BELLEVILLE, Ill. – With Easter around the corner, state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is thanking area residents for their generous donations to create Easter baskets for local youth in foster care at Caritas Family Solutions.

“These Easter baskets look terrific, and they’re going to put smiles on many faces this Sunday,” Hoffman said. “Thank you to every single person who supported this drive, your generosity is meaningful for the children.”  

Hoffman’s office collected donations throughout the month of March, and recently delivered the collection of Easter baskets, candy, games, art supplies, toys, books and other items to Caritas Family Solutions. 

More than 30 youth at Caritas will receive the baskets this holiday weekend.

For more information about Caritas Family Solutions and their foster work, please visit https://caritasfamilysolutions.org/.

For additional information about the drive, please contact RepJayHoffman@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A pro-worker initiative led by state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, to strengthen the Workplace Rights Bureau, close loopholes and hold bad actors accountable will head to the full House for consideration. 

“I’m proud to partner with Attorney General Kwame Raoul as we look to enhance the bureau’s capabilities to investigate and prosecute violations of laws that protect Illinois workers,” Hoffman said. “Among many benefits, strengthening the Workplace Rights Bureau will create safer work environments and ensure Illinois workers receive their hard-earned money.” 

The Attorney General’s Workplace Rights Bureau protects and advances employment rights for workers across the state, investigating and litigating cases involving serious or persistent violations of workplace safety, wage theft and other unfair employment practices.

Hoffman’s House Bill 4725, which passed the House Executive Committee on Wednesday, strengthens investigative tools, clarifies the bureau’s jurisdiction, streamlines subpoena procedures and institutes needed penalties to stop those who destroy evidence or refuse to comply with the law.

Additional information about the Workplace Rights Bureau, including an annual Labor Day Report, can be viewed at https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/rights-of-the-people/workplace-rights/.

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

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – Throughout March, state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is collecting donations from the community to put together Easter baskets for local youth in foster care at Caritas Family Solutions.

“We want to make sure these kids have a great Easter, so we’re putting together baskets with candy, games and other fun items,” Hoffman said. “I’m always moved by the incredible generosity of our community, and I’m thankful for every donation we receive. Every bit helps to make a difference.”

Items can be dropped off at a bin outside Hoffman’s office at 2300 W. Main St., Suite M200 in Belleville. Requested items include:

• Candy
• Sunglasses
• Beef Jerky
• Fidgets
• Activity Books
• Puzzles
• Card Games
• Stuffed animals
• Hats (baseball or trucker style)
• Lotions and/or body sprays (male or female)
• Press-on nails 

For more information about the drive, please contact RepJayHoffman@gmail.com or call 618-416-7407.

Additional information about Caritas Family Solutions and their foster work can be found at https://caritasfamilysolutions.org/.

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is partnering with Attorney General Kwame Raoul on an initiative to strengthen the Workplace Rights Bureau, enhancing the bureau’s capabilities to investigate and prosecute violations of laws that protect Illinois workers.

“Bad actors are taking advantage of loopholes, and it’s time to pursue updates that will reinforce our Workplace Rights Bureau and expand its effectiveness,” Hoffman said. “I’m proud to partner with Attorney General Raoul, and am thankful for the hard work his staff does each and every day to fight for Illinois workers.”

“The Workplace Rights Bureau in the Attorney General’s office has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of Illinois workers. This measure will enhance our ability to investigate and prosecute potential violations of the laws that protect working people around Illinois,” Raoul said. “I appreciate Leader Hoffman’s work on this legislation and his years of advocacy on behalf of employees throughout Illinois.”

The Workplace Rights Bureau protects and advances employment rights for workers across the state, investigating and litigating cases involving serious or persistent violations of workplace safety, wage theft and other unfair employment practices.

Hoffman’s House Bill 4725 strengthens investigative tools, clarifies the bureau’s jurisdiction, streamlines subpoena procedures and institutes needed penalties to stop those who destroy evidence or refuse to comply with the law.

Additional information about the Workplace Rights Bureau, including an annual Labor Day Report, can be viewed at https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/rights-of-the-people/workplace-rights/.

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

State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, has moved into a new office on the former Belleville West High School and Lindenwood University-Belleville Campus in the Old Main Hall. The campus houses various local government organizations and educational institutions.

“We’re so excited to be in an easy to access space along with other public entities,” Hoffman said. “One of the most important duties, as a state representative, is to help out members of the community when they are in need. This location allows us to continue our high level of service.”

Old Main Hall, where Hoffman’s office is now located, also houses three City of Belleville offices, the Illinois State Police Metro East Forensic Science Laboratory and Southern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission. Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School, Southwestern Illinois College and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) also utilize the campus for educational opportunities ranging from Southwestern Illinois Police Academy courses to SIUE’s Masters in Forensic Science program.

“It’s great to see this space revitalized, and we’re excited to welcome residents,” Hoffman said. “If you or your family need assistance on a state matter, please do not hesitate to connect with us.”

Hoffman’s new office is located at 2300 W. Main Street, Suite M200, in Belleville and can be reached at 618-416-7407.

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, issued the following statement Friday after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s global tariffs imposed through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA):

“Today’s Supreme Court decision is welcome news for the Metro East and our nation’s economy. These unilaterally imposed tariffs have been a tax increase on working families, hitting consumers with higher prices while so many struggle to make ends meet.

“We must now ask what should happen with the billions collected by the Treasury Department while these tariffs were in effect. It’s clear to me that Washington should look to reimburse impacted working families as soon as possible. These are the people who have been most affected by rising costs, let’s make sure they’re the first in line to receive their money back.

“In Illinois, many businesses and jobs are tied to our global economy, and I’m hopeful today’s decision will deliver needed stability. I encourage Washington to deliberately pursue more sensible trade policies that can strengthen our local industries, create jobs and put us on a better economic path forward.”

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

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, releases the following statement regarding Governor JB Pritzker’s budget address:

“We’ve heard the governor’s Budget Address, which means the hard work will begin. Now, we’ll make sure that we’re doing all we can to make the lives of everyone in our community and across Illinois more affordable.

“People right here in our community are struggling to make ends meet between the high cost of groceries, childcare, prescriptions, utilities, and other basic necessities. I’m going to make sure we build another fiscally responsible budget that exhausts all avenues to make lives easier.

“Policies and chaos in Washington complicate our budget, but it’s a bump in the road we must deal with. While federal funding for SNAP and other social programs are cut, we must work to fund them in Illinois.

“Every year we have the opportunity to build a responsible, practical, balanced and impactful budget. We have to fight harder than ever to balance the budget and fund policies that are important for our community.”

JOLIET, Ill. – A comprehensive energy package led by state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, that will provide relief for consumers, create jobs and strengthen Illinois’ electric grid has been signed into law.

“People across the state are seeing increases in their home energy bills, and we’re responding with a thoughtful, well-negotiated measure to provide immediate relief while better positioning us to handle future demand,” Hoffman said. “We want Illinois to be at the forefront of a 21st century economy. This is a smart, consumer-focused plan that will increase our electric capacity, create jobs and spur economic investment.”

Backed by data from the Illinois Power Agency, highlights of Hoffman’s Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (Senate Bill 25) include:

• Virtual Power Plants: By capturing clean energy already being generated as surplus power by home solar panels and other green sources, better coordination through virtual power plants can redistribute energy across the system and lower costs for all consumers. This change is expected to reduce bills by up to $4.34 per month for Ameren customers and up to $1.11 per month for ComEd consumers.
• Increased Battery Storage: Adding battery storage will make the grid more reliable and affordable, further acting as insurance for the system. This improvement is expected to lower bills for Ameren customers by up to $8 per month, and for ComEd users up to $1.90 per month.
• Energy Efficiency: By expanding and investing in energy efficiency programs, Ameren consumers are expected to save up to $1.41 per month, while ComEd customers could see an additional 30 cents in monthly savings.

Senate Bill 25 also takes into consideration recent federal budget decisions that are expected to increase consumer costs and eliminate thousands of manufacturing and energy jobs. Hoffman’s measure and its associated investments are expected to create up to 115,000 jobs through construction and operating positions.

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

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – Outside of caucus leaders, a nonpartisan think tank has identified state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, as the most effective lawmaker in the Illinois General Assembly, further noting he has “exceeded expectations” longer than any other state lawmaker.

“At the end of the day, lawmakers have to deliver for the residents that we serve,” Hoffman said. “I’m fortunate to have had the opportunity to build years of valuable experience navigating Springfield. It’s this experience and relationship building that I lean on to help create consensus within our caucus and stakeholders to get things done.”

In recent years, Hoffman has worked as a top negotiator for House Democrats on large energy packages, pensions, infrastructure improvements, job creation and other leading priorities.

“There’s a lot of work that happens behind the scenes, and negotiations can be difficult,” Hoffman said. “But when we listen to each other, work in good faith and are sincere about reaching the finish line, we can accomplish great things for all of Illinois.”

The Center for Effective Lawmaking’s State Legislative Effectiveness Scores aim to “capture lawmaking effectiveness by tracking the number of bills legislators sponsor, how far those bills advance through the legislative process and the substantive significance of the proposals.”

To view their Illinois report, please visit https://thelawmakers.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Highlights-from-the-2024-Illinois-State-Legislative-Effectiveness-Scores_CORRECT.pdf and https://thelawmakers.org/state-legislative-effectiveness-scores/announcing-the-release-of-the-103rd-illinois-general-assembly-state-legislative-effectiveness-scores-sles.

The Center for Effective Lawmaking is supported by the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University.

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

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – Last week state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, spoke at the Illinois Library Association’s Metro East Library Legislative Meetup where he highlighted a change in the state’s Library
Equalization Aid Grant that will deliver additional resources to local libraries.

“If we want to have healthy communities, we need strong libraries that are properly supported,” Hoffman said. “These additional state dollars are going to help libraries implement needed physical or technological upgrades, purchase new learning materials and deliver valuable community programming.”

Recently, the General Assembly and Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias worked to update the Library Equalization Aid Grant. By raising the grant’s base minimum funding from $7.50 per person in a library’s service population to $17.50 per person, local libraries are now in line to receive hundreds of thousands in additional support.

After not previously being eligible for this specific grant funding, Belleville will now receive $79,751.12, Madison will see $20,417.38 and Venice will collect $9,926.04. East St. Louis under the old formula would have received $52,500.22, but now will see $229,570.73 in grant support.

“Our libraries aren’t just books and computers, they’re thriving community centers led by dedicated professionals,” Hoffman said. “Librarians are often unsung heroes, but their impact – especially on our youngest learners – is critical. I’m proud to have backed this additional financial support.”

The Library Equalization Aid Grant’s permanent formula changes were made possible by the Hoffman-backed House Bill 4959. Additional information and a full list of grants can be found at https://www.ilsos.gov/news/2025/november-5-2025-giannoulias-champions-permanent-funding-changes-for-libraries.html.

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

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