Latest Updates:
LaPointe, Feigenholtz Secure Universal Mental Health Screenings for Grades 3-12 Students
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.– Committed to connecting young children and teens to mental health support before it becomes a crisis, state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, passed a bicameral measure with state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, which aligns Illinois to become one of the first states to guarantee universal mental health screenings for students in grades 3 through 12.
Avelar Clears Bill Expanding Workforce Opportunity Through Both Chambers
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Working to improve workforce opportunities for those without highschool diplomas, state Rep Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, passed a bicameral measure that fills critical job shortages while prioritizing work for those without traditional highschool or college credentials.
Scherer-Backed Bill Protecting Local Drinking Water Passes
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Local drinking water will be better protected under a new bill sponsored by state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, aimed at preventing contamination of the Mahomet Aquifer—which serves as the sole source of tap water for much of Central Illinois.
Ness Advances Measure for Police to Train Therapy Dog Teams
CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. – State Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-Crystal Lake, advanced a measure that creates a course and certification program for therapy dog teams and police officers, empowering police across the state to use therapy dogs for crises and emergency responses.
Grasse Passes Bicameral Measure Advocating for Long- Term Care Patients
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – An experienced hospice chaplain and staunch advocate of palliative care, state Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights, recently passed a measure through both chambers creating standardization for Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, or POLST, forms in our healthcare system.
Andrade Passes Bipartisan Measure Addressing Pedestrian Fatalities on IL Roadways
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, joined his fellow legislators in passing a measure to expand the ability of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to create infrastructure improvements that prevent future crashes and pedestrian fatalities on Illinois roadways.
Stuart Passes Tornado Warehouse Safety Preparedness Bill, Advancing Bill to the Senate
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is improving protections for workers in their workplace in the event of a tornado or other inclement weather emergency by requiring employers to have a tornado safety plan in place and warehouses designate or construct a tornado shelter for workers and other warehouse personnel.
Hirschauer Pushes for Higher Education Costs Transparency
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – With college and university tuition costs reaching historical highs, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, is sponsoring a bill that would require Illinois colleges and universities to disclose their historical and current cost of attendance so prospective students and families can make better informed decisions about their college of choice.
Hirschauer Inicia el Proyecto del Senado Safe Storage
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – La rep. estatal Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, una defensora dedicada de leyes racionales para armas que priorizan la seguridad pública al mismo tiempo que los derechos constitucionales, inicia una medida que mantienen las armas fuera del alcance de niños pequeños y los menores en riesgo.
Briel Measure Expands Rural Internet Access, Voted Favorably to Senate Floor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Efforts to connect establishments across the state to high speed internet are underway thanks to a measure led by state Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, which awaits a final Senate vote before heading to the governor’s desk for consideration.
Ammons Bill Protecting Local Drinking Water Passes Both Chambers
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Working toward conserving local drinking water for Central Illinoisans, state Rep. and House Energy & Environment Committee Chair Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, has successfully passed a bicameral measure protecting critical sources of drinking water like the Mahomet Aquifer from underground pollution.
Chung-Backed Measure to Create Stipends for Student Teachers
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, is uplifting full-time and student teachers by advancing a measure that creates a stipend program for those students and provides an additional allowance for current teachers who choose to mentor.
Stuart-Sponsored Measure to Uplift Working Mothers in the Workplace
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is working to protect nursing mothers in the workplace by advancing a bill that would require employers to provide paid break time to an employee who needs to express breast milk and prohibits employers from forcing nursing mothers to use their paid leave to express breast milk.
Mayfield Helps Communities Access Key Public Safety Grants
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – At least 30 cities and counties, including North Chicago, have applied for important grants from the state that are designed to solve firearm crimes and reduce gun violence in communities, thanks to the work of state Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan.
Syed Fighting for More Secure Gun Storage, Reporting Requirements for Lost or Stolen Firearms
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Safe Gun Storage Act, a measure backed by state Rep. Nabeela Syed, D-Inverness, will improve public safety by requiring firearm owners to securely store their guns and inform law enforcement if they are lost or stolen.
Buckner, Turner Pass Major Law Enforcement Hiring Reform in Response to 2024 Murder of Sonya Massey
CHICAGO – State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, and state Sen. Doris Turner, D- Springfield, passed reforms to law enforcement hiring practices in response to the 2024 murder of Sangamon County-resident Sonya Massey. Massey’s family and other stakeholders were in the gallery watching when the bill passed the House.
Ryan Leads Legislation to Streamline Dental Insurance, Remove Costly Barrier to Care
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A measure led in the House by state Rep. Rick Ryan, D-Evergreen Park, will streamline dental insurance by allowing carriers to send payments directly to providers instead of having dentists collect payments directly from patients.
Ammons Secures $2.4M in Local Funds, Bringing Fresh Groceries to Champaign-Urbana
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Ensuring local residents have access to fresh, healthy food in their neighborhoods, state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, secured over 2 million dollars in grant money to construct a new grocery store in Northwest Urbana, as part of the Illinois Groceries Initiative New Stores in Food Deserts Program Ammons voted for last Spring.