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.

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Copyright 2025 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

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.”

The law encompasses initiatives of the Illinois Senate Latino Caucus to protect Illinois residents’ constitutional rights and ensure safe access to public spaces amid increasingly aggressive violations of those rights in Chicago and across the state.

It will allow Illinois citizens and residents to bring civil actions against any person who deprives them of their constitutional rights while conducting civil immigration enforcement. Punitive damages may be available when agents engage in certain behavior, including: wearing masks to conceal their faces, refusing to identify themselves, or driving vehicles with hidden or altered license plates.

The law will also codify long-standing common law protections to ensure parties, witnesses, and their family members can access the justice system without fear of civil arrest. The law will also create a 1,000-foot safe zone around courthouses, including parking facilities and surrounding streets. Violations carry civil damages for false imprisonment.

“For too long, individuals, especially immigrants and survivors of violence, have feared showing up in public spaces where they have every right to be,” said Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago). “House Bill 1312 reaffirms Illinois’ commitment to protecting privacy and due process by making sure our hospitals, schools and courthouses remain safe and accessible to everyone. We are saying clearly: your rights do not stop at the door.”

The law further will require public colleges and universities to establish procedures for reviewing law enforcement access requests and prohibits the unauthorized disclosure of immigration status.

“Education is a cornerstone of our democracy – a right for all Illinoisans that must be defended, regardless of immigration status. We cannot allow armed, masked federal agents inciting chaos in our communities to deprive our neighbors of their constitutional rights,” said State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago). “Despite the federal administration’s attempts to stifle justice and due process, Illinois will continue to uphold these fundamental rights for every person that calls our state home.”

Similarly, all Illinois hospitals will be required to develop comprehensive policies for law enforcement interactions by early 2026, with $500 daily penalties for noncompliance. Licensed daycare centers will also be required to adopt policies for interacting with law enforcement, including parental notification and consent requirements before sharing children's information, while prohibiting disclosure of citizenship or immigration status unless legally required.

“As aggressive immigration enforcement continues to spread, Illinois will stand as a pillar of accountability and justice. We will not allow ICE to go unchecked as they endanger our children and sow chaos in our communities,” said State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago). “In Illinois we will continue to protect each of our residents, regardless of immigration status.”

House Bill 1312 was signed into law Tuesday and takes immediate effect.

Koehler's new law puts vaccine guidance at the forefront

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Dave Koehler’s House Bill 767, legislation designed to put clear, expert vaccine guidance at the center of Illinois’ public health response, has become law.

“Families deserve clear, evidence-based guidance when making health decisions for their children,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “This law requires expert input to drive our immunization policies, makes those recommendations public and adds practical protections so pharmacies can continue serving their communities safely and effectively.”

Read more.

Johnson champions legislation to strengthen safety and privacy protections for public officials

SPRINGFIELD — To better protect the safety and privacy of public officials and their families, Senator Adriane Johnson championed legislation to remove personal information from the public domain and prevent online targeting.

“Public service should never come with threats to personal safety,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “We’ve seen far too many examples of harassment and intimidation directed at officials for simply doing their jobs. This measure provides common-sense protections that keep our public servants and their families safe, without compromising government transparency.”

Read more.

Peters' measure to raise juvenile detention age, focus on rehabilitation

SPRINGFIELD — An initiative from State Senator Robert Peters aims to raise the minimum age at which minors can be detained and limit the use of detention in certain situations where the minor is not charged with a violent crime, making it clear the state is moving away from harsh detention practices and prioritizing rehabilitation.

“Our juvenile justice system should focus on rehabilitation over punishment,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “By raising the age at which a minor can be detained and emphasizing alternative methods, we’re giving young people a fair chance at reformation without subjecting them to the damaging effects of detention at an early age.”

Read more.

Strengthening free press protections

From newsroom intimidation to national security transparency, State Senator Steve Stadelman shares candid insights on the real-world pressure journalists face — and how Illinois’ new protections aim to defend the public’s right to know.

Listen here.

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senator Laura Fine, Evanston: New Illinois law supports nursing mothers, begins in 2026 | Yahoo

Senator Linda Holmes, Aurora: Statewide Paint Recycling Program Debuts in Illinois | PR Newswire

Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr., Chicago: Clean Slate Act: Bill automatically sealing nonviolent felony records awaits Pritzker's signature | WAND

Copyright 2025 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved