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

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.”

SPRINGFIELD — As many communities in Illinois still grapple with limited access to quality, healthy food, State Senator Mattie Hunter is sponsoring a measure aimed at looking into the effectiveness of efforts to reduce food deserts.

“Access to quality and fresh food is a basic right that each person in our community deserves,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “Although the state has taken steps to address these inequities, it is imperative that we continue to reflect on the initiatives aimed at addressing this issue and learn more about what can be done in the future.”

SPRINGFIELD – To promote race amity and highlight the importance of interracial friendships, State Senator Rachel Ventura sponsored a resolution declaring June 8, 2025 as Race Amity Day in Illinois.

“Race Amity Day encourages people to come together and celebrate the diversity within our communities,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “In times where hate and violence far too often persist, this resolution calls attention to the interracial friendships that make our communities stronger.”

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget:

“Through our unwavering commitment to fiscal responsibility over recent years, Illinois has engineered a remarkable financial turnaround that marks a defining moment in our state's economic history. However, no state is safe from the chaos and uncertainty coming out of Washington, D.C.

“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. This budget is simply that: a reflection of our priorities and the uncertainty that is in front of us.

“This budget reflects our shared values and our commitment to making Illinois a better place to live, work and raise a family – investing in the whole person. I am proud to have led a balanced budget that addresses our current needs.”

Fiscal Year 2026 Budget

The Fiscal Year 2026 budget builds upon the responsible spending decisions we have made and balanced budgets we have passed in recent years. It is a balanced budget that is reflective of our state’s priorities, while also taking into account the harsh reality and uncertainty we are facing from the federal administration.

Highlights

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

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.”

SPRINGFIELD — In order to ensure that domestic violence survivors get the assistance they need, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen to advance House Bill 2682 through the Senate on Saturday. In 2023, only an estimated 4% of eligible recipients received the Family Violence Option (FVO) protections under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

“I was proud to partner with the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and the Network Advocating Against Domestic Violence on this common-sense legislation that helps survivors and streamlines crisis assistance within the TANF application process,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “The proposed waiver and critical assistance funding are crucial tools for survivors. Now more than ever we need to continue to make resources readily known and accessible for our most vulnerable communities.”

Despite TANF applicants needing to be screened for FVO eligibility, very few survivors actually access FVO waivers or Crisis Assistance funding.