Latest Updates:
Vella Backs Road Safety and Fairness Act, Creation of Fairer Road Test Requirements for Older Adults
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A plan making its way through Springfield backed by state Rep. Dave Vella, D-Rockford, would modernize road test requirements and raise the age in which older adults must take a behind-the-wheel driving test from 79 to 87.
Briel Champions Pro-Farm Bill out of House Committee
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Committed to addressing everyday obstacles Illinois farmers face, state Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, is carrying a bill expanding the lawful use of large-scale farm equipment to the House Floor for consideration.
Hirschauer Passes First-of-its-Kind Safe Gun Storage Bill
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is fighting to keep guns out of the wrong hands, protect children from accidental shootings, and track lost and stolen firearms by passing a new ‘safe storage’ bill through the House and Senate.
Hanson Announces Funding Opportunity for Local Roads
MONTGOMERY, Ill. — State Rep. Matt Hanson, D-Montgomery, is announcing a state funding opportunity for local governments to invest in local transportation projects. The current state budget includes $400 million for this purpose. Project applications are due no later than Sunday, June 1 at 11:45pm.
Chung Measure Encourages Greater Civil Service Worker Protections and Benefits
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, is empowering university workers and unions to pursue stronger worker protections and benefits with their employer. The Chung-sponsored measure received support in the House and is now in the Senate for consideration.
Stuart Passes Synthetic Drug Classification Bill out of House Committee
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, advanced a bill out of the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee that would expand fentanyl classification and classify emerging synthetic drugs, specifically those closely related to current scheduled drugs, as harmful substances.
Gordon-Booth Highlights New Statewide $400 Million Local Transportation Infrastructure Program
PEORIA, Ill. – An initiative pushed by state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, will deliver $400 million in state funding to help local governments repair local roads and other transportation priorities, with a focus on disadvantaged communities.
Ness Hosts Girl Scouts at Capitol for Mock Debate on House Floor
CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. – State Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-Crystal Lake, hosted the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern Illinois at the Capitol for a mock debate on the House Floor on behalf of the Conference of Women Legislators (COWL). As Co-Chair of COWL, Rep. Ness hosted the annual mock debate alongside state Senator Erica Harris. About 50 girl scouts participated in the mock debate and received a badge for their participation.
Hanson Joins Colleagues in Rebuking Hateful Rhetoric During Trump Official Visit
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Alongside legislative colleagues and advocates, State Rep. Matt Hanson rallied outside the State Capitol Wednesday in opposition to Trump Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as she used a stop in Springfield as an opportunity to criticize Illinois residents and push the extreme and unconstitutional agenda of Trump’s administration.
Jiménez-Backed Law Increasing State Support for More Affordable Housing Solutions Advances to House Floor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Lilian Jiménez, D-Chicago, passed a measure out of the Housing Committee on Wednesday that would support community land trusts in their efforts to create lasting affordable housing amid rising mortgage and rental costs.
Lisa Hernandez Honors Friend & Colleague the Late State Rep. Cynthia Soto
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth Lisa Hernandez, D-Cicero, honored the late Cynthia Soto on the House Floor on Latino Unity Day on Thursday. Soto was the first Latina elected state representative from Chicago’s Near Northwest Side and a founding member of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus.
Ammons Responds to DHS Secretary Noem’s Press Conference
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, released the following statement in response to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s Springfield press conference Wednesday morning:
Crawford Measure Studying Effects of COVID-19 on Chronic Absenteeism Heads to House Floor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Mike Crawford, D-Chicago, passed a measure out of the House Education Policy Committee on Wednesday to help educators and policymakers better address the causes of chronic absenteeism among k-12 students. The measure now heads to the House Floor for consideration.
Illinois House Passes Bill Ensures Access to School Counseling Services for All Illinois Students
SPRINGFIELD, Ill – The Illinois House this week passed Senate Bill 405 which amends the School Code to provide school counseling services in public schools, regardless of a student’s citizenship status. The bill, which is led by Sen. Adriane Johnson and Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, now returns to the Senate on concurrence.
Rashid Bill Expanding Dual Language Education Heading to Governor’s Desk
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Senate today passed House Bill 3026 which expands dual language education in Illinois. The bill, championed by Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Bridgeview) and Senator Graciele Guzmán (D-Chicago), now heads to Governor JB Pritzker’s desk for signature.
Illinois General Assembly Extends Rep. Rashid-Led AI Task Force
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Today, the Illinois Senate voted to extend the Illinois Generative A.I. and Natural Language Processing Task Force, co-chaired by Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Bridgeview).
Harper to Hold 3rd Annual Illinois Black Farmers & Growers Lobby Day
SPRINGFIELD — State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, will put a spotlight on ways allies across the state can come together in fighting to address issues of equity in relation to food, farming, cannabis, funding and more at the Black Farmers & Growers Lobby Day on Wednesday, May 14 at 8:00 a.m. The event will be held at the Illinois State Capital Building.
Buckner Takes the Lead on Law Enforcement Hiring Reform in Response to 2024 Murder of Sonya Massey
CHICAGO – State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, is leading the House efforts to reform law enforcement hiring practices in response to the 2024 murder of Sangamon County-resident Sonya Massey. “Last year, Sonya Massey lost her life because our process for hiring law...