Latest Updates:

Avelar’s Team to Host Mobile Office Hours
BOLINGBROOK, Ill. — To connect with community members and better provide constituent services, state Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, and her team will be hosting mobile office hours on the first Thursday and last Monday of each month throughout 2023.

Rep. Suzanne Ness Responds to Budget Address, Prioritizes Affordable Healthcare, Education
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-Crystal Lake, issued the following response to Gov. Pritzker’s State of the State address and budget proposal:

Hirschauer Denounces Proposed Rail Merger
WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, and other state and local officials joined the Coalition to Stop CPKC Monday to formally oppose the proposed merger of Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern Railroad. The Coalition, made up of the Villages of Bartlett, Bensenville, Hanover Park, Itasca, Roselle, and Schaumburg, the Cities of Elgin and Wood Dale, and DuPage County, condemns the merger due to the health and safety risks it poses to local communities.

To the People of Kane County
Gun violence is a uniquely American public health epidemic; while we know the remedies, public officials like
Sheriff Ron Hain refuse to prescribe them. We are fighting every day for those remedies, so on one point we agree
with what the Sheriff said in this Daily Herald headline: we are also embarrassed that Sheriff Hain has a “D” by
his name.

Scherer Working to Connect Laid-Off Akorn Workers with Available Resources
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, is working to ensure workers affected by sudden layoffs at Decatur’s Akorn Pharmaceuticals have access to support and job training resources.

LaPointe and Fine Statement on Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The chairs of House and Senate mental health panels, Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, (D-Chicago), and state Sen. Laura Fine, (D-Glenview), issued the following statement Friday regarding unacceptable cases of abuse and exploitation at the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna, IL.:

Violent Threats, Misinformation Force Postponement of Stuart Constituent Event
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is postponing a Collinsville constituent coffee event originally scheduled Saturday, Feb. 25 due to violent threats and malicious false misinformation being spread by special interest groups about bathroom privacy and safety legislation.

Avelar Introduces Proposal to Improve Health Care Coverage Access, Reduce Medical Debt
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Uninsured and underinsured Illinoisans in need of medical care would be automatically screened for health care coverage eligibility under a new bill proposed by state Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, D-Bolingbrook.

Hirschauer Meets with White House Leaders on Gun Violence Prevention Legislation
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, and other state lawmakers from Colorado, Florida, Michigan, and Minnesota, met with senior White House officials on Wednesday to discuss extreme risk protection order legislation.

Rep. Barbara Hernandez Introduces Measure to Limit Cat Declawing
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A bill focused on humane treatment for cats by limiting declawing is progressioning through the House of Representatives thanks to state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora.

Hirschauer Appointed to Medicaid Working Group
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, will continue to seek bipartisan solutions to strengthen Illinois’ Medicaid program as a new member of the Medicaid Working Group.

Buckner Introduces Measures Emphasizing Active Transportation, Making Transit Safer
CHICAGO – State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, is working to pass several measures to make active transportation more accessible and crack down on dangerous driving.

Ortíz to Serve on Key Committees Tackling Community Challenges
CHICAGO – State Rep. Aarón Ortíz, D-Chicago, will bring Southwest Side voices to major conversations about job creation, education and environmental justice as a member of several key committees in the new legislative session.

Ortíz to Bring Community Needs to Upcoming Budget Negotiations
CHICAGO – State Rep. Aarón Ortíz, D-Chicago, issued the following response to the Governor’s State of the State Address, highlighting the need for fully funded services and strong fiscal decision making.

Press Conference Friday: Ford to Highlight Grant Supporting Veteran Housing on West Side
CHICAGO – State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, will join area veterans Friday to highlight a new state grant that will help develop and create the Arthur Lockhart Resource Institute’s (ALRI) Veteran Wellness Center, a modern facility to help house and assist veterans in need in Chicago’s Austin/West Garfield Community.

Stuart Issues Statement Following Budget Address, Highlights Education Funding
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Following Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s annual Budget Address on Wednesday, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, issued the following statement:

Yang Rohr to Push for Smart Fiscal Policy, Better Education Outcomes, Healthcare Access on House Committees
NAPERVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville, will prioritize continuing the improvements in our state’s financial wellbeing, ensuring access to health insurance and services, small business growth and other goals on key House committees in the upcoming session.

Rep. Yang Rohr Outlines Priorities for Next Budget
NAPERVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville, responded to Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Budget & State of the State Address, emphasizing the need for smart fiscal and spending decisions in upcoming budget negotiations.