SPRINGFIELD — Like large urban centers throughout the country, downtown Chicago faces critical challenges coming out of the pandemic as people make different decisions about how and where they live, work, dine and play — something State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is working to change.

“With hybrid workforces, evolving consumer habits and low office occupancy rates across the central business district, Chicago is in need of a united revitalization effort,” Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) said. “By carefully examining what other cities have done to bounce back from post-pandemic challenges, we can creatively and sustainably rebuild our vibrant, thriving downtown economy.”

Feigenholtz is working to create the Chicago Downtown Revitalization Task Force. The task force would study factors impacting long-term growth in Chicago’s central business district and recommend innovative policies to enhance economic activity, attract travelers and investments, and increase the overall vitality of the city’s central business district.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa successfully led a resolution through the Senate to declare May 8, 2025 as Quinceañera Day in Illinois, celebrating the Latin American tradition while highlighting the 15th anniversary of Latino Unity Day.

“A quinceañera is a tradition centered in community, bringing together every person who has contributed to the upbringing of a young girl,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “It is a reflection of our culture, which understands that substantial change takes a village, whether it is in raising a family or uplifting our community.”

Senate Resolution 248 was adopted in honor of the 15^th anniversary of Latino Unity Day – the largest day of advocacy in Springfield for the Latino community in Illinois. Quinceañera, derived from the Spanish word “quince,” meaning fifteen, is a celebration for a girl’s 15^th birthday that incorporates indigenous and catholic traditions. The purpose of a quinceañera is to mark a young girl’s transition into adulthood.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Linda Holmes’ measure to keep a closer watch on Illinois’ gray foxes moved a step nearer to becoming law on Thursday.

The gray fox population in Illinois and much of the Midwest has been declining over the last 30 years, primarily due to diseases like canine distemper and competition with coyotes, but current law doesn’t allow the state to act on population changes and adjust the hunting season. House Bill 3760 would give the Illinois Department of Natural Resources the authority to set the hunting and trapping seasons for the gray fox based on current research and population data. Other states including Indiana, Ohio and Iowa, are also looking at potential legislation to address this issue.

“The Illinois Department of Natural Resources can be more proactive in managing the gray fox population to avoid further declines and remove extra pressure on the population,” Holmes (D-Aurora) said. “This applies for the 2025 hunting and trapping season only to provide adequate notice for hunters and trappers. IDNR can consider readjusting their season when the population rebounds.”

SPRINGFIELD — In response to the federal administration’s plan to collect private medical information, Governor JB Pritzker issued an executive order to restrict autism-related data collection and sharing.

State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest), who has served as co-chair of the bipartisan and bicameral Disability and Accessibly Caucus, commended the state’s response, releasing the following statement:

“The federal administration has depicted individuals with autism as those who do not lead fulfilling lives or contribute to their communities, and that can’t be further from the truth. Tracking individuals with autism — what Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy has declared ‘a tragedy’ and ‘an epidemic’ — will reduce them to a data point without clarity on how this information will be used.

SPRINGFIELD – High-speed internet for the entire state has yet to become a reality, leaving rural areas with patchy and often unreliable services. State Senator Rachel Ventura worked alongside State Representative Amy Briel to lead House Bill 1062 through the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee.

“Broadband access should be available to all. This legislation aims to prioritize anchor institutions to quickly improve our state’s broadband network in the most cost effective way possible,” Ventura (D-Joliet). “By utilizing existing and nearby infrastructure, vulnerable communities can increase access to high-speed internet, which is critical for daily life.”

SPRINGFIELD — By collecting data on the need for more affordable housing options, State Senator Graciela Guzmán joined the initiative to incentivize government agencies and organizations to invest and support affordable housing projects throughout the state.

“If you ask everyday Illinoisians, they will tell you one of their biggest concerns is the rising cost of housing. Working people desperately need more affordable housing options,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “To ensure we can pass policies to address this need, we must have data to reflect the demand and the available inventory of affordable housing available for sale or for rent in low-income and middle-income households in each local government in Illinois.”

Illinois has passed legislation addressing housing insecurity by prioritizing the needs of the state’s most vulnerable to experiencing homelessness. The Office to Prevent and End Homelessness has implemented a multi-year strategy, Home Illinois, to strive towards functional zero homelessness statewide. Additionally, the Illinois Housing Development Authority finances and encourages the growth and preservation of affordable housing for renters at 80% of the area median income and below. These measures have worked to prevent some of the most vulnerable Illinoisans from experiencing homelessness. 

SPRINGFIELD – After experiencing a sexual assault, survivors often face the added stress of figuring out how to get to a safe location once their medical exam is complete. To help ease this burden, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton advanced a bill that would expand the state’s sexual assault services voucher program to cover transportation following treatment.

“No one should be left stranded after a traumatic experience,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “This bill makes sure survivors can get to their next destination safely, without worrying about the cost.”

SPRINGFIELD – Continuing her work to increase affordable access to vital health care services, State Senator Laura Fine is sponsoring a measure addressing coverage for emergency neonatal intensive care.

“Every newborn deserves a fighting chance, especially in the critical first hours of life,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Parents want their children to be safe and healthy, and an unexpected birth complication can lead to permanent consequences if not promptly treated.”

To treat premature or critically ill newborns, neonatal care is often necessary and may require specialized treatments that might not be covered by a patient’s health insurance network. House Bill 2464 would address the importance of immediate care by requiring private insurers to cover emergency neonatal care, regardless of whether the provider is in or out of the patient’s network. This ensures families are not billed for greater out-of-pocket costs than they would have incurred with a participating provider.