SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – State Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, will moderate and host the Center of Concern’s upcoming program titled The Growing Gap: Cost of Living and Community Needs on Sept. 14.

“Affordability is one of the biggest issues facing our state and, frankly, our whole country,” said Mussman. “I’m excited to moderate these important conversations on what our community members are really struggling with, and how we can formulate solutions accordingly.”

Following an introduction from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, Mussman will moderate a conversation with panelists Danita Childers of Housing Authority of Cook County, Tangela Eniya of Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Dr. Kiran Joshi of Cook County Department of Public Health and John F. Schomberg of Illinois Department of Human Services.

“While I’m guiding this conversation rather than participating, I’ll be paying close attention and looking for ways state legislation can impact and improve lives in our community,” said Mussman. “I invite everyone to attend to share your experiences and engage in a meaningful discussion on how we can decrease the cost of living.”

WHEN: Monday, September 14

5:30 p.m. Networking and Appetizers

6:30 p.m. Program Begins

WHERE: Des Plaines Theater

1476 Miner Street

Des Plaines, IL 60016

Find more information and RSVP here.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – New advancements supporting neurodivergent and other marginalized drivers are now law, thanks to the work this spring, state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, sponsored two pieces of legislation launching the Blue Envelope Program and creating a new designation for driver’s licenses and identification (ID) to designate an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

“Traffic stops are stressful, intense situations for any driver— especially for neurodivergent drivers or drivers with ASD,” said Mussman. “These bills will make interacting with first responders so much easier for drivers by ensuring all their information is in one place, and will give first responders the tools they need to provide appropriate help.”

House Bill 4472 creates the Blue Envelope Program, in partnership with the Secretary of State’s office and the non-profit organization Autism Hero Project . Neurodivergent drivers can use the envelopes to hold documents required to operate a motor vehicle. Envelopes will be disbursed at Secretary of State offices, including DMVs, throughout the state.

Senate Bill 2524 allows driver’s license applicants to request an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder designation on their driver’s license. Drivers will be able to self identify and request the designation without a doctor’s note, similar to the deaf or hard of hearing designation already available. 

“These initiatives make such a difference individually, but they work together seamlessly to make the lives of neurodivergent drivers and first responders easier and safer,” said Mussman. “The overarching goal of my legislation this year has been accessibility: making resources, tools and opportunities easy to access for those who need them. These bills exemplify how what can be seen as a small change can fundamentally improve someone’s day-to-day life.”

The Blue Envelope Program will launch on January 1, 2027 and ASD driver’s license designations will be available starting July 1, 2027.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – State Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, led several pieces of legislation cracking down on child abuse and protecting Illinois’ most vulnerable, our children. These efforts will ensure children are further protected from child abuse, alleged abuse can be thoroughly investigated and ensures accountability for guilty parties.

“Children across the state need our protection and support, and we have a responsibility to meet that need,” said Mussman. “One case of child abuse is one too many, and I’m confident this set of bills will improve our ability to detect abuse or signs of abuse as early as possible.”

House Bill 4534 strengthens professional boundaries between student and education, improves school misconduct policies and, importantly, defines grooming as a form of abuse. Additionally, the bill allows schools to collect and share information between schools and school districts on substitute teachers seeking employment in more than one school district. With more preventative and early intervention policies in place, instances of abuse and grooming can be identified and investigated earlier.

Senate Bill 3510 allows law enforcement and medical professionals to more clearly communicate information or evidence in child abuse investigations, as permitted by state and federal privacy laws. Also known as the Children’s Advocacy Center’s Act, the bill will revamp existing procedures to investigate and care for allegedly abused children, report their findings to relevant state agencies, and identify gaps in service or areas needing improvement. The act allows for a short term fix improving communication and a longer-term fix requiring extensive data collection and review.

“There’s no way to restore a child’s innocence or safety after they have been abused, but we must ensure youth have all the support they can as they recover from a traumatic experience,” said Mussman. “I’m proud of the work done to ensure these bills became law, and I am committed to continuing the hard work to protect children in our community and across the state.”

House Bill 4534 and Senate Bill 3510 were signed into law on Monday, and will go into effect on January 1, 2027.

CHICAGO — State Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, sponsored a bill creating early childhood assessment programs to improve language acquisition for children from birth to age 5 who are deaf, hard of hearing or DeafBlind.

“The first few years of life are a crucial time for brain development and language acquisition, but most deaf children enter kindergarten without proficient language skills, which has a lifelong impact on reading, academics, and social interactions.” said Mussman. “Early intervention is crucial to successful language comprehension.”

House Bill 1783 creates an advisory committee to work with language and communication professionals on strengthening language assessment programs for deaf, hard of hearing, or DeafBlind children. The program establishes developmental milestones to help parents, healthcare providers, and educators track language development and take corrective action if the child demonstrates they are falling behind. Data will be collected to monitor the progress of individual children and the progress of children state-wide.

One of the most prominent proponents of this legislation is LEAD-K Illinois, part of a nationwide deaf-led movement advocating for better language access and accountability for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deafblind children. Members of the LEAD-K team include Libby Oxenham, Anita Cervantes-Bowen, Kimberly Mokris, Carol Nemecek-Kowalski, Kate Citti, and Daniel Roche.

“This Language Equality Acquisition for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind Children Act ensures all children have access to language,” said Mussman. “By supporting deaf, hard of hearing and DeafBlind children while they begin to learn language, we’re preparing these kids to learn and communicate at the same pace as their peers so they can start elementary school not just on-time, but ready to learn.”

House Bill 1783 was signed into law on July 30 and is effective immediately.

CHICAGO – State Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, is creating new opportunities for school districts to provide extended hotel stays for students whose families have lost their housing. 

“We’re seeing more and more families facing and experiencing homelessness, and we don’t have enough support systems in place to respond to this,” said Mussman. “This bill helps lessen the disruption students and families experience when they are housing insecure, without exuberant costs for school districts. 

House Bill 4137 expands the Education for Homeless Children Act, allowing districts to provide motel stays for students, as needed. The bill does not require schools to provide motels, but creates the option to do so with existing budgeted funds. School districts will be able to use their transportation funds for this purpose in addition to all previous uses. 

In accordance with federal McKinney-Vento laws, school districts are responsible for transporting displaced students to their base schools, in hopes to disrupt their education as little as possible. With too few emergency and temporary shelters throughout the state, families must often stay far from their children’s schools, increasing the school’s transportation costs. 

If it has been determined that it may be less expensive for the district to help a family stay in a nearby hotel, than transport a student from wherever else the family may land, the district may choose to use their transportation funds in this manner. 

“Students of all ages deserve the opportunity to be educated, a hugely important tool in building a successful and happy life,” said Mussman. “Keeping our students in school must remain our top priority, no matter their living situation or home life. Continued normalcy for students is best for their education and well-being.” 

House Bill 4137 was signed into law on July 24 and is effective immediately. 

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — A state budget focused on affordability is now law thanks to state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, who helped pass a balanced budget prioritizing direct relief for Illinoisans and offsetting federal funding cuts.

“Budgeting this year was especially complex as we simultaneously protect existing resources and offset federal cuts, all without putting more burden on working families,” said Mussman. “We accomplished all those goals in this balanced and intentional budget.”

Mussman’s work this legislative session concluded in passing a fiscally and socially responsible budget that relieves the cost-of-living crisis while making key investments in food security and other state services at risk of federal funding losses or total elimination.

The budget takes a number of smart steps to help families make ends meet, including:

• Nearly $100 million to help families afford groceries and put food on the table after Washington slashes nutrition assistance for more than over 100,000 Illinoisans.
  • • Creating the new FRESH Program, which provides a one-time $400 credit, giving families a lifeline while they work with providers to reactivate benefits,
    • Expanding free and reduced-cost school lunches ensuring children affected by SNAP cuts have a sustainable meal, and
    • Funding the Illinois Grocery Initiative to expand access to fresh food in food deserts.
• Making back-to-school shopping more affordable by cutting the state sales tax on clothes, supplies, and other essentials for students, families, and teachers from August 7 to 16, 2026.
• Restoring property tax relief grants for schools so communities statewide can see property tax relief.
• $500 million focused on affordable homes for working families sometimes known as the “missing middle” who do not qualify for traditional assistance but struggle to find quality homes in their price range.
• Fully funding safety net hospitals and $10 million dedicated to support Federally Qualified Health Centers for the most vulnerable families.
• Strengthening public safety initiatives including homelessness prevention and community-based violence prevention.

“With our budget signed into law, we can head into the fiscal year with the tools needed to preserve what makes our state great while we invest in making our state better and our lives easier,” said Mussman.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.—  State Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, has been hard at work in Springfield passing a budget making life easier and more affordable for Illinois families while passing her own initiatives.

“When writing our budget, we have so much to consider—we must balance the needs of everyone in our community with a real, tangible way to provide them with resources,” said Mussman. “This balanced budget works to maintain and expand the services so many rely on without a single additional tax to working class families.”

Across the board, federal funding cuts have decreased social service support and increased costs for many Illinoisans. Mussman is fighting to restore the support that people in her community rely on, and giving everyone a general boost in support.

This year’s budget fully funds:

• Homelessness prevention programs,
• Safety net hospitals, providing care regardless of health insurance status,
• the Local Government Distributive Fund, creating more tools for property tax relief.

Highlights of the budget include investments in:

• The Fresh Act, giving Illinoisans who lost SNAP benefits a one time SNAP credit,
• State social services by reducing government operational costs to makeup federal funding losses,
• Restoring property tax relief grants for school districts, and
• Working class people by temporarily freezing the gas tax, beginning in July.

Additionally, Mussman is sending 12 bills to the governor to be signed into law.

Some of the legislation Mussman led included:

1.  Expanding language acquisition education for children under five-years in the Deaf community.
2.  Establishing the Blue Envelope Program, creating a new tool to help neurodivergent drivers feel safer and more comfortable interacting with first responders. 
3. Creating a new avenue for schools to support unhoused students, and more.

“In this session, my legislation has been focused on accessibility and opportunity, making sure everyone in our community and across the state have the chance to thrive,” said Mussman. “I’m proud of the steps we’ve taken, creating new programs and strengthening existing ones. I truly look forward to continuing to work with devoted advocates on these important issues to keep making an impact.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Fighting to restore affordability for Illinois households, state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, is supporting a series of bills cutting costs on everyday purchases and utilities, banning gimmicks that raise prices and requiring businesses to fairly compensate consumers.

“Right now, prices are increasing on everything from groceries to rent to fuel. Most of these costs are regulated at the federal level, but there’s still steps we can take at the state level,” said Mussman. “In Illinois, we’re looking for creative and impactful ways to lighten the financial burden families across our state are battling.”

Mussman backed the following cost-cutting measures:

• House Bill 45: Expands access to savings by requiring retailers to honor all advertised sales or coupons, even if customers cannot access an app or operate digital coupons.
• House Bill 228: Cracks down on junk fees and hidden costs by requiring businesses to disclose all mandatory fees and charges added on top of an advertised purchase price.
• House Bill 4044: Strengthening consumer rights by banning no-return policies that limit customers to store credit for unused, unopened items for most purchases. 
• House Bill 4514: Allowing residents to voice opposition to general rate increases by requiring public utility companies fully inform residents of their rights prior to a rate proposal. 
•  

All four measures successfully advanced through House and Senate chambers. They await governor consideration before being signed into law.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, sponsored a bill creating early childhood assessment programs to improve language acquisition for children from birth to age 5 who are deaf, hard of hearing or DeafBlind.

“The first 3 years of life are a crucial time for brain development and language acquisition, but most deaf children enter kindergarten without proficient language skills, which has a lifelong impact on reading, academics, and social interactions.” said Mussman. “By supporting deaf, hard of hearing or DeafBlind children while they begin to learn language, we’re preparing these kids to learn and communicate at the same pace as their peers so they can start elementary school not just on-time, but ready to learn.”

House Bill 1783 creates an advisory committee to work with language and communication professionals on strengthening language assessment programs for deaf, hard of hearing, or DeafBlind children. The program establishes developmental milestones to help parents, healthcare providers, and educators track language development and take corrective action if the child demonstrates they are falling behind. Data will be collected to monitor the progress of individual children and the progress of children state-wide.

One of the most prominent proponents of this legislation is LEAD-K Illinois, part of a nationwide deaf-led movement advocating for better language access and accountability for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deafblind children. Members of the LEAD-K team include Libby Oxenham, Anita Cervantes-Bowen, Kimberly Mokris, Carol Nemecek-Kowalski, Kate Citti, and Daniel Roche

“After more than eight years of advocacy, we are thrilled to see the bill pass both chambers with bipartisan support,” said LEAD-K. “If signed by Governor JB Pritzker, Illinois will become the 24th state to adopt this legislation supporting better language outcomes for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deafblind children.”

House Bill 1783 passed the legislature and now moves to the governor to be signed into law.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, is sending legislation to the governor’s desk for consideration allowing school districts to provide extended hotel stays for student families who have lost their housing.

“We’re seeing more and more families facing and experiencing homelessness, and we don’t have enough support systems in place to respond to this,” said Mussman. “Schools must often think outside the box to meet the needs of distressed families. Thanks to this bill, we’re helping school districts reduce costs and lessen the disruption students and families experience when they are housing insecure.”

House Bill 4137 expands the Education for Homeless Children Act, allowing districts to provide motel stays for students, as needed. The bill does not require schools to provide motels, but creates the option to do so with existing budgeted funds. School districts will be able to use their transportation funds for this purpose in addition to all previous uses.

In accordance with federal McKinney-Vento laws, school districts are responsible for transporting displaced students to their base schools, in hopes to disrupt their education as little as possible. With too few emergency and temporary shelters throughout the state, families must often stay far from their children’s schools, increasing the school’s transportation costs.

If it has been determined that it may be less expensive for the district to help a family stay in a nearby hotel, than transport a student from wherever else the family may land, the district may choose to use their transportation funds in this manner.

“We’re ensuring that students are supported in the ways they need to receive an effective education that is cost-effective for everyone involved,” said Mussman. “Keeping our students in school must remain our top priority. Continued normalcy for students is best for their education and well-being.”

House Bill 4137 passed both chambers and moves to the governor’s desk for consideration and to be signed into law.