SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus celebrated the 55th annual Illinois Agriculture Legislative Day, highlighting the importance of supporting farmers and the state’s agricultural industry.

Illinois Ag Legislative Day is a long-standing tradition that allows Future Farmers of America members the opportunity to learn firsthand how to become strong advocates for the agriculture industry and agricultural education.

Additionally, these organizations provide baskets filled with agricultural products and specialty lunches for the legislators. These items serve as a reminder of the multiple facets agriculture touches in the lives of their constituents and the impacts their choices make on the industry.

SPRINGFIELD – According to the FBI’s 2023 Elder Fraud Report, the average amount of money lost by victims of elder financial exploitation was $33,915 and total losses in 2023 exceeded $3.4 billion. At a press conference Wednesday, State Senator Steve Stadelman outlined his plan to protect and further prevent instances of elder financial abuse.

“It’s very common for older individuals to fall victim to financial abuse,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “The goal with this legislation is to protect our most vulnerable citizens and to ensure suspicious financial transactions can be paused until investigated.”

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler to establish the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission and preserve the state's Underground Railroad history passed the Senate Wednesday.

"This commission honors the courage of freedom seekers and highlights Illinois' critical role in their journey," said Koehler (D-Peoria). "By preserving and sharing these important historical sites, we ensure future generations understand and appreciate this powerful part of our state's story."

SPRINGFIELD – More than 84,000 Iowans live with severe mental illness and only about 35,000 of those are receiving treatment. State Senator Mike Halpin’s bill to allow vulnerable mental health patients from Iowa to use Rock Island mental care facilities passed the Senate Wednesday.

“Our country is in the midst of a mental health crisis that crosses state lines,” said Halpin. “Expanding and maintaining mental health care access is a top priority.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner, a strong advocate for agriculture education, passed a measure that would allow any agriculture-related course to satisfy the vocational education requirement for public high school students.

“A lot of kids know early on that they want to have a career in agriculture, whether that’s farming, becoming an agricultural economist, farm manager or researcher,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We should let them take classes that peak their interests, not force them into electives they have no interest in.”

Senate Bill 1605 would clarify in statute that agricultural education, agricultural business or any other agriculture-related course can satisfy the vocational education requirement for public high school students beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. Currently, one year of music, art, foreign language, vocational education or speech and debate are required to graduate from high school.

SPRINGFIELD – Ensuring Illinois nursing mothers have proper workplace accommodations, State Senator Laura Fine passed a measure through the Senate to require employers to provide paid break time for pumping breastmilk.

“Working as a mother to a newborn or infant needing to be breastfed can be challenging without workplace accommodations accounting for the time needed to do so,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “By giving nursing mothers paid break time for pumping breastmilk, we are promoting a supportive work environment for these employees.”

SPRINGFIELD — Thanks to a measure spearheaded by State Senator Mike Porfirio, firefighters could see increased safety while encountering severe smoke and unsteady terrain on roofs.

“I am honored to name this bill the Drew Price Act in honor of Andrew Price, a Chicago firefighter who gave his life protecting his community,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “This is an important first step we must take to protect our first responders on the job, as they defend us from danger every day.”

The bill would require a parapet or guard to be installed around light shafts, skylights and open courts on low-sloped roofs to aid firefighters traversing through dense smoke. Local municipalities would be required to complete surveys of roof safety and hazards of buildings in their district. The surveys would be shared with local police and fire departments to ensure they can avoid dangerous obstacles on roofs when called to an emergency.

SPRINGFIELD – To support students serving in critical leadership roles within Illinois' higher education system, State Senator Dave Koehler has introduced Senate Bill 1475, which would provide scholarship assistance to student members of the state's higher education boards.

"Student voices are essential in shaping Illinois' higher education policies, yet serving on these boards requires significant commitment," Koehler said. “Offering scholarship assistance recognizes their contributions and helps ease these students' financial burdens."

Under Senate Bill 1475, student members serving on the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board would receive a $500 scholarship for each semester they are enrolled and actively serving.