Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD – Graduating high school students may soon see more opportunities to attend Illinois’ public colleges and universities, thanks to a measure State Senator Celina Villanueva advanced out of the Senate that would expand in-state tuition rates to any individual who attended an Illinois high school for three years.

“If we want Illinois to be the best place to build a life, we cannot block already vulnerable groups from accessing affordable, quality higher education,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “By allowing students who attended an Illinois high school for three years the opportunity to qualify for in-state tuition rates, we are sending a clear message that Illinois’ public higher education system will value equity, ensuring all students have the same opportunities to earn a college degree.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Porfirio led a resolution to honor the U.S. Marine Corps through renaming a portion of Interstate Route 80.

“Since its creation, the Marine Corps has played a key role in protecting and safeguarding the security and freedom of the United States,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “This resolution enshrines the honor and dedication that our Marine Corps serve with into the state of Illinois. We will never forget the sacrifice our Marine Corps members have made and will continue to make in the name of freedom.”

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings supported a resolution to honor the United States Marine Corps through renaming a portion of Interstate Route 80. Hastings, who served as a U.S. Army officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom, rose in support of the resolution alongside other veteran legislators.

“It is important to acknowledge that freedom is never free,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “We owe a lasting debt of gratitude to the brave U.S. Marines who serve our nation with courage and honor. This highway, named after the motto of the Marine Corps, represents an eternal and collective commitment to the success of our battles and the progress of our nation.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones III successfully led a resolution to rename a portion of I-55 in honor of late State Trooper Clay M. Carns.

“Trooper Carns died doing the same thing he had done every day for 11 years – diligently and faithfully serving the people of Illinois,” said Jones (D-Chicago). “This resolution is only a small token of our immense gratitude for his life and service.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham championed a resolution to designate a portion of Southwest Highway in Palos Park as “Dave Sanders Way,” honoring David Sanders’ decades of service and leadership at The Center in Palos Park.

“For generations, The Center in Palos Park has been a place where people have come together to learn, grow, reflect and support one another,” said Cunningham a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “David Sanders dedicated his life to continuing that mission, and this designation is a fitting tribute to the impact he and his family have had on countless people throughout our communities.”

Senate Joint Resolution 60 would designate Southwest Highway between 12600 and 13100 as “Dave Sanders Way” in recognition of Sanders’ lasting impact on the Palos Park community and the greater Chicagoland region. Founded in 1932 by Reverend Paul T. Sanders and Elizabeth Sanders, The Center in Palos Park has served as a regional resource for more than 90 years. Under David Sanders’ leadership, The Center expanded programs and services focused on spiritual care, youth programming, agricultural education, the arts, counseling and recovery support.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s resolution to explore introduction of Arabic as a foreign language option in school has been adopted by the Senate.

“Arabic is spoken in the homes of hundreds of thousands of Illinois families,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “These students deserve the opportunity to develop and formalize their heritage language in our public schools.”

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Ram Villivalam joined hundreds of environmental advocates Saturday for a rally urging for data center regulations that protect Illinois communities.

“Families are worried about rising costs, communities want transparency and accountability and people want to know their drinking water is safe,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “We need real and meaningful action – that’s what the POWER Act is all about.”

Villivalam is sponsoring Senate Bill 4016, known as the POWER Act, which is a comprehensive measure that would provide common-sense guardrails on data centers to protect natural resources, the environment and communities across Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD – To help Illinois residents access treatment for conditions like cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome and other endocrine disorders, State Senator Lakesia Collins advanced a measure that would require health insurance plans to cover up to a six-month supply of prescription hormone therapy.

“Too many people face unnecessary barriers when trying to stay on a treatment plan that supports their health and well-being,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “This measure helps ensure patients can access the medication they need without worrying about frequent trips to the pharmacy, insurance hurdles or disruptions in care.”