Ellman law to expand rehabilitation credit opportunities for individuals in pretrial detention

SPRINGFIELD – Studies find that work release programs can play a crucial role in reducing recidivism and promoting successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals. However, there is a lack of rehabilitation credit opportunities for individuals in pretrial detention, leading State Senator Laura Ellman to champion a new law, Senate Bill 3333.

“There are few greater contributions to society than empowering people through education and my hope is to see more opportunities being created to reduce recidivism and improve public safety in the long run,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “While Illinois is a leading state in creating opportunities for incarcerated individuals, we still have many avenues we can improve.”

Read more: Ellman law to expand rehabilitation credit opportunities for individuals in pretrial detention

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