SPRINGFIELD – In response to predatory towing practices that take advantage of Illinois motorists, State Senator Celina Villanueva introduced a measure to strengthen enforcement against bad actors and ensure safer roads for drivers during a press conference Wednesday. 

“Legitimate, law-abiding towers also suffer from these bad practices,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “This legislation is about protecting drivers, cracking down on predatory towers, and ensuring that Illinois has the enforcement tools necessary to hold violators accountable.”

Currently, the Illinois Commerce Commission issues fines to violators, but many of the worst offenders ignore penalties and continue operating under new business names. Senate Bill 2040 would strengthen enforcement by allowing the ICC to impound unregistered tow trucks, authorizing the Secretary of State to suspend license plates for unpaid fines, and requiring tow operators to register business and storage locations to prevent vehicles from being held at unlisted lots. The bill also would ban fraudulent towers from obtaining new licenses for three years and prohibit operators from placing liens on essential personal property left in a towed vehicle.

SPRINGFIELD — With more than 60% of infectious diseases in humans originating from animals, State Senator Julie Morrison is working to address public health challenges in Illinois through improved collaboration between health care professionals, veterinarians and environmental experts.

“The well-being of people, animals and our environment are all interconnected,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Through improved communication and collaboration among agencies, we can more effectively prevent and address health risks across the state.”

Senate Bill 291 would establish a One Health Framework Task Force within the Illinois Department of Public Health charged with developing a strategic plan to promote collaboration among physicians, veterinarians and other scientific professionals. The task force would work closely with state agencies to advance health initiatives that benefit both humans and animals, and submit a report of recommendations to the governor and General Assembly by Jan. 1, 2027.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham held a press conference Tuesday to introduce legislation aimed to address a projected energy deficit for Illinois.

“With energy prices skyrocketing across the country and leaders in Washington opening the floodgates for fossil fuels, our bill makes it clear that Illinois will remain at the forefront of lowering energy costs while investing in clean energy,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This legislation proves to the nation that we don’t have to choose between taking care of our communities, our economy, or our planet.”

Senate Bill 2497 would address Illinois’ energy crisis caused by rapid inflation and steep tariffs on many goods used to build and maintain energy infrastructure. The bill would also address and rectify significant delays in connecting clean energy projects to regional energy grids.

Senate Democrats begin FY 26 budget negotiations

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus heard the governor’s state budget proposal Wednesday and will immediately begin bipartisan, bicameral conversations to bring forth a balanced budget.

“We have our work cut out for us, not just balancing Illinois’ budget, but also doing what we can to protect democracy,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “I applaud the governor for his leadership and look forward to working with him on our shared goals of assembling a balanced, responsible budget and building a better Illinois.”

The governor outlined that his Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal is built on six years of historic fiscal progress that included balanced budgets, nine credit rating upgrades, eliminating the bill backlog and more. It includes funding for education, public safety, economic development and more.

The proposed budget would continue the commitment of a $350 million increase toward the evidence-based funding model for K-12 education – bringing the EBF total to $8.9 billion since its inception.

Under the plan, $15 million would go to the Illinois Senate Democrat-backed Medical Debt Relief Pilot Program Fund – a program to erase medical debt for 300,000 Illinois residents.

HOME Illinois – a program that began in 2023 – would also see a nearly $283 million investment to target the prevention of homelessness, provide crisis response, expand housing support and increase job opportunities for homeless individuals.

A number of other sectors – from enhancing violence prevention to assisting veterans – are part of the proposed budget.

“The governor’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026 is a good first step toward investing and preparing for our future, but our work is far from done,” said Majority Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). “I look forward to joining my colleagues in the General Assembly in having a robust discussion about this year’s budget and passing a budget that is balanced, extremely bright, and addresses the very real needs of the people of this great state.”

Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus will now spend the following months negotiating the final budget.

Copyright 2025 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

Terminally ill woman, mom whose son died after using law in CA, community members testify about legislation

CHICAGO – Family members and advocates of terminally ill adults who support access to medical aid in dying gathered Friday alongside Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes to present her End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients legislation to the Senate Executive Committee.

Holmes has been collaborating on the legislation since early 2024 with the Illinois End-of-Life Options Coalition, which includes Compassion & Choices Action Network Illinois, Illinois Now, ACLU Illinois, doctors, clergy and family members. They were joined by individuals with firsthand experience as patients or relatives of terminally ill adults to express their support.

“This can be an emotional issue, and many fallacies circle around medical aid in dying; I encourage those with misgivings to read the legislation in full to see its criteria and the safeguards that would protect patients, medical professionals and relatives,” Holmes (D-Aurora), chief sponsor of the bill, said.

Opponents include advocates for people with disabilities, who fear they could be exploited or scammed. In Oregon, the first state to enact medical aid in dying, there have been no substantiated cases of abuse or coercion since it took effect in 1997, according to the ACLU.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt introduced a new measure to alleviate some costs for new mothers in Illinois by requiring all health insurance plans to cover car seats and cribs.

“New moms are shelling out a couple hundred bucks to purchase cribs and car seats, which is essentially a hidden tax on becoming a parent,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Every mother in our state should be afforded the luxury of keeping their child safe in their home and on the road.” 

SPRINGFIELD – As a strong supporter of agriculture education, State Senator Doris Turner is sponsoring a measure that would allow any agriculture-related course to satisfy the vocational education requirement for public high school students.

“Understanding agriculture is important in Illinois, and our curricula should reflect that,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Students should be able to use their agricultural studies to fulfill graduation requirements.”

Senate Bill 1605 would clarify in statute that agricultural education, agricultural business or any other agriculture-related course can satisfy the vocational education requirement for public high school students beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. Currently, one year of music, art, foreign language, vocational education or speech and debate are required to graduate from high school.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Cervantes’ new initiative could help get lower income Chicago residents back on their feet in a small way—by creating a permanent program to waive the fines or fees from traffic violations they may have.

“People already struggling to make ends meet may be one small setback from losing everything,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This initiative will extend grace to Chicagoans with lower incomes, and ensure that one small mistake does not irrevocably change their livelihood.”

The Cook County traffic fee waiver program was established in 2021 and made fees, fines and costs due to traffic violations eligible for a waiver in Cook County for people suffering financially. Thanks to this program, judges in Cook County have evaluated applications to grant fee waivers under the program over the last three years. However, the program had a sunset date for 2024, which was recently extended until 2025, but as it is currently written, would need to be renewed annually to still be operational.