SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura led a new measure through the Senate Judiciary committee that would allow county boards to make county-owned property available for public use.

“Expanding the definition of public use to save future buildings can help protect historic, scenic, or architectural sites for the public,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). "The state should be assisting local governments with repurposing these sites to better serve the community in a new capacity."

Senate Bill 2651 would allow a county to maintain, restore or reuse places of architectural, historic or scenic significance and allows them to lease or license county-held property to public or private entities for up to 99 years including for athletic purposes or for a museum.

BURBANK – Members of the National Guard and Reserve who are college or university students could soon be able to make up coursework they missed due to military obligations, thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Mike Porfirio.

“It’s vital we support our servicemen and women in all facets of their lives, including their educational pursuits,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township), a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve. “This bill aims to alleviate the burden on National Guard and Reserve members by ensuring they have the opportunity to excel academically without being penalized for their commitment to military service.”

According to Student Veterans of America, around 16% of military students are members of the Reserve or National Guard. Porfirio’s measure would ensure fair treatment for these students by requiring public colleges and universities in Illinois to enact policies allowing students to complete missed classwork and assignments if the reason for the student’s absence was to fulfill military obligations. 

The Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus welcomed park districts from across the state to the Capitol for Parks Day. This annual day is a special event where park districts from across the state converge in Springfield to demonstrate the vibrant role they play in enhancing our communities.

“As a longtime advocate for local parks, I always look forward to welcoming the park, recreation, conservation, and special recreation districts to the Capitol for Parks Day,” said State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “The preservation of parks and recreation is essential in promoting health and wellness in our community and environment.”

Illinois Parks Day is not just an event – it is a celebration of the green spaces that form the heart of our neighborhoods across Illinois. From the shores of Lake Michigan to the banks of the Mississippi River, parks represent places of joy, recreation and sanctuary for all Illinois residents. This day offers a unique opportunity for state legislators and the public to engage directly with park district representatives and learn about the innovative programs and services they offer.

SPRINGFIELD – In order to cultivate more native plant species and support local ecosystems, State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would allow a higher volume of native species to be planted across the state.

“Illinois is the prairie state. Our native plant species are unique and vital to local ecosystems,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Planting more native species will support pollinators, while beautifying our state and supporting agriculture.”

House Bill 5296 would allow residents living in neighborhoods with a homeowners’ association to plant native species in their yards as long as the area is maintained. Additionally, homeowners’ associations would be prohibited from imposing height restrictions or impairing proper maintenance of the native landscape to ensure the heath of the habitat.

SPRINGFIELD – To protect renters from additional rental payment transaction fees, State Senator Rachel Ventura advanced legislation that would require landlords to be more flexible with payment options.

“As rent costs have skyrocketed across the country, residents are struggling to make ends meet and these transaction fees imposed on them by their landlord can add up quickly,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Some leases require 2-3% of rent to cover processing fees which adds a lot to an already high rent. By requiring landlords to also accept cash or check we help save Illinoisans from this unnecessary cost.”

House Bill 4206 would require landlords to allow tenants to make rental payments by delivering a paper check or cash to the landlord or their business office if the landlord uses a third-party payment portal to collect rent and has a transactional fee or other charge imposed through the portal on the rental payments.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison is leading a measure to bring more diversity in participants of clinical trials.

“Better representation in clinical trials will improve progress and innovation in cancer care and mitigate some inequities that currently exist in health care,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest).

House Bill 5405 would require the Illinois Department of Public Health to work with the University of Illinois and other relevant organizations to conduct a study examining what demographics are currently underrepresented in clinical trials, identify barriers to participation and pinpoint ways to improve upon outreach to these communities. IDPH would report the findings of this study to the General Assembly by July 1, 2026.

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is championing a proposal to require high school students to learn financial literacy.

“When young people leave high school, they are given the freedom to spend and manage their money how they see fit with little or no guidance beyond what they’ve witnessed at home,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “By requiring financial literacy instruction, we are equipping our young people with the ability to do things like manage a household budget, save for a home or be aware of financial fraud schemes. These are important life skills that every person can utilize.”

Under Lightford’s measure, high school students would learn about financial literacy as part of their consumer education requirement. The instruction would focus on basic economics, the principles of supply and demand, how to budget income responsibly, loan repayment, and the cost of high-interest short-term “payday” loans.

Morrison addresses the state of cancer alongside American Cancer Society

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network joined forces at a press conference to discuss the state of cancer and advocate for measures to tackle the deadly disease.

“Increasing cancer awareness and sponsoring policy that positively impacts cancer statistics is a priority,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Since 1990, cancer mortality rates have dropped by 25%. We must act to continue this positive progression and restore hope.”

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Edly-Allen leads measure to create inclusive new public safety task force

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mary Edly-Allen advanced legislation through the Senate Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety on Wednesday to create the Uniform Statewide Crime Statistics Task Force.

“This legislation is a public safety win for both residents and law enforcement,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “By bringing law enforcement agencies, academics, and experts together, the task force members will work together to help respond to the needs of neighborhoods and communities across Lake County and our state.”

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Villivalam and Villanueva lead clean energy discussions

SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Ram Villivalam and Celina Villanueva lead discussions about achieving clean and equitable transportation, buildings and an electric grid at a press conference last week.

“Sustainable transportation must be made a priority in Illinois,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago) “It supports livable, walkable communities, enables equitable and affordable access to essential goods and services, underpins a vibrant economy, and improves public health.”

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