President Harmon discusses criminal justice reform on Restore Justice panel

Earlier this month, President Harmon joined Restore Justice for a panel celebrating the organization’s 10-year anniversary.

The panel shared real stores of the transformational impact Restore Justice has had on individuals navigating the criminal justice system in Illinois.

President Harmon shared the story of how he first became involved in efforts to reform the criminal justice system and discussed some of his accomplishments, including:

• Ending “policing for profit” by requiring accountability of law enforcement agencies that seize property and a more transparent system for innocent property owners.
• Expanding the number of convictions that are eligible to be sealed under Illinois law.
• Reinstating parole in Illinois for youthful offenders who commit a crime before the age of 21 and are given long sentences for certain crimes.
• Eliminated mandatory life sentences for certain juvenile offenders.
• Makes someone under the age of 21 serving a life sentence for first degree murder eligible for parole review after serving 40 years or more of their sentence.

Harmon speaks to high school students at civic engagement fair

Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) spoke about the importance of civic engagement to a packed auditorium at Oak Park-River Forest High School as part of their Civics Service Learning Fair.

Harmon was part of a panel discussion including State Rep. Camille Lilly, State Rep. LaShawn Ford and Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi.

Hundreds of juniors and seniors participated, learning about nonprofit and volunteering opportunities in our community.

Students also browsed 29 tables representing local nonprofits at the event.

The Civics Service Learning Fair is held twice a year at OPRF High School for students enrolled in the Civics class.

Harmon condemns social media threat against Gov. Pritzker

Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement after a man visited Gov. JB Pritzker's house to post threatening images and language on social media:

"Even as people across the nation call for an end to hateful rhetoric and for a calmer, more reasonable version of political discourse, yesterday a man went to the governor’s home to threaten him and make online posts inciting violence. That is never OK.

Harmon has perfect voting record on environmental issues

The Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) released its annual Legislative Environmental Scorecard this week, scoring state legislators based on their voting record on legislation affecting the environment during 2025 legislative business. Senate President Don Harmon has been honored with a perfect voting record on the environment.

The 2025 Legislative Environmental Scorecard includes 16 legislative measures. Specific priorities from this year’s Scorecard include:

• PFAS Product Phase-Out – HB2516 (Rep. Rashid / Sen. Morrison)
  • Phases out the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), aka “forever chemicals," in the manufacturing of children’s products, cosmetics, intimate apparel such as sleepwear or underwear, menstrual products, and dental floss by 2032.

• Climate Displacement Act – SB1859 (Sen. Guzmán / Rep. Guzzardi)
  • In a bold commitment to proactive, people-centered climate policy, this bill establishes Illinois’ first Climate Displacement Task Force.
• Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Funding – SB2466 (Sen. Aquino / Rep. Evans)
  • Boosts grant funding for acquiring open space lands and supporting conservation projects in distressed communities and locations.
• Mahomet Aquifer Drinking Water Protections – SB1723 (Rep. Ammons / Sen. Faraci)
  • In 2024, Illinois passed nation-leading legislation to regulate Carbon Capture and Sequestration, but the Mahomet Aquifer, which supplies clean water to nearly one million people throughout Central Illinois, was originally left unprotected. This bill extended that legislation to protect the sole-source aquifer and public drinking water from proposed carbon injection well projects.

A total of 64 state legislators received recognition for their 100% voting record during the legislative session in 2025. IEC releases its scorecard annually.

View Harmon's full voting record here: https://ilenviro.org/2025-environmental-scorecard