Welcome to the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus

Simmons expansion to Jett Hawkins Act protecting religious hairstyles becomes law

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons’ new law expands the 2022 Jett Hawkins Act to include protections for religious hairstyles in private schools throughout the state.

“We are expanding protections for students across Illinois,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This expansion ensures that individuals expressing their identity through religious hairstyles can continue in school without the fear of persecution.”

Simmons’ law requires private, non-religious schools to affirm they will not prohibit religious hairstyles or hair-related religious practices, including facial hair worn pursuant to a student’s or employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs, in order to register with the Illinois State Board of Education.

Read more: Simmons expansion to Jett Hawkins Act protecting religious hairstyles becomes law

Retailers to accept cash up to $500 thanks to Belt law

SPRINGFIELD– State Senator Christopher Belt’s measure to prohibit retailers from refusing cash payments up to $500 was signed into law.

“Cash is still necessary for many working people and seniors across our state,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This law ensures no one is turned away from making a purchase because they choose to pay with the money they have in their pocket.”

Belt’s law will prohibit retailers from refusing cash payments up to $500 or posting signage that cash is not accepted. The law includes reasonable exceptions, including retailers with self-service checkout but at least one staffed cash register, late-night sales after 10 p.m. and retailers offering prepaid card systems that allow cash conversion. 

Read more: Retailers to accept cash up to $500 thanks to Belt law

Ventura-led grant program for planting native greenery signed into law

SPRINGFIELD - A measure led by State Senator Rachel Ventura providing grants to local governments for planting native trees and grasses in communities was signed into law by the governor Friday.

“Planting native greenery in local communities is a small step that can have a massive impact in combatting the catastrophic effects of climate change,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Responsible stewardship of the environment starts right in our own backyards.”

The bill expands on an earlier measure led by Ventura passed in 2024, Senate Bill 2781, which established the Healthy Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Act. That law allows for units of local government to submit their own grant proposal and receive funds to use for restoring degraded forest lands and native prairies and to promote the growth of native vegetation that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and help mitigate the impact of climate change.

Read more: Ventura-led grant program for planting native greenery signed into law

Preston measure to protect children from social media harms signed by governor

SPRINGFIELD — A measure spearheaded by State Senator Willie Preston to protect children from harmful and addictive online practices has been signed into law, marking a major step toward improving digital safety for young people across Illinois.

“Parents shouldn’t have to fight an uphill battle to keep their children safe online,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “For too long, tech companies have put profits ahead of young people’s well-being. Families deserve clear information about how these platforms operate, stronger safeguards for kids and accountability when companies fail to protect them.”

Read more: Preston measure to protect children from social media harms signed by governor