Harris champions new law to expand opportunities for student-athlete compensation

SPRINGFIELD – Student-athletes in Illinois will have greater opportunities to receive fair compensation, thanks to a new law passed by former student-athlete, State Senator Napoleon B. Harris, III.

“Student athletes are constantly on double duty – attempting to keep up with school work along with balancing team responsibilities,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “Ensuring student-athletes have accessibility to fair compensation for their countless hours of dedication will eliminate financial barriers and set them up for success in their future.”

Harris’ House Bill 307 will expand the methods of compensation by eliminating limitations on how name, image and likeness – also known as known as “NIL” – are paid, along with what consideration is allowed on the part of the student-athlete themselves.

The new law will expand accessibility by allowing colleges to directly pay NIL contracts if it is in response to a court order or if the institution is utilizing NIL compensation as an incentive for an athlete to attend their school. It also will expand the definition of “student-athlete” to include individuals prior to and after their enrollment and deletes provisions that restrict a student from preemptively entering into a NIL contract or receive continued benefit from a NIL contract after their enrollment.

Read more: Harris champions new law to expand opportunities for student-athlete compensation

Stadelman law expands financial flexibility for education savings programs

SPRINGFIELD – Families will now have enhanced college savings opportunities thanks to State Senator Steve Stadelman.

“This law gives families peace of mind, knowing that their hard-earned savings will not go to waste,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “By enabling the rollover of unused funds into a retirement account, we are helping young adults build a secure financial foundation for the future.”

The law allows parents with 529 college savings plans to utilize unused or leftover college or trade school funds by adding them to a retirement account. This provision ensures that savings intended for educational purposes can continue to benefit the student, even if their educational expenses are less than anticipated.

“I remain committed to providing flexible, forward-looking financial situations for Illinois families,” said Stadelman. “By ensuring that educational savings can be effectively repurposed, we are helping create a more secure and prosperous future for our children.”

Senate Bill 3133 was signed into law Friday and takes effect immediately.

Governor signs Peters’ child labor law overhaul

SPRINGFIELD — For the first time in nearly 75 years, Illinois will see strengthened protections for youth in the workforce thanks to State Senator Robert Peters.

“Young people in the current workforce encounter challenges unique to their generation,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “These updates to our child labor laws are needed to safeguard their rights and well-being, ensuring our youngest residents have a healthy balance between their work responsibilities, schooling, extracurricular activities and personal lives.”

With support from the AFL-CIO and the Illinois Department of Labor, Peters spearheaded the overhaul of the Illinois Child Labor Law to provide more protections for youth in the workforce by addressing working conditions, age requirements and sectors prone to exploitation.

Read more: Governor signs Peters’ child labor law overhaul

Senate Democrats celebrate first tenant of quantum campus announcement, bringing economic boost for Chicago’s South Side

CHICAGO—Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus are proud to have been part of the announcement of the site for the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park at USX on the South Side of Chicago. and its first tenant was announced to be leading quantum company PsiQuantum.

" Illinois plants a flag and reminds the world of the leadership role we play in technology,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “I can’t think of a better location to send that message. This site connects the power of our past with the promise for our future."

Quantum computing is rapidly-emerging technology that harnesses the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems too complex for classical computers. The quantum campus, also known as the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, will include shared cryo facilities, equipment labs, and spaces for both private companies and Illinois’ research universities to collaborate and research. The Chicago site has 128 acres ready for immediate development and an additional 312 acres available for expansion. Its strategic location near Lake Michigan and the Calumet River will provide the water sources needed for cooling, and the site can accommodate the 200MW of power needed.

Read more: Senate Democrats celebrate first tenant of quantum campus announcement, bringing economic boost...