CHICAGO – Understanding that the college admissions process can be difficult for students to navigate, State Senator Christopher Belt worked to make the process easier for high school juniors, seniors and community college transfer students.

“Investing in our students is by far the best return on investment the government could get,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This is essentially an automatic admissions program that students can opt in to. It will really help streamline the process for students and their families.”

CHICAGO — Illinois students will soon have more opportunities to earn college credit during high school thanks to a new law spearheaded by State Senator Cristina Castro.

“The two biggest barriers facing students today are time and money,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Dual credit helps lift this burden, giving high school students a head start so they can save money on tuition and accelerate the time it takes to earn a degree.”

Dual credit instruction makes higher education more attainable, especially for first-generation and lower-income students, by offering high school students the opportunity to earn both college and high school credit through a single course. Students who earn dual credit in high school complete their college and university degrees at higher rates and are often able to save money as a result of having fewer college credits to pay tuition for.

SPRINGFIELD—Thanks to two new laws led in the state legislature by State Senator Javier Cervantes, high school students may soon have access to more supports from their high schools when applying for college and filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as the FAFSA.

“The form is intended to give more students a chance of pursuing higher education,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “We should be doing everything we can to make sure it is as accessible as possible for people to complete, and this measure is a simple step to make completing it easier.”

SPRINGFIELD – To protect the stability of safety net hospitals, State Senator Omar Aquino championed a new law that will generate additional revenue for hospitals across the state.

"As a patient of Humboldt Park Health, a designated safety net hospital, and the representative of two additional safety nets, I have experienced firsthand the contributions of these hospitals to the integrity of our communities by ensuring the health of our neighbors,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “With the updates to the Hospital Assessment Program, we are ensuring that hospitals continue to provide critical services to our most vulnerable."

The Illinois Hospital Assessment Program was established in 2003 to help ensure low-income patients have access to health care services. The program was extended and expanded in 2022 to improve cash-flow predictability for hospitals, tying greater funding to higher Medicaid utilization. The program is funded through a special tax on Illinois hospitals, which is then matched by federal funds and redistributed to hospitals based on the volume of the Medicaid patients they serve and their level of care.

SPRINGFIELD — A new law championed by State Senator Julie Morrison will create an expedited review process for individuals challenging the revocation of their FOID card due to being deemed a “clear and present danger.”

“This law grants everyone the opportunity for a timely review if they believe their determination is inaccurate,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “With this change, we are improving transparency in the process and helping to ensure decisions are made fairly.”

CHICAGO – Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the Fiscal Year 2026 budget was signed into law:

“The budget signed today is one that confronts the challenges before us with the same principled approach that guided our recovery: true fiscal responsibility, addressing reality head-on, and not postponing difficult decisions for future years.

Our unwavering commitment to making Illinois not just a place to live, but a place where families thrive, businesses flourish, and communities prosper is apparent in the budget. We have invested in the whole person, recognizing that our state's strength lies in the collective success of all Illinoisans.

The Fiscal Year 2026 budget serves today's needs while building tomorrow's opportunities."

CHICAGO – Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the Fiscal Year 2026 budget was signed into law:

“The budget signed today is one that confronts the challenges before us with the same principled approach that guided our recovery: true fiscal responsibility, addressing reality head-on, and not postponing difficult decisions for future years.

Our unwavering commitment to making Illinois not just a place to live, but a place where families thrive, businesses flourish, and communities prosper is apparent in the budget. We have invested in the whole person, recognizing that our state's strength lies in the collective success of all Illinoisans.

The Fiscal Year 2026 budget serves today's needs while building tomorrow's opportunities."

Villivalam: Illinoisans deserve a world-class public transit system

SPRINGFIELD — Following eight subject matter hearings with over 35 hours of testimony, State Senator Ram Villivalam passed legislation through the Senate aimed at addressing issues facing the current public transit system in Illinois.

“Over the last 19 months, I have collaborated and held discussions with stakeholders, advocates, transit workers and everyday riders about the state of transit, issues currently facing the system and what we can do to improve service for its riders,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “It’s imperative that we deliver a public transit system that provides reliable service for its riders and is accountable to our taxpayers. Now is the time to break through the status quo and embrace solutions made for lasting change.”

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Koehler advances legislation protecting local pharmacy access

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Dave Koehler is championing two significant pharmacy bills aimed at protecting patient access to pharmacies and health care services by hospitals engaged in the federal 340B program.

“Our local hospitals and federal qualified health centers need this program to be able to provide healthcare services for the poor and uninsured. The corrections we have made in how this program works will make a difference to struggling communities throughout the state,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “This will cover the expenses that otherwise would be passed on to patients who have insurance.”

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Senator Fine passes measure investing in employee rights

SPRINGFIELD — To support victims and witnesses of workplace harassment and discrimination, State Senator Laura Fine championed a measure to clarify unlawful labor practices.

“Bolstering the Illinois workforce and attracting new employees can only happen when workers have a fair work environment,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “In the event of harassment or discrimination against an employee, the victim and potential witnesses deserve to feel safe and taken seriously when reporting the issue.”

Read more.

Senate Democrats praise new 'Surplus to Success' program in Fiscal Year 2026 budget

SPRINGFIELD — Following the passage of the state’s seventh balanced budget, Senate Democrats highlighted a historic $500 million investment in site readiness to revitalize vacant sites in the state to attract new business and job opportunities.

“The ‘Surplus to Success’ program brings hope to the former Singer Mental Health Center,” said State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This is a great initiative to boost economic development in the Rockford region and I’m looking forward to seeing the revitalization process to the vacant land.”

Read more.

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