Senate Democrat-led landmark energy relief Measure becomes law

CHICAGO — Taking both affordability and sustainability into account, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus led a landmark law that is projected to save Illinois households more than $13 billion in energy costs over the next two decades.

“As Illinois and the rest of the nation face spikes in energy prices, this new law brings much-needed relief for families and gives our state the resources to protect its residents from unprecedented federal cuts,” said State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This law accomplishes our goal of saving Illinoisans hundreds of dollars on utility bills annually while transitioning the state to a more reliable energy grid.”

"This law gives Illinois the tools to keep costs under control and prepare our energy system for the future,” said State Senator Bill Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “It’s about making smart investments today that pay off for consumers tomorrow.”

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Turner and Senate Democrats announce $2 million investment for homelessness relief

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Doris Turner announced an investment of $2 million in community organizations dedicated to combatting homelessness in Central Illinois. These grant investments are part of the state’s interagency Home Illinois Plan, an initiative intended to drive state funding and policy toward preventing and eventually reaching functional zero homelessness – a goal where the state prevents homelessness whenever possible and ensures that if homelessness does occur, it is brief, rare and singular.

"With this funding, we are fulfilling our responsibility to help our neighbors stay housed and support our communities as they recover from the far-reaching effects of housing instability," said Turner (D-Springfield). "Every family in Illinois deserves a safe, secure place to call home, and this investment is essential to helping more families find stability, hope and a path forward."

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Edly-Allen law protects domestic violence surviviors using workplace resources for documentation

SPRINGFIELD — In Illinois, 42% of women and 26% of men will face violence from an intimate partner. To ensure survivors are not further burdened at work, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen championed a new law to protect employees using workplace resources for documentation purposes.

“Survivors of domestic violence should not have to worry about workplace retaliation,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “Survivors should not be penalized for protecting themselves. This law can — and will — save lives.”

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Interesting New Laws for 2026

2026 is here, and with a new year comes new laws that will affect families in all corners of Illinois.

More than 250 new laws take effect this year – from one that bans discriminatory AI in the workplace to another that enhances missing persons investigations.

In this episode, learn about ten of the new laws taking effect in 2026.

Listen here.

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Senator Laura Ellman, Naperville: Lock ‘em up: What state’s new Safe Storage Act means for gun owners, safety | Daily Herald

Senator Doris Turner, Springfield: IL law requires guidance for AI in elementary, secondary education | WAND News

Copyright 2026 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

What's new in 2026

The end of the year is here, and with a new year comes new laws that will affect families in all corners of Illinois.

More than 250 new laws will take effect next year – from one that bans discriminatory AI in the workplace to another that enhances missing persons investigations. These include:

• Senate Bill 8: Increases gun storage safety requirements and reporting requirements for lost and stolen firearms.
• Senate Bill 24: Prohibits law enforcement agencies from observing a waiting period before accepting a missing persons report. It requires information from a missing persons report to be entered into the agencies’ data systems upon receipt of the report.
• Senate Bill 212: Requires employers to provide paid break time to nursing mothers so they may express or “pump” breast milk for their child.
• Senate Bill 314: Requires a physical fitness center to clearly disclose any change in the cost of or reduction in benefits to a customer’s gym membership at least 60 days before the automatic renewal of the membership.
• Senate Bill 710: Allows the Department of Natural Resources to issue two free deer permits to individuals who qualify for the youth-only deer season. Allows IDNR to issue nuisance permits to landowners whose property is being damaged by deer.
• Senate Bill 1274: Allows a sexual assault services voucher provided by a hospital to be used for a taxi or rideshare service to transport a survivor home, to a shelter or to the transfer hospital.
• Senate Bill 1548: Establishes a Golden Search Awareness Program to raise awareness of missing persons with developmental disabilities.
• House Bill 2517: Expands implicit bias training for health care workers in Illinois to include training in potential maternal health risk factors associated with increased mortality rate.
• House Bill 3247: Codifies a child’s right to receive a public education and to participate in public school events and activities regardless of the child’s immigration status or the immigration status of their parents or guardians.
• House Bill 3773: Makes it illegal for employers to use AI that discriminates against workers based on protected characteristics or uses ZIP codes as a stand-in for those traits in areas like hiring, promotion, job training and more.

Dozens of other laws take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Find the full list by clicking here.

Copyright 2025 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

Happy Holidays!

From the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus, happy holidays!

We hope this year’s celebrations find you all safe, happy and healthy.

May 2026 bring us the strength to keep working toward a better future for ourselves and our communities.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!

Copyright 2025 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

Senate Democrats lead landmark legislation to enhance civil rights amid ICE activities

CHICAGO — Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus championed a new law aimed at safeguarding residents' constitutional rights and maintaining access to essential public services during increased federal immigration enforcement activity in Chicago and throughout the state.

The law responds to reports of intensive federal immigration operations in Chicago and other Illinois communities that have sparked concerns about potential constitutional violations and reduced access to critical services.

“There is no badge, no title, no mask that puts anyone above the Constitution. This law sends the message that if you abuse your authority, there are consequences,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “Our rights follow us into the courthouse, onto campus, at the hospital and when taking our kids to daycare. No one gets to take them away. We are providing the victims of this chaotic federal assault a clear, legal path to go after their abusers and hold them accountable.”

Read more.

Villivalam measure securing world-class transit system for Illinois signed into law

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Ram Villivalam spearheaded a new law providing necessary reforms and historic investments to address the public transit fiscal cliff and issues facing the system in Illinois.

“Riders, transit workers, and stakeholders from the business, labor, environmental, and urban planning sectors told my colleagues and I for years about the challenges and opportunities that exist with our public transit systems,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Their concerns were the same ones I see each time I have used public transit myself – delays, ghost buses or lack of service. The status quo wasn’t working. It was time to make a change in order for people to get their school, job, and/or doctor’s appointment in a safe, reliable, and accessible way.”

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Sims leads new law to protect Illinois from reckless federal budget

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. led the charge to insulate Illinois taxpayers from damaging federal policy shifts, ensuring the state's Fiscal Year 2026 budget remains intact despite the federal administration’s cuts to vital programs.

"The federal administration is recklessly cutting programs that Illinois families rely on, but we won't let their irresponsibility destabilize our state budget," said Sims (D-Chicago). "This law protects Illinois taxpayers and preserves our ability to fund schools, health care and essential services.”

Read more.

Enshrining reproductive rights

From deceptive crisis pregnancy centers to efforts from other states to weaponize digital data, State Senator Celina Villanueva details the challenges surrounding reproductive care — and how Illinois is pushing back through landmark legislation designed to safeguard personal freedom and privacy.

Listen here.

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

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Senator Paul Faraci, Champaign: Faraci law improves protections for missing people with developmental disabilities starting Jan. 1 | Vermilion County First

Senator Laura Fine, Evanston: New Illinois law requires employers to provide paid breaks for nursing moms | NBC Chicago

Copyright 2025 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

CHICAGO – Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus championed a new law aimed at safeguarding residents' constitutional rights and maintaining access to essential public services during increased federal immigration enforcement activity in Chicago and throughout the state.

The law responds to reports of intensive federal immigration operations in Chicago and other Illinois communities that have sparked concerns about potential constitutional violations and reduced access to critical services.

“There is no badge, no title, no mask that puts anyone above the Constitution. This law sends the message that if you abuse your authority, there are consequences,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “Our rights follow us into the courthouse, onto campus, at the hospital and when taking our kids to daycare. No one gets to take them away. We are providing the victims of this chaotic federal assault a clear, legal path to go after their abusers and hold them accountable.”

The law 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 will 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 law will 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 law will also create a 1,000-foot safe zone around courthouses, including parking facilities and surrounding streets. Violations carry civil damages for false imprisonment.

“For too long, individuals, especially immigrants and survivors of violence, have feared showing up in public spaces where they have every right to be,” said Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago). “House Bill 1312 reaffirms Illinois’ commitment to protecting privacy and due process by making sure our hospitals, schools and courthouses remain safe and accessible to everyone. We are saying clearly: your rights do not stop at the door.”

The law further will require public colleges and universities to establish procedures for reviewing law enforcement access requests and prohibits the unauthorized disclosure of immigration status.

“Education is a cornerstone of our democracy – a right for all Illinoisans that must be defended, regardless of immigration status. We cannot allow armed, masked federal agents inciting chaos in our communities to deprive our neighbors of their constitutional rights,” said State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago). “Despite the federal administration’s attempts to stifle justice and due process, Illinois will continue to uphold these fundamental rights for every person that calls our state home.”

Similarly, all Illinois hospitals will be required to develop comprehensive policies for law enforcement interactions by early 2026, with $500 daily penalties for noncompliance. Licensed daycare centers will 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.

“As aggressive immigration enforcement continues to spread, Illinois will stand as a pillar of accountability and justice. We will not allow ICE to go unchecked as they endanger our children and sow chaos in our communities,” said State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago). “In Illinois we will continue to protect each of our residents, regardless of immigration status.”

House Bill 1312 was signed into law Tuesday and takes immediate effect.