# Illinois SB1607: FREEDOM TRAILS COMMISSION Illinois SB1607, FREEDOM TRAILS COMMISSION, is a 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) Senate bill sponsored by David Koehler (Democratic); status signed, last action 2025-08-01 (Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0113) (as of 2026-11-01). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB1607-2025-2026 - As of: 2026-11-01 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Illinois SB1607 - State: Illinois - Session: 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) - Title: FREEDOM TRAILS COMMISSION - Status: signed - Chamber: Senate - Introduced: 2025-02-04 - Last action: 2025-08-01, Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0113 - Sponsor: David Koehler (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 15 - Subjects: assignments, state government, state government administration - Touches household money: no - Roll calls: 5 (190 yes, 0 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 4 ## Summary Creates the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission Act. Establishes the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission. Provides that the purpose of the Commission shall be to explore, research, and commemorate the journeys of freedom seekers and the sites and landmarks in the State that became the networks of the Underground Railroad. Provides that the Commission shall implement educational, landmark preservation, and grant programs. Sets forth provisions concerning membership; terms; compensation; administrative support; and staff. Provides that the Commission shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly. Effective immediately. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Illinois creates Freedom Trails Commission: benefit, low. The law creates the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission to study and honor freedom seekers and Illinois Underground Railroad history. The Governor appoints a chair and 10 additional members for four-year terms, with reappointment allowed. Members are unpaid but may receive reasonable expense reimbur… - More public access to Illinois history: benefit, low. The commission must provide public online resources about Illinois freedom seekers and the Underground Railroad. These include teaching materials, maps, historic sites, events, research sources, videos, and materials developed locally and statewide. It must maintain a database of freedom seekers an… - Support for Illinois Underground Railroad sites: benefit, low. The commission must set statewide review guidelines, publish recognized journeys and sites with contact people, and set sign and marker standards. It must help assess sites and journeys and assist listed sites threatened by demolition or decay. It must work with history groups, connect local groups… - Illinois schools gain Black history resources: benefit, low. The commission and Illinois State Board of Education must develop and carry out a program available to every Illinois public school. It covers African American history, freedom seekers, and the Underground Railroad in Illinois. It also includes resources and activities for Black History Month in Fe… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: David Koehler (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Anthony DeLuca (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Debbie Meyers-Martin (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Doris Turner (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Emanuel "Chris" Welch (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Jil Tracy (Republican), Senate - Cosponsor: Kimberly A. Lightford (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Lakesia Collins (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Laura M. Murphy (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Meg Loughran Cappel (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Nicolle Grasse (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Rachel Ventura (Democratic), Senate - Cosponsor: Suzanne M. Ness (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: William "Will" Davis (Democratic), House - Cosponsor: Willie Preston (Democratic), Senate ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2025-05-21 | House | Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed | pass | 110 | 0 | | | 2025-04-30 | House | Do Pass / Short Debate State Government Administration Committee; | pass | 8 | 0 | | | 2025-04-09 | Senate | Third Reading - Passed; | pass | 56 | 0 | | | 2025-04-03 | Senate | Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt State Government; | pass | 8 | 0 | | | 2025-02-20 | Senate | Do Pass State Government; | pass | 8 | 0 | | ## Actions (45) - 2025-08-01: Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0113 (Senate) - 2025-08-01: Effective Date August 1, 2025 (Senate) - 2025-08-01: Governor Approved (Senate) - 2025-06-18: Sent to the Governor (Senate) - 2025-05-21: Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse (House) - 2025-05-21: Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Anthony DeLuca (House) - 2025-05-21: Passed Both Houses (Senate) - 2025-05-21: Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 110-000-000 (House) - 2025-05-14: Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. William "Will" Davis (House) - 2025-05-14: Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Suzanne M. Ness (House) - 2025-05-14: Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate (House) - 2025-05-14: Second Reading - Short Debate (House) - 2025-05-06: Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch (House) - 2025-05-01: Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate (House) - 2025-04-30: Do Pass / Short Debate State Government Administration Committee; 008-000-000 (House) - 2025-04-17: Assigned to State Government Administration Committee (House) - 2025-04-10: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins (Senate) - 2025-04-10: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel (Senate) - 2025-04-09: Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford (Senate) - 2025-04-09: Referred to Rules Committee (House) - 2025-04-09: First Reading (House) - 2025-04-09: Chief House Sponsor Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin (House) - 2025-04-09: Arrived in House (House) - 2025-04-09: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy (Senate) - 2025-04-09: Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (Senate) - 2025-04-09: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Jil Tracy (Senate) - 2025-04-09: Third Reading - Passed; 056-000-000 (Senate) - 2025-04-09: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura (Senate) - 2025-04-04: Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading (Senate) - 2025-04-04: Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Koehler (Senate) - 2025-04-04: Recalled to Second Reading (Senate) - 2025-04-03: Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt State Government; 008-000-000 (Senate) - 2025-04-03: Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Willie Preston (Senate) - 2025-03-18: Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to State Government (Senate) - 2025-03-18: Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 19, 2025 (Senate) - 2025-03-18: Second Reading (Senate) - 2025-03-12: Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments (Senate) - 2025-03-12: Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. David Koehler (Senate) - 2025-02-20: Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading February 25, 2025 (Senate) - 2025-02-20: Do Pass State Government; 008-000-000 (Senate) - 2025-02-11: Assigned to State Government (Senate) - 2025-02-04: Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Doris Turner (Senate) - 2025-02-04: Referred to Assignments (Senate) - 2025-02-04: First Reading (Senate) - 2025-02-04: Filed with Secretary by Sen. David Koehler (Senate) ## Bill text - Engrossed: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/SB/PDF/10400SB1607eng.pdf) - Enrolled: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/SB/PDF/10400SB1607enr.pdf) - Introduced: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/SB/PDF/10400SB1607.pdf) - Senate Amendment 1: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/SB/PDF/10400SB1607sam001.pdf) ## Related bills - HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS (passed house) - SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS (passed senate) - HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY (in committee) - HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT (in committee) - SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL (passed senate) - SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION (signed) ## Sources - [Engrossed (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/SB/PDF/10400SB1607eng.pdf) - [Enrolled (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/SB/PDF/10400SB1607enr.pdf) - [Introduced (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/SB/PDF/10400SB1607.pdf) - [Senate Amendment 1 (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/SB/PDF/10400SB1607sam001.pdf) ## Related - [HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB5198-2025-2026) - [SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB1937-2025-2026) - [HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB2563-2025-2026) - [HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4701-2025-2026) - [SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3008-2025-2026) - [SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3484-2025-2026) - [Illinois bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois/bills) - [Illinois state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB1607-2025-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).