Belt plan to expand organ donor registry heads to governor’s desk
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) championed a measure that passed the Senate Wednesday that would give people another option to become an organ donor.
“In January 2010, I received a kidney transplant,” Belt said. “After living on dialysis for a year, I understand how important organ donors are.”
House Bill 4696 would allow the Department of Natural Resources to offer online hunting license holders the opportunity to be redirected to the First Person Consent Organ and Tissue Donor Registry. On average, 300 people die each year waiting for an organ donation. More than 4,700 Illinois residents are waiting for an organ or tissue donation. In 2020, there were 7 million Illinoisans registered as organ donors.
Read more: Belt plan to expand organ donor registry heads to governor’s desk
Murphy advocates for law enforcement in new legislation
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SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is strongly supporting the Illinois State Democrats’ package of initiatives focused on supporting law enforcement officers and improving the state’s criminal justice system.
“Law enforcement officers bravely risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe,” Murphy said. “I am proud to support legislation aiming to keep them safe in the line of duty, and make sure they have the tools they need to address rising crime rates.”
Among the measures Murphy supports are: House Bill 4608, which allows grants for body cameras to cover storage of video data, and House Bill 3893 allows investigators to continue recording conversations for qualified sex and drug offenders.
Read more: Murphy advocates for law enforcement in new legislation
Simmons measure to create Agriculture Equity Commission passes committee
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SPRINGFIELD – To better recognize the historic injustices that Black farmers face in the agriculture industry, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) is leading a measure to create the Agriculture Equity Commission.
“We are taking the right steps to correct the intergenerational and well-documented discrimination experienced by Black farmers,” Simmons said. “My goal is to see this commission address the root issues and find actional solutions to give Black farmers justice.”
The commission would reflect representation of socially disadvantaged communities, businesses, and farmers, and include academics, policy experts, and legislators who are experienced in agriculture and related matters.
Read more: Simmons measure to create Agriculture Equity Commission passes committee
Joyce advocates for law enforcement
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SPRINGFIELD – With strong support from State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex), the Illinois Senate Democrats joined police advocates Monday to unveil a legislative package aimed at supporting law enforcement officers and improving the state’s criminal justice system.
“The law enforcement community protect us every day. This package of pro-law enforcement legislation will protect them by creating new grant opportunities, offer investigative resources and help to retain officers,” Joyce said
To help promote fair compensation across the state, House Bill 4228 requires a county sheriffs’ salary to equal at least 80% of the county’s state’s attorney’s salary. House Bill 3863 creates the Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention Fund to support departments through the hiring and training processes and improve retention strategies.
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Porfirio resolution honors U.S. Marine Corps
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Porfirio led a resolution to honor the U.S. Marine Corps through renaming a portion of Interstate Route 80. “Since its creation, the Marine Corps has played a key role in protecting and safeguarding the security and fr... -
Hastings: Freedom is never free
SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings supported a resolution to honor the United States Marine Corps through renaming a portion of Interstate Route 80. Hastings, who served as a U.S. Army officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom, rose in supp... -
Jones honors fallen state trooper with memorial highway
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones III successfully led a resolution to rename a portion of I-55 in honor of late State Trooper Clay M. Carns. “Trooper Carns died doing the same thing he had done every day for 11 years – diligently and faithfully... -
Johnson declares Menopause Awareness Week
SPRINGFIELD – To bring awareness to a condition that will be faced by more than half of all Illinoisans, State Senator Adriane Johnson championed the effort to declare Oct. 11-17, 2026 Menopause Awareness Week. “Highlighting menopause is vital to gua... -
Morrison champions resolution declaring September 2026 Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month
DEERFIELD — Bringing awareness to genetic disorders, State Senator Julie Morrison championed a resolution in the Senate declaring September 2026 as Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month in Illinois. “Muscular Dystrophy is a group of progressive and dege...
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