ workforce and supporting small businesses across our communities.”

House Bill 3460 has passed both chambers of the General Assembly and now awaits the governor’s signature.

CHICAGO— . State Rep. Michael Crawford, D-Chicago, released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais allowing states to redraw congressional maps without ensuring minority votes are equitably represented:

“This decision by the Supreme Court is a devastating blow to civil rights and voting rights around the country. The Voting Rights Act was the product of our ancestors’ blood, sweat and tears and we will not let their hard work be erased or undone. Without these provisions insisting on fair representation for minorities, leaders like myself may not have the opportunity to represent our communities simply based on our race.

“I want to be clear: this ruling sets a dangerous precedent for redistricting, but it does not completely dismantle the Voting Rights Act. I’m committed to doing what it takes to protect voting rights and access here in Illinois despite federal backsliding.

“I’m proud of the work we’ve done so far to protect voting rights and equity, and I’m looking forward to ensuring elected officials in Chicago reflect our community, diversity, and culture.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In an effort to address long-standing barriers faced by previously incarcerated individuals, state Rep. Mike Crawford, D-Chicago, successfully advanced legislation out of the House, praising its passage as a step toward reducing obstacles for people with arrest or conviction records.

“Illinois is a state that believes in second chances, but so far that belief has not always been reflected in practice,” Crawford said. “Too often, the consequences extend far beyond a sentence and can follow someone for the rest of their life, making it harder for them to fully move forward.”

In Illinois, nearly 4 million residents—about one in three—have some form of arrest or conviction record. Even after completing their sentences, many encounter significant challenges securing employment, housing, and educational opportunities.

House Bill 5091 establishes a task force composed of experts, researchers, and individuals with lived experience to conduct a comprehensive review of these barriers. The task force will evaluate current policies, identify what is working, and recommend reforms where needed. The legislation does not alter existing criminal laws or sentencing guidelines, but instead focuses on gathering data and developing informed, practical recommendations. A final report is expected by January 2028.

“People are being held back by mistakes they made earlier in life, facing difficulties in the job and housing markets, and even becoming severely depressed as they struggle to reenter society,” Crawford said. “We don’t want that, and that’s why this legislation is key—we will work to find meaningful solutions so everyone has a fair shot after they have already paid their dues for the crimes they committed.”

House Bill 5091 now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- State Rep. Mike Crawford, D-Chicago, is recognizing a significant step forward in expanding preventive health care after legislation he co-sponsored to improve access
to life-saving heart screenings passed the House. 

“Far too many families have lost someone to heart disease when earlier detection could have made a difference,” Crawford said. “The technology to catch these risks early already exists, but not everyone has been able to benefit from them. This legislation is about changing that—making sure more people can access screenings, understand their risk, and take action with their doctors before serious problems develop.”

House Bill 4207 strengthens early detection of heart disease by requiring most health insurance plans, beginning in 2028, to cover medically necessary coronary calcium scans every 36 months for individuals aged 40 and older.

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in Illinois and across the country. Coronary calcium scans are a proven tool for identifying early signs of heart disease, allowing patients and physicians to take preventive action before serious complications arise.

“At the end of the day, this is about giving people a fair shot at staying healthy,” Crawford said. “By removing barriers to these screenings, we’re helping ensure more individuals can catch potential issues early and take control of their health before it turns into something more serious.”

The legislation now advances to the Senate for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- State Rep. Mike Crawford, D-Chicago, has successfully advanced legislation out of committee aimed at addressing long-term barriers faced by individuals with arrest or conviction records across Illinois.

“We believe in second chances, but these are permanent punishments,” Crawford said. “They carry lasting consequences that go beyond the initial sentence and can follow someone for the rest of their life.”

In Illinois, nearly 4 million residents—approximately one in three—have some form of arrest or conviction record. While many individuals have completed their sentences and paid their debt to society, they continue to face significant obstacles when seeking employment, housing, and educational opportunities.

To address this issue, Crawford introduced House Bill 5091, which establishes a task force composed of experts, researchers, and individuals with lived experience to conduct a comprehensive review of the barriers faced by people with records and evaluate existing policies to determine what is effective and what may need reform. The legislation does not change existing criminal laws or sentencing guidelines; instead, it focuses on studying current systems and developing informed recommendations, with the task force expected to meet over the coming years and deliver a final report with findings and recommendations by January 2028.

“When people are unable to find stable employment or housing, it doesn’t make our communities safer—it makes it harder for people to succeed and move forward,” Crawford said. “This is about finding solutions that promote fairness while supporting strong, safe communities, and ensuring that this state balances accountability and opportunity—so everyone has a fair chance to rebuild their lives after they’ve paid their dues.”

The legislation now advances to the House for further consideration. 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Mike Crawford, D-Chicago, applauds Gov. Pritzker’s newly announced Affordability Agenda — a comprehensive housing proposal aimed at expanding the housing supply — while stressing that funding must reach those who need it most.

Illinois faces a shortage of roughly 142,000 homes and will need to build more than 225,000 units over the next five years to meet demand. Meanwhile, home listings have fallen 64% in the past five years, and new construction permits are down 13%, worsening the affordability crisis for families across the state.

“Families earning a living are being strained from every angle,” Crawford said. “Purchasing a home has become more expensive than ever, while wages have not kept pace. The Governor’s plan takes meaningful steps to increase housing availability and remove unnecessary development barriers and that’s a good start.”

Governor Pritzker’s plan includes cutting local government red tape that complicates multi-unit homes and accessory dwelling units, easing permitting and parking rules, and updating building codes. It also includes $250 million in funding—$100 million for middle housing construction, $100 million in municipal grants to help communities address infrastructure barriers to new development, and $50 million for down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers.

Crawford highlighted that raising the housing supply by itself won’t fix the problem. He is also committed to ensuring new investments reach individuals and families who do not have a history of homeownership, and young adults transitioning out of foster care, who face significant barriers. Many of these youth leave the system without savings, a credit history, or family support, making traditional homeownership programs largely out of reach. By providing targeted assistance through this initiative, they can gain a real opportunity to build stability and wealth instead of being left behind in an already challenging housing market.

To directly address these disparities, Crawford introduced House Bill 4283, which establishes the First-Generation Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program. The bill prioritizes applicants purchasing homes in designated community priority areas, those earning below 80% of the area median income, buyers in neighborhoods with low homeownership rates, communities facing high housing cost burdens, and areas with limited access to affordable mortgage credit.

“This program is especially critical for families who have never benefited from inherited wealth and for young adults transitioning out of care,” Crawford said. “Without targeted support, many of these first-generation buyers will remain locked out, even as new housing becomes available. Expanding access is just as essential as expanding supply.”

House Bill 4283 has been assigned to the Housing Committee and awaits consideration.

CHICAGO, Ill. – State Representative Michael Crawford, D- Chicago, released the following statement in response to the Governor’s budget address:

“Too often, communities like ours are overlooked and over the past year, that reality has become even clearer. Families have been getting hit where it hurts the most and that’s why I am committed to fighting for resources that benefit my community. 

“Today, we heard the Governor’s budget address and the real work begins now.  I am looking forward to reviewing the proposed budget carefully, line by line, to ensure it truly reflects the
priorities of our community. I will be focused on solutions that improve everyday life for residents, including easing rising costs, creating opportunities for homeownership, and providing strong support to our schools through evidence-based funding practices.

“Education remains a top priority. Every student deserves access to high-quality education, and every family deserves transparency and fairness in how schools are funded. At the same time, we must make sure that higher education remains affordable so that college is an attainable goal, not a financial burden, for all students in our district.

“I am committed to listening to residents and collaborating with colleagues so all working families will benefit from the policies we put in place.”