The Chicago region has everything needed for success. Great resources, great people, great opportunities and great location.

You don’t have to take my word for it.

With more than 600 qualifying business projects across the region in 2025, Site Selection Magazine ranked Chicagoland as the top metro region in the nation. It’s the 13th year in a row the metro region has received the top designation from the industry publication.

https://siteselection.com/2025-top-metros-tier-1.../

Chicago scored higher than the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth metro areas.

“This momentum is not accidental. It is the result of a region with unmatched logistics power, a diversified and resilient economic base, and a nearly five-million–person workforce spanning advanced research to essential operations. Add to that over 150,000 students entering the regional economy each year, competitive utilities, abundant water, scalable industrial space and a deliberate focus on vibrancy as an economic driver — and you have a market built for sustained corporate growth.” -- Andrew Hayes, vice president of marketing communications for World Business Chicago

Belt's measure expands suicide prevention awareness and education

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Christopher Belt introduced a new measure to increase access to life-saving mental health resources and strengthen suicide prevention efforts across the state.

“What we’re doing is expanding suicide prevention education across the entire state,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “These are meaningful steps to address mental health proactively and compassionately.”

Read more.

Halpin bill to address teacher shortage passes committee

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mike Halpin’s bill to allow retired teachers to work additional paid hours as substitutes in order to address the statewide teacher shortage passed committee.

“Illinois schools need more teachers and more substitute teachers. Allowing retired teachers to continue to work more substitution hours gives the support our education system needs,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “If we are going to solve the teacher shortage we will need creative solutions, this legislation represents one of them.”

Read more.

Stadelman outlines safeguards for domestic violence and stalking victims following delays in protection

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Steve Stadelman called a press conference to outline critical legislation designed to eliminate gaps in protection that would leave survivors of domestic violence and stalking without enforceable safeguards.

“This bill was inspired by a courageous constituent who came forward to share her story. Her experience underscores why we must constantly review our laws to ensure they truly protect those they are meant to serve,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This measure guarantees continued protections for victims and strengthens accountability for those who violate court orders.”

Read more.

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senator Cristina Castro, Elgin: Pritzker, lawmakers renew push for school cell phone ban | WAND

Senator Adriane Johnson, Buffalo Grove: Criminal justice advocates propose bill to prevent homelessness among formerly incarcerated people | The Tribe

Senator Celina Villanueva, Chicago: Lawmakers postpone Cook County property tax debt sale to continue working on reforms | WGLT

Copyright 2026 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

Enjoyed a wide-ranging live radio discussion with Illinois Public Media's The 21st Show.

You can listen here: The 21st Show

Senate Democrats begin FY 27 budget process

SPRINGFIELD — Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus heard the governor’s state budget proposal Wednesday and will now begin bipartisan, bicameral conversations to bring forth a balanced budget.

“The governor deserves credit for a proposal that protects our shared goals in an increasingly difficult and chaotic financial climate,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “There’s a lot to like — increased funding for public schools and universities, continued debt reduction and creative ideas on affordable housing.”

“Our work begins to craft another responsible, compassionate budget that highlights Illinois’ commitment to cementing our state as the best place to build and raise a family. Building on seven years of historic fiscal progress, Illinois will meet the challenges that lay ahead. We’ve done so before and we’ll do it again,” said Majority Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). “While the Trump administration is focused on sowing fear and dysfunction, we will work to prioritize every resident, no matter their background, the color of their skin, their education level or their ZIP code.”

Read more.

Illinois Legislative Black Caucus responds to budget proposal, calls for equity-focused final budget

SPRINGFIELD — Following the governor’s annual budget address, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the final state budget delivers meaningful investments in Black communities across Illinois.

“As Senate Joint Chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, I know our communities cannot afford uncertainty at any level of government,” said State Senator Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago). “With federal threats creating instability around health care, food assistance and social services, Illinois must remain steady and proactive. We have a responsibility to craft a final budget that protects our most vulnerable residents, invests in early childhood and education and strengthens economic opportunities in neighborhoods that have been historically disinvested.”

“Proposals set the tone, but budgets set the priorities,” said State Senator Willie Preston (D-Chicago), Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Senate Chair. “We appreciate the continued investments in education, housing stability and health care, but we must ensure the final budget intentionally closes the persistent gaps facing Black families. That means fully funding workforce development, expanding pathways to economic mobility, strengthening violence prevention efforts and ensuring housing initiatives like Home Illinois truly reach the communities most impacted.”

Read more.

Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus shares their key priorities after governor's budget speech

SPRINGFIELD — Members of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus have once again affirmed their dedication to standing up for Latino residents, emphasizing their strong commitment to protecting and supporting these communities amid growing threats of potential cuts from the Trump administration.

“The governor’s proposed revenue solutions to bridge the gaps in funding are a solid baseline to address the challenges our state is facing under the federal administration,” said Senate Latino Caucus Chair Karina Villa (D-West Chicago). “One thing is clear: our budget cannot be balanced on the back of working people. As budget negations continue, we will remain steadfast in our commitment to defending the services our communities depend on.”

“We hope to expand funding in the child care tax program. Expanding this program would help so many families afford essentials like diapers, baby food, childcare and more”, said State Senator Javier Cervantes (D-Chicago). “Our working families are struggling to put food on the table. With SNAP benefits changing we need to give Illinois residents all the help we can.”

Read more.

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senator Christopher Belt, Swansea: Illinois bill would require service providers to give customers 2-hour notice before arrival | WCIA

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford, Maywood: Lawmakers, advocates renew calls for equitable public university funding model | WAND

Senator Mike Simmons, Chicago: Illinois erases $1.1B in medical debt for more than 500K residents | FOX32

Copyright 2026 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

Over the past months, communities across Chicagoland – our communities – and Minneapolis have been shaken by scenes that belong in history books warning us what not to become: masked federal agents jumping out of unmarked vans, grabbing residents off sidewalks, terrorizing families outside schools, hospitals and courthouses. In the most horrific incidents, they have killed innocent people exercising their constitutional rights.

Working together, the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus, and a broad coalition of advocates, passed a new law designed to restore some measure of dignity, accountability and basic constitutional order. I was proud to sponsor it — and prouder still to see it signed immediately into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.

The purpose is simple: your rights follow you everywhere. Into the courthouse. Onto campus. To the hospital. To your child’s daycare. No badge, no title, no mask puts anyone above the Constitution.

You can read the rest of my op-ed in the Wednesday Journal here:

In defense of dignity and the rule of law - Wednesday Journal