ALGONQUIN, Ill. — State Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-East Dundee, is hosting a coffee hour at Churros Y Chocolate in Algonquin this Tuesday, July 7 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. to connect with the community in a casual setting and learn more about local concerns.

“This is a very relaxed event where community members can come and go as they choose, discuss issues that matter most to them, all while supporting one of our local businesses,” said Ness. “It’s always been important to me in this role that our neighbors have access to state-level insight and can ask questions about what our government is doing to serve them well. We’ve had great engagement at our previous coffee hours and I hope to see the same levels of participation so we can continue to discuss how our community can reach its fullest potential.”

Ness’ “Coffee in Your Community” event will take place at Churros Y Chocolate, located at 2533 Algonquin Rd., starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Algonquin Police Chief Dennis Walker will be in attendance.

The event is open to the public and registration is not required. For more information, please contact info@repsnessil66.com.

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – A plan led by state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, to reinforce the Illinois Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund by updating decades-old statutes to better align with current needs and better serve Metro East property owners is now law.

“Mine subsidence is a frustrating challenge for homeowners in our area, and the Illinois Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund plays a critical role,” Hoffman said. “This is a needed measure that updates our state law governing the fund so that it can operate effectively for homeowners across our state.”

Hoffman worked on House Bill 5376 in conjunction with the Illinois Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund, which is a taxable, private reinsurer created by state statute to ensure financial resources are available to owners of property damaged by mine subsidence. The insurance fund effectively fills a gap in the insurance market for the benefit of Illinois property owners at risk of experiencing mine subsidence damage.

Mine subsidence can occur when the roof of underground mines collapse, causing the ground above to sink or subside. The issue is a concern in the Metro East region, which is home to numerous old mines dating back to the 1800s that can cause above ground issues, such as cracked foundations.

Prior to the creation of the Illinois Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund in the late 1970s, homeowners did not have recourse because property insurance did not cover the issue. The fund has played an important role for homeowners since, and Hoffman’s House Bill 5376 modernizes the decades-old state statute to better reflect the needs of today.

His measure adjusts definitions to reflect operational practices and industry standards, updates the fund’s governance, improves transparency for homeowners, further empowers research programs and removes a deductible for policies issued on or after Jan. 1, 2027.

House Bill 5376 received bipartisan support in the General Assembly, and was signed into law last Friday by the governor.

Additional information on the Illinois Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund can be found at https://www.imsif.com/.

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

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – A measure extending the powers of the state Inspector General to cover the newly created Illinois Department of Early Childhood is now law due to the work of state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-West Chicago.

“Working with children and families can be sensitive and complex, so it’s important to have the proper authorities be responsible for making sure the department runs smoothly and safely,” said Hirschauer. “Government resources that help children and families across Illinois need to be handled with care and at the same standards as other departments. Illinois families, and more importantly, their children, are our number one priority, so we need to work towards protecting their resources and making sure they receive the help they need.”

House Bill 5364 would expand the authority of the Inspector General by allowing them to investigate and oversee the Department of Early Childhood. The Inspector General is responsible for investigating fraud, waste and misuse of government property or funds within the department and reports to the Secretary of Early Childhood.

House Bill 5364 was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker on June 26 and will take effect immediately.

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – Major affordability measures cracking down on hidden junk fees and price gouging schemes are now law due to the work of state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-West Chicago.

“In a time when the affordability crisis is hitting our communities hard, and families are already stretching every dollar, residents shouldn’t be tricked into paying surprise fees,” said Hirschauer. “You deserve to know exactly what you are paying for so you can make informed decisions on purchases. The price you see should be the price you pay.”

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

Hirschauer worked to crack down on these hidden fees with 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.

Hirschauer also worked to expand protections for people buying tickets to concerts and sporting events. In 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, she passed House Bill 4984, which bans resellers from offering the sale of tickets they do not actually possess. Additionally, Senate Bill 318 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.

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, joined community members and residents as a sponsor of the packed Wesglen Park for a “Touch of Magic” themed Romeoville Park Party.

The second of four Park Parties this summer, this one included appearances from recognizable Disney characters, inflatables and games, to celebrate the start of summer.

“Summer is always more fun when we can spend time with our families outdoors,” Rep. Manley said. “The Romeoville Park District has some great events planned all summer long.”

The next Park Party will be held on July 21 at Sunset Park, 729 Murphy Dr., in collaboration with Lockport Township.

Hot dogs, chips and drinks were provided for the first 300 attendees provided by the Hampton Park Social Athletic Club.

Rep. Manley is also sponsoring the Sept. 8 Community Day of Play at Field Stone Park 2019 W. Ashbrooke Rd, which is a collaboration with Plainfield Park District.

All the park parties are held from 5-7 p.m. Wesglen Park is located at 120 S. Wesglen Pkwy.

State Rep. Natalie Manley, said, “The Romeoville Park parties encourage an evening spent with family and friends and is a great way to enjoy the beautiful parks right here close to home.”

CHICAGO – State Rep. Lisa Davis, D–Chicago, released the following statement congratulating St. Rita High School on winning its first-ever Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State Championship:

“What an incredible accomplishment for St. Rita High School! Congratulations to the players, coaches, families, and the entire Mustang community on bringing home the school’s first-ever IHSA Baseball State Championship.

“This team showed what can happen when hard work, determination, and teamwork come together. Earning your first state title is something no one can ever take away, and you’ve made school history in the process.

“High school sports help shape young people into leaders, teammates, and resilient members of our community. Achievements like this bring people together, inspire the next generation, and remind us all of the pride that comes from supporting our local schools.

“Championships aren’t won by talent alone. They take countless hours of practice, commitment, and the support of dedicated coaches, families, classmates, teachers, and fans who believe in you every step of the way. This victory belongs to all of them, too.

“Thank you for giving our community something to celebrate and for representing St. Rita with such pride, sportsmanship, and class throughout the season. Congratulations again on an unforgettable year, and best of luck in everything that comes next. You’ve made all of us proud.”

CICERO, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, lauded the final approval by the governor of a measure to create an apprenticeship program for those pursuing careers in cosmetology, barbery and other esthetics fields.

“Too many Illinoisans pursuing a professional license, higher education or other mechanism to create a more stable financial future are being priced out of those opportunities,” Hernandez said.
“This session, we put lowering these and other costs at the forefront of our legislative agenda. I am proud to have partnered with my colleagues in the House and Senate to advance this bill and open up more opportunities for future barbers, cosmetologists and aestheticians. Today marks a critical final step toward these students receiving needed relief and quality education.”

The Hernandez-backed House Bill 3460 will establish an apprenticeship program for professionals in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics and nail technology and sets training hours and licensing requirements to make entering these fields easier.

Currently, students pay between $15,000 and $20,000 on average to complete a cosmetology program, including the costs of tuition, tools, licensing costs and materials.

The measure was signed into law by the governor on Friday.

OTTAWA, Ill. — State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, is highlighting a new law signed Friday set to improve interactions between law enforcement and Illinois drivers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by establishing the Blue Envelope Program throughout Illinois.

“By opening this opportunity for neurodivergent drivers, individuals on the spectrum can count on a safe and confidential plan whenever they are at a traffic stop or other emergency situation where interaction with law enforcement is necessary,” said Briel. “We’ve seen this program’s success in parts of the state already, as well as communities across the country, and it’s more than fitting that this useful tool is extended to all neurodivergent Illinoisans.”

Briel supported House Bill 4472 this spring, creating the Blue Envelope Program in Illinois to support easier and safer interactions for neurodivergent drivers when stopped by law enforcement. Working with the Secretary of State’s (SOS) office, residents diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum may use a SOS blue envelope to hold important documents, such as identification and insurance, required to operate their motor vehicle. With all necessary information in one location, individuals can locate documents easily in potentially high stress situations.

This voluntary program seeks to help both law enforcement and drivers in the neurodivergent community feel safe and prepared in their interactions. Additionally, first responders will be able to identify and aid neurodivergent individuals by their blue envelope and work to anticipate any communication barriers during law enforcement interactions.

“This bill is a significant step forward for the neurodivergent community—and a rare but fantastic example of policy that accepts autism and its differences, not assimilates it,” said Briel. “When an officer approaches you as a neurodivergent individual, it’s true that the outcome is not always perfect—the Blue Envelope Program changes that.”

The bipartisan measure was signed into law by the governor Friday afternoon.

SHILOH, Ill. – Working to ensure our law enforcement has the resources they need to do their job safely and effectively, state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, joined local leaders, police and community members Monday for the ceremonial groundbreaking of a new police station in Shiloh.

“This new station is a significant investment in public safety, delivering our officers a modern facility that will better support their mission and better serve this community,” Hoffman said. “It reflects the needs of a growing area, and I want to thank Mayor Bob Weilmuenster, his team, Senator Christopher Belt and all the local leaders who stepped up to champion this project and helped to secure funding.”

Hoffman and Belt helped secure $4 million in state funding to support the project, which is expected to be completed and open in about a year. The new building will be located near Church St. and Oak St. in Shiloh, and will replace the existing station that the department has outgrown.

“I also want to thank Chief Rich Wittenauer and the members of the Shiloh Police Department for their advocacy and continued service to this community,” Hoffman said. “This project isn’t an endpoint. It’s an opportunity to further strengthen and build a quality police department to serve this community and its residents. I’m excited to see this project move forward, and can’t wait to see it open and running.”

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

CHICAGO —  State Representative Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, released the following statement today following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in West Virginia v BPJ, which allows states to prevent transgender athletes from participating in sports that align with their gender identity :

“First and foremost, Illinois’ laws protecting trans youth are not impacted by today’s United States Supreme Court decision in West Virginia v BPJ. The court upheld the West Virginia law targeting trans student athletes, but that ruling does not repeal any of our state’s laws affirming the rights of trans students to fully participate in their schools by protecting access to appropriate locker rooms and restrooms in all public and non-religious private schools and allowing trans student athletes to participate in school sports through Illinois High School Association policy.

“While states across the country continue to find new and increasingly cruel ways to bully transgender kids, Illinois will continue to do everything in our power to protect them. This decision, while another example of the ways this court and this administration continue to use children as political punching bags, does not impact the protective laws that states like Illinois have put in place. 

“The fight is not over, of course. This Congress, administration, and court will continue to try and find ways to spread their hatred. Through litigation led by Attorney General Kwame Raoul and legislation supported by my General Assembly colleagues and Governor Pritzker, we will continue to seek ways to provide as many protections as we can, for as long as we can, recognizing the limitations of state laws in the face of federal legislation and federal subpoenas.”