SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons continued his push for a program that would provide free transit for anyone whose income is below 138% of the federal poverty level.

“While public transit fares may appear affordable to some, providing RTA free transit to low-income families and individuals directly benefits single parents and caregivers, people living with a disability, seniors, young people trying to start their career, and survivors of domestic violence,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Although CTA, Metra, and Pace have free and reduced fares, they are limited to seniors and people with disabilities. This bill increases eligibility so more folks can independently access doctor’s visits, mental health appointments, school commutes, provide care for family members, and run every day errands.”

Under Simmons’ legislation, Senate Bill 1388, the Regional Transit Authority, the Chicago Transit Authority, PACE and Metra would create a program to provide free transit to residents earning under 138% of the federal poverty level, or about $15,650 annually.

SPRINGFIELD — According to a recent Pew Research poll, 63% of adult Americans have little to no confidence in the reliability and safety of crypto. Stronger consumer protections and greater consumer trust for those using digital coin are one step closer to becoming reality in Illinois thanks to State Senator Mark Walker.

“Illinois consumers need a safe environment to feel confident in engaging in this new digital market,” said Walker (D-Arlington Heights). “This legislation would build the bridge to promote trust between digital currency companies and consumers.”

House Bill 742 — identical to Walker’s Senate Bill 1797 introduced this session — outlines what requirements digital asset companies must have to operate in Illinois. Also known as the Digital Assets and Consumer Protection Act, House Bill 742 would create requirements for consumer disclosures, proof of financial fitness and procedures for digital coin companies that create a safe digital environment.

SPRINGFIELD – Food deserts are areas with low access to affordable and nutritious food, disproportionately affecting low income communities. State Senators Chris Belt and Paul Faraci obtained relief for two food deserts in their communities with the Illinois Grocery Initiative Grant.

“I’m thrilled to see the continued success and impact of the Illinois Grocery Initiative,” said Belt (D – East St. Louis). “This funding is essential to ensuring every family in Illinois has reliable access to healthy food while also helping the state work towards the goal of eliminating food deserts.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Willie Preston is leading legislation to provide formerly incarcerated individuals resources to acclimate the person to life outside of a correctional facility.

“By providing resources to formerly incarcerated individuals, we are giving them a chance to succeed, empower and uplift their communities,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “We must treat all Illinoisans with respect and give them a chance to succeed regardless of their background.”

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the growing trend of bullying that uses artificial intelligence to create and distribute sexually explicit materials, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a bill through committee that further expands the definition of cyberbullying and addresses the use of bullying by artificial intelligence in the school code. 

“With artificial intelligence on the rise, we are seeing a lot more cyberbullying scenarios that deal with altered, harmful images,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “It’s essential for our students and families to know that although there may be good uses for AI, it can also be a harmful tool and there will be consequences for students if it’s used inappropriately.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced a measure that would specifically set aside funding for the city of Chicago to purchase and repair emergency service vehicles like firetrucks and ambulances.

“When there is an emergency, people want to know that a working fire truck and ambulance are going to arrive at the scene,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This measure will ensure that funds collected from ambulance rides will be used to upgrade emergency service vehicles and not be raided for other purposes.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura and State Representative Michelle Mussman worked together to spearhead legislation to expand the types of contraception pharmacists can dispense to include emergency contraception and non-hormonal options.

“Women come in all shapes and sizes so it only stands to reason that medication should be tailored to them as needed,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “By allowing pharmacists to prescribe all types of contraceptives, including non-hormonal options, this bill aims to improve access so that every individual can make the best choice for birth control.”

House Bill 3489 expands the type of contraception pharmacists can offer to include hormonal, non-hormonal and emergency contraceptives, including Phexxi (non-hormonal), Plan B (levonorgestrel pill) and Ella (ulipristal acetate pill).

SPRINGFIELD – To broaden protections for employees speaking out against issues like harassment and discrimination, State Senator Laura Fine is leading a measure to clarify employees’ rights. The measure focuses on unlawful practices and provides protections from unfair labor practices.

“As we work to provide more opportunities to Illinoisans, we must also expand efforts to promote safety and justice in the workforce,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “In the unfortunate case an employee faces unlawful employment practices, we want to ensure their voices are protected when reporting workplace harassment.”

Current law provides essential protections by barring employers from requiring their workers to maintain confidentiality agreements regarding employment discrimination. Building on these efforts, Fine’s measure would include crucial safeguards for victims of harassment in the workplace by prohibiting employers from imposing unlawful restrictions on their employees through workplace confidentiality agreements.