CHICAGO – Underscoring the state’s commitment to preserving and elevating sites that honor Black leadership, economic progress and cultural resilience, State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. helped announce a transformative partnership to restore and redevelop the historic Hotel Florence – along with other key buildings – within the Pullman State Historic Site on Chicago’s South Side.

“I am incredibly proud to be from and represent the Pullman community,” said State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago), who also represents the Pullman Historic District. “This forward-thinking partnership is not only a direct result of our responsible, community-centered budgeting efforts — it’s a momentous opportunity that will breathe new life into the Hotel Florence, transform the Pullman Historic Site and strengthen our broader community.”

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro celebrated a federal court’s recent decision upholding the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, paving the way for Illinois to become the first state in the nation to ban financial institutions from charging electronic processing fees on the tax and tip portions of credit and debit card transactions.

“This initiative will benefit small businesses and consumers across the state,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “This law sends a clear message that Illinois will not waver in its commitment to safeguard the pocketbooks of our hardworking residents, and it will deliver the largest relief for Main Street businesses in decades.”

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Steve Stadelman advanced legislation through the Senate Criminal Law Committee that would protect victims from their abusers by closing gaps that could occur between an emergency and a final order of protection.

“When a judge grants a final order of protection, the intent is clear: the victim deserves protection,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “With more than 62,000 petitions for orders of protections filed in Illinois last year alone, we know how critical these legal tools are. This initiative ensures protection remains fully enforceable and protects survivors from dangerous loopholes.”

SPRINGFIELD – A measure from State Senator Rachel Ventura that would provide opiate use disorder treatments for incarcerated individuals passed the Senate Criminal Law Committee Tuesday.

“Overdoses are the leading cause of death among people returning to their communities after incarceration,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “There is an urgent need for comprehensive opiate use disorder programs statewide, and this legislation would save lies, is compassionate, and has the potential to break the cycle of addiction, improve health outcomes and reduce rates of recidivism.”

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is building on his missing persons investigation work by advancing legislation that would accelerate the timeline for critical forensic data being added to state and national databases.

“Families dealing with a missing loved one should not have to wait for answers,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “This legislation would ensure vital information, such as dental records, gets into the right law enforcement systems sooner — increasing the likelihood of timely matches and helping law enforcement and families get results.”

Under current law, missing persons cases are entered into state and federal databases and may eventually receive additional identifying data. Senate Bill 2949 would update the process so that if a person remains missing for 30 days after a police report, their dental record will be added to the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System — rather than waiting longer under previous practice. After 60 days, the bill would require dental records to be entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, the federal repository used to match missing persons with unidentified remains.

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.

CHICAGO – State Senator Lakesia Collins joined Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Economic Development Corporation and Chicago city officials to announce more than $40.5 million is being invested by DMG MORI Federal Services, Inc. to create a new R&D facility in the Chicagoland area with 74 new full-time positions.

“As the state senator representing Illinois’ 5th Senate District, I am proud to welcome DMG MORI’s expansion in our community,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “This investment reminds me how powerful it is when people come together to learn and uplift our neighborhoods.”

DMG MORI, a leading global manufacturer of high-precision machine tools with its North American headquarters in Hoffman Estates, has committed to establishing a new advanced manufacturing and R&D facility in Chicago. The company has identified a site featuring 25,000 square feet of office space and 65,000 square feet of advanced manufacturing space to support the growth of the company.

OAK PARK - State Senator Cristina Castro held a press conference alongside Governor JB Pritzker to advocate for legislation she’s spearheading that would prohibit cellphones in classrooms.

“Every student in Illinois deserves a quality education in a productive and welcoming setting,” said State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin). “Reducing the harms of constant cellphone usage by students in the classroom supports academic achievement and ensures the best environment possible for learning and growth.”

Nearly 75% of high school teachers say cellphone distraction in their classroom is a major problem. Castro is spearheading Senate Bill 2427 to support learning environments where teachers can focus on teaching and students can focus on learning. The measure would require school districts in Illinois to adopt a policy limiting the use of wireless communication devices on school grounds during the day – from “bell to bell.”