Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD — A measure spearheaded by State Senator Willie Preston to protect children from harmful and addictive online practices has been signed into law, marking a major step toward improving digital safety for young people across Illinois.

“Parents shouldn’t have to fight an uphill battle to keep their children safe online,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “For too long, tech companies have put profits ahead of young people’s well-being. Families deserve clear information about how these platforms operate, stronger safeguards for kids and accountability when companies fail to protect them.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler’s House Bill 4509 designed to improve nursing home mental health evaluations has become law.

“Careful care of our most vulnerable population sends a clear message that even as you age, our state will allow you to do so with grace and dignity,” said Koehler (D-Peoria) “This law ensures that those who are in nursing home care living with a serious mental illness receive the proper help and mental health review so they can return to a life of comfort without being a threat to those around them.”

The new law requires the Illinois Department of Human Services or a designee to visit any individual admitted to a nursing home with a diagnosis of serious mental illness within 60 days of admission. It would also require a resident review within 72 hours when a resident with serious mental illness experiences a significant change in their physical or mental health.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes spearheaded a new law that will address growing concerns regarding health care and disability service agencies being owned by private equity asset management companies.

“Our disability service systems must be accountable to the people they serve,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “With more transparent information about agencies’ ownership, lawmakers and regulators will be in a stronger position to ensure our most vulnerable residents are protected from losing the services they need and can continue to lead fulfilling lives.”

Expansion of supported decision-making law maximizes independence for all

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois will soon join a growing list of states that have maximized independence by expanding alternatives to traditional guardianship under a new law spearheaded by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz.

“Individuals should be able to make independent choices regarding their personal and financial life decisions,” Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) said. “This new law will support that goal, giving people the freedom to decide for themselves, while ensuring guidance is there when they need it.”

Illinois’ supported decision-making process allows an individual to identify a supporter to help them interpret information, weigh options and communicate their decisions about health care, life choices and financial matters. This unique model fosters confidence and supports people’s ability to make informed decisions while maintaining autonomy.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation championed by State Senator Steve Stadelman to strengthen protections for older adults and vulnerable individuals facing abuse, neglect and financial exploitation has been signed into law, providing courts with additional tools to intervene quickly and prevent further harm.

“Financial exploitation can be devastating, stripping vulnerable individuals of their savings, independence and security,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This new law will give courts and law enforcement the ability to act swiftly when exploitation is suspected, helping protect victims and preserve their assets before irreversible damage occurs.”

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford led a new law to protect seniors and adults with disabilities from financial exploitation by empowering banks, credit unions and investment firms to intervene when suspicious activity is detected on a vulnerable adult's account.

“Financial exploitation is one of the most devastating forms of elder abuse, and it often goes undetected until serious damage has already been done,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “House Bill 4911 gives banks, credit unions and financial professionals the authority and the protection they need to step in when something doesn't look right – and that could make all the difference for a vulnerable adult and their family.” 

ELGIN — To strengthen student engagement and support academic success, a new law championed by State Senator Cristina Castro will create a statewide school cellphone ban, helping schools foster distraction-free learning environments.

“Teachers should not have to compete with a cellphone for a student’s attention,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “By removing this distraction from the classroom, we are giving educators a better opportunity to engage students and help them succeed.” 

Under the new law, each school district in Illinois will adopt a policy prohibiting students from using wireless communication devices during school time – often referred to as a “bell-to-bell” ban on cellphones during the school day – on or before the 2027-2028 school year. The Illinois State Board of Education is required to publish a template wireless communication device policy by Sept. 1, 2026 to provide guidance for local school districts when implementing their own policies. 

Students who need access to a device for medical purposes, accommodation plans, language access or because they are a caregiver are exempt. School districts can exclude lunch and passing periods for high school students if it fits the needs of their community. To ensure students are not met with restrictive punishments that set academic progress back, school districts cannot enforce their cellphone policies via expulsions, suspensions, fines, tickets or citations.

Over three-quarters of public schools in the U.S. prohibit students from using cellphones during class, including many school districts in Illinois. School districts with substantially similar policies already in place can maintain those policies until the 2030-2031 school year under Castro’s law.

“When students put their phones down, they are more likely to participate, collaborate and learn,” said Castro. “This law is about giving students every opportunity to succeed and ensuring classrooms remain places where education comes first.”

Senate Bill 2427 was signed into law Tuesday and took immediate effect.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law championed by State Senator Doris Turner will strengthen school policies that protect access to service animals for students with disabilities.

“Students with service animals will no longer face setbacks because of a lack of understanding of the law,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We have to ensure students feel welcome at school, no matter their needs.”

Students who need service animals in order to equally access public schools are protected under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Senate Bill 2761 will set the tone for school environments that value diversity and inclusion by adding training on the proper handling of service animals in the school setting to the ADA training teachers, administrators and school support personnel already receive.