Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine is urging Illinois public safety agencies and community partners to take stronger, more coordinated action to address impaired driving, extreme reckless driving, dangerous social‑media‑driven stunts, and the deadly practice known as “ghosting.”

“The loss of life caused by reckless and impaired driving is not just tragic — it is shattering,” said Fine (D‑Glenview). “Behind every statistic is a family whose world has been changed forever. This resolution is a call to confront the most dangerous driving behaviors with the seriousness they demand, and to do everything in our power to prevent another family from experiencing this kind of heartbreak.” 

SPRINGFIELD – Recognizing the importance of reproductive health data privacy for Illinois residents, State Senator Celina Villanueva advanced a measure to directly combat continued attacks on bodily autonomy and keep reproductive data out of the wrong hands.

“The surest way Illinois can protect our residents and their reproductive records is by requiring health information exchanges to implement new policies that keep sensitive information out of bad actors’ hands,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Time and time again, since 2022 when Roe v. Wade was overturned, we have heard the stories of women across the United States living in fear after seeking abortion-related health care. We have a duty to ensure Illinoisans aren’t being persecuted just because their health records ended up in the wrong hands.”

SPRINGFIELD – Graduating high school students may soon see more opportunities to attend Illinois’ public colleges and universities, thanks to a measure State Senator Celina Villanueva advanced out of the Senate that would expand in-state tuition rates to any individual who attended an Illinois high school for three years.

“If we want Illinois to be the best place to build a life, we cannot block already vulnerable groups from accessing affordable, quality higher education,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “By allowing students who attended an Illinois high school for three years the opportunity to qualify for in-state tuition rates, we are sending a clear message that Illinois’ public higher education system will value equity, ensuring all students have the same opportunities to earn a college degree.”

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 freedom of the United States,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “This resolution enshrines the honor and dedication that our Marine Corps serve with into the state of Illinois. We will never forget the sacrifice our Marine Corps members have made and will continue to make in the name of freedom.”

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 support of the resolution alongside other veteran legislators.

“It is important to acknowledge that freedom is never free,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “We owe a lasting debt of gratitude to the brave U.S. Marines who serve our nation with courage and honor. This highway, named after the motto of the Marine Corps, represents an eternal and collective commitment to the success of our battles and the progress of our nation.”

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 serving the people of Illinois,” said Jones (D-Chicago). “This resolution is only a small token of our immense gratitude for his life and service.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham championed a resolution to designate a portion of Southwest Highway in Palos Park as “Dave Sanders Way,” honoring David Sanders’ decades of service and leadership at The Center in Palos Park.

“For generations, The Center in Palos Park has been a place where people have come together to learn, grow, reflect and support one another,” said Cunningham a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “David Sanders dedicated his life to continuing that mission, and this designation is a fitting tribute to the impact he and his family have had on countless people throughout our communities.”

Senate Joint Resolution 60 would designate Southwest Highway between 12600 and 13100 as “Dave Sanders Way” in recognition of Sanders’ lasting impact on the Palos Park community and the greater Chicagoland region. Founded in 1932 by Reverend Paul T. Sanders and Elizabeth Sanders, The Center in Palos Park has served as a regional resource for more than 90 years. Under David Sanders’ leadership, The Center expanded programs and services focused on spiritual care, youth programming, agricultural education, the arts, counseling and recovery support.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s resolution to explore introduction of Arabic as a foreign language option in school has been adopted by the Senate.

“Arabic is spoken in the homes of hundreds of thousands of Illinois families,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “These students deserve the opportunity to develop and formalize their heritage language in our public schools.”