SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to steadfast, responsible leadership from members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus, the governor signed the state’s fifth balanced budget in a row into law Wednesday.

“Passing this budget was an exercise in trust, working together to prioritize paying down debt, shoring up our rainy day fund and ensuring a durable, balanced budget,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “I want to thank Governor Pritzker for his commitment to responsible budgeting. I also want to thank Speaker Welch for his partnership and the incredible Senate budget negotiators for their hard work. The future looks bright for Illinois.”

The Fiscal Year 2024 budget reflects fiscal responsibility, building upon four years of historic fiscal progress with a commitment to balanced budgets, eight credit rating upgrades, a Rainy Day Fund set to surpass $2 billion, and the elimination of the bill backlog.

Prioritizing education from birth to graduation, the budget includes investments to expand preschool and ensure that everyone at or below the median income level can go to community college for free.

Holmes, Morrison advocate for drone use by law enforcement for public safety

SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Linda Holmes and Julie Morrison worked together to pass a measure to enhance public safety through the use of drones following two separate mass shooting tragedies that tore apart communities they represent.

“Drones provide an invaluable resource that can be used to monitor large crowds for suspicious activity,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This technology exists – there’s no reason we shouldn’t put it in the hands of law enforcement.”

House Bill 3902 allows law enforcement to use drones to monitor special events, like parades and festivals, to detect breaches and identify public safety issues.

“This measure gives police and other first responders critical information in a chaotic situation where lives are at stake,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “This capability could spare another community the suffering and trauma we experienced here.”

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Murphy pushes for ethics in automated traffic enforcement

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy championed legislation to establish ethical guidelines to address ongoing concerns regarding automated traffic enforcement.

“The public deserves to have the utmost trust in their government and their law enforcement,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “We need to ensure that there is accountability and honesty on all levels.”

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Feigenholtz extends cocktails to-go through 2028

SPRINGFIELD – In an attempt to help shuttered restaurants, bars, and venues during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz championed a law permitting mixed drink delivery and takeout. To many establishments this effort was vital, enabling them to keep their doors open during the extended stay-at-home order.

This week, Governor Pritzker signed a five-year extension for cocktails to-go into law so that establishments can continue this wildly popular practice.

"The pandemic has changed the dining out habits of many. At the time, cocktails to-go was necessary, and many continue to enjoy the convenience for entertaining at home," Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) said. “The hospitality industry is filled with food and drink artists who are in constant reinvention mode. Giving them room to create their craft is how Chicago has become the number one culinary destination in the world.”

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Copyright 2023 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Linda Holmes and Julie Morrison worked together to pass a measure to enhance public safety through the use of drones following two separate mass shooting tragedies that tore apart communities they represent.

“Drones provide an invaluable resource that can be used to monitor large crowds for suspicious activity,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This technology exists – there’s no reason we shouldn’t put it in the hands of law enforcement.”

House Bill 3902 allows law enforcement to use drones to monitor special events, like parades and festivals, to detect breaches and identify public safety issues. Addressing concerns about drone surveillance and privacy, the measure sets specific limits on where and how drones can be used, restricts photography, prohibits facial recognition or onboard weapons, and adds reporting and retention constraints.

The measure comes after Holmes’ and Morrison’s communities faced tragic events that left a total of a dozen innocent people dead.

SPRINGFIELD – In an attempt to help shuttered restaurants, bars, and venues during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz championed a law permitting mixed drink delivery and takeout. To many establishments this effort was vital, enabling them to keep their doors open during the extended stay-at-home order.

This week, Governor Pritzker signed a five-year extension for cocktails to-go into law so that establishments can continue this wildly popular practice.

"The pandemic has changed the dining out habits of many. At the time, cocktails to-go was necessary, and many continue to enjoy the convenience for entertaining at home," Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) said. “The hospitality industry is filled with food and drink artists who are in constant reinvention mode. Giving them room to create their craft is how Chicago has become the number one culinary destination in the world.”

SPRINGFIELD – To provide more food options for all faiths in Illinois, State Senator Ram Villivalam championed legislation that would provide kosher and halal food options in public schools and state facilities.

“We are recognizing the cultural needs of our community and this is a big step for families who eat kosher or halal,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Everyone deserves to have an option that fits their needs. With this legislation I hope to expand the available options for all residents in Illinois.”

House Bill 3643, would require all public schools, the University of Illinois Hospital and state correctional facilities to offer a kosher and halal food option upon request.

SPRINGFIELD – To increase young voter engagement, State Senator Mike Simmons secured passage of an elections bill that will allow 16-year-olds to pre-register to vote so they may start voting as soon as they turn 18.

“The young have always played a key part in democracy,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “The younger generations show again and again how engaged they are in social issues — allowing them to pre-register sends a message to youth that their voices are important and allows them to take that activism to the polls.”

Senate Democrats pass responsible spending plan

Building upon the success of the Fiscal Year 2023 budget, the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus passed the Fiscal Year 2024 budget last week, continuing the state on a path toward fiscal responsibility and investing in education from preschool to college.

“This budget continues the work Democrats have done to restore economic prosperity to our state,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “This was a collaborative effort. I am proud of the work we did, and I look forward to the House sending this balanced budget to the governor so he can sign it into law.”

The budget prioritizes business attraction and development, workforce training, economic assistance programs, and more. It includes funds to support job creation, improve commercial corridors and attract new businesses to the state.

“As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I set a goal that our budget would work to solve the pressing economic issues facing low- and middle-income families,” said State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). “Because of our responsible fiscal approach, particularly the last few years, our state continues to have fiscal stability while caring for the people of our state.”

The budget includes a $250 million investment into early childhood education. The funding will be used to expand preschool, stabilize the childcare workforce, and provide more early intervention and home visiting programs. It also continues the General Assembly’s commitment of a $350 million increase to K-12 education.

Further, the budget includes additional MAP grant funding, ensuring everyone at or below the median income level can go to community college for free.

“A person’s educational success begins the day they are born. The quickest way to fail a generation is by failing to prioritize their education,” said Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood). “In Illinois, I am proud to say we took a positive step toward ensuring our students aren’t failed by an unjust system.”

To address the rising rate of crime and the need for greater public safety initiatives, the budget also invests millions of dollars to support public safety measures, invest in the tools law enforcement need to prevent and solve crimes and strengthen investments in violence prevention programs that keep communities safe.

Overall, the budget is a balanced plan with conservative revenue estimates that builds on the state’s fiscal progress while making transformative investments in early childhood and higher education, workforce development, and efforts to fight violence and poverty.

Copyright 2023 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Porfirio helped spearhead a measure through the Senate making significant strides to expand the AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program.

“Making the AIM HIGH program permanent will have profound impacts for our universities and residents,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “This program gives our residents more in-state opportunities to pursue higher education.”

The Aspirational Institutional Match Helping Illinois Grow Higher Education (AIM HIGH) has provided merit-based, means-tested student financial aid to first-time, full-time undergraduate students and transfer students who are Illinois residents attending any of the 12 Illinois public four-year universities since 2019.