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. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, has helped pass another smart, balanced budget, preserving the support Illinoisans need without any additional taxes on working class families.

“Over the last year, we’ve seen prices skyrocket while important social support programs are being massively cut. Our people are struggling to make ends meet,” said Gordon-Booth. “This budget works to offset some of the poor decisions at the federal level that have left our state to financially fend for itself.”

Because of the chaos and destruction of the Trump Administration, Illinois families are struggling to keep their heads above water. With high costs and more social hardships, Gordon-Booth advocates for a budget that will make life easier and more affordable for everyone in Peoria and across the state.

This year’s budget fully funds:

• Homelessness prevention programs,
• Safety net hospitals, providing care regardless of health insurance status, and
• Community-based violence prevention programs.

Highlights of the budget include investments in:

• The Fresh Act, giving Illinoisans who lost SNAP benefits a one time SNAP credit,
• Funding for school lunch programs, 
• Federally Qualified Health Centers, providing care in underserved areas, and
• Working class people by temporarily freezing the gas tax, beginning in July.

“Budgeting must be done tactfully, preserving and improving the support our state can offer without creating unmanageable costs. It can feel like a losing battle at times, but we’ve managed to yet again pass a balanced budget that will support Illinoisans despite the lack of support we’re getting from Washington.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, passed a bill creating the Higher Education Student Support and Academic Freedom Act, protecting the rights and freedoms of college and university students.

“Our college students are afforded the freedom of speech and expression just like every other American,” said Gordon-Booth. “Despite federal attempts to silence and punish college students, we’re working to maintain fair and equitable higher education opportunities in Illinois.”

House Bill 4304 creates the Higher Education Student Support and Academic Freedom Act, guaranteeing students that their safety on campus will be a priority, their academic freedom and ability to speak freely will be protected, and their financial interests will be maintained. 

Additionally, as the cost of a college education becomes more and more of a challenge, universities and colleges will be required to disclose tuition, fees, and any other material financial obligations to students for true cost clarity.

This bill responds to federal attacks on higher education funding and students’ freedom of speech, ensuring that Illinois students of higher education can exercise their freedom of speech and opportunity.

“I’m proud to represent students at Bradley University and Illinois Central College,” said Gordon-Booth. “These students are some of our best and brightest, and while they invest their college years in our community, we need to support our college students’ freedom and opportunities.”

House Bill 4304 heads to the Senate for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, has passed legislation aimed at improving care for individuals living with dementia. The bill requires all service workers and affiliates of the Department of Human Services (DHS) to complete dementia training at the beginning of their employment.

“Our community is so lucky to have a robust and highly regarded healthcare system and workers,” said Gordon-Booth. “Ensuring our home healthcare workers are properly trained to care for patients with dementia or other memory issues allows for patients to be well cared for and careworkers to be prepared, physically and mentally, for their taxing job.”

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 their hiring, 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. Any similar existing training can be used to meet the new two hour minimum.

“When caring for a patient with memory loss, healthcare workers may be adored by their patient one day and be unrecognizable to the patient hours or days later,” said Gordon-Booth. “With this training, care workers will learn ways to both respond to their patient and regulate themselves.”

House Bill 4584 passed the House unanimously and now heads to the Senate.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, passed a bill creating the OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois Fund, which will  be primarily funded by new OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois vehicle decals.

“The OSF System’s headquarters is right here in Peoria, and they offer high quality medical treatment across the State of Illinois,” said Gordon-Booth. “By creating this new fund and source of revenue for Children’s Hospital, we’re investing in high quality healthcare for all the children in our community and around the state.”

House Bill 4558 establishes the OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois Fund to be financed by profit from specific vehicle decals. Decals will cost $25, with proceeds to be split between the OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois Fund ($10) and the Secretary of State (SOS) Special License Plate Fund ($15).

Decal renewal will also cost $25, with $23 going to the OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois Fund and the remaining $2 to the SOS Special License Plate Fund.

“OSF Children’s Hospital is nationally ranked, provides children acute and specialist care, and is one of only four Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Centers in the entire state,” said Gordon-Booth. “Our community is proud to be the home of such crucial care, and I’m proud to ensure their work can continue to help children all around the state.”

House Bill 4558 passed in the House and goes to the Senate for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jehan Gordon Booth, D-Peoria supported legislation that would designate every July 25 as Emmett Till Day in Illinois, honoring the life of a boy who was brutally murdered and became central to the Civil Rights Movement. 

“My mother was a lifelong advocate, ignited by two events: reading the Diary of Anne Frank and seeing the brutal murder of Emmett Till,” said Gordon-Booth. “My father was born in Money, Mississippi, the same place Emmett was murdered. The story and tragedy of Emmett Till has touched my life in so many ways, and I’m proud to support this legislation.”

House Bill 4323 would add July 25 to Illinois’ list of commemorative holidays. While the designation would not close state offices, it would encourage schools, municipalities, elected officials, and community organizations to mark the day through education, reflection, and public programming.

Emmett Till, a fourteen-year-old born in Chicago, was brutalized to death in Mississippi, where he was visiting family. A white woman accused teenage Till of whistling at her, and her family responded by abducting and lynching Till. Upon his murder in 1955, in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement, Till’s mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, brought her mutilated son back to Alsip, Illinois, where he was buried.

“The family of Emmett Till turned their tragedy into a movement, ensuring Emmett remained an important part of the Civil Rights Movement and in our country’s racial consciousness. This day is for them, too,” said Gordon-Booth. “My mother was mobilized by the lynching of Emmett Till and my father was born in the same town he was murdered. Just one generation later, I’m proud to work to recognize the lynching of Emmett Till and the legacy his family created.”

House Bill 4323 passed unanimously in the House and heads to the Senate.

PEORIA, Ill. – In celebration of motherhood and womanhood, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, is hosting a Mother’s Day Senior Brunch and Social on the afternoon of May 3.

“I’m so excited to invite senior mothers out for brunch, giveaways, and women-centered community connection!” said Gordon-Booth. “Motherhood can often mean putting your children, family and community’s needs above your own. Mother’s Day is a great reminder to take the time to take care of yourself. Join us for an afternoon all about you, with great food and conversation!” 

The Mother’s Day Senior Brunch will be held on May 3, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at The Gateway by Childers (200 Northeast Water Street, Peoria, IL 61602). 

The event is free to attend and registration is required. RSVP to repjgordon@gmail.com or (309) 681-1992.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, helped pass a bill encouraging and expanding access to youth civic engagement by requiring high schools to provide voter registration opportunities and information, inspired by the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.

“In our state, registering to vote is often a simple, straightforward process, and now it will be even easier for high school students to register,” said Gordon-Booth. “With more resources, I hope more young people will continue to vote and ensure their voices are heard in our community and beyond.”

House Bill 4339, establishing the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Act, ensures that all public high schools offer students of voting age the opportunity to register to vote. Registering to vote can be complicated, especially for first-time voters. This bill will give high schoolers a safe space to learn, ask questions, and take steps towards civic engagement. 

This bill honors Rev. Jackson, Sr. and his dedication to equal rights and public service, who passed away earlier this year after a storied career marching alongside Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., developing the Rainbow Coalition based in Chicago, and so much more.

“We only have this opportunity to encourage young voters because of the advocates who came before us, including Rev. Jackson, who risked their lives for the rights and freedoms we have today,” said Gordon-Booth. “I’m proud to support legislation that will work to expand voter registration efforts, and I hope to see our youth at polling places later this year.”

House Bill 4339 was passed unanimously by Democrats, with 24 Republicans voting against and nine not voting, and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, issued the following statement Wednesday after Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s annual budget address:

“Today is the first step in a larger process to craft a responsible and compassionate budget that uplifts communities, expands opportunity and pursues a more affordable future for all families.

“The stakes are high. This White House and Washington have made it clear they are going to be antagonistic toward our state and its people. That’s why we need to prioritize and strengthen our support for school funding, child care, health care and other essential services residents depend on.

“We also need to continue to take smart, budget-conscious steps to improve our state’s financial standing. Doing so not only respects taxpayers, it gives us the flexibility needed to address challenges from Washington as they arise.

“Through a human-centered lens, we’re going to fight for every Illinoisan. I look forward to reviewing the governor’s proposal in detail, and getting to work on a plan that reflects the very best of Illinois.”

For more information, please contact RepJGordon@gmail.com.

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CHICAGO – A new law spearheaded by state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, will provide residents a second chance by automatically sealing minor court records, helping to remove a significant barrier for jobs, education, housing and other opportunities.

“Court records for low-level offenses have often become a form of permanent punishment, damaging communities and preventing individuals from pursuing the better life they want,” Gordon-Booth said. “Millions of Illinoisans have old arrest records or minor convictions that could be sealed, but the process is often complex and costly. Today, we’re changing that. Today, we’re truly fulfilling the promise that everyone who has transformed their life deserves a second chance.”

Gordon-Booth’s measure, House Bill 1836, was signed into law Friday morning by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The new law transitions the sealing process for certain criminal and petty offense records from a petition-based process to an automatic one initiated by the Illinois State Police. It does not guarantee that a record will be sealed, it only initiates the process for qualified cases. Certain offenses, such as, but not limited to, murder, sex offenses, bodily harm, no contact orders, Class X felonies and robbery do not qualify for sealing.

House Bill 1836 applies specifically to sealing records, not expunging them. Records that are sealed, while off limits to the public, may still be accessed, if necessary, by law enforcement, prosecutors and sensitive employers, such as daycares and schools.

Timelines for the sealing process vary on offense.

“This is impactful legislation that is the result of years of negotiations between criminal justice reformers, business groups, law enforcement, housing advocates and more,” Gordon-Booth said. “I’m grateful for everyone who helped get us to this moment. This is going to make a big difference for a lot of people.”

For more information, please contact RepJGordon@gmail.com.