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Villanueva advances responsible revenue package prioritizing working families
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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois residents are on track to receive much-needed financial relief, thanks to the efforts of State Senator Celina Villanueva, who passed a responsible revenue package Monday that bolsters new revenue sources without placing taxes on everyday people.
“All year long, my colleagues and I were told we had to ‘cut’ our way out of budget challenges, but we recognize that bulldozing the essential resources and services Illinois’ working families rely on is not the way to meet the ever changing demands of our economy,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “We know the wealth to fully fund programs in our communities exists; it’s just being hoarded. This revenue package steps up to the moment to ensure Illinois has progressive revenue policies centered around fairness and stability for all residents.”
Senate Bill 3019 – the revenue package – would implement a stream of equitable revenue enhancements that uplift working families across Illinois, including making corporations pay their fair share and reinstating the back-to-school tax holiday.
Read more: Villanueva advances responsible revenue package prioritizing working families
Ventura pushes back on corporate home buying, passes bill to protect Illinois housing supply
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura’s measure to curb the growing influence of private equity and large institutional investors in Illinois’ housing market passed the Senate Monday.
“As working families struggle to find affordable homes and rising demand continues to drive up prices, we have a responsibility to preserve our existing housing supply for people, not large corporate investors,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Unchecked investor activity is pricing Illinoisans out of their own neighborhoods, and we need clear guardrails to restore balance.”
House Bill 2783 would establish a graduated annual fee on institutional investors that acquire more than 10 residential properties, beginning at 10% of a property’s value and increasing for every additional 10 properties owned. The fee would be capped at 50% and be directed into the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support public housing development, rental assistance, and pathways to homeownership.
Lightford passes landmark hemp and cannabis reform
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SPRINGFIELD – Following years of tireless advocacy, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford passed a sweeping measure that brings comprehensive regulation to Illinois' hemp marketplace and makes long-sought improvements to the state's cannabis laws for patients, small businesses and social equity licensees.
"For years I have fought to bring order, equity and commonsense to these markets — and today, working hand in hand with our colleagues in the House, we delivered,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This bill is about protecting people, keeping promises and making sure Illinois remains a national leader.”
Senate Bill 3222 would establish mandatory licensing and uniform standards for CBD manufacturers while creating a responsible transition path for hemp businesses entering the licensed cannabis market, with at least 45 infuser licenses reserved for social equity applicants.
Read more: Lightford passes landmark hemp and cannabis reform
Guzmán advances housing protections package out of Senate
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s bill to create new protections for renters and prospective renters passed the Senate Sunday.
“When we talk about housing, we are not just talking about buildings or leases, we are talking about safety,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “We are talking about dignity. We are talking about whether people have a real chance to rebuild their lives.”
House Bill 4377 combines several impactful measures to protect tenants in Illinois. First, the measure would prohibit federal housing assistance providers from establishing or implementing any rules, policies or procedures that impose time limits or work requirements as a condition of initial or continued eligibility for any rent subsidy or assistance provided to qualifying tenants. This portion of the bill was spearheaded by State Senator Ram Villivalam.
“By implementing protections against rigid work requirements, we are re-affirming basic human rights and ensuring vulnerable Illinoisans don’t have to work unsustainable hours just to have a roof over their head,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago).
Read more: Guzmán advances housing protections package out of Senate
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Porfirio resolution honors U.S. Marine Corps
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Porfirio led a resolution to honor the U.S. Marine Corps through renaming a portion of Interstate Route 80. “Since its creation, the Marine Corps has played a key role in protecting and safeguarding the security and fr... -
Hastings: Freedom is never free
SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings supported a resolution to honor the United States Marine Corps through renaming a portion of Interstate Route 80. Hastings, who served as a U.S. Army officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom, rose in supp... -
Jones honors fallen state trooper with memorial highway
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones III successfully led a resolution to rename a portion of I-55 in honor of late State Trooper Clay M. Carns. “Trooper Carns died doing the same thing he had done every day for 11 years – diligently and faithfully... -
Johnson declares Menopause Awareness Week
SPRINGFIELD – To bring awareness to a condition that will be faced by more than half of all Illinoisans, State Senator Adriane Johnson championed the effort to declare Oct. 11-17, 2026 Menopause Awareness Week. “Highlighting menopause is vital to gua... -
Morrison champions resolution declaring September 2026 Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month
DEERFIELD — Bringing awareness to genetic disorders, State Senator Julie Morrison championed a resolution in the Senate declaring September 2026 as Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month in Illinois. “Muscular Dystrophy is a group of progressive and dege...
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