CHICAGO — State Senator Julie Morrison received the Illinois Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award from the Illinois Association of Park Districts at their annual conference this month.

“Parks are for everyone — creating recreational opportunities for children and adults alike,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “The IAPD is instrumental in advocating for recreation opportunities and natural resources within our state, and I look forward to future collaboration to make more accessible open spaces a reality.”

Morrison was recognized for her support of legislation promoting park districts, forest preserves, and recreation and conservation agencies across Illinois. She has been a longtime advocate for Illinois parks and continues to support park districts throughout the state through initiatives like the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant program.

SPRINGFIELD – Following the water rate hikes that affected Bolingbrook and the surrounding area, State Senator Rachel Ventura introduced a measure that would allow municipalities to buy back their private water lines through a ballot referendum. The measure is being supported in the house by Representative Dagmara Avelar.

“Water is essential to all life — I believe water should never be privatized for this reason. We cannot allow profits to be put over people,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “I will continue to work with my colleagues to protect access to clean, affordable drinking water, as well as advocate to reform water policies that have continually hurt consumers.”

SB 1513 follows recent water rate hikes in Bolingbrook and surrounding areas in July 2024, which sparked public outrage with residents citing already high water bills and rising living expenses. Under the proposed legislation, a municipality would be able to buy back their water rights from private water utility companies using eminent domain, led by a vote via referendum in any regular election.

SPRINGFIELD – To advance environmental standards and promote greener energy, State Senator Adriane Johnson joined colleagues Wednesday to support the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act, which would prohibit Illinois’ major retirement systems from making new investments in fossil fuel companies.

“By aligning our investments with the goals of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, Illinois is making a clear commitment to protecting our workers, communities and environment from the growing climate crisis,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “The Fossil Fuel Divestment Act reflects our responsibility to both retirees and future generations.”

SPRINGFIELD — Today, legislators and advocates gathered to announce the filing of Senate Bill 74 and House Bill 1224, landmark legislation to reform Illinois’ retainage policies.

“This legislation is about fairness and modernizing our laws to support Illinois contractors,” said State Senator Willie Preston (D-Chicago), chief sponsor of Senate Bill 74. “Our small businesses and workforce deserve payment practices that reflect the realities of today’s economy.”

The bills aim to end the practice of withholding payments from contractors across the board and instead adopt federal standards that impose retainage only when specific project issues arise. The bills would only apply to state agencies and public universities, not local governments or private developments.

CHICAGO – Members of the executive leadership of the Illinois Senate Progressive Caucus are standing together to denounce hateful action taken by the new federal administration.

"Attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion are direct assaults on the very communities that form the backbone of our state," said Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). "History has taught us a painful lesson: when they target one group, they threaten us all. What will begin with migrants will extend to the Black community, to women, and to countless others who have built the foundation of Illinois.”

CHICAGO – Illinois Senate Democrats recently joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to announce $10 million in funding for the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program. This initiative aims to help small businesses achieve sustainable growth, improve efficiency, and create and retain jobs through capital improvements.

"Programs like the OE3 grant are critical because they prioritize equity and uplift businesses that have been left behind for far too long,” said State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago). “By providing these resources, we’re not just supporting businesses — we’re fostering economic empowerment and generational growth."

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure more skilled health care professionals can practice in Illinois, State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes introduced legislation to better support the state’s physician assistant workforce and improve access to care.

“Before my work in the General Assembly, I worked with health care providers to resolve issues of inaccessibility, and I saw firsthand how it can take weeks or months to see doctors and other health care providers, leading to worse health outcomes for the patient seeking treatment,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “By streamlining the process of becoming a licensed physician assistant, patients will be able to receive medical help sooner.” 

DEERFIELD — Building on Illinois’ commitment to expand job creation and support capital investment throughout the state, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced the expansion of Fortune Brands Innovations headquarters in Deerfield.

“The State of Illinois’ business attraction incentives are stronger than ever under Governor Pritzker’s leadership,” said State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “EDGE incentives are supporting Fortune Brands Innovations’ HQ expansion in Deerfield, and I’m proud to see this innovative company poised for continued growth as it creates and retains hundreds of good-paying jobs.”

Fortune Brands Innovations — an industry leader in creating home products under brands such as Moen, Larson, SentrySafe and Master Lock — will consolidate and streamline its U.S. divisional headquarters operations into a single global headquarters in Deerfield, creating at least 400 new full-time jobs.