Caucus News

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.”

SPRINGFIELD – Studies find that work release programs can play a crucial role in reducing recidivism and promoting successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals. However, there is a lack of rehabilitation credit opportunities for individuals in pretrial detention, leading State Senator Laura Ellman to champion a new law, Senate Bill 3333.

“There are few greater contributions to society than empowering people through education and my hope is to see more opportunities being created to reduce recidivism and improve public safety in the long run,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “While Illinois is a leading state in creating opportunities for incarcerated individuals, we still have many avenues we can improve.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons’ new law expands the 2022 Jett Hawkins Act to include protections for religious hairstyles in private schools throughout the state.

“We are expanding protections for students across Illinois,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This expansion ensures that individuals expressing their identity through religious hairstyles can continue in school without the fear of persecution.”

Simmons’ law requires private, non-religious schools to affirm they will not prohibit religious hairstyles or hair-related religious practices, including facial hair worn pursuant to a student’s or employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs, in order to register with the Illinois State Board of Education.

SPRINGFIELD– State Senator Christopher Belt’s measure to prohibit retailers from refusing cash payments up to $500 was signed into law.

“Cash is still necessary for many working people and seniors across our state,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This law ensures no one is turned away from making a purchase because they choose to pay with the money they have in their pocket.”

Belt’s law will prohibit retailers from refusing cash payments up to $500 or posting signage that cash is not accepted. The law includes reasonable exceptions, including retailers with self-service checkout but at least one staffed cash register, late-night sales after 10 p.m. and retailers offering prepaid card systems that allow cash conversion. 

SPRINGFIELD - A measure led by State Senator Rachel Ventura providing grants to local governments for planting native trees and grasses in communities was signed into law by the governor Friday.

“Planting native greenery in local communities is a small step that can have a massive impact in combatting the catastrophic effects of climate change,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Responsible stewardship of the environment starts right in our own backyards.”

The bill expands on an earlier measure led by Ventura passed in 2024, Senate Bill 2781, which established the Healthy Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Act. That law allows for units of local government to submit their own grant proposal and receive funds to use for restoring degraded forest lands and native prairies and to promote the growth of native vegetation that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and help mitigate the impact of climate change.