Latest Updates:
![Buckner Bill to Bolster Chicago Economy with Business Improvement Districts](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Buckner.jpg)
Buckner Bill to Bolster Chicago Economy with Business Improvement Districts
CHICAGO— State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, is spearheading a measure to support growing businesses by creating “Business Improvement Districts,” or “BIDs.” BIDs would raise more revenue than existing economic development tools, while allowing affected businesses to have more control of how the money is spent.
![Rep. Barbara Hernandez Recieves ‘Governmental Leader of the Year’ Award from DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Hernandez-B.jpg)
Rep. Barbara Hernandez Recieves ‘Governmental Leader of the Year’ Award from DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference
AURORA, Ill. – State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, was recently named ‘Governmental Leader of the Year’, along with state Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, by the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference.
![Rep. Lisa Hernandez Highlights Record MAP Grants, Vows More State Action on Tuition Costs](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Hernandez-214x300.jpg)
Rep. Lisa Hernandez Highlights Record MAP Grants, Vows More State Action on Tuition Costs
CICERO, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth ‘Lisa’ Hernandez, D-Cicero, announced more than $8.3 million in Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants which will help 2,109 local students afford a college education.
![Manley Highlights State Investment in Local Higher Education Institutions](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Manley_N.jpg)
Manley Highlights State Investment in Local Higher Education Institutions
ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is praising the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s (IBHE) decision to award tens of millions of dollars in capital grants to two universities in Will County.
![Gordon-Booth to Visit White House Thursday for Communities in Action: Building a Better America Series](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Gordon-Booth.jpg)
Gordon-Booth to Visit White House Thursday for Communities in Action: Building a Better America Series
WASHINGTON – State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, is traveling to the White House Thursday to discuss the ongoing impact of investments in Illinois through the Biden-Harris Administration.
![Andrade Lauds MAP Grant Awarded to Local Families, Continues Work Cutting College Costs](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Andrade-J.jpg)
Andrade Lauds MAP Grant Awarded to Local Families, Continues Work Cutting College Costs
CHICAGO – State Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, highlighted record funding of Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants which will help 1,614 local families afford a college education.
![Cassidy Appointed to House Labor Committee](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Cassidy.jpg)
Cassidy Appointed to House Labor Committee
CHICAGO – State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, will bring a strong voice for workers’ rights and human rights to the House Labor & Commerce Committee. Cassidy was appointed to a spot on the panel last week.
![Entra en vigor una Ley del Rep. González que Expande el Permiso de Pérdida](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Gonzalez.jpg)
Entra en vigor una Ley del Rep. González que Expande el Permiso de Pérdida
CHICAGO – Familias afectadas por crímenes violentos ahora son garantizadas tiempo libre adicional bajo una ley nueva del representante estatal Edgar Gonzalez Jr, D-Chicago.
![Entra en vigor una Ley del Rep. González que Expande el Permiso de Pérdida](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Gonzalez.jpg)
Rep. Gonzalez-Backed Law Extending Bereavement Leave Taking Effect this Year
CHICAGO – Families affected by violent crime are now guaranteed additional leave from work under a new law enacted by state Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr, D-Chicago.
![Entra en vigor una Ley del Rep. González que Expande el Permiso de Pérdida](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Gonzalez.jpg)
Rep. González Presenta un Proyecto que Garantiza que los Negocios Aceptan Pagos en Efectivo
CHICAGO – Dado que muchas en la comunidad dependen de dinero en efectivo para pagar ya sea el mandado de o servicios, el representante estatal Edgar Gonzalez Jr, D-Chicago, presentó legislación que garantiza que los negocios y restaurantes calificados sigan aceptando pagos en efectivo.
![Entra en vigor una Ley del Rep. González que Expande el Permiso de Pérdida](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Gonzalez.jpg)
Rep. Gonzalez Introduces Bill Ensuring Businesses Accept Cash Payments
CHICAGO – With many in his community relying on cash to pay for goods and services, state Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr, D-Chicago, introduced legislation ensuring that qualifying businesses and restaurants continue to accept cash.
![Hoffman Highlights MAP Grant Use in Metro East, Encourages Further Investment in Higher Education](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Hoffman.jpg)
Hoffman Highlights MAP Grant Use in Metro East, Encourages Further Investment in Higher Education
BELLEVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is highlighting more than $12.7 million claimed by Metro East residents last year through Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grants.
![Katz Muhl Takes Office, Lays Out Legislative Priorities](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Katz-Muhl-214x300.jpg)
Katz Muhl Takes Office, Lays Out Legislative Priorities
NORTHBROOK, Ill. — Newly inaugurated state Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl, D-Northbrook, has jumped into action since taking office, announcing her policy goals for the upcoming 2024 regular session—including gun violence prevention, healthcare access, protecting the right to choose, consumer protection, access to affordable housing, as well as government accountability and transparency.
![Manley Highlights State Investment in Local Higher Education Institutions](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Manley_N.jpg)
Manley Celebrates Illinois Supreme Court Decisions to Uphold Police and Fire Pension Consolidation
ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is praising last Friday’s decision by the Illinois Supreme Court to uphold a Manley-backed 2019 law which consolidated nearly 650 police and fire pension funds into two statewide funds.
![Benton Unveils 2024 Agenda Focused on Working Families](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Benton.jpg)
Benton Unveils 2024 Agenda Focused on Working Families
PLAINFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, introduced an agenda prioritizing tax relief, workers’ rights, affordable childcare, and other needs of middle-class families and seniors for the 2024 legislative session.
![Rep. Barbara Hernandez Recieves ‘Governmental Leader of the Year’ Award from DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Hernandez-B.jpg)
Rep. Barbara Hernandez to Hold Virtual Social Justice Committee on Veteran Outreach
AURORA, Ill. – In partnership with the Road Home Program, state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, is holding a virtual social justice committee to discuss methods to help veterans returning to civilian life.
![House and Senate Mental Health Committees to Address Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/LaPointe.jpg)
House and Senate Mental Health Committees to Address Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage
CHICAGO – The House Mental Health & Addiction Committee will meet jointly with the Senate Behavioral Mental Health Committee to discuss the ongoing issue of the behavioral health workforce shortage across the state.
![DeLuca to Host Press Conference Jan. 24, Submits Proposal to Hold Repeat Gun Offenders Accountable](https://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/DeLuca.jpg)
DeLuca to Host Press Conference Jan. 24, Submits Proposal to Hold Repeat Gun Offenders Accountable
CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. – Concerned that too many criminals are endangering communities with repeat gun offenses, state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, has put forth a plan to reimplement expanded sentences for repeat gun offenders, as well as require juvenile repeat firearm offenders to participate in social service programs.