Dear friends,

October has been busy, and I am pleased to report that we completed one of the most productive and consequential veto sessions in recent memory.

More information is below on bills to protect Illinoisans’ constitutional rights, create a world-class transit system, and more.

The status of SNAP funding remains uncertain amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. Information on finding food assistance in the 39^th District is included in this newsletter.

If you have any questions or concerns in this difficult time, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at 708-848-2002 or http://donharmon.org/contact-senator-harmon

Sincerely,

Don Harmon

Senate President, 39^th District

 

Veto Session Recap

The Senate completed one of the most productive and impactful veto sessions in recent memory late last week.

Senators advanced a number of measures to protect Illinoisans and build a better future for our state.

 

Protecting civil rights amid ICE activities

Working with the Senate Latino Caucus, I advanced legislation out of the Senate during veto session that responds to infringements on personal liberty by federal immigration agents in Illinois.

The measure protects Illinois residents’ constitutional rights and ensure safe access to public spaces amid increasingly aggressive violations of those rights in Chicagoland and across the state.

Read more here.

 

Delivering a world-class public transit system

State Senator Ram Villivalam passed historic legislation through the Senate providing rider-focused reforms and transformational investments to address the public transit fiscal cliff in Illinois.

The legislation creates a new regional oversight board for Metra, CTA and Pace. It also addresses safety concerns, ensures integrated service and establishes a unified fare system.

Read more here.

 

Lowering energy costs, creating a sustainable future

The Senate passed an energy relief package Thursday that is projected to save Illinois households more than $13 billion over the next two decades.

Senate Bill 25 aims to give Illinois new tools to reduce utility rate hikes, strengthen the state’s power grid, expand renewable energy sources and keep bills low for consumers.

The legislation incentivizes measures that lower electricity prices by addressing the demand for energy and increasing grid capacity through things like battery storage.

Read more here.

 

Where to Find Food Banks and Emergency Food

In the Spring, the Senate foresaw the potential damage federal cuts would cause Illinoisans and joined the House and Governor Pritzker in creating the BRIDGE Fund to set aside funding to help when the time came.

Thanks to that effort, Gov. Pritzker announced this week that he is able to direct $20 million to food banks to assist them in meeting the needs of people suddenly and cruelly cut off from SNAP benefits.

Below, please find a list of food pantries and food distribution options in the 39^th District:

 

Addison

Addison Township Pantry
50 East Oak Street, Addison, IL 60601
630-530-8161 Ext. 158

Bensenville

Tioga Elementary School
212 West Memorial Road, Bensenville, IL 60106

Bensenville Wood Dale Food Pantry
192 S Center Street, Bensenville, IL 60106
630-766-9382

Chicago

Fraternite Notre Dame
502 N. Central Ave., Chicago, IL 60644
773-261-0101

Helping Our People Excel Community Development Corporation
5912 W Iowa St., Chicago, IL 60651
773-921-2243

Pine Avenue United Church
1015 N Pine Ave, Chicago, IL 60651
773-287-4777

Westside Health Authority
5417 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60651
773-378-1878

Sheridan Carroll Charitable Works Fund, Inc.
2015 N. Harlem Ave., Chicago, IL 60707
773-237-4937

Elmwood Park

Elmwood Park Community Church
2334 North 75th Ave., Elmwood Park, IL 60707
224-319-7836

Franklin Park

Leyden Family Services
2501 Mannheim Rd., Franklin Park, IL 60131
847-773-1535

Melrose Park

Lighthouse of Hope Assembly
1719 W. North Ave., Melrose Park, IL 60160
773-921-1243

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
1119 N 23rd Ave., Melrose Park, IL 60160
708-344-4140

River Forest United Methodist Church
1112 N 9th Ave., Melrose Park, IL 60160
708-356-6743

Oak Park

New Life Ministries C.O.G.I.C.
634 N Austin Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302
772-640-0919

Beyond Hunger
848 Lake St., Oak Park, IL 60301
708-386-1324

New Life Christian Fellowship
6235 W North Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302
224-423-1791

Additionally, please reach out to my office at 708-848-2002 if you need help finding food.  

 

 

Bridge Center Ribbon Cutting

This month, I attended the ribbon cutting of the newly renovated Bridge Center on Austin Boulevard in the former St Catherine St Lucy rectory.

The Bridge Center will connect families in need with essential resources and support. The facility also supports Housing Forwardand Faith and Fellowship.

 

 

10 Years of Restore Justice

Earlier this month, I joined Restore Justice for a panel celebrating the organization’s 10-year anniversary.

The panel shared real stories of the transformational impact Restore Justice has had on individuals navigating the criminal justice system in Illinois.

I shared the story of how I first became involved in efforts to reform the criminal justice system and discussed some of our accomplishments, most especially reinstating parole and eliminating mandatory life sentences for certain youthful offenders.

 

 

Congratulations to Our Blue Ribbon Schools!

I am pleased to announce that two schools in the 39th District have been named Illinois Blue Ribbon Schools!

Ascension Catholic School and my former elementary school, St. Giles School, both received the honor.

Governor Pritzker established the Governor's Blue Ribbon Schools Program this year after the federal program was abruptly cancelled in August. The program selects schools based on exemplary student achievement and celebrates the hard work of principals, teachers, support staff, and students.

Congratulations to these local schools!

 

 

 

Coming Up: Mobile DMV

 

 

Coming Up: Oak Park Town Hall

 

 

Dear friends,

With political violence and hateful rhetoric dominating the headlines, I joined my colleague Senate Minority Leader John Curran to call for a return to peaceful debate:

If you have any questions or concerns in this difficult time, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at (708) 848-2002 or www.donharmon.org.

In happier news, I wanted to share some of what we’ve been up to in the 39^th District. You’ll find that and information on upcoming events in the district below.

Sincerely,

Don Harmon

Senate President, 39th District

 

Galewood Town Hall

I joined State Representative Camille Lilly at Sayre Elementary School in Galewood at the beginning of September for another in our series of town halls.

It’s always good to connect with our constituents and neighbors in the 39^th District, to hear feedback and share our update from Springfield.

Thanks for an engaging evening!

 

IEC 50^th Anniversary

The Illinois Environmental Council this month celebrated 50 years of making our air cleaner to breathe, our water safer to drink and our land more livable. 

I’m proud to consider myself a supporter, and to have on three occasions been the recipient of the IEC’s Environmental Leadership Award.

I look forward to continuing to work with the IEC in the future.

 

 

Oak Park-River Forest High School Civics Learning Fair

I had the pleasure this month of speaking to a packed auditorium at Oak Park-River Forest High School as part of their Civics Service Learning Fair.

Hundreds of juniors and seniors participated, posing questions about the work we do and policy topics on their minds.

They also had the opportunity to learn about nonprofit and volunteering opportunities in our community.

 

Austin P.O.W.E.R. 5K 10-year anniversary

The Austin P.O.W.E.R. 5K celebrated its 10-year anniversary on September 20.

The annual race began in 2015 to highlight the P.O.W.E.R. (People, Organizing, Wealth, and Economic Resources) a community can have when we work together.

I have been a proud sponsor of this event for each of these 10 years, and I was thrilled at the excellent turnout.

 

Upcoming: Senior Health Fair in Franklin Park

 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men are victims of domestic violence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available.

You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233 to speak with someone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Locally, Sarah’s Inn is one of the largest and most comprehensive domestic violence agencies serving the Chicagoland area.

Visit www.sarahsinn.org or call their 24-hour crisis line at 708-386-4225 to learn more.

 

Know Your Rights

Federal immigration efforts are active in Chicago, causing fear and uncertainty in our communities.

It is important to know your rights if you or a neighbor is confronted by ICE. Review the information below and share with anyone you think might benefit.

 

SPRINGFIELD – Senate President Don Harmon advanced legislation out of the Senate on Thursday responding to infringements on personal liberty by federal immigration agents in Illinois.

“Masks might conceal their faces, but they can’t hide the constitutional abuses we’ve seen daily,” said Harmon (D-Oak Park). “This gives the growing number of victims a clear, legal path to go after the abusers and hold them accountable.”

The measure encompasses initiatives of the Illinois Senate Latino Caucus to protect Illinois residents’ constitutional rights and ensure safe access to public spaces amid increasingly aggressive violations of those rights in Chicago and across the state.

It would allow Illinois citizens and residents to bring civil actions against any person who deprives them of their constitutional rights while conducting civil immigration enforcement. Punitive damages may be available when agents engage in certain behavior, including: wearing masks to conceal their faces, refusing to identify themselves, or driving vehicles with hidden or altered license plates.

The measure would also codify long-standing common law protections to ensure parties, witnesses, and their family members can access the justice system without fear of civil arrest. The legislation would create a 1,000-foot safe zone around courthouses, including parking facilities and surrounding streets. Violations would carry civil damages for false imprisonment.

“No one should have to choose between seeking justice and risking their freedom,” said State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Courthouses must be places where people can resolve disputes, testify and support loved ones – not be sites of fear or intimidation. This measure ensures that everyone, regardless of background or immigration status, can safely access the justice system without the threat of being detained or harassed. Justice cannot exist where fear takes its place.”

The legislation further would require public colleges and universities to establish procedures for reviewing law enforcement access requests and would prohibit unauthorized disclosure of immigration status.

“No one should have to look over their shoulder when they go to class. These are places of learning – not fear,” said State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago). “In Illinois, we choose compassion over cruelty. By protecting our college campuses from ICE intrusion, we’re saying loud and clear that every person deserves to feel safe, respected and valued in our communities.”

Similarly, all Illinois hospitals would be required to develop comprehensive policies for law enforcement interactions by early 2026, with $500 daily penalties for noncompliance. Licensed daycare centers would also be required to adopt policies for interacting with law enforcement, including parental notification and consent requirements before sharing children's information, while prohibiting disclosure of citizenship or immigration status unless legally required.

“Daycares and hospitals should be places of safety and security, not targets of intimidation. No parent should have to wonder if dropping off their child could put their family at risk, and no person should fear if going to get medical attention will cause them more suffering,” said State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago). “We’ve already seen ICE agents come into a hospital room in my district. We’re not talking about what could happen – it’s already happening. The time to act is now.”

House Bill 1312 passed the Senate Thursday.

 

Earlier this month, President Harmon joined Restore Justice for a panel celebrating the organization’s 10-year anniversary.

The panel shared real stores of the transformational impact Restore Justice has had on individuals navigating the criminal justice system in Illinois.

President Harmon shared the story of how he first became involved in efforts to reform the criminal justice system and discussed some of his accomplishments, including:

• Ending “policing for profit” by requiring accountability of law enforcement agencies that seize property and a more transparent system for innocent property owners.
• Expanding the number of convictions that are eligible to be sealed under Illinois law.
• Reinstating parole in Illinois for youthful offenders who commit a crime before the age of 21 and are given long sentences for certain crimes.
• Eliminated mandatory life sentences for certain juvenile offenders.
• Makes someone under the age of 21 serving a life sentence for first degree murder eligible for parole review after serving 40 years or more of their sentence.