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IllinoisSB1607104th General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET

FREEDOM TRAILS COMMISSION

Sponsored By: David Koehler (Democratic)

Became Law

assignmentsstate governmentstate government administration

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Grants for Underground Railroad projects

The Commission runs a grant program. It can fund research on journeys and sites, tourism projects like exhibits and online materials, and cemetery markers. Grants are awarded only when lawmakers provide money.

Help for local groups and sites

The Commission works with local groups, museums, colleges, and African American community organizations. It supports and publicizes local events and research, and it serves as a liaison to the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom. It sets standards for markers and signs and helps sites at risk of demolition or decay. It partners with the Master Gardener program and others to assess and care for sites. It also works with state and regional tourism offices to build heritage tourism links.

Public website, maps, and site list

The Commission provides a public website with maps, photos, videos, short histories, event calendars, and research sources. It keeps a statewide list of Underground Railroad journeys and sites and posts a contact person for each site. These tools help educators, visitors, researchers, and site owners.

Black history resources for schools

Working with the State Board of Education, the Commission provides a Black history program for every public school. Lessons cover the slave trade, the Underground Railroad in Illinois, and freedom seekers’ journeys, with extra resources for Black History Month. The Commission also runs a speakers bureau that connects scholars and community groups with audiences across Illinois.

Illinois Freedom Trails Commission created

The law creates the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission in the Department of Natural Resources. The Governor appoints a chair and 10 members to 4-year terms. Meetings are public and records follow the Freedom of Information Act. The Commission can adopt rules with the Department’s written approval. The Department provides support and the Commission may hire full‑time staff, both subject to funding. The law also repeals an older preservation section and ends on January 1, 2037.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • David Koehler

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Anthony DeLuca

    Democratic • House

  • Debbie Meyers-Martin

    Democratic • House

  • Doris Turner

    Democratic • Senate

  • Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

    Democratic • Senate

  • Emanuel "Chris" Welch

    Democratic • House

  • Jil Tracy

    Republican • Senate

  • Kimberly A. Lightford

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lakesia Collins

    Democratic • Senate

  • Laura M. Murphy

    Democratic • Senate

  • Meg Loughran Cappel

    Democratic • Senate

  • Nicolle Grasse

    Democratic • House

  • Rachel Ventura

    Democratic • Senate

  • Suzanne M. Ness

    Democratic • House

  • William "Will" Davis

    Democratic • House

  • Willie Preston

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 190 • No: 0

House vote • 5/21/2025

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 110 • No: 0

House vote • 4/30/2025

Do Pass / Short Debate State Government Administration Committee;

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 56 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/3/2025

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt State Government;

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/20/2025

Do Pass State Government;

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0113

    8/1/2025Senate

  2. Effective Date August 1, 2025

    8/1/2025Senate

  3. Governor Approved

    8/1/2025Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/18/2025Senate

  5. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse

    5/21/2025House

  6. Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Anthony DeLuca

    5/21/2025House

  7. Passed Both Houses

    5/21/2025Senate

  8. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 110-000-000

    5/21/2025House

  9. Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. William "Will" Davis

    5/14/2025House

  10. Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Suzanne M. Ness

    5/14/2025House

  11. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

    5/14/2025House

  12. Second Reading - Short Debate

    5/14/2025House

  13. Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch

    5/6/2025House

  14. Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate

    5/1/2025House

  15. Do Pass / Short Debate State Government Administration Committee; 008-000-000

    4/30/2025House

  16. Assigned to State Government Administration Committee

    4/17/2025House

  17. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins

    4/10/2025Senate

  18. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel

    4/10/2025Senate

  19. Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford

    4/9/2025Senate

  20. Referred to Rules Committee

    4/9/2025House

  21. First Reading

    4/9/2025House

  22. Chief House Sponsor Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin

    4/9/2025House

  23. Arrived in House

    4/9/2025House

  24. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy

    4/9/2025Senate

  25. Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

    4/9/2025Senate

Bill Text

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