SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Committed to increasing passenger rail services for residents across the Midwest, state Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, has introduced the Passenger Rail Planning Act to require the Illinois Department of Transportation to incorporate service frequency goals into the Illinois State Rail Plan. 

“A question that I’ve been constantly asking myself, is why don’t we have more passenger rail running throughout the Midwest,” said Mayfield. “Chicago is one of the major rail hubs of the country, and it’s time that we took further advantage of our positioning. This measure would encourage the development of high-frequency passenger rail services with Chicago acting as the anchor.”

House Bill 4279, The Passenger Rail Planning Act, would help lay the groundwork for trains to more frequently visit communities across Illinois. It would direct state planners to include target service frequencies for trains originating from Chicago to destinations in Illinois, other Midwestern locations and the broader country.

Communities across the state, from East St. Louis to Rockford, would be targeted for hourly passenger services, along with additional trains to out-of-state destinations including Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis and Madison, among others.

“By calling for more frequent passenger rail services, we can boost the entire region’s economic growth,” said Mayfield. “People will be able to move across the region with greater access, allowing for further job opportunities, community development and regional cooperation. When we develop our rail systems, we’re promoting dynamic, interconnected communities that can better support the people of Illinois.”

For more information, please contact 60thdistrict@gmail.com. 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.— Affordable public transit, relief from rising costs, and new protections safeguarding Illinoisans’ due process rights were top priorities for state Rep. Rita Mayfield, D- Waukegan, during a highly productive fall session focused on making life easier for working people and seniors.

“The goal is for everyone to be able to pay their bills without having to choose between one or the other, to walk the streets without fearing they won’t return home to their families, and to get to work on time without missing their train,” Mayfield said. “If we continue taking steps toward accomplishing our goal, our communities will thrive as the quality of life for resident’s flourishes.”

Mayfield passed Senate Bill 25, which is aimed at lowering energy costs for families affected by rates that have risen sharply in recent years. It does this by making transformative investments in capturing clean energy, increasing battery storage and improving energy efficiency.

She also passed House Bill 1312, a bold measure that seeks to inject more accountability into federal law enforcement operations by creating new protections against the Trump Administration’s warrantless raids at hospitals, daycares, and institutions of higher learning, and courthouses.

She also passed Senate Bill 2111—transformative legislation designed to save and reform public transit, both in Chicago and across Illinois, without new taxes on food delivery, without new taxes on real estate, without new taxes on streaming services, and without funding more bureaucratic mismanagement.

Finally, she passed Senate Bill 642, a measure that updates existing legislation that helps older adults reduce their property tax liabilities by freezing their rates. This bill helps more seniors remain eligible for the existing property tax assessment senior freeze program by raising income eligibility cutoffs to better account for inflation.

All four measures now move to the desk of Gov. J.B. Pritzker for final action. Together, they represent major progress on priority issues for Mayfield and her colleagues, as they stand with residents who are struggling to make ends meet and vulnerable Illinoisans confronted by authoritarian policies and an administration that continually abandons democratic and constitutional norms.

“We acknowledge that this is only the first step in a broader mission to address and undo the hardships our communities have endured,” Mayfield said. “My colleagues and I look forward to returning to the drawing board in January to create new solutions that will help our families and communities flourish.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – This week, state Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, helped lead the effort to pass the Clean Slate Act, an automatic record sealing approach for certain, previously incarcerated individuals. 

“The hardships that previously incarcerated individuals face upon their return, such as mental health concerns and difficulties with employment and housing, contribute greatly to poverty and recidivism,” Mayfield said. “This legislation is a step in the right direction to ensuring that they live fulfilling lives following their return from prison because it will expedite the process of acquiring a job, house and other important resources by automatically sealing records of certain offenses.”

The Mayfield-backed Senate Bill 1784 transitions the sealing process for certain criminal and petty offense records from a petition-based process to an automatic one. It does not fully guarantee that a record will be sealed, but it starts the process for qualified cases. Specific cases, such as, but not limited to, bodily harm and murder, sex offenses, no contact orders, robbery and class x felonies are unqualified for sealing. 

Senate Bill 1784 specifically deals with sealing records, not expunging them. Law enforcement and prosecutors will still be able to access records, if necessary, in the future. 

The Mayfield-backed measure received bipartisan support, and has returned to the Senate for concurrence.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – At least 30 cities and counties, including North Chicago, have applied for important grants from the state that are designed to solve firearm crimes and reduce gun violence in communities, thanks to the work of state Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan.

“These ballistics detection grants are being used by urban communities to scan fired bullet cartridges at the scene of a crime, and this scanning technology is often critical to catching assailants,” said Mayfield, who won a “Violence Prevention Hero” award in 2024 for her work. “These grants have allowed police, sheriffs, and state’s attorneys to more quickly gather key evidence and determine the type of weapon, the number of shooters, and other key information, such as whether a particular firearm is a ‘multiple use’ gun that has been used in different gun crimes that law enforcement may have not otherwise known were connected.”

Mayfield, who chairs the House Appropriations-Public Safety and Infrastructure Committee, worked to provide $2 million in the state’s budget for these grants. Mayfield started the program three years ago by directing funding through the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. The funding was intended to not only support the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, but to also explore the best and most cost-effective ballistic technologies and to encourage the sharing of gun crime intelligence amongst law enforcement in order to reduce gun crime in the state of Illinois.

Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jim Rowe praised the program.

“We believe that proactive intervention is crucial in addressing the issue of gun violence,” Rowe said. “Our goal is to empower law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to solve gun crime cases faster, ultimately saving lives and making our communities safer.”

“I urge all communities to apply for this important grant program. I hope the program can continue past June 30,” Mayfield said.

Information on how to apply is available at https://www.ptb.illinois.gov/resources/grant-information/

SPRINGFIELD, IL. – State Rep. Rita Mayfield, D- Waukegan, issued the following statement after Gov. J.B. Pritzker gave his annual budget address:

“I have always said that our state should never have to choose between responsibility and compassion. Gradually, we have addressed the issues so many families face on a daily basis starting with cutting costs, protecting their communities, providing them with opportunities to thrive, expanding access to healthcare, and ultimately moving them forward. With all the uncertainty in Washington, it is more important than ever that they know lawmakers in Illinois will not rest until some of their pressures are even more alleviated. We are committed to lifting them up and making sure they have a seat at the table.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  State Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, condemned the cruel, destructive and unlawful orders President Donald Trump has issued during his first weeks in office, passing a series of formal resolutions aimed at calling out Trump’s extremism and moving Illinois in a fundamentally better direction.

“Trump’s entire campaign was centered around ‘making America great again,’ but so far that has been to no avail. He has put fear in lower and middle-class Americans’ hearts by signing several executive orders that attack their livelihoods the most. Under his administration, many Americans won’t have affordable access to healthcare, living, and even groceries. Beyond that, marginalized communities may face several obstacles when it comes to applying for and keeping a job that they are qualified for,” Mayfield said. 

The Mayfield-backed resolutions call out Trump, his extreme allies in Washington and the special interests supporting him. These measures also highlight efforts Illinois has taken to move in a better direction by prioritizing efforts to help families make ends meet, reduce the cost of living, and protect access to lifesaving services.

Mayfield voted to:
– Calling out President Trump for pardoning the confessed and convicted criminals charged for their actions on Jan. 6, 2021, including those who beat and killed police officers in the U.S. Capitol.

– Challenge the administration’s immoral efforts to block lifesaving services for people in need and for working families, jeopardizing the economy and the services people depend on for everything from food assistance, to healthcare, to housing assistance, and more.

– Oppose the dangerous Trump trade agenda, which will raise costs on everything local families purchase, increase housing costs, raise the price of home energy, and dramatically increase inflation pressures on families’ budgets.

– Rebuke the president’s efforts to double down on a broken immigration system, and his unconstitutional order to strip away citizenship protections in the United States Constitution.

– Fight against Trump attacks on workplace protections, equal pay, and longstanding policies enhancing opportunity for all cloaked in anti-DEI rhetoric.

“On day one in office, Trump showed us that he has absolutely no regard for our constitution,” Mayfield said. “It is concerning but unfortunately this is our reality for the next few years. Here in Illinois, we are committed to alleviating some of those concerns and protecting policies that make Illinois and our country flourish.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  State Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, will continue to invest in first responder agencies and facilities, community safety, and violence prevention methods as chair of the House Appropriations: Public Safety & Infrastructure Committee. 

“It is no secret that public safety is still an issue that affects Illinoisans today,” Mayfield said. “Although we have done a ton of work in addressing this ongoing issue, we must continue to push these measures forward so communities can flourish without being afraid of crime and natural disasters.” 

Under Mayfield’s leadership, the Public Safety & Infrastructure Committee has helped pass key legislation such as the Donald “DJ” Stallworth, III Act, which requires that all emergency vehicles activate both lights and sirens and slow down before running a red light. Beyond that, they have made investments in violence prevention plans, such as after-school programs and summer jobs. 

She also helped secure $4 million annually in the fiscal year 2023 and 2024 Illinois state budget that allows law enforcement agencies and municipalities to apply for ballistics detection equipment through a grant offered by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. 

“As lawmakers in Springfield, our job is to ensure that you, your family, neighbors, and friends can feel secure and less stressed in your community,” Mayfield said. “I look forward to continuing to advocate for your needs in the upcoming session.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, issued the following statement Wednesday as she began a new legislative term:

“As we begin a new General Assembly, we must look to create a stronger Illinois that meets the challenges facing every family. Residents are looking toward us to spark economic development, improve educational outcomes for our children and responsibly tackle violence.

“Public safety continues to be a critical issue for me. As chair of the Appropriations-Public Safety Committee, I will continue to advocate for violence prevention, opportunities for vulnerable populations to thrive and innovative investments in safer communities. We need to build on recent progress – from large investments in summer jobs and after-school programs to keep kids in safe and positive environments, to ensuring that Illinois residents cannot purchase or possess certain semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines. 

“We also need to continue our efforts that support a healthier environment, including work to ensure that toxic coal ash does not contaminate our groundwater, waterways and air. As we saw with the closing of the Waukegan Generating Station, it takes significant effort to appropriately clean up a coal-fired power plant. We owe it to nearby residents to do the job fully and to do the job right. Springfield needs to be ready to step in as necessary.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as this community’s voice in Springfield, and am looking forward to the start of this new chapter. I know that if we work together and build consensus, we can help Illinois move forward in becoming a smart, compassionate and safe state for all people. Let’s get to work.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Representative Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, has been named a “2024 Violence Prevention Hero” for her continued efforts to help law enforcement in Illinois obtain the technological tools needed to fight firearm violence and violent crimes.

Evidence IQ, an Illinois company that presented the award to Mayfield, has been partnering with law enforcement agencies in Illinois and across the country with new technology that can accelerate investigations and allow investigators to receive immediate gun crime intelligence.  The device called Ballistics IQ, is the only automated ballistics imaging triage solution that immediately scans firearm evidence and works alongside other technologies to generate rapid crime gun intel to close cases faster.

“I’m honored to receive the 2024 Violence Prevention Hero award. Law enforcement agencies should have every tool available to combat gun crimes and protect innocent lives,” said Mayfield, the chair of the House Appropriations Public Safety Committee.

“Thanks to the efforts of Rep. Mayfield, a dozen Illinois communities will be able to have an additional tool to quickly solve gun crimes,” said Matt Brady, chief executive officer of Evidence IQ. “This groundbreaking software can help figure out how many shooters and how many guns were used more quickly than previously available technology.”

Representative Mayfield helped secure $4 million annually in the fiscal year 2023 and 2024 Illinois state budget that allows law enforcement agencies and municipalities to apply for ballistics detection equipment through a grant offered by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. Those interested in applying for the grant can submit an application here.

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — State Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, is reacting with outrage after Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan had its trauma center designation revoked on Friday, following the failure of its owners to properly manage it.

“Waukegan is a low-income, working-class community that is now without a trauma center hospital,” Mayfield said. “This is a huge problem in terms of equitable access to care no matter what the reason. But for this to be happening because a company bought a hospital only to almost immediately allow it to fall into insolvency—to the point where there is no budget and doctors and staff are not being paid—is outrageous.”

Licensing examiners conducted an on-site investigation of Vista on Jan. 29, finding that, among other things, Vista had no written budget, and that staff—including physicians and specialists—either had not been paid in months or had seen their payroll checks returned for insufficient funds. A report by the Lake County Coroner indicated that this was a primary reason behind an exodus of staff which led in turn to Vista no longer meeting the criteria to remain a trauma center.

Losing trauma center designation means that Vista can only treat minor injuries, with more seriously injured patients needing to be transferred to other hospitals. Vista also is now no longer eligible to participate as a hospital in the Medicare program.

After two other changes in ownership over the last five years, Vista was purchased by American Healthcare Systems, a for-profit company, in July 2023.

“Waukegan needs its hospital to remain open, fully staffed and fully operational. Waukegan families need and deserve access to the same basic services as does every other community in Illinois,” Mayfield said. “American Health Systems and Vista Hospital have an obligation to swiftly and completely get their house in order and address these issues. If they can’t do it, then they should step aside so that someone else can. Continued neglect and failure at the expense of Waukegan families is unacceptable.”