GURNEE, Ill. – State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, is reminding constituents to take advantage of the upcoming Back to School state sales tax holiday. The tax reduction applies to school supplies ranging from stationery to shoes and clothing.

“Back to school shopping can be really fun, but it can also be really expensive, especially for educators and parents with multiple children,” said Mason. “We want to make sure every student has what they need for a successful year—from notebooks to backpacks to gym shoes—without financially draining families.”

Items included in the state sales tax holiday includes:

• Clothes and school uniforms,
• Shoes, boots, and sandals,
• Seasonal apparel, including coats, rain jackets, swimwear, hats and gloves,
• School and office supplies, including paper, pens and pencils, calculators, writing tablets,
• Backpacks and lunchboxes, and more.

“Affordability is at the forefront of everyone’s minds right now, and I know how expensive even small purchases can be. So I greatly encourage everyone to take advantage of this sales tax holiday over the next week and go shopping,” said Mason. “And to all the students, teachers, and families starting a new school year, I wish you a wonderful year filled with learning, laughter, and opportunity!”

The Back to School Sales Tax Holiday will be in effect from now until Sunday, Aug. 16.

GURNEE, Ill. — State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, will be in attendance at the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) Conference and will be participating in a bipartisan Early Childhood Education panel, as well as co-chairing the NCSL Children, Families and Human Services Committee’s annual business meeting.

“The NCSL Conference is a great opportunity for legislators to convene and discuss how we might improve policies in our states. This year, I’m excited to serve as a panelist and a co-chair for conversations regarding childcare and early childhood education. These are nationwide policy issues, and I look forward to working with and learning from my fellow attendees on how we can protect our nation’s most vulnerable,” said Mason.

Mason is the vice chair of the NCSL Children, Families and Human Services Committee, and she will serve as co-chair for the committee’s annual business meeting. The committee protects states’ interests when it comes to federal decisions regarding the welfare, education, and support of children nationwide. 

Additionally, Mason will participate as one of four panelists from across the country in the 2026 NCSL Early Childhood Education panel titled “What’s Next for Federal Childcare Policy?” Topics covered will include, but are not limited to, the federal administration’s childcare priorities, policy decisions affecting childcare and childhood education, and challenges facing the quality, accessibility and affordability of childcare.

The panel will take place on Wednesday, July 29, from 11:15 a.m. to noon.

For more information about the NCSL Conference, visit their website at ncsl.org.

GURNEE, Ill. — State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, confronts nationwide childcare quality, accessibility and affordability issues in a new report from the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) Childcare Policy Working Group.

“On average, a year of childcare costs more than a year of in-state tuition at a public university. It’s unacceptable,” said Mason. “This isn’t an Illinois issue; this is a national issue. Parents and young families across the country are struggling to make ends meet. They should not have to choose between caring for their child and going to work.”

In 2025, NCSL formed a bipartisan working group of 13 legislators from across the country that have knowledge and experience in child care and early childhood. The primary goal of the group is to establish a child care policy guide that can be applied to all states, turning childcare from an expensive luxury into an affordable right. Additionally, the working group recognizes the economic issue for employers in the child care industry and seeks to make improvements to the system.

Less than a year later, the working group is publishing a new report titled “Childcare at a Crossroads: A State Legislative Framework for Strengthening Childcare Systems.” This report will outline 29 specific policy strategies for legislators to use to improve childcare systems in their respective states. 

“Our children are our future. It’s our responsibility to make sure they have a stable foundation, as well as space to grow and learn. And we need to be able to provide that without detriment to the hard-working families across Illinois and every other state. I’m extremely proud of what we have accomplished in this working group, and I look forward to seeing how our work will benefit children and families nationwide,” said Mason.

The NCSL Childcare Policy Working Group report will be officially introduced at the NCSL conference during the Legislative Summit session “Childcare at a Crossroads” on Monday, July 27, at 1:15 p.m. A livestream will be available at ncsl.org/summit/livestreams.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Thanks to the work of state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, a plan to prevent microplastics from contaminating our water supply is now law.

“When polluted stormwater runs into our local lakes and rivers, it can result in a significant environmental impact. Especially when that water is polluted with plastic,” said Mason. “There is already so much concern around microplastics in our food and water. This bill adds extra protections to our water sources, greatly decreasing the risk of microplastic pollution and its harmful effects.”

Mason’s House Bill 4418 expands the Environmental Protection Act to require the development of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. This plan directly targets small lentil- sized plastic pellets, also known as nurdles, that are often found in the plastic product manufacturing process. These small bits of plastic are melted and molded into everyday products, but have often found their way outside of the production process. Because of their small size, these pellets are regularly spilled during transport to manufacturing facilities, easily swept into drains or are thrown away when they fall on the manufacturing floor and become contaminated. When not properly disposed of, these pellets can pollute stormwater, which typically runs into larger bodies of water, causing an environmental threat to marine life and human health.

Over 40,000 nurdles have been recorded along coastal states, while nearly 10 trillion nurdles enter our oceans every year. Issues have arisen with marine life consuming these plastic pellets and plant life lacking water access due to nurdle blockages.

“This is a global issue. We are actively polluting our lakes, rivers, and oceans by not regulating plastic pellet filtering. For our own well-being, and the well-being of our children, it’s so important that we keep pushing legislation that betters the environment. These tiny plastic pellets are making a huge impact, from disrupting behavioral patterns of marine wildlife to impacting agriculture and water availability,” said Mason.

House Bill 4418 was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last Friday.

GURNEE, Ill. — State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, is hosting a free shred event and food drive with Warren Township Supervisor, Elmer Fallos, on Saturday, July 18, from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., or until trucks reach capacity.

“Safely disposing of documents containing sensitive information can be complicated. If you’re doing some summer cleaning or organizing, I encourage you to stop by our shred event this Saturday,” said Mason. “Additionally, if you would like to give back this summer, we will be collecting non-perishable food for the Warren Township Food Pantry. I hope to see everyone this weekend!”

Mason’s shred event and food drive will be held at the Warren Township Center, located at 17801 W. Washington St., Gurnee, IL. Attendees are welcome to bring personal documents to shred, but not business documents. For more information or to register, reach out to Mason’s office via email (Info@RepJoyceMason.com) or phone (847-485-9986).

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Thanks to the work of state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, a plan to prevent microplastics from contaminating our water supply is now law.

“When polluted stormwater runs into our local lakes and rivers, it can result in a significant environmental impact. Especially when that water is polluted with plastic,” said Mason. “There is already so much concern around microplastics in our food and water. This bill adds extra protections to our water sources, greatly decreasing the risk of microplastic pollution and its harmful effects.”

Mason’s House Bill 4418 expands the Environmental Protection Act to require the development of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. This plan directly targets small lentil-sized plastic pellets, also known as nurdles, that are often found in the plastic product manufacturing process. These small bits of plastic are melted and molded into everyday products, but have often found their way outside of the production process. Because of their small size, these pellets are regularly spilled during transport to manufacturing facilities, easily swept into drains or are thrown away when they fall on the manufacturing floor and become contaminated. When not properly disposed of, these pellets can pollute stormwater, which typically runs into larger bodies of water, causing an environmental threat to marine life and human health.

Over 40,000 nurdles have been recorded along coastal states, while nearly 10 trillion nurdles enter our oceans every year. Issues have arisen with marine life consuming these plastic pellets and plant life lacking water access due to nurdle blockages.

“This is a global issue. We are actively polluting our lakes, rivers, and oceans by not regulating plastic pellet filtering. For our own well-being, and the well-being of our children, it’s so important that we keep pushing legislation that betters the environment. These tiny plastic pellets are making a huge impact, from disrupting behavioral patterns of marine wildlife to impacting agriculture and water availability,” said Mason.

House Bill 4418 was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last Friday.

GURNEE, Ill. — Major affordability measures cracking down on hidden junk fees and price gouging schemes are now law, thanks to the work of state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee.

“We’ve all been there: adding an item to your cart, going to check out, only to find out the total has spiked due to extra ‘fees’. Or waiting in the queue for concert tickets, and when you finally get in, all the seats are gone or the price per seat is way more than you expected. It’s not fair. You end up either not making the purchase, or paying way more than you should have. That’s exactly what we’re preventing with these new laws,” said Mason.

Often disguised as “convenience” or “processing” fees, hidden junk fees cost families around $3,000 every year, according to consumer reports, driving the affordability crisis and making everyday purchases more expensive.

Mason worked to crack down on these hidden fees by backing House Bill 228, which is now law. The measure requires businesses to display all mandatory fees and charges they are adding on top of a purchase price and gives the attorney general’s office more authority to hold businesses accountable for not disclosing surprise fees.

Mason also worked to expand protections for people buying tickets to concerts, shows, and sporting events. House Bill 4984 prohibits resellers from offering the sale of tickets they do not actually possess. This law is a response to high-profile reports of abusive practices perpetrated by ticket resellers and AI-powered “bot farms” purchasing mass amounts of event tickets to be resold at two or three times the face value. Additionally, Mason co-sponsored Senate Bill 318, which bans the use of bots to buy tickets in excess of posted limits of online ticket sales or to circumvent electronic queues and other waiting periods. 

These measures are now law.

GURNEE, Ill. — State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, joins 284 women legislators from 44 states and territories, as well as 128 U.S. Congress members, to demand the removal of Amendment 041 from the BUILD America 250 Act (House Resolution 8870). Amendment 041 would protect rideshare platforms from accountability in cases of sexual assault, overriding state laws that protect drivers and passengers.

Mason issued the following statement in support of the demand:

“Rideshare companies are built on safety guarantees. They advertise safe transportation, safe rides home. And while largely, ridesharing is safe, there have still been several instances of misconduct. Instead of standing up for the survivors and ensuring protection for passengers and drivers alike, these companies want to hide from the consequences. And the federal government seems happy to let them.

“I stand with the hundreds of legislators across the country that prioritize the safety and well being of drivers and passengers over the reputation of rideshare companies. When any kind of sexual misconduct occurs during the ride, the rideshare company is liable. And that’s the way it should be. With this letter, I hope that’s the way it remains.”

The letter demanding the removal of Amendment 041 was sent to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson on the morning of June 15.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Representative Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, concludes a successful spring legislative session by passing comprehensive legislation to meet the needs of her community and move Illinois forward.

“It’s always exciting to see my legislation pass, especially legislation that I know will greatly benefit not just my community, but communities across Illinois,” said Mason. “This year, my bills centered around taking action right now that will protect and preserve our state in the long run. That means added protections for the future of our state: our children. It also means safeguarding our environment now to prevent further detriment.”

Mason championed and passed several bills this year, primarily focused on improving the environment and protecting children and young people:

• House Bill 2190 requires every child care institution to have a minimum of two non-administrative staff members on site that are first aid certified, CPR certified, and Heimlich maneuver certified.
• House Bill 3454 updates epinephrine-related legislation to reflect medical advancements in epinephrine administration, including FDA-approved products like nasal sprays (Neffy), rather than just EpiPens.
• House Bill 3595 streamlines the licensing process for child care programs, ensuring a clear, comprehensive experience for child care providers, children, and families. By closing loopholes and increasing flexibility, the focus can remain on the well-being of young children.
• House Bill 4418 amends the Environmental Protection Act to control microplastic pollution that can pollute stormwater, which typically runs into larger bodies of water and can cause an environmental threat to marine life and human health.
• House Bill 4941 allows owners and operators of underground petroleum storage tanks to use money from the Underground Storage Tank Fund to remove outdated tanks before they begin to leak and impact the environment.
• House Bill 5099 prioritizes the safety of children by requiring all child care providers to be fingerprinted for criminal history by the Department of Early Childhood. Additionally, the bill allows multiple providers access to an individual’s background check to avoid repetition.
• House Bill 5204 changes the Illinois Early Learning Council to include representatives from Head Start and Early Head Start, a governor-appointed nongovernment stakeholder, and parents or caregivers of children who are five years of age or younger.

In addition to her own legislation, Mason co-sponsored, supported, and helped pass a number of landmark reforms—including increased education accessibility, new artificial intelligence regulations, and significant cost-saving measures.

“My focus over the past five months has been delivering for our community. Prices are high and budgets are tight—every day should not be this difficult. From local property tax fairness to insurance, we have passed a significant amount of important legislation this year.”

The 2026 spring legislative session concluded on Monday, June 1.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Representative Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, is working to keep contaminants out of our water supply by passing a bill amending the Environmental Protection Act to control microplastic pollution due to waste from plastic manufacturing facilities.

“When polluted stormwater runs into our local lakes and rivers, it can result in a significant environmental impact. Especially when that water is polluted with plastic,” said Mason. “There is already so much concern around microplastics in our food and water. This bill adds extra protections to our water sources, greatly decreasing the risk of microplastic pollution and its harmful effects.”

House Bill 4418 expands the Environmental Protection Act to require the development of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. This plan directly targets small lentil-sized plastic pellets, also known as nurdles, that are often found in the plastic product manufacturing process. These small bits of plastic are melted and molded into everyday products, but have often found their way outside of the production process. Because of their small size, these pellets are regularly spilled during transport to manufacturing facilities, easily swept into drains or are thrown away when they fall on the manufacturing floor and become contaminated. When not properly disposed of, these pellets can pollute stormwater, which typically runs into larger bodies of water, causing an environmental threat to marine life and human health.

Over 40,000 nurdles have been recorded along coastal states, while nearly 10 trillion nurdles enter our oceans every year. Issues have arisen with marine life consuming these plastic pellets and plant life lacking water access due to nurdle blockages.

“This is a global issue. We are actively polluting our lakes, rivers, and oceans by not regulating plastic pellet filtering. For our own well-being, and the well-being of our children, it’s so important that we keep pushing legislation that betters the environment. These tiny plastic pellets are making a huge impact, from disrupting behavioral patterns of marine wildlife to impacting agriculture and water availability,” said Mason.

House Bill 4418 passed the House and the Senate, and is now headed to the governor.