Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” — Dr. King

Today we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of justice, equality, and hope. May we strive daily to carry his work forward.

Sims: Clean Slate Act creates fresh starts

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. championed a transformative criminal justice reform that balances opportunities for redemption with essential public safety measures – known as the Clean Slate Act.

"We're creating real opportunities for people who've earned the right to move forward," said Sims (D-Chicago). "By making record sealing automatic for those who qualify, we're getting rid of the red tape that stops people from getting jobs, finding homes and becoming full members of their communities again.”

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Senate Democrats highlight progress as interstate shootings decrease four years in a row

SPRINGFIELD — Following efforts by members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus to prioritize public safety, the Illinois State Police announced Illinois has had a decrease in interstate shootings for four straight years. Interstate shootings statewide decreased by 31% in 2025 compared to 2024, with no fatal shootings in 2025. This is the first time in close to a decade with zero interstate shooting fatalities.

“State officials and law enforcement are working around the clock to improve public safety across Illinois,” said State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “I am happy to have contributed legislation that assists in police operations on the highway, and will continue to prioritize evidence-based solutions that gives law enforcement additional tools and keeps roads safer for residents.”

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Preston outlines measure to overhaul state's tax sale system, stop predatory speculation

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Willie Preston held a press conference Tuesday to outline his Property Justice and Community Recovery Act – long-term structural reform to stop wealth extraction from disinvested communities, which will in turn stabilize neighborhoods.

“For too long, our tax sale system has enabled predatory investors to exploit struggling homeowners and extract wealth from our most vulnerable communities,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “This legislation would flip that broken system on its head. We're working to end risk-free speculation, forgiving crushing tax debt when it's unjust, and putting properties back into the hands of residents, nonprofits and local developers who will actually invest in our neighborhoods."

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Dignity in Pay Act

Senator Cristina Castro discusses the Dignity in Pay Act, sharing her personal connection to the long struggle to ensure equity in pay for workers with disabilities, and how this legislation will enshrine and bolster opportunities for economic independence for workers.

Listen here.

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senator Christopher Belt, East St.Louis: Belt highlights expansion of job training programs at community colleges | Illinois Business Journal

Senator Dave Koehler, Peoria: ‘Transformation in action’: Illinois State celebrates groundbreaking for Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts construction project | Illinois State University

Senator Willie Preston, Chicago: IL bill could overhaul tax sale system, stabilize neighborhoods | WAND

Copyright 2026 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

Senate Democrat-led landmark energy relief Measure becomes law

CHICAGO — Taking both affordability and sustainability into account, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus led a landmark law that is projected to save Illinois households more than $13 billion in energy costs over the next two decades.

“As Illinois and the rest of the nation face spikes in energy prices, this new law brings much-needed relief for families and gives our state the resources to protect its residents from unprecedented federal cuts,” said State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This law accomplishes our goal of saving Illinoisans hundreds of dollars on utility bills annually while transitioning the state to a more reliable energy grid.”

"This law gives Illinois the tools to keep costs under control and prepare our energy system for the future,” said State Senator Bill Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “It’s about making smart investments today that pay off for consumers tomorrow.”

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Turner and Senate Democrats announce $2 million investment for homelessness relief

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Doris Turner announced an investment of $2 million in community organizations dedicated to combatting homelessness in Central Illinois. These grant investments are part of the state’s interagency Home Illinois Plan, an initiative intended to drive state funding and policy toward preventing and eventually reaching functional zero homelessness – a goal where the state prevents homelessness whenever possible and ensures that if homelessness does occur, it is brief, rare and singular.

"With this funding, we are fulfilling our responsibility to help our neighbors stay housed and support our communities as they recover from the far-reaching effects of housing instability," said Turner (D-Springfield). "Every family in Illinois deserves a safe, secure place to call home, and this investment is essential to helping more families find stability, hope and a path forward."

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Edly-Allen law protects domestic violence surviviors using workplace resources for documentation

SPRINGFIELD — In Illinois, 42% of women and 26% of men will face violence from an intimate partner. To ensure survivors are not further burdened at work, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen championed a new law to protect employees using workplace resources for documentation purposes.

“Survivors of domestic violence should not have to worry about workplace retaliation,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “Survivors should not be penalized for protecting themselves. This law can — and will — save lives.”

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Interesting New Laws for 2026

2026 is here, and with a new year comes new laws that will affect families in all corners of Illinois.

More than 250 new laws take effect this year – from one that bans discriminatory AI in the workplace to another that enhances missing persons investigations.

In this episode, learn about ten of the new laws taking effect in 2026.

Listen here.

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senator Cristina Castro, Elgin: Illinois State Fire Marshal to keep track of firefighter deaths | WICS News Channel 20

Senator Laura Ellman, Naperville: Lock ‘em up: What state’s new Safe Storage Act means for gun owners, safety | Daily Herald

Senator Doris Turner, Springfield: IL law requires guidance for AI in elementary, secondary education | WAND News

Copyright 2026 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

What's new in 2026

The end of the year is here, and with a new year comes new laws that will affect families in all corners of Illinois.

More than 250 new laws will take effect next year – from one that bans discriminatory AI in the workplace to another that enhances missing persons investigations. These include:

• Senate Bill 8: Increases gun storage safety requirements and reporting requirements for lost and stolen firearms.
• Senate Bill 24: Prohibits law enforcement agencies from observing a waiting period before accepting a missing persons report. It requires information from a missing persons report to be entered into the agencies’ data systems upon receipt of the report.
• Senate Bill 212: Requires employers to provide paid break time to nursing mothers so they may express or “pump” breast milk for their child.
• Senate Bill 314: Requires a physical fitness center to clearly disclose any change in the cost of or reduction in benefits to a customer’s gym membership at least 60 days before the automatic renewal of the membership.
• Senate Bill 710: Allows the Department of Natural Resources to issue two free deer permits to individuals who qualify for the youth-only deer season. Allows IDNR to issue nuisance permits to landowners whose property is being damaged by deer.
• Senate Bill 1274: Allows a sexual assault services voucher provided by a hospital to be used for a taxi or rideshare service to transport a survivor home, to a shelter or to the transfer hospital.
• Senate Bill 1548: Establishes a Golden Search Awareness Program to raise awareness of missing persons with developmental disabilities.
• House Bill 2517: Expands implicit bias training for health care workers in Illinois to include training in potential maternal health risk factors associated with increased mortality rate.
• House Bill 3247: Codifies a child’s right to receive a public education and to participate in public school events and activities regardless of the child’s immigration status or the immigration status of their parents or guardians.
• House Bill 3773: Makes it illegal for employers to use AI that discriminates against workers based on protected characteristics or uses ZIP codes as a stand-in for those traits in areas like hiring, promotion, job training and more.

Dozens of other laws take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Find the full list by clicking here.

Copyright 2025 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

Happy Holidays!

From the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus, happy holidays!

We hope this year’s celebrations find you all safe, happy and healthy.

May 2026 bring us the strength to keep working toward a better future for ourselves and our communities.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!

Copyright 2025 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

Senate Democrats lead landmark legislation to enhance civil rights amid ICE activities

CHICAGO — Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus championed a new law aimed at safeguarding residents' constitutional rights and maintaining access to essential public services during increased federal immigration enforcement activity in Chicago and throughout the state.

The law responds to reports of intensive federal immigration operations in Chicago and other Illinois communities that have sparked concerns about potential constitutional violations and reduced access to critical services.

“There is no badge, no title, no mask that puts anyone above the Constitution. This law sends the message that if you abuse your authority, there are consequences,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “Our rights follow us into the courthouse, onto campus, at the hospital and when taking our kids to daycare. No one gets to take them away. We are providing the victims of this chaotic federal assault a clear, legal path to go after their abusers and hold them accountable.”

Read more.

Villivalam measure securing world-class transit system for Illinois signed into law

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Ram Villivalam spearheaded a new law providing necessary reforms and historic investments to address the public transit fiscal cliff and issues facing the system in Illinois.

“Riders, transit workers, and stakeholders from the business, labor, environmental, and urban planning sectors told my colleagues and I for years about the challenges and opportunities that exist with our public transit systems,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Their concerns were the same ones I see each time I have used public transit myself – delays, ghost buses or lack of service. The status quo wasn’t working. It was time to make a change in order for people to get their school, job, and/or doctor’s appointment in a safe, reliable, and accessible way.”

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Sims leads new law to protect Illinois from reckless federal budget

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. led the charge to insulate Illinois taxpayers from damaging federal policy shifts, ensuring the state's Fiscal Year 2026 budget remains intact despite the federal administration’s cuts to vital programs.

"The federal administration is recklessly cutting programs that Illinois families rely on, but we won't let their irresponsibility destabilize our state budget," said Sims (D-Chicago). "This law protects Illinois taxpayers and preserves our ability to fund schools, health care and essential services.”

Read more.

Enshrining reproductive rights

From deceptive crisis pregnancy centers to efforts from other states to weaponize digital data, State Senator Celina Villanueva details the challenges surrounding reproductive care — and how Illinois is pushing back through landmark legislation designed to safeguard personal freedom and privacy.

Listen here.

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senator Cristina Castro, Elgin: New Illinois law makes cocktails-to-go permanent among other changes | NBC Chicago

Senator Paul Faraci, Champaign: Faraci law improves protections for missing people with developmental disabilities starting Jan. 1 | Vermilion County First

Senator Laura Fine, Evanston: New Illinois law requires employers to provide paid breaks for nursing moms | NBC Chicago

Copyright 2025 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved