SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ann Gillespie was appointed to the State Housing Task Force on Wednesday by Senate President Don Harmon.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to build on the work we’ve done for affordable housing the past few years,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “The lack of access to reasonably-priced units was exacerbated by the pandemic, and we must do all we can to build a more fair and equitable housing market for working families.”

The appointment furthers Senator Gillespie’s commitment to creating long-term solutions for affordable housing across the state. Last year Gillespie passed an affordable housing package that creates incentives in the housing market to create and rehabilitate affordable units, enforces the mandatory affordable housing plan for cities with more than 1,000 residents and changes the way the Cook County Assessor calculates the tax liability for affordable housing complexes.

The State Housing Task Force is led by the Illinois Housing Development Authority and consists of representatives from the Governor’s Office, Lieutenant Governor’s Office, the General Assembly, housing experts and several state agencies.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is celebrating the reappointment of Dr. Gina Lathan, a prominent Springfield native, to the Springfield High Speed Railroad Community Advisory Commission.

“Gina is a valued member of our community. Her voice is much needed on this commission,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “I am happy to see her reappointment, and I know she will work to ensure the high speed rail program best represents the community.”

Lathan has over 25 years of experience as a senior administrator in the public sector and as an entrepreneur with expertise in public health, social justice and community capacity development. Lathan has served in several advisory roles on local and international travel and tourism committees and projects. Her learned experiences living close to the rails will provide a valuable voice for the community.

The Springfield High Speed Railroad Community Advisory Commission was created to help increase transparency for the community and ensure a diverse set of voices is heard from during this significant project. The greater high speed rail project in Illinois seeks to connect Chicago and St. Louis in just over two hours. Springfield to Chicago would take under 80 minutes.

“This project will revolutionize the city of Springfield and the surrounding communities,” Turner said. “Gina’s reappointment to the commission will ensure transparency for the entire project.”

The commission will continue their work through 2026.

WAUKEGAN – State Senator Adriane Johnson was appointed to serve on the Military Economic Development Committee by Senate President Don Harmon on Tuesday.

“To protect residents and working families, military operations in Illinois must be sound,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Improving the business climate, ensuring bases are fully equipped and offering assistance to service members and their families will create a strong military presence throughout the state.”

The Military Economic Development Committee organizes Illinois’ efforts to preserve, protect, expand, and attract new military missions, assets, and installations. Members also explore ways to encourage defense-related businesses to expand or relocate, identify trends and support long-term viability within the state.

“I look forward to my responsibilities as a member of the Military Economic Development Committee,” Johnson said.

The committee makes recommendations to enhance Illinois’ military presence to the governor, General Assembly, congressional delegation, and other government officials.

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt was appointed to the Nonprofit Electric Generation Task Force to continue his support for the Prairie State Generation Campus.

“I have been a longstanding champion of bringing clean energy to the Metro East and am honored to have the opportunity to continue to advocate for a cleaner community,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “As a member of the Energy and Public Utilities Committee, I am proud to show my support for the coal plant that gives thousands of residents electricity."

CHICAGO – State Senators Ram Villivalam and Robert Peters celebrated the signing of two new laws Monday that will protect Illinoisans with disabilities from housing discrimination and make state government more accessible to the community.

House Bill 2775, sponsored by Villivalam (D-Chicago), adds “source of income” to the Illinois Human Rights Act's protections against discrimination in real estate transactions, making it a civil rights violation to refuse to consider an individual for housing solely based on their source of income. To comply with the law, housing providers are required to treat each applicant the same during their evaluation and screening process.

Collins says goodbye to ghost guns with new law

CHICAGO – State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins led the General Assembly to pass a measure that was signed into law by the governor Wednesday banning the creation, sale and distribution of unserialized firearms to address the growing dangers of ghost guns and gun violence.

“Despite the adversity I faced to push this legislation through the General Assembly, I am extremely pleased to see the implementation of such instrumental legislation,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “This new law will help protect our communities in all corners of the state, all of which can be subject to gun violence.”

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Koehler's new law encourages purchase of Illinois-made vehicles

PEORIA – Illinoisans will now have an added incentive to purchase vehicles manufactured in-state thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler.

“We have a highly skilled manufacturing workforce that produces reliable, high-quality vehicles right here in Illinois,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “By offering a rebate on the purchase of vehicles manufactured in-state, we put money back in the pockets of our consumers and spur our local economies.”

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New Murphy law requires property owners to give notice before towing people's cars

SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines), vehicle owners will now be granted more communication from property owners seeking to tow their vehicles.

“Car owners will have more protections to move their vehicle if a property owner needs it removed from their property,” Murphy said. “This law will ensure vehicle owners are promptly notified so they can move their car—saving both vehicle owners and property managers time and money.”

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New Johnson law aims to support disadvantaged male students

SPRINGFIELD – To offer support to historically disadvantaged male students, Governor JB Pritzker signed an initiative by State Senator Adriane Johnson into law to make a strong, statewide effort to explore solutions for equity in Illinois classrooms.

“A constituent expressed concerns for male students in classrooms when it comes to education equity,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “With support from my constituency, I’m relieved this law will allow our state to strategically explore ways to support young men in marginalized communities.”

Read more.

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PEORIA – Students with disabilities and their families will be more fully informed of the resources available to them thanks to a piece of legislation by State Senator Dave Koehler that was signed into law Friday.

“Illinois offers so many great resources for students with disabilities that can help mitigate some of the challenges these students and their families face” said Koehler (D-Peoria).  “It’s important that we make sure families know about these resources so they can take full advantage of them.”

The Achieving a Better Life Experience program aims to encourage and assist individuals and families in saving private funds to support individuals with disabilities to maintain health, independence and quality of life, and to provide secure funding for disability-related expenses to supplement insurance benefits and income.

Senate Bill 3474 requires school districts to provide informational material to the parent or guardian of students with disabilities about the ABLE account program.

“Students with disabilities deserve every opportunity available to help them live full, healthy lives,” said state Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar (D-Bolingbrook), House sponsor of the bill. “By providing these students and their families with information about the ABLE program, we’re providing them with a valuable resource they can use to support themselves.”

The legislation is effective immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure to simplify the process for use of a county recorder’s official seal under the leadership of Sen. Linda Holmes was signed into law last week.

Sen. Holmes originally introduced Senate Bill 3187 to streamline the recording process to establish a stamped or electronic version of the county seal satisfies the signature requirement for record instruments.

“The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Reporters approached me about clarifying this issue after a Sangamon County Recorder’s office customer believed the printed name of the Recorder should be considered a signature,” Holmes (D-Aurora) said. “In any case where there is doubt as to whether a printed Recorder’s name is legal, this clearly states the recorded document is legal.”

County Recorders are generally responsible for maintaining records of all governing body transactions including resolutions and ordinances. They keep records of deeds, marriage licenses and most other public records. They also issue permits, as well as many licenses.

With the signing of SB 3187 by the governor, it took effect immediately.