Welcome to the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus

Feigenholtz spearheads Faith-Based Housing and Mixed-Use by Right Act

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is leading a transformative proposal that aims to give faith-based organizations the tools to revitalize and redevelop closed and underutilized houses of worship into affordable residential housing.

“Many religious institutions already serve vulnerable populations through programs and outreach services,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Extending these services to include permanent or supportive housing is a natural progression of their mission.”

Read more: Feigenholtz spearheads Faith-Based Housing and Mixed-Use by Right Act

Lightford leads hemp, adult use cannabis regulation legislation

SPRINGFIELD – Following years of steadfast advocacy and negotiations, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is leading Senate Bill 20 – a measure that brings critical consumer protections to Illinois’ hemp-derived CBD marketplace.

“From protecting a grandmother buying CBD oil for arthritis, to making sure a social equity transporter can build a real business, to guarding underage youth from harmful products — this bill is simply about people,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Effective regulation is about safeguarding public health and fostering a sustainable, trustworthy market.”

Read more: Lightford leads hemp, adult use cannabis regulation legislation

Villivalam stands alongside rideshare drivers advocating for the right to unionize

State Senator Ram Villivalam joined members of the Illinois Rideshare Alliance on Tuesday to advocate for the passage of Senate Bill 2906 – a measure that would allow rideshare drivers in Illinois to unionize.

“With the increase in popularity of apps like Uber and Lyft, rideshare drivers have increasingly spoken out about their lack of rights, protections and little to no transparency about pay,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Every worker deserves the right to organize. Current laws exclude rideshare drivers from the right to organize ─ leaving more than 100,000 Illinoisans without a voice on the job while corporations like Uber and Lyft make billions.”

The number of adults who work as taxi drivers or chauffeurs for their primary job has tripled over the last decade thanks to app-based rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. Since the increase in popularity of these apps for both consumers and laborers, rideshare drivers have increasingly spoken out about their lack of rights, protections and little to no transparency about pay.

Read more: Villivalam stands alongside rideshare drivers advocating for the right to unionize

Senate Democrats celebrate replacement of I-80 Des Plaines River bridges

JOLIET — Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus applauded the construction of new Interstate 80 bridges over the Des Plaines River.

The project began in early May, and marks the final phase of the $1.3 billion, multiyear I-80 rehabilitation and modernization, which is part of the Senate Democrat-backed Rebuild Illinois capital program. This year, 13 miles of additional lanes, reconstructed interchanges, safety upgrades and capacity improvements on the I-80 corridor will be completed, which will leave only about 20% of the project unfinished.

Read more: Senate Democrats celebrate replacement of I-80 Des Plaines River bridges