Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD ─ State Senator Ram Villivalam joined hundreds of advocates Wednesday at the Capitol to show support for rideshare driver unionization in Illinois.

“Unions are the backbone of our workforce, ensuring laborers are supported and afforded strong workers’ rights, environments and benefits. Rideshare drivers are an important part of our transportation infrastructure – yet they currently lack the ability to negotiate for a proper working environment, rights or benefits,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ensure Illinois continues to be a leader in labor rights and pave the way to support a growing part of our workforce, economy and transportation network.”

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans are one step closer to knowing the cosmetics on their bathroom shelves won’t make them sick long term thanks to a measure State Senator Mattie Hunter passed through the Senate Wednesday to ban such items from containing polyfluoroalkyl substances – known as PFAS, or "forever chemicals."

“For too long, the cosmetics industry has operated without the kind of oversight we apply to food, medicine and drinking water,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “We are working to close that gap and put Illinois at the forefront of a national movement to hold manufacturers accountable for what goes into their products and onto our skin.”

SPRINGFIELD — Continuing her work to protect consumers, State Senator Rachel Ventura led a measure that would prevent retailers from requiring consumers to accept store credit instead of a refund through the Senate Wednesday.

“Illinois consumers shouldn’t be forced into store credit when they return an unused product,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “If a retailer accepts a return, customers deserve the option to receive their money back. This measure protects working families, increases transparency and helps ensure businesses treat consumers fairly.”

House Bill 4044 would prohibit retail establishments from limiting refunds on returns of unopened or unused consumer products to store credit. Instead, retailers would be required to offer another form of refund, such as cash or reimbursement to the original payment method. Under the measure, consumers returning eligible unused products would have the right to receive a refund through the original payment method or another non-store-credit option.

SPRINGFIELD – Digital coupons have become more common; however, not all consumers can easily access them. State Senator Laura Ellman is combatting this with House Bill 45 to ensure eligible consumers receive the benefits of digital promotions when they meet the stated terms.

“People shouldn’t miss out on savings because a promotion isn’t accessible,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “If it’s offered, it should be usable to all, especially when a digital coupon can make a difference when buying in bulk with increasing grocery prices.”

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Bill Cunningham has advanced legislation to help Illinois public schools develop solar energy projects.

“As we look at the rising costs of good and utilities across our country, we must make sure our schools have every alternative to lower their costs,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This legislation will help streamline the process for schools who want to participate in our states clean energy alternatives.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s legislation to preserve contraceptive services or supplies for minors through legislation recently passed the Senate.

“Illinois has been, and must continue to be, a protector of contraceptive care,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “We have to create safeguards so that we have a choice when it comes our bodies.”

Senate Bill 3341 would provide that any minor may give effective consent for contraceptive services or supplies and the consent of no other person is required. According to KFF, several states require parental consent to obtain contraceptive care and many states do not guarantee the rights of minors to consent to contraceptive services.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons was joined by State Representative Norma Hernandez, Alderman Lamont Robinson and advocates from AIDS Foundation Chicago, BLACHE, TaskForce Prevention and Community Services, School of Opulence, and the Springfield Urban League at a press conference Tuesday to advocate for over $6 million for HIV funding infrastructure in Illinois through Senate Bill 2814, which would restore funding for Illinois’ PrEP Medication Assistance Program and allocate funding for STI screening.

“For the fourth year in a row, I am proud to carry legislation that provides full funding for HIV prevention and treatment, and helps us get to zero new HIV/AIDS diagnoses by 2030.”  said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Through the work of providers, advocates, policymakers and people living with and vulnerable to HIV, Illinois has made real progress toward ending the HIV epidemic in our state. We must continue to make sure Illinoisans living with HIV do not lose access to the care they need.”

Through the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program, known as Illinois ADAP, residents living with HIV/AIDS have access to life-saving medications which in turn prevent further HIV transmissions via viral suppression. Now, amid a storm of proposed federal budget cuts, the impact of slashing Medicaid and the expiration of enhanced ACA premium tax credits have increased risks for residents who depend on Illinois ADAP and could leave them without access to medications that keep them healthy.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure that would prohibit retailers from refusing cash payments up to $500.

“For many Illinois residents, cash remains a dependable and necessary way to pay for everyday purchases,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “People deserve the freedom to choose how they pay.”