Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD – Following years of advocacy, State Senator Omar Aquino’s initiative to ban junk fees in Illinois was signed into law to protect consumers and increase transparency.

“Our state is facing unprecedented challenges due to devastating cuts from the federal spending plan under H.R. 1,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “Banning junk fees is part of a broader effort to alleviate some of the financial pressure on Illinois families while our state continues to confront a national affordability crisis.”

House Bill 228 will make it unlawful for any business to advertise, display or offer a price for a good or service that does not include all mandatory fees or surcharges before taxes.

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois consumers have seen that a rapid expansion of Buy-Now-Pay-Later loan services may seem convenient at first, but they can carry hidden costs, unexpected fees and financial risks that often go unnoticed until it is too late. In response, State Senator Michael E. Hastings passed a law enforcing stronger oversight of these predatory programs.

“This industry has grown so fast over such a short period of time,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “We are now to a point where Buy-Now-Pay-Later programs are operating like it’s the Wild West.”

Hastings’ new law will require BNPL lenders to register with the state and provide full disclosures about repayment terms, interest rates and potential fees while maintaining fair and transparent dispute or refund processes. The law will also ensure consumers understand the total cost of borrowing and can make informed financial decisions.

SPRINGFIELD – Recognizing the importance of reproductive health data privacy for Illinois residents, State Senator Celina Villanueva championed a law to directly combat continued attacks on bodily autonomy and keep reproductive data out of the wrong hands.

“This is about making sure women across our state don’t have to live in fear for seeking critical health care, especially abortion care, or face persecution if their private health records fall into a bad actor’s hands,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “By requiring health information exchanges to implement new policies that protect sensitive health data, we’re taking a direct approach to protecting women and mitigating the harm of the 2022 Roe v. Wade overturning.”

A health information exchange is used to electronically transfer patient medical data, for the use of maintaining medical records or to share among providers, to improve diagnostic efficiency and the overall quality of patient care. To keep abortion records safe, Villanueva’s law, the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act, will require health information exchanges to:

• Limit user access to systems containing abortion-related medical information
• Refrain from sharing data across state lines, unless the reason for the disclosure is for technical support, quality assurance or billing purposes, or the patient consents to sharing their data
• Technically segregate information related to abortion services from the rest of a patient’s record
• Disable access to segregated information for out-of-state entities.

Under the law, patients will be able to opt out of data segregation and direct private health care information to be shared with a specific covered entity outside Illinois through an electronic health network. In the case a patient’s right to privacy has been violated, the law will empower patients to seek civil action, whether for injunctive relief, actual damages or associated legal costs.

“Passing this law sends a clear message: in Illinois, abortion care is health care, gender affirming care is health care and our residents’, their access to health care services and their health care records will be protected,” added Villanueva. “We value our residents’ autonomy and privacy, and this law will be just a small token to prove that.”

House Bill 5295 was signed into law Wednesday and goes into effect July 1, 2027.

CHICAGO – State Senator Lakesia Collins joined Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Amrize leadership to celebrate the company’s new Chicago headquarters.

“Locating Amrize’s operational headquarters in Chicago is a strong vote of confidence in Illinois’ business climate,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “This investment will create good-paying jobs, strengthen our local economy, and reinforce our position as a hub for innovation.”

DECATUR — State Senator Doris Turner fought for increased investment in ADM’s Decatur facility, bringing jobs and economic development to the community.

“ADM’s investment in Decatur is a powerful vote of confidence in our workforce and our community,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “This modernization will create new jobs and ensure Central Illinois remains a global leader in agriculture and food processing.”

AURORA – State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) released the following statement announcing her retirement from the Illinois State Senate:

“After 20 years of serving the people of Illinois’ 42nd District, I have made the difficult decision to retire from the Illinois State Senate at the end of my current term.

“Living with Multiple Sclerosis for the past 37 years has shaped my perspective and strengthened my commitment to public service. While I have been fortunate to manage this disease for many years with few symptoms, it is now time for me to slow down and focus on my health. 

CHICAGO — Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement Tuesday after the Fiscal Year 2027 budget was signed into law:

“Through our unwavering commitment to fiscal responsibility, Illinois has engineered a remarkable financial turnaround over recent years. Our principled approach has kept our fiscal house in order, allowing us to invest in and uplift communities across the state despite the uncertainty looming from the Oval Office.

“We’re building on that foundation with investments we can be proud of as Illinoisans – educating our young people, enhancing good-paying job opportunities, keeping our communities safe and growing the economy. Illinois will continue to step up where the federal government has stepped away, investing in the whole person, no matter the color of their skin, their education level or their ZIP code.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law led by State Senator Omar Aquino aims to strengthen Illinois’ health care system by increasing government efficiency and transparency while maximizing state dollars to fund essential services vulnerable communities depend on.

“Impending federal cuts to Medicaid are a threat to the stability of our health care system, risking access to care for thousands of Illinoisans,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “Safeguarding local hospitals and community-based services is needed to ensure our most vulnerable communities are not left behind.”

Senate Bill 3365 creates the Distressed Hospital Loan Program, which will provide interest-free cash flow loans to public and nonprofit hospitals in financial distress. The goal is to prevent hospital closures and maintain services while also instituting guardrails that will make sure distressed and safety net hospitals are on a path to financial sustainability.