Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson’s law to require athletic head coaches to learn life-saving techniques has been signed.

“Student athletes depend on coaches for not only leadership and guidance, but also safety during high-intensity activities,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “CPR training equips coaches with the skills and confidence to act quickly in cardiac emergencies and protect the lives of those in their care.”

House Bill 3275 will require all paid school head coaches and chief sponsors of the sports activities to obtain training in CPR, first aid and the use of an AED. School districts will be required to conduct an annual cardiac response drill to practice the steps established in its cardiac emergency response plan. The drills are able to be conducted without student participation.

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is taking on women's health care gaps — having led newly signed legislation to expand menopause treatment access and crack down on workplace discrimination against those dealing with related conditions.

“Illinois should be a leader in caring for women going through perimenopause and menopause — and that means removing the obstacles that have held too many back from getting help,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Requiring private insurance to cover these evaluations and treatments will make care more affordable and help prevent serious long-term health issues.”

Under previous law, Illinois required insurance coverage for FDA-approved menopause treatment to ensure a person’s income does not obstruct them from receiving sufficient care. Lightford’s new law will broaden coverage requirements, mandating private health plans in the state cover the medically necessary evaluation and treatment of menopause and perimenopause conditions, including hormone conditions and medications.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham’s legislation to formalize mobile IDs and protect personal devices has become law.

“More and more of our personal information is digitized and contained within our personal devices, which has made many of us hesitant to hand over an unlocked phone to anyone,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “No one should be required to hand over such a precious piece of personal privacy just to prove their identity.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson’s new law uplifts domestic violence survivors, addresses emerging forms of digital abuse and expands access to legal protections.

“Our laws must evolve to reflect the realities of the digital era and the way that technology can be used against domestic violence survivors,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Survivors deserve laws that prioritize their safety, privacy and peace of mind. We do this by strengthening our laws to ensure that survivors are protected from threats, stalking and intimidation in all forms including digital harassment.”

Senate Bill 3020 updates the state’s criminal laws to better reflect the ways abuse can occur in the digital age and ensures survivors have greater access to court protections. Johnson’s law expands the definition of harassment to include conduct such as electronic tracking, doxing and the nonconsensual creation or dissemination of digitally altered sexual images and other harmful online content.

SPRINGFIELD — Capping off years of advocacy and negotiations, State Senator Michael E. Hastings championed a law that will protect Illinois homeowners from unfair rate hikes similar to those endured in the last few years.

“For too long Illinoisans have been hit with rate increases that far outpace inflation and wage growth,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “From just 2021 to 2024, homeowners insurance costs in Illinois surged by nearly 50 percent, adding almost $1,000 a year to a typical family’s expenses.”

SPRINGFIELD ─ State Senator Ram Villivalam spearheaded a new law that regulates auto insurance premiums in Illinois.

“Auto insurance are one of the most costly bills a consumer can pay – but people who rely on their car to get them to work, school and appointments can’t simply go without coverage,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “It’s time we hold auto insurers accountable and implement policies that prevent unpredictable premium increases on working-class families.”

According to Insurify, the average Illinois driver saw an 18% increase in premiums costs for full-coverage auto insurance between 2023 and 2024, while the national average is estimated to be 11.3% ─ almost 7% lower.
To ensure a fair and affordable auto insurance marketplace for Illinoisans, the law provides transparency and accountability as it relates to premium increases through a clear framework, oversight from the Illinois Department of Insurance and expanded options for residents over age 55 to reduce insurance premium costs.

Specifically, the law prohibits companies from increasing premiums by more than 10% without first notifying the consumer 30 days prior to renewal. It also prohibits auto insurance premiums from being excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory and creates a determination hearing process through the Department of Insurance if it finds rates are excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory.

Additionally, the law secures a path to relief for residents over age 55 by allowing the Illinois Secretary of State to find a course that meets or exceeds the standards of the National Safety Council's Defensive Driving Course's four-hour classroom safety instruction program so residents see reduced premium costs upon completion of the course.

“For years, Illinois drivers have been forced to accept steep insurance rate increases with virtually no oversight and no recourse,” Giannoulias said. “Today, that changes – and it’s because thousands of Illinoisans spoke out, shared their stories and demanded a fairer system. This law puts consumers first by giving Illinois the authority to challenge excessive rate hikes – increasing transparency in the insurance marketplace and ensuring drivers are no longer left paying the price.”

“By regulating auto insurance rate increases, we are ensuring affordable, accessible transportation options for our neighbors while we combat the increasing cost of living,” said Villivalam.

Senate Bill 714 was signed into law Tuesday and takes effect July 1, 2027.

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus continue their efforts to improve affordability for all Illinois families by implementing a back-to-school state tax holiday. From Aug. 7 through Aug. 16, state sales tax on back-to-school necessities will be waived. By taking advantage of this ten-day initiative, parents and students alike can enter the school year confident, prepared, and well-equipped for the year ahead.

“The data shows that costs for common school supplies, from scissors to lunchboxes and even glue sticks, is on the rise, and that doesn’t even begin to account for the increases residents are seeing at the grocery store, at the gas pump, or on their health care and utility bills,” said State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago). “This state tax holiday is about recognizing families’ needs for assistance on affording everyday necessities and ensuring their focus can remain on their student receiving the best education possible – not the price of notebooks and pencils.”

Enacted under the FY27 state budget package, the 10-day period is expected to provide an estimated $10 million in savings to online and in-store consumers on essential back-to-school items inducing clothing, footwear, and school supplies. During the tax holiday, the state will waive its 5% sales tax on qualifying purchases.

“Every dollar matters for Illinois families, especially as they prepare for a new school year,” said State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. “The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is about putting money back in the pockets of working families when they need it most. By lowering the cost of essential school supplies and clothing, we're helping parents focus on preparing their children for success in the classroom – not worrying about how to make every paycheck stretch.”

Qualifying clothing and footwear with a retail selling price of less than $125 per item are eligible for the reduced tax rate. Examples of qualifying items include shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, and other everyday clothing items. Qualifying school supplies, including items such as notebooks, folders, binders, pens, pencils, and calculators, are also eligible for the reduced tax rate. There is no price limit on qualifying school supplies.

“For families already balancing the rising costs of everyday life, school supply expenses can add significant pressure to the household budget,” said State Senator Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights). “Through the Back-to-School sales tax holiday, we are relieving some of that burden and giving parents a little more breathing room.”

A complete list of qualifying and non-qualifying items can be found here.

SPRINGFIELD ─ State Senator Ram Villivalam led a new law that will ensure mental health support for educational staff – tackling the ongoing mental health crisis.

“Everyone deserves access to mental health care – including educational staff,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Education staff need additional support and access to resources to receive the care they deserve. It’s time we step up and break down barriers to access to quality, compassionate mental health care.”