Belt celebrates groundbreaking on new grocery store in Venice

VENICE – State Senator Christopher Belt joined leaders from across the Metro East region to break ground on a new grocery store in Venice as part of the Illinois Grocery Initiative — marking an important milestone in expanding access to fresh, affordable food for local residents. The groundbreaking represents a critical joint effort to revitalize the city, which was made possible through a $2.4 million state grant and private funding.

“We have had some great days here in Venice, first for our bill signing, then to award this grant, and now we are here to put a shovel in the ground,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I don’t have a crystal ball, but I think we’ll be here again when the grocery store is completed to celebrate what we have accomplished.”

In 2023, Belt championed legislation aiming to eliminate the number of food deserts in Illinois’ communities — leading to the creation of the Illinois Grocery Initiative and the current construction of a new grocery store in Venice. 

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Sims leads legislation to protect state budget from reckless federal cuts

SPRINGFIELD – In response to devastating cuts to essential programs by the federal administration, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. led a measure to decouple Illinois tax policy from harmful federal changes and protect the state's Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

"While the federal administration carelessly slashes funding for programs that Illinois families depend on, we refuse to let their recklessness blow a hole in our state budget," said Sims (D-Chicago). "This measure is about protecting Illinois taxpayers and ensuring we can continue funding schools, health care and vital services despite the chaos coming from the federal government."

Read more: Sims leads legislation to protect state budget from reckless federal cuts

Holmes legislation empowering terminally ill adults to consider end-of-life options passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Linda Holmes’ two-year pursuit to allow terminally ill adults in Illinois to choose to end their suffering on their own terms was passed by the Illinois State Senate Friday.

Senate Bill 1950 would allow a qualified patient with a terminal disease to request a physician to prescribe aid-in-dying medication, allowing the patient to end their own life in a peaceful manner, if and when, they choose.

“I lost both of my parents to terminal cancers, and can’t forget the helpless feeling of being unable to relieve their suffering,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “This measure is about allowing qualified, terminally ill patients an option to consider ending their pain and distress.”

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Simmons Passes Bill to Protect Tenants from Rental Junk Fees and Require Lease Transparency

SPRINGFIELD – To protect the over one third of all Illinoisans who are renters, State Senator Mike Simmons passed legislation through the Senate that bans excessive junk fees and requires lease transparency.

“When a tenant signs a lease, they shouldn’t be surprised by charges included in their rent, especially for things like after-hours service requests, modifying or renewing a lease, or routine maintenance and upkeep of the rental unit. And yet, apartment fees are rising. House Bill 3564 protects renters from 11 excessive fees and ensures the renting process is transparent and fair, while maintaining landlords' access to the most common tenant screening tools,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “HB3564 provides tenants with the right to know what fees they might expect, how much they cost, and how they will be charged on the first page of a lease.”

Under House Bill 3564, landlords and renters would have an outline of which types of fees can be charged to a tenant, how those fees must be disclosed and the manner in which they can be charged. This legislation would require all other fees connected to a tenant’s lease to be disclosed on the first page of the lease agreement along with a description of each fee, including a statement on whether utilities are covered within the rent. Tenants would not be responsible for paying any fee not disclosed within the lease.

Read more: Simmons Passes Bill to Protect Tenants from Rental Junk Fees and Require Lease Transparency