Full statement from Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, regarding Senate passage of SB 15:

“The beauty of the legislative process is that there are often numerous ways to achieve a shared goal. Today’s action by the Senate puts parents, families and taxpayers of Chicago on the threshold of finally getting a choice in who leads their schools – a right already afforded to every other community in Illinois.

“This plan represents what the Mayor of Chicago and advocates argue is the best way forward, with a phased-in transition to an elected, representative school board paired with strong ethical safeguards. We hope the House quickly sends this measure to the governor’s desk so we can begin this exciting new era of community-led education.”

Key provisions of SB 15 include:

• Adopts Mayor Johnson’s hybrid election approach in which 10 CPS Board members will be elected in 2024 and 10 CPS Board members and the Board Chair will be appointed by the mayor.
• Beginning in 2026, all 20 CPS Board members will be elected from subdistricts and the Board President will be elected citywide.
• Potential candidates can begin circulating petitions on March 26 for the 2024 election, with petitions to be filed between June 17 and June 24.
• The first Board election will take place November 5.
• Ensures school board members will be held to strong ethical standards that mirror those for all other school boards across the state. That includes conflict of interest provisions in line with the state’s existing Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act.
• Creates the Black Student Achievement Committee within the Board, following feedback from education advocates, parents and community members about the need to focus on the disparity in academic performance among Black students.
• Allows the CPS Board to establish additional committees or advisory boards to seek guidance on addressing disparities and individualized needs.
• A map detailing electoral district boundaries, as well as demographic data and shape files, is available online at ilsenateredistricting.com. The map consists of 20 districts, including seven majority Black districts, six majority Latino districts, five majority White districts and two coalition districts.

SPRINGFIELD – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) passed legislation today prohibiting firearms manufacturers and sellers from marketing weapons to children and from promoting illegal militia activity.

The measure also makes it illegal for any firearms dealer to knowingly create a condition that endangers public safety. Examples of such situations include failure to prevent the sale of a firearm to a straw purchaser and failure to ensure that business practices comply with all local, state and federal laws. 

“At its core, this is to protect consumers and prevent firearms companies from marketing to children and promoting illegal militia activities,” Harmon said. “It also ensures that firearms manufacturers are not shielded from liability when their actions compromise public safety. These are reasonable, manageable steps we can take to help curb the scourge of gun violence in our state.” 

House Bill 218 passed the Senate 34-22.

SPRINGFIELD -- Two Illinois Senate committees will be co-chaired by Republicans in a move that harkens back decades to a time when Republicans and Democrats more often worked together to recognize shared goals and achieve them.

“I appreciate Leader Curran reaching out with this idea. At one point in our not-so-distant history this was a common practice in the Senate. I think we both hope that it will foster bipartisan cooperation on how we can best meet the needs of people all across our great state,” said Illinois Senate President Don Harmon.

Sen. Dale Fowler, a Republican from Harrisburg, will serve as co-chair on the Senate Higher Education Committee. Sen. Michael Halpin, a Rock Island Democrat is the committee chair, and Sen. Celina Villanueva, a Chicago Democrat, is the vice chair.

Sen. Sally Turner, a Republican from Beason, will serve as the co-chair on the Senate State Government Committee. Sen. Patrick Joyce, a Democrat from the Kankakee area, is the chair, and Sen. Willie Preston, a Democrat from Chicago, is the vice chair.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Senate President Don Harmon’s statement on the budget plan unveiled Wednesday by Gov. JB Pritzker.

“We have labored for years to build a solid, stable fiscal foundation for the state of Illinois. Because of those responsible decisions, we find ourselves in the position to be able to invest in our future and do so in a way that can make a real difference.

“I applaud the governor for starting this conversation and for setting priorities that hopefully can bring people together in bipartisan support.

“From enrolling more children in early education programs, to keeping our promise to fund K-12 schools, to getting back to investing in higher education opportunities and devoting resources to address the growing problem of homelessness, there’s a lot to like in this budget.

“Senate Democrats look forward to the opportunity to explore it in greater detail in the weeks and months ahead.”

SPRINGFIELD — Oak Park Democrat Don Harmon was elected Senate President by his colleagues Wednesday, vowing to keep Illinois moving forward and calling on all in public office to recognize and honor the responsibilities and high standards the public expects.

“Each of us serves roughly a quarter million people back home. A quarter million people. What is best for them? What is best for the millions of working families across our state? What is best for the nearly 13 million people who collectively call Illinois home?” Harmon said. “Be guided by that truth, whether it be politically convenient or not. If your motivations are elsewhere, the Illinois Senate is not for you.”