Happy Holidays

We hope this year’s celebrations find you all safe, happy and healthy.

May 2024 bring us the strength to keep working toward a better future for ourselves and our communities.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year!

Copyright 2023 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

SPRINGFIELD – Police departments and sheriffs throughout Illinois will soon have a new resource available to quick track stolen vehicles, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

“This new law helps our state’s law enforcement better utilizing the latest technology to track criminal actions,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “We will move one step closing toward using technology readily available to track carjackers and kidnappers as they travel from Point A to Point B.”

This ground-breaking initiative goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. 

Nationwide, carjackings are on the rise, but without formal coordination between authorities and vehicle manufacturers, law enforcement officers had little to no ability to access real-time tracking information.

SPRINGFIELD – As 2023 draws to a close, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus is looking ahead to 2024 with a sense of accomplishment and hope. Several impactful bills championed by the caucus will take effect Jan. 1, tackling critical issues like education, healthcare and criminal justice reform.

“Looking ahead to the new laws taking effect, we are prioritizing underserved schools, ending youth solitary confinement, creating successful pathways to reentry and so much more,” said State Senator Robert Peters, Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Senate chair (D-Chicago). “I am proud of the legislative work we have done collectively to prioritize the needs of our most vulnerable communities.”

SPRINGFIELD – A new law led by State Senator Javier Cervantes prohibits people from using social media or video calling apps while driving in Illinois starting Jan. 1.

“I am proud of the collaborative work we have done to protect Illinois drivers and ensure safe practices while driving in Illinois,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This law will take action against drivers who neglectfully put others’ lives at risk. I want to thank community advocates and the Secretary of State’s office for working with us to protect Illinois residents.”

House Bill 2431 prohibits the use of any electronic communications device while operating a motor vehicle, including the use of cell phones and tablets for streaming videos and participating in video conferences on platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and WebEx. Additionally, the law prohibits any social media applications like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter from being used while operating a motor vehicle on a public roadway.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois residents will have greater access to care and mental health services after State Senator Ann Gillespie’s comprehensive Medicaid overhaul takes effect Jan. 1.

“Thousands of Illinois residents depend on health care through Medicaid,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “We are helping providers with offering affordable and high-quality care by expanding services, investing in telehealth and increasing reimbursement rates.”

SPRINGFIELD – A law championed by State Senator Willie Preston requiring the Secretary of State to provide previously incarcerated individuals with an Illinois ID upon their release goes into effect Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.

“We are offering a lifeline to individuals who have paid their debt to society,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “Access to valid identification isn’t just about a card; it’s a key to unlocking opportunities, restoring dignity and rebuilding lives. This law ensures individuals aren’t faced with unfair barriers while reentering our communities.”

The new law requires the Secretary of State to provide individuals committed to the Illinois Department of Corrections or the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice with a valid ID after receiving the individual’s birth certificate, social security card, photograph and proof of residency upon discharge.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois will become the first state in the nation to prohibit the banning of books in libraries, thanks to a measure championed by State Senator Laura Murphy that takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

“Illinois is the first to take a stand and tell the rest of the country that we won’t bend to censorship,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “I am proud we are standing up for First Amendment rights and standing against partisan and doctrinal book bans.”

Nationally, the number of attempts to ban books has been on the rise, with 681 attempts involving more than 1,600 titles throughout the U.S. in 2021, according to the American Library Association. Seven states have passed laws to impose restrictions on libraries, including Tennessee, Oklahoma, Florida and Utah.

SPRINGFIELD — Beginning Jan. 1, residents will see expanded protections from utility disconnections on days of extreme heat, thanks to a new law from State Senator Mattie Hunter.

“For people who fall behind on their bills, having their utilities shut off on an extremely hot day can have dire consequences,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “By recognizing the dangers of heat and the value in access to air conditioning and proper refrigeration, we are protecting some of our state’s most vulnerable.”

The Public Utilities Act — which prohibits utility shutoffs on days where the temperature is above 95 degrees Fahrenheit — will now include extreme heat events, factoring in humidity and the heat index. On days when the forecasted temperature is 90 degrees or above, or when the National Weather Service issues a heat watch, advisory or warning, residents’ utilities cannot be shut off, even if they are behind on paying their bills.