SPRINGFIELD – To protect the stability of safety net hospitals, State Senator Omar Aquino championed a new law that will generate additional revenue for hospitals across the state.

"As a patient of Humboldt Park Health, a designated safety net hospital, and the representative of two additional safety nets, I have experienced firsthand the contributions of these hospitals to the integrity of our communities by ensuring the health of our neighbors,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “With the updates to the Hospital Assessment Program, we are ensuring that hospitals continue to provide critical services to our most vulnerable."

The Illinois Hospital Assessment Program was established in 2003 to help ensure low-income patients have access to health care services. The program was extended and expanded in 2022 to improve cash-flow predictability for hospitals, tying greater funding to higher Medicaid utilization. The program is funded through a special tax on Illinois hospitals, which is then matched by federal funds and redistributed to hospitals based on the volume of the Medicaid patients they serve and their level of care.

SPRINGFIELD — A new law championed by State Senator Julie Morrison will create an expedited review process for individuals challenging the revocation of their FOID card due to being deemed a “clear and present danger.”

“This law grants everyone the opportunity for a timely review if they believe their determination is inaccurate,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “With this change, we are improving transparency in the process and helping to ensure decisions are made fairly.”

CHICAGO – Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the Fiscal Year 2026 budget was signed into law:

“The budget signed today is one that confronts the challenges before us with the same principled approach that guided our recovery: true fiscal responsibility, addressing reality head-on, and not postponing difficult decisions for future years.

Our unwavering commitment to making Illinois not just a place to live, but a place where families thrive, businesses flourish, and communities prosper is apparent in the budget. We have invested in the whole person, recognizing that our state's strength lies in the collective success of all Illinoisans.

The Fiscal Year 2026 budget serves today's needs while building tomorrow's opportunities."

CHICAGO – Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the Fiscal Year 2026 budget was signed into law:

“The budget signed today is one that confronts the challenges before us with the same principled approach that guided our recovery: true fiscal responsibility, addressing reality head-on, and not postponing difficult decisions for future years.

Our unwavering commitment to making Illinois not just a place to live, but a place where families thrive, businesses flourish, and communities prosper is apparent in the budget. We have invested in the whole person, recognizing that our state's strength lies in the collective success of all Illinoisans.

The Fiscal Year 2026 budget serves today's needs while building tomorrow's opportunities."

Villivalam: Illinoisans deserve a world-class public transit system

SPRINGFIELD — Following eight subject matter hearings with over 35 hours of testimony, State Senator Ram Villivalam passed legislation through the Senate aimed at addressing issues facing the current public transit system in Illinois.

“Over the last 19 months, I have collaborated and held discussions with stakeholders, advocates, transit workers and everyday riders about the state of transit, issues currently facing the system and what we can do to improve service for its riders,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “It’s imperative that we deliver a public transit system that provides reliable service for its riders and is accountable to our taxpayers. Now is the time to break through the status quo and embrace solutions made for lasting change.”

Read more.

Koehler advances legislation protecting local pharmacy access

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Dave Koehler is championing two significant pharmacy bills aimed at protecting patient access to pharmacies and health care services by hospitals engaged in the federal 340B program.

“Our local hospitals and federal qualified health centers need this program to be able to provide healthcare services for the poor and uninsured. The corrections we have made in how this program works will make a difference to struggling communities throughout the state,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “This will cover the expenses that otherwise would be passed on to patients who have insurance.”

Read more.

Senator Fine passes measure investing in employee rights

SPRINGFIELD — To support victims and witnesses of workplace harassment and discrimination, State Senator Laura Fine championed a measure to clarify unlawful labor practices.

“Bolstering the Illinois workforce and attracting new employees can only happen when workers have a fair work environment,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “In the event of harassment or discrimination against an employee, the victim and potential witnesses deserve to feel safe and taken seriously when reporting the issue.”

Read more.

Senate Democrats praise new 'Surplus to Success' program in Fiscal Year 2026 budget

SPRINGFIELD — Following the passage of the state’s seventh balanced budget, Senate Democrats highlighted a historic $500 million investment in site readiness to revitalize vacant sites in the state to attract new business and job opportunities.

“The ‘Surplus to Success’ program brings hope to the former Singer Mental Health Center,” said State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This is a great initiative to boost economic development in the Rockford region and I’m looking forward to seeing the revitalization process to the vacant land.”

Read more.

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SPRINGFIELD – Treatments for Alzheimer’s disease will soon be more accessible thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Laura Murphy.

“If individuals receive treatment in time, it can slow the progression of this terrible disease,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “When a family member has Alzheimer’s, every moment counts, so people shouldn’t be denied treatments that are effective.”

SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to strengthen public safety while improving the state’s appeals process for FOID card decisions, State Senator Julie Morrison advanced legislation that would create a more transparent and efficient pathway for individuals whose FOID cards are revoked or denied.

House Bill 850 would establish an expedited review process for individuals who believe they have been wrongly deemed a “clear and present danger,” allowing them to more quickly resolve their case through the existing Firearm Owner’s Identification Card Review Board.

Senate Democrats prioritize education, health care and more in FY 26 budget

Building upon the responsible spending decisions the Illinois Senate Democratic caucus made and balanced budgets they’ve passed in recent years, they passed a smart spending plan Saturday to make Illinois a better place to live, work and raise a family.

“When we began negotiations for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, we took a serious look at the crisis we are facing with the understanding that fiscal responsibility is about tackling what is in front of us,” said Senate Majority Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr.(D-Chicago). “This budget is simply that: a reflection of our priorities and the uncertainty that is in front of us.”

The Fiscal Year 2026 budget represents a number of shared priorities of the caucus, including investing in educating children, protecting our state’s most vulnerable, keeping communities safe, and more.

Highlights include:

Early Childhood Education

• $777 million for the Child Care Assistance Program to assist families across the state in affording child care
• $748 million for the ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant to extend access to support services and high-quality preschool slots for families with children up to age three
• $21.7 million to operate the Department of Early Childhood

K-12 Education

• Continues to fully fund the evidence-based funding model for K-12 education
• $1.3 million increase for career and technical education programs
• $35 million for after school programs
• $5 million for the teaching mentorship program, $30 million to the Teacher Vacancy Grant Pilot Program, and $8 million to the Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship to tackle the ongoing teacher shortage

Higher Education

• $721 million for Monetary Award Program (MAP) funding. In Fiscal Year 2026, a projected 151,000 students could benefit from MAP Grants – up from 126,864 in 2019.
• $50 million to the AIM High Grant Program
• $2.5 million for the Common Application Partnership Initiative – or Common App – to make applying for college easier and more streamlined

Violence Prevention and Public Safety

• Funding to hire and train 200 new state troopers – a total of two new cadet classes
• $180 million to the Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) program
• $70 million to build up the Reimagine Public Safety grant program
• $495 million to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority

Health and Human Services

• $600 million for safety net hospitals
• $100 million for the child tax credit for eligible low-income families with EITC
• $15 million for the Medical Debt Relief Pilot Program
• $268 million for HOME Illinois

Economic Development and Infrastructure

• $5 million to the Illinois Grocery Initiative
• $75 million will go toward enhancing youth employment opportunities
• $7.5 million to the Fast-Track Workforce program to provide employee screening, recruitment and job training development to employers
• $10 million for the Made in Illinois program – a game-changing opportunity for small and mid-sized manufacturers to access up to $50,000 in matching funds to support innovation and strategic technological advancements

Copyright 2025 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved