CHICAGO – State Rep. Lisa Davis, D–Chicago, released the following statement congratulating St. Rita High School on winning its first-ever Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State Championship:

“What an incredible accomplishment for St. Rita High School! Congratulations to the players, coaches, families, and the entire Mustang community on bringing home the school’s first-ever IHSA Baseball State Championship.

“This team showed what can happen when hard work, determination, and teamwork come together. Earning your first state title is something no one can ever take away, and you’ve made school history in the process.

“High school sports help shape young people into leaders, teammates, and resilient members of our community. Achievements like this bring people together, inspire the next generation, and remind us all of the pride that comes from supporting our local schools.

“Championships aren’t won by talent alone. They take countless hours of practice, commitment, and the support of dedicated coaches, families, classmates, teachers, and fans who believe in you every step of the way. This victory belongs to all of them, too.

“Thank you for giving our community something to celebrate and for representing St. Rita with such pride, sportsmanship, and class throughout the season. Congratulations again on an unforgettable year, and best of luck in everything that comes next. You’ve made all of us proud.”

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. – Following the conclusion of the spring legislative session, state Rep. Lisa Davis, D-Chicago, is highlighting legislative victories that deliver meaningful results for Illinois residents by strengthening healthcare, improving school safety, expanding pathways to rehabilitation, and increasing consumer protections. 

“This session was about delivering results for the people we serve,” Davis said. “From improving care for seniors living with dementia and increasing safety in our schools to expanding opportunities for rehabilitation and strengthening consumer protections, we focused on practical solutions that make our communities healthier, safer, and stronger. I look forward to continuing that work on behalf of Illinois families.” 

This session, Davis advanced several key pieces of legislation that will have a lasting impact on families and communities across Illinois, including: 

• House Bill 4584: This measure requires caregivers in Illinois’ Home Services Program to receive dementia training when they are hired and annually thereafter. 

The training will help caregivers better understand Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, improve communication with patients, recognize safety risks, and respond effectively to behavioral challenges, ensuring higher-quality care for seniors and individuals living with cognitive impairments. 

• Senate Bill 3880: This legislation creates a more supportive approach for eligible individuals facing certain criminal charges by connecting them with case management services rather than relying solely on punitive measures. 

Participants who successfully complete the program can have their cases dismissed, helping them avoid long-term barriers while remaining accountable through the court system.

• House Bill 3275: To improve emergency preparedness in schools, this bill requires all school coaches to maintain certification in CPR, first aid, and AED use. 

It also requires schools to establish trained cardiac emergency response teams and conduct annual emergency drills, helping ensure students receive immediate care during cardiac emergencies.

• Senate Bill 3222: This legislation establishes stronger statewide regulations for hemp products, including licensing, testing, labeling, and enforcement requirements. 

The bill also updates Illinois cannabis laws to strengthen consumer protections, improve product safety, and ensure these products are regulated responsibly.

These measures reflect Davis’s continued focus on addressing real, everyday challenges facing Illinois families. From improving the quality of care for seniors and individuals with dementia, to making schools better prepared for life-threatening emergencies, to ensuring fairness and accountability in the justice system, and strengthening oversight of consumer products, each bill is designed to improve safety, stability, and opportunity across communities. Together, they represent a coordinated effort to make the government more responsive to the needs of the people it serves. 

“As we move forward, I remain committed to advancing policies that improve public health, increase safety, and create opportunities for people to succeed,” Davis said. “The work we accomplished this session reflects our commitment to building stronger communities.” 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Lisa Davis, D-Chicago, advanced legislation to the governor’s desk that strengthens statewide oversight of hemp products, improves consumer safety, and supports equity in Illinois’ growing cannabis and hemp industries.

“As the hemp and cannabis industries continue to grow, Illinois must ensure these products are properly regulated and safe for consumers,” Davis said. “This legislation puts clear standards in place so people know what they are buying, and can trust that products meet basic safety and quality requirements.”

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

The legislation also helps strengthen 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.

“For too long, Black and Brown communities faced the consequences of over-criminalization while being left out of the economic opportunities created by legalization,” Davis said. “This legislation continues Illinois’ work to build a safer, more equitable industry that protects consumers while creating pathways for historically impacted communities to participate and succeed.”

The legislation has passed both chambers and now awaits the governor’s signature.

LOMBARD, Ill. – State Representative Lisa Davis was among 39 select lawmakers chosen to participate in a training program that annually identifies and assists promising state leaders in the Midwest. 

Representative Davis will meet with fellow lawmakers from Illinois and 10 other Midwestern states and four Canadian provinces on July 17-21 in Madison, Wis., for The Council of State Governments’ 31st annual Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD). 

“The Bowhay Institute is one of the premier leadership training programs in the nation,” says lowa Sen. Amy Sinclair, who serves as co-chair of the institute’s steering committee. “The legislatures in the region have benefited greatly from the skills their members have gained through this unique educational experience. Many of the graduates now hold key leadership positions in their state.” 

Since 1995, more than 1,000 lawmakers have graduated from the Bowhay Institute. State and provincial legislators from Illinois, Indiana, lowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Saskatchewan are chosen to participate through a competitive, nonpartisan selection process. Members of the Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario legislative assemblies are selected by their caucuses to take part in the program. 

BILLD was founded in 1995 to help new legislators meet the demands of increased policy responsibility being shifted to the states and, in many states, term limits and high legislative turnover. These two emerging forces highlight the shortage of training available for legislators — a void that BILLD aims to fill. 

A program of The Council of State Governments’ Midwestern Office, the 2026 BILLD program will include courses and seminars conducted by policy experts, Midwestern legislative leaders, and professional development trainers. In addition to curriculum designed to develop leadership skills, the program analyzes a variety of public policy issues. 

The Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development is named in honor of the late James Bowhay, longtime director of The Council of State Governments’ Midwestern Office. The program is funded through grants from foundations and corporate sponsors and an in-kind contribution from The Council of State Governments’ Midwestern Office.

 Founded in 1933, The Council of State Governments has national headquarters in Lexington, Ky., and regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago (Lombard, Ill), New York City, and Sacramento. The goal of the national, nonpartisan organization is to assist and advance state government by providing research assistance, professional development and educational opportunities, interstate consulting services, and public policy trends analysis.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Lisa Davis, D-Chicago, advanced legislation to the governor’s desk that improves care for individuals living with dementia by strengthening training requirements for home care workers.

“Individuals living with dementia deserve care that is informed, compassionate, and responsive to their daily needs,” Davis said. “By strengthening training requirements for caregivers, we can help ensure families have greater confidence that their loved ones are receiving safe, thoughtful, and high-quality support.”

House Bill 4584 requires Home Services Program rehabilitation counselors and homemaker agency employees who provide direct care to participants to complete at least two hours of dementia training upon hire and annually thereafter. The training will cover key topics such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia-related safety risks, effective communication strategies, and approaches for responding to behavioral challenges.

“As more Illinois families navigate the challenges of dementia care, it’s important that caregivers have the tools and training necessary to respond effectively,” Davis said. “This measure strengthens our care workforce, supports better outcomes for patients, and helps families feel more supported throughout the caregiving process.”

House Bill 4584 has passed both chambers of the General Assembly and now awaits the governor’s signature.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Representative Lisa Davis, D-Chicago, is highlighting a step toward improving Illinois’ criminal justice system after legislation creating the Emerging Adult Criminal Justice Task Force passed the House.

“Young adults are often overlooked in our justice system, and their specific situations aren’t always taken into account,” Davis said. “This legislation is about examining how these cases are handled and making sure the system is fair, works effectively, and leads to better results for both individuals and our communities.”

House Bill 5434 creates the Emerging Adult Criminal Justice Task Force within the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. The task force will hold public meetings in different regions across the state while reviewing laws and practices that affect young adults, including pretrial processes, sentencing, corrections, supervision, and reentry. Based on its findings, the group will develop recommendations to improve state laws, policies, and programs, and will submit an initial report by January 31, 2027.

“This task force allows us to hear from communities, review the data, and make informed improvements,” Davis said. “By understanding what’s effective and what isn’t, we can create a system that holds people accountable while also encouraging rehabilitation and making our communities safer.”

The legislation now advances to the Senate for further consideration. 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Lisa Davis, D-Chicago, passed legislation unanimously out of the House to improve care for individuals living with dementia by strengthening training requirements for home care workers.

“Caring for someone with dementia requires consistency, patience, and specialized knowledge,” Davis said. “This legislation ensures that caregivers are better prepared to meet the unique needs of these individuals and provide the structured support that is critical to their well-being.”

House Bill 4584 requires Home Services Program rehabilitation counselors and homemaker agency employees who provide direct care to participants to complete at least two hours of dementia training upon hire and annually thereafter. The training will cover key topics such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia-related safety risks, effective communication strategies, and approaches for responding to behavioral challenges.

“Families across Illinois rely on well-trained caregivers to support their loved ones,” Davis said. “By strengthening training standards, we are investing in a more capable workforce and better outcomes for those living with dementia. I’m encouraged by the unanimous support and eager to see this bill continue moving forward.”

House Bill 4584 now advances to the Senate for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Lisa Davis, D-Chicago, has advanced legislation out of committee aimed at improving care for individuals living with dementia.

“To help prevent the condition from worsening, patients with dementia need to follow strict routines,” Davis said. “We must ensure that home care workers receive comprehensive training so they have the skills and tools needed to support these routines and help patients maintain the highest possible quality of life, even while managing their condition.”

House Bill 4584 requires Home Services Program rehabilitation counselors and homemaker agency employees who provide direct care to participants to complete at least two hours of dementia training upon hire and annually thereafter. The training will cover key topics such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia-related safety risks, and effective communication strategies, as well as approaches for responding to behavioral challenges.

The bill also clarifies that if workers have already gone through similar training under other rules, they won’t need to take it again.

“By ensuring caregivers receive consistent, high-quality dementia training, this legislation helps strengthen the workforce and improves the level of care provided to families across Illinois,” Davis said. “I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to push this legislation forward.” 

The legislation now advances to the House for further consideration.

CHICAGO – Historically under-resourced communities will have better access to comprehensive dental care under a new measure introduced by state Rep. Lisa Davis, D-Chicago, allowing community health centers to provide additional forms of care.

“We want community health centers to have the resources they need to ensure patients receive the care they need, while keeping everyone safe,” Davis said. “This measure gives us a head start by allowing trained dental hygienists to do what they are trained to do, so families who rely on these clinics get the best possible care.”

Many modest-income families and people in communities with limited access to medical treatment depend on community health centers and outpatient Federally Qualified Health Centers for a range of medical tests and procedures. But current law limits the score of dental care available at these centers by preventing hygienists from providing local anesthesia—which is necessary to prevent pain during basic procedures such as filling a cavity. Dental hygienists working in private practices are allowed to deliver local anesthesia.    

Davis is working to expand access to quality dental care by introducing House Bill 4913, which allows trained dental hygienists in these clinics to give local anesthesia as long as a physician is on site, helping clinics care for patients more efficiently. Hygienists would go through the same training and be under the same supervision as their counterparts at private clinics. 

“We want our underserved communities to have the same access to care as everyone else, and that includes dental care,” Davis said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this legislation.”