Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD – As workers and employers continue to navigate economic uncertainty, State Senator Linda Holmes advanced legislation to strengthen Illinois’ unemployment insurance system by protecting benefits, delaying planned contribution increases and helping workers access assistance faster after a mass layoff.

“Workers and employers alike benefit from stability and predictability,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “This legislation reflects a collaborative approach that protects working families and individuals when they need it most, ensuring they have a sense of security during a major life change.”

Current law includes automatic changes beginning in 2027 that would temporarily reduce unemployment insurance benefits and increase employer contribution rates. Senate Bill 807 would delay those changes, pushing them to 2029, reducing the size of the temporary benefit decreases when they eventually take effect.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Linda Holmes maintains her ongoing commitment to lead legislation that would restrict owners of traveling animal acts from using wild animals in their shows through a measure she passed Wednesday to add specific breeds to the banned species list.

“I passed legislation in 2017 to ban the use of elephants in circuses and other traveling exhibitions that cannot provide the animals adequate living conditions, and we’ve added more species to the ban over the years,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “These animals spend most of their lives in cramped, filthy cages under severe and chronic stress. It is cruel and heartbreaking to witness.”

House Bill 4255 would add specific breeds to the offense of unlawful use of animals in traveling acts to include cougars, jaguars, leopards, lions, tigers, non-human primates, bears, and all elephants, not just endangered species. It also would add any hybrids of these animals.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Linda Holmes remains a leader in Illinois legislation to eliminate hazardous conditions for animals of all sizes, as evidenced by a measure approved this week that would provide statutory guidance to Illinois courts to resolve pet possession conflicts when their unmarried parents separate.

“Laws are revised over time to reflect changing norms in every aspect of our daily lives. Family roles change, and families see pets as adored family members rather than property,” Holmes (D-Aurora) said. “If the future residence of a companion animal is in question when family members separate, the courts need guidance in considering the best outcome for the animal’s consistent caregiving and comfort.” 

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Linda Holmes continues to lead measures to restrict species from owners of traveling animal acts by adding more specific breeds to the list of wildlife banned for this use.

“In 2017, I passed legislation to ban the use of elephants in circuses and other traveling exhibitions that cannot provide the animals adequate living conditions, and we have added more and more species to the ban over the years,” Holmes (D-Aurora) said. “These animals spend most of their lives in cramped, filthy cages under severe and chronic stress. This cruelty must stop.”

House Bill 4255 would add specific breeds to the offense of unlawful use of animals in traveling acts to include cougars, jaguars, leopards, lions, tigers, non-human primates, bears, and all elephants, not just endangered species. It also adds any hybrids of these animals. Anyone knowingly using a covered animal would be committing a Class A misdemeanor.

SPRINGFIELD – A consistent advocate for legislation to end unsafe conditions for animals, State Senator Linda Holmes is leading a proposal that would bring statutory guidance to Illinois courts to resolve pet possession conflicts when their unmarried parents separate.

“Laws need to reflect how family roles change over time, and how more people see their pets as beloved family members rather than property,” Holmes (D-Aurora) said. “If those roles change and the future residence of a companion animal is in question, the courts need guidance to reflect that not every family starts with a married man and woman whose pet is considered an asset rather than a furry family member whose wellbeing is at stake.”

SPRINGFIELD – In Illinois, law enforcement officers and prosecutors who charge suspects accused of harassment need updates to the law to reflect today’s use of technology. State Senator Linda Holmes advanced legislation to reflect the realities of how offenses are being committed in present day.

“The means to harass someone continues to magnify from phones to electronic devices, offering platforms on which to send demeaning, frightening messages,” Holmes (D-Aurora) said. “Our intent is to capture harassment that causes emotional distress. Emails, social media, forums and gaming are being used, so our laws must reflect the changed landscape violators use to intensify their attacks.”

Senate Bill 2741 is an initiative of Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser and Detective Rich Wistocki whose organizations see how the nature of harassment has changed with technology. To prosecute offenders who use these tools, the bill would remove the requirement that content must be of a sexual nature.

SPRINGFIELD – In Illinois, law enforcement officers and prosecutors who charge suspects accused of harassment are seeing options to update the law to reflect today’s technology. State Senator Linda Holmes filed legislation to reflect the realities of how offenses are being committed in present day.

“The means to harass someone continues to expand from phones to electronic devices, offering platforms on which to send demeaning, frightening messages,” Holmes (D-Aurora) said. “Emails, social media, forums and gaming are being used by those intending to cause emotional distress to the recipient, so laws need to be amended to address each offense separately.” 

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Linda Holmes welcomed representatives of PaintCare, Inc. to the Capitol to announce early progress in the new statewide household paint recycling program, created by Holmes’ 2024 Paint Stewardship Act.

Many households and businesses have old, unused cans of paint in their basements or garages; there have been few options to dispose of them safely. Beginning in December of 2025, designated collection centers at familiar paint retailers began opening across the state for environmentally safe disposal.

Holmes’ Paint Stewardship Act was passed and signed in 2024, and the program has been in development by PaintCare and their stewardship cohorts throughout 2025.