Welcome to the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus

Collins fights to strengthen protections against sexual misconduct in schools

SPRINGFIELD – To strengthen protections for students and help schools identify concerning behavior before it escalates, State Senator Lakesia Collins advanced legislation to improve reporting requirements, reinforce professional boundaries between educators and students and increase transparency regarding school misconduct policies.

“Preventing abuse starts with recognizing the warning signs before a child is harmed,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “This measure helps schools establish clear professional boundaries between staff and students, strengthens training requirements and ensures educators understand how to identify and report concerning behavior.”

Through Collins’ legislation, House Bill 4534, protections for children in schools would be expanded by redefining patterns of grooming behavior as a form of abuse under state law. The measure would also require school districts, charter schools and private schools to maintain and publicly post employee professional conduct policies, provide clear methods for reporting staff-student boundary violations, and establish expectations between school employees and students.

Read more: Collins fights to strengthen protections against sexual misconduct in schools

Fine declares Nov. 12 Genetic Counselor Appreciation Day

SPRINGFIELD – Recognizing the essential role genetic counselors play in modern health care, State Senator Laura Fine has advanced a resolution designating Nov. 12, 2026 as Genetic Counselor Appreciation Day in Illinois.

“Genetic counselors help families understand their health risks and make informed decisions,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Their expertise, compassion and guidance are invaluable to patients navigating complex medical information.”

Read more: Fine declares Nov. 12 Genetic Counselor Appreciation Day

Morrison works to strengthen plastic pollution prevention efforts

DEERFIELD — State Senator Julie Morrison advanced a measure through the Senate to strengthen pollution prevention requirements against plastic pellet runoff and secure clean and healthy waterways for Illinois.

“Our waterways are an important and vital part of our ecosystem – but they cannot thrive with industrial plastic runoff harming aquatic life, water quality and beach health across the Great Lakes,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “It’s time we provide the regulations needed to secure a thriving environment, free from pollution, for neighbors to enjoy for years to come.”

Read more: Morrison works to strengthen plastic pollution prevention efforts

Castro advances legislation for local oversight of charter schools

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Cristina Castro advanced a plan to establish a pilot program for local school charter authorization.

“Accountability should be at the forefront when making decisions about students’ education,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Having educational decision makers with their ears to the ground will allow them to better advocate for students’ needs.”

The vast majority of charter schools in Illinois are locally authorized – meaning they apply directly for authorization with their local school board. State-authorized charter schools apply for authorization through the Illinois State Board of Education rather than their local school board. Because current law does not allow school board oversight of state-authorized charter schools, Castro’s legislation aims to create a pilot program to provide this mechanism for two suburban state-authorized charter schools.

Read more: Castro advances legislation for local oversight of charter schools