SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A plan, backed by state Rep. Aarón Ortíz, D-Chicago, prohibiting immigration detention centers within 1,500 ft. of specified areas including homes, parks, schools and daycare centers passed out of the Senate on Monday, and will head to the Governor for final approval. 

“Trump and his immigration goons have terrorized Illinois communities for far too long,” Ortíz said. “That’s why we took decisive action since the inception of Operation Midway Blitz to curtail their abuses, confront this administration and protect the hardworking neighbors we hold dear.”

The Ortíz-backed House Bill 5024 would create new restrictions on immigration detention facilities in neighborhoods, prohibiting such operations within 1,500 feet of a home or apartment complex, as well as any school, day care center, public park, or house of worship.

“This measure is yet another tool in our chest to help us bring order and peace back to our streets. I am thankful that the Senate took up the cause and joined us in making Illinois a defender of our communities by passing this measure.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A measure championed by state Rep. Aarón Ortíz, D-Chicago, which would expand state tuition assistance for community college students passed out of the Senate on Thursday.

“As a college counselor in my Back of the Yards neighborhood, I saw too many bright students forgo college, because the cost, even for community college, was far too high”; Ortíz said. “We continue to correct that with this legislation, and I am thankful to the Senate for joining us in this effort. While the cost of community and university tuition remains higher than ever before, expanding the state’s capacity to fund these institutions is a surefire way to give every Illinois young person the opportunity to pursue their passion.”

Ortíz’s House Bill 5135 removes the maximum reimbursement rate per credit hour for community colleges, allowing for more tuition assistance to flow to in-state adult learners pursuing their education.

Currently, state adult education fund rules unnecessarily reflect federal requirements found in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and other regulations. Ortíz’s plan would remove the state from this self-imposed restriction, providing greater flexibility to prioritize adult learner funding.

House Bill 5135 passed out of the Senate on May 21, and will head to the Governor for final approval.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A bill, backed by state Rep. Aarón Ortíz, D-Chicago, requiring all grocery chains that offer e-coupons in Illinois to provide, and honor, a physical coupon alternative passed out of the Senate on Wednesday, and now heads to the governor for final approval.

“Going to the grocery store is stressful already, with rising costs putting people's hard-earned money at risk” Ortíz said. “This measure will provide immediate relief and help people access lower costs out there, but is unavailable to them.”

In order to reduce these barriers to savings, Ortíz supported House Bill 45, which requires retailers to honor all advertised savings, even if customers cannot access their app or operate their digital coupons.

Grocery stores, drug stores and other businesses increasingly entice customers with advertised savings that require apps and digital coupons, which are often unreliable and require smartphone access.

“Stores may advertise great deals on milk, meat and other goods, but those are most often hidden behind a pay wall, an app or a dysfunctional e-coupon," Ortíz said. "By requiring these chains to provide the same deals in a physical form, we can better ensure customers can save more at checkout, without having to download an app or memorize yet another password.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Aarón Ortíz, D-Chicago, passed Senate Bill 2899 out of the House Insurance Committee on Tuesday that would expand health insurance coverage for rehabilitative and habilitative services for children under 19 years of age that have an acquired speech-language disorder. The measure now heads to the House Floor for consideration. 

“Thousands of children across Illinois are facing debilitating speech and language disorders that harm their overall development, including stutters, mutism and more,” Ortíz said. “We can and must help these children and their families adjust to and overcome these conditions through substantive, wrap-around support. That support must begin with the expanded insurance coverage provisions in this legislation. I am honored to be carrying this legislation, and I look forward to continued action on this on the House floor.” 

Ortíz’s Senate Bill 2899 would expand private and state Medicaid health insurance coverage for rehabilitative and habilitative services for children under 19 years of age that have an acquired speech-language disorder, including conditions such as stuttering. Habilitative services include speech, physical or other types of therapy prescribed by a physician to enhance the ability of children to manage a congenital, genetic or early acquired disorder. 

If passed, this measure would go into effect Jan. 1, 2028, with corresponding Medicaid-related provisions going into effect July 1, 2026. 

Ortíz’s Senate Bill 2899 passed out of the House Insurance Committee on Tuesday and awaits consideration on the House floor.

For more information, visit ILGA.gov. 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Aarón Ortíz, D-Chicago, advanced a plan out of the House last week to make community college programs more affordable for in-state adult learners.

“Today’s development gets us one step closer to not only making community college more affordable, but also making a stable financial future more accessible to young adults,” Ortíz said. “How Illinois funds its community colleges should be up to Illinois, not federal rules that are holding us, and the young people of this state, back. We’ve got more work to get this to the governor’s desk, and I am excited to continue leading this effort.” 

Ortíz’s House Bill 5135 removes the maximum reimbursement rate per credit hour for community colleges, allowing for more tuition assistance to flow to in-state adult learners pursuing their education. 

Currently, state adult education fund rules unnecessarily reflect federal requirements found in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and other regulations. Ortíz’s plan would remove the state from this self-imposed restriction, providing greater flexibility to prioritize adult learner funding.

House Bill 5135 passed out of the House on April 9, and now awaits consideration in the Senate. 

For more information, visit ILGA.gov. 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Aarón Ortíz, D-Chicago, advanced a measure on Tuesday to create a Higher Education Student Bill of Rights, aiming to enshrine protections for freedom of speech, organization and academic integrity on college campuses in light of federal attacks on higher education institutions.

“Just as relentless Trump’s attacks on higher education have been, so too is our commitment to protecting a quality postsecondary education for all Illinoisans who seek it out,” Ortíz said. “Our legislation is a comprehensive bill of rights for college students, ensuring that they not only feel supported in their pursuit of higher education, but that they actually are. Earning your degree continues to be a ticket to a better future, but that future is at stake when curricula, the right to organize and more are being eroded by an administration who sees knowledge as a threat, not something to strive for.”

House Bill 4304 would create the Higher Education Student Support and Academic Freedom Act, guaranteeing students that their safety on campus will be a priority, their academic freedom and ability to speak freely will be protected, and their financial interests will be maintained. Additionally, as the cost of a college education becomes more and more of a challenge, universities and colleges would be required to disclose tuition, fees, and any other material financial obligations to students for true cost clarity.

This bill responds to federal attacks on higher education funding and students’ freedom of speech, ensuring that Illinois students of higher education can exercise their freedom of speech and opportunity.

House Bill 4304 heads to the Senate for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Fighting to end the abusive and disruptive presence of Donald Trump’s deportation agents across Illinois communities, state Rep. Aarón Ortíz, D-Chicago, backed a plan Wednesday to prohibit immigration detention centers within 1,500 ft. of specified areas including homes, parks, schools and daycare centers. 

“Operation Midway Blitz continues to leave its mark on our community, and the presence of legally-dubious immigration detention centers near our schools, public parks and daycare centers looms over our children, their families and their future,” Ortíz said. “Our legislation continues our shared commitment to protecting Illinoisans from lawless immigration raids and ensuring a brighter future for everyone who calls Illinois home. Our backyards will not be the testing ground for whatever new, cruel and destructive immigration policy Trump wants to enact. This bill gives us one more tool to prevent that chaos.”

Since the launch of Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz in September 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have terrorized communities in Chicagoland and across the state of Illinois through excessive and deadly force. Additionally, reports show a massive increase in deaths in ICE detention facilities, with more than 30 people dying in custody.

ICE’s presence has been especially disruptive for neighbors, as armed masked agents patrol residential streets and often sit within a short distance of places of worship, schools, daycare centers  and small businesses. In Broadview, which houses an ICE immigration detention facility, this has resulted in significant challenges for local residents. 

Ortíz is protecting communities across Illinois from these federal incursions by supporting House Bill 5024, which would create new restrictions on immigration detention facilities in neighborhoods, restricting such operations within 1,500 feet of a home or apartment complex, as well as any school, day care center, public park, or house of worship. 

For more information, visit ILGA.gov. 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Aarón Ortíz, D-Chicago, is working to make community college programs more accessible and affordable for in-state adult learners, passing House Bill 5135 out of the House Higher Education Committee on Thursday to remove unnecessary restrictions on state funding.

“Higher education tuition costs continue to go up, and adults who want to go back for a degree or certification continue to be priced out of that opportunity,” Ortíz said. “My legislation addresses this fundamental issue of equity by expanding our ability to offer tuition assistance to adult learners, allowing more to pursue their passion at a lower cost. When costs are high across the board, we need to make sure that the pathways to a more secure financial future are open and available to those with the determination to succeed. Community college has been and continues to be one of those critical avenues.”

Ortíz’s House Bill 5135 removes the maximum reimbursement rate per credit hour for community colleges, allowing for more tuition assistance to flow to in-state adult learners pursuing their education.

Currently, state adult education fund rules unnecessarily follow federal requirements found in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and other regulations. Ortíz’s plan would remove the state from this self-imposed restriction, providing greater flexibility to prioritize adult learner funding.

House Bill 5135 passed out of committee on Thursday, and will head to the House floor for consideration.

For more information, visit ILGA.gov.

CHICAGO – State Rep. Aarón Ortíz, D-Chicago, issued the following statement regarding the news of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that President Trump exceeded his authority by levying burdensome and costly tariffs on goods from nearly every U.S. trading partner and his remarks during the State of the Union: 

“Beyond reigning in a president that routinely oversteps his constitutional authority, this ruling is a win for the American people. The on-again, off-again tariff wars have resulted in a nearly $1,200 tax on every American household. This is money people cannot go without, yet the livelihoods of millions were sacrificed to fulfill his personal whims.

“Despite this overwhelming rebuke from the Supreme Court, the president has made it clear that he will search out any and all opportunities to continue this tariff war on the American people. We must continue to push back on these efforts and invest in the American taxpayer who is bearing the brunt of these attacks.

“The cost of food, electronics and household goods have skyrocketed since the beginning of this administration, in no small part because of these tariffs. Now, the question is, will American families be reimbursed? 

“Many of the restaurants and businesses in my community depend on global trade relationships to deliver the goods they need to stay open. My hope is that this ruling is a step toward needed stability and that the president’s malicious efforts continue to be thwarted. 

“As trade policy conversations continue to unfold, I hope Washington recognizes the harm they’ve caused and instead chooses a better path forward. Let’s pursue sensible policies that can spur opportunity and strengthen our economy.” 

Ortíz previously championed House Resolution 623 in January which called on the Trump Administration, U.S. Treasury and Congressional Republicans to issue $2,000 repayments to every American household with an annual income below $250,000, as a refund for lost wages and savings due to Trump’s tariff wars. 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Responding to his community’s concerns over mid-year charter school closures and crises, state Rep. Aarón Ortíz, D-Chicago, is fighting for legislation that would institute safeguards and deliver greater stability to safeguard charter school students and teachers.

“With everything the Trump Administration is trying to do to our state’s public education, we need to do all that we can to best protect students and teachers from chaotic, abrupt and mid-year charter school closures,” Ortíz said. “This legislation would ensure that operators properly execute their renewal responsibilities. I have been a lifelong advocate for our children’s future, and this bill is another step we can take to keep Illinois schoolkids on track to succeed.” 

Ortíz  is championing House Bill 5063 which makes several critical improvements to the Charter School Law of Illinois’ School Code, including: 

• Requiring charter school executors to execute renewal agreements within 90 days of receiving an approved renewal; 
• Requiring charter schools, in the case of closure, to maintain sufficient reserve funds to transition students, pay outstanding salaries and fulfill transition responsibilities; 
• Outlining other requirements for operators of charter schools and penalties for failure to maintain proper financial and operational plans; and 
• Allowing the state to intervene and save financially distressed charter schools should the need arise; among other provisions. 

“Many in my community came to me with a simple ask: protect our students and teachers,” Ortíz said. “I am committed to doing just that with this bill. If a school is being funded, wholly or in part, with public, taxpayer dollars, accountability cannot just be a top priority, but a necessity.”