Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is leading a transformative proposal that aims to give faith-based organizations the tools to revitalize and redevelop closed and underutilized houses of worship into affordable residential housing.

“Many religious institutions already serve vulnerable populations through programs and outreach services,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Extending these services to include permanent or supportive housing is a natural progression of their mission.”

SPRINGFIELD – Following years of steadfast advocacy and negotiations, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is leading Senate Bill 20 – a measure that brings critical consumer protections to Illinois’ hemp-derived CBD marketplace.

“From protecting a grandmother buying CBD oil for arthritis, to making sure a social equity transporter can build a real business, to guarding underage youth from harmful products — this bill is simply about people,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Effective regulation is about safeguarding public health and fostering a sustainable, trustworthy market.”

SPRINGFIELD — As the nation grapples with a growing housing affordability crisis, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus stood together during a press conference Tuesday to outline their package of proposals aimed at making renting and owning a home more affordable, fair and accessible for working families across the state.

As the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development takes steps to slash funding for affordable housing and propose strict work requirements and time limits for people who rely on housing assistance, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) is fighting to make sure Illinois does not turn its back on those who are already struggling under Senate Bill 608.

State Senator Ram Villivalam joined members of the Illinois Rideshare Alliance on Tuesday to advocate for the passage of Senate Bill 2906 – a measure that would allow rideshare drivers in Illinois to unionize.

“With the increase in popularity of apps like Uber and Lyft, rideshare drivers have increasingly spoken out about their lack of rights, protections and little to no transparency about pay,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Every worker deserves the right to organize. Current laws exclude rideshare drivers from the right to organize ─ leaving more than 100,000 Illinoisans without a voice on the job while corporations like Uber and Lyft make billions.”

The number of adults who work as taxi drivers or chauffeurs for their primary job has tripled over the last decade thanks to app-based rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. Since the increase in popularity of these apps for both consumers and laborers, rideshare drivers have increasingly spoken out about their lack of rights, protections and little to no transparency about pay.

JOLIET — Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus applauded the construction of new Interstate 80 bridges over the Des Plaines River.

The project began in early May, and marks the final phase of the $1.3 billion, multiyear I-80 rehabilitation and modernization, which is part of the Senate Democrat-backed Rebuild Illinois capital program. This year, 13 miles of additional lanes, reconstructed interchanges, safety upgrades and capacity improvements on the I-80 corridor will be completed, which will leave only about 20% of the project unfinished.

SPRINGFIELD – In the face of sky-high rental costs in Chicago and across Illinois, Senator Graciela Guzmán is working to crack down on price fixing schemes landlords conduct using AI algorithms.

“Renters deserve a fair, transparent and accountable housing market,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “AI algorithms allow landlords to rig the market in their favor and gouge every dollar from families looking for a place to live. We need to crack down on AI-driven rent fixing schemes that hurt competition and renters.”

Illinois Senate Democrats pass nation-leading AI safety and privacy package

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois is a step closer to becoming a national leader in the realm of enhancing safety and privacy within the artificial intelligence space after members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus passed their comprehensive plan that would put forth AI protections as it relates to mental health help, identity security, price gouging safeguards and other areas that need more guardrails.

“Artificial intelligence is already shaping nearly every part of our daily lives, and Illinois cannot afford to wait for Washington to act,” said State Senator Bill Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This legislative package is the result of months of hearings and collaboration focused on creating responsible safeguards around AI, including consumer protections, data privacy, child safety and transparency in schools. Our goal is to help establish clear standards that protect the public while allowing innovation to move forward responsibly.”

Read more.

Aquino measure to ban 'junk' fees passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD — To support families amid a national affordability crisis, State Senator Omar Aquino passed a measure banning ‘junk’ fees out of the Senate.

“Right now, families are feeling the pressure at checkout when they’re paying for groceries or getting gas,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “When every dollar counts, families need to know exactly how much they’re expected to pay for the services they need.”

Read more.

Villivalam-backed measure would ensure mental health support for educational staff

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Ram Villivalam is leading the charge in tackling the mental health crisis thanks to a new measure that would ensure mental health support for educational staff.

“The mental health crisis continues to affect people every day,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Currently, educational staff do not have the mental health support or resources needed to get the care they deserve – and now it’s up to us to help break down these barriers so they can access care.”

Read more.

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SPRINGFIELD — Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus introduced an eight-bill package of statewide solutions Friday that would unlock tools to help meet the demand for homes and apartments and make housing more affordable for working families across the state.

The affordability crisis is hurting families everywhere, especially in the housing market. Illinois, like much of the nation, faces a significant housing shortage that has only grown in recent years. Developer demand to build is high, but unchecked hidden fees, exclusionary zoning rules and unnecessary barriers often stand in the way. Further, the outsized role of private and out-of-state firms in Illinois’ housing market is driving up home prices and threatening stability for residents who’ve lived in their homes for decades.