SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to curb the growing threat of synthetic drugs, State Senator Julie Morrison passed legislation in the Senate to regulate the use of xylazine — a powerful animal tranquilizer often mixed with fentanyl and tied to overdose deaths.

“We’re seeing xylazine turning already dangerous drugs into something even more lethal,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “By classifying the drug as a controlled substance, we’re giving law enforcement a path to respond to this escalating crisis without disrupting approved usage by veterinary professionals.”

Senate Bill 1773 would update the state’s controlled substance classifications to better address emerging drug trends, such as the mixing of fentanyl and xylazine. The bill, an initiative of the Illinois State Police, aims to provide law enforcement with more effective tools to combat the evolving challenges posed by illicit drug use. It would categorize xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance and clear up legal definitions to align Illinois law with federal standards, preventing loopholes that could put people at risk.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s bill to ensure defendants in a home repair or remodeling contract dispute receive attorney’s fees passed committee today.

“If homeowners have a genuine dispute and receive a favorable ruling, they should receive full coverage of attorney’s fees,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This will make sure a resident will have one less cost barrier to enforce their rights against a contractor.”

State law already requires consumer contracts in cases under $10,000 to pay out attorney’s fees to a consumer if the consumer prevails in their action. This initiative would ensure that if a home repair and remodeling contract allows attorney’s fees then the contract will permit the award of attorney’s fees to all parties in the contract.

SPRINGFIELD — Third-party restaurant ‘booking’ services have cropped up in foodie destinations recently, including Chicago. Scooping up restaurant reservations and reselling them on an auction-style platform with the promise of exclusivity is a new trick. In response, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is leading a bill aiming to protect Illinoisans from these price-gouging tactics. 

“Restaurants operate on the slimmest of margins to keep prices competitive and attract customers,” Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) said. “When bad actors try to turn a profit using a restaurant’s name and likeness without consent, owners are left scrambling with no-shows, eroding trust in the culinary industry.”

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is working to transform how Illinois funds its higher education system through legislation she outlined during a Subject Matter Hearing Wednesday.  

“Despite education’s paramount importance, the disparity in funding among higher educational institutions remains dreadfully evident,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This imbalance not only undermines the principle of equal opportunity but also hampers our collective progress as a society.”

Lightford was instrumental in creating the Commission on Equitable Public University Funding in 2021. Over the years, the 30-person commission studied if public institutions of higher education are in dire need of a new funding model when serving underrepresented and historically underserved student groups, including Black and Brown students, as well as students from low-income families.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy is championing a measure to crack down on unlicensed car dealers deceiving consumers with sales of defective cars.

“In our current financial landscape, consumer protection is more important than ever,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “Unlicensed car sellers pose significant risks to consumers, not just financially but also by putting the lives of unsuspecting customers in danger with cars that are of questionable quality.”

The goal is to make the already illegal practice of “curbstoning” — a scheme where individual sellers draw car shoppers to places like parking lots and side streets to sell used cars without a license — more difficult. The cars are sold for more money than they are worth and typically have significant issues such as water damage, mileage rollbacks, mechanical issues, or salvaged titles — which are only issued if the car has sustained enough damage to be declared a total loss.

SPRINGFIELD – At a press conference on Wednesday, State Senator Celina Villanueva reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening Illinois care infrastructure by advancing legislation to improve compensation for Direct Support Professionals who provide critical daily care to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“Direct Support Professionals are the backbone of care for thousands of Illinois residents living with disabilities,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Their wages should reflect the essential, often demanding work they do every day. This measure gives us the opportunity to move toward equity and dignity for this workforce.”

Under Senate Bill 1617, the Illinois Department of Human Services would be required to increase reimbursement rates for community agencies and residential programs that employ DSPs and other frontline staff. The measure aims to support a $2 per hour wage increase for DSPs by July 1, 2025, pending federal approval.

SPRINGFIELD — In a continued push to build a fairer and more rehabilitative justice system, State Senator Adriane Johnson is championing legislation to make it easier for young people convicted of serious crimes to have their sentences reviewed under evolving constitutional standards.

“Young people deserve a system that recognizes their capacity for change,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “This bill acknowledges that emerging adults are fundamentally different from fully mature adults, and our sentencing practices must reflect that.”

Senate Bill 248 would eliminate procedural barriers that currently prevent individuals convicted of a felony before turning 21 from seeking sentence review based on the principles of restorative justice embedded in the Illinois Constitution.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced a measure to ban unregulated wagering at arcades like Dave & Buster’s. 

“We have been extremely careful with how we regulate gambling in Illinois, whether that is on sports, table games or video poker,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “Arcades marketed as family fun shouldn’t be in the business of exposing minors to gambling.”

Last year, the family amusement company Dave & Buster’s announced it would begin allowing adult rewards customers to bet against each other in arcades. Cunningham’s legislation would prohibit family amusement establishments like Dave & Buster’s from promoting or facilitating wagering on games.

“I’d like to see the state deal with this issue before it becomes a problem,” said Cunningham. “Arcade places are not built to oversee unregulated gambling activities.”

House Bill 2724 passed the Senate Executive Committee.