Bills & Legislation

MEMORIAL-LYNNIE R. TAYLOR

Mourns the passing of Lynnie R. Taylor of Shiloh.

Christopher Belt

MEMORIAL-WILLIAM J. MERIWETHER

Mourns the death of William Jean "Bill" Meriwether Jr.

Neil Anderson

MEMORIAL-DAN J. MALE

Mourns the passing of Dan J. Male.

Neil Anderson

MEMORIAL-DR. JOHN B. DALE

Mourns the death of Dr. John B. Dale of Brimfield.

Neil Anderson

MEMORIAL-JOHN A. GLEASON

Mourns the passing of John Albert Gleason of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Pekin.

Neil Anderson

MEMORIAL-EDWARD A. CONWAY

Mourns the passing of Edward A. "Ed" Conway of Pekin.

Neil Anderson

MEMORIAL-JAMES REID

Mourns the passing of James Reid of Canton.

Neil Anderson

MEMORIAL-ROY D. HOPPER

Mourns the passing of Roy D. Hopper of Canton.

Neil Anderson

CONGRATS-TASC

Congratulates Treatment Alternatives for Stronger Communities (TASC) on its 50th anniversary. Extends best wishes to TASC for continued success in advancing effective, accountable, and compassionate alternatives to incarceration.

Lakesia Collins

GOVERNOR JIM EDGAR DAY

Declares July 22, 2026 as Governor Jim Edgar Day in the State of Illinois in recognition of former Governor Jim Edgar's life, his legacy, and his extraordinary career in public service.

Sally J. Turner

MEMORIAL-DALE R. YOUNG

Mourns the death of Dale R. Young of Brimfield.

Neil Anderson

MEMORIAL-JAMES E. MARTINDALE

Mourns the passing of James Eugene Martindale of Donnellson, Iowa.

Neil Anderson

ME AWARENESS DAY

Declares May 12, 2026 as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Awareness Day. Encourages increased public education and awareness efforts regarding Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, support for individuals and families affected by the disease, and continued attention to research and health care initiatives aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for those living with ME.

Laura Fine

MEMORIAL-JOHN W. SCHOON

Mourns the death of John W. Schoon of Glasford.

Neil Anderson

MEMORIAL-SCOTT MCFARLAND

Mourns the passing of Scott McFarland of Moline.

Neil Anderson

CONGRATS-DR. VAN OYEN

Congratulates Dr. Lawrence Van Oyen, professor of music at North Central College, on the occasion of his retirement for his decades of distinguished service to music education, his extraordinary dedication to enriching the lives of children with autism and their families through the Chords for Kids program, and the profound and lasting impact he has had on his students and colleagues throughout his remarkable career.

Laura Ellman

MEMORIAL-CHRISTIAN J. PASCENTE

Mourns the passing of Christian James "CP" Pascente of Johnsburg.

Darby A. Hills

MEMORIAL-DR. BARBARA M. GAFFKE

Mourns the passing of Dr. Barbara Mary Gaffke.

Laura M. Murphy

EQUAL PAY DAY

Declares March 26, 2026 as Equal Pay Day in the State of Illinois. Encourages the citizens of this State to learn about the pay gap that women experience in society and to learn about these various dates that bring attention to the pay gap that specific groups experience.

Celina Villanueva

MEMORIAL-SUNIL PURI

Mourns the death of Sunil Puri.

Dave Syverson

CONGRATS-D & C HERRIOTT

Congratulates Daniel and Constance Herriott on being named among the Top 10 national contenders in the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award program. Commends them on this achievement and for all of their hard work.

Chapin Rose

MEMORIAL-BUFORD M. GREEN

Mourns the death of Buford M. Green.

Jil Tracy

MEMORIAL-ELAINE E. BIRTCH

Mourns the death of Elaine Evelyn Birtch.

Steve McClure

MEMORIAL-RAYMOND SCHEITER JR.

Mourns the death of Raymond Alfred "Ray" Scheiter Jr. of Quincy, formerly of Golden.

Jil Tracy

MEMORIAL-ROBERT K. FAIR

Mourns the death of Robert Keith "Bob" Fair of Virginia.

Jil Tracy

ALS AWARENESS MONTH

Declares May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month and urges all Americans to join in supporting ALS research, advocating for increased funding, and standing in solidarity with those affected by this relentless disease.

Cristina Castro

CONGRATS-RUTH P. D. BUEHRER

Congratulates Ruth Perejda Deram Buehrer on celebrating her 100th birthday.

Mary Edly-Allen

CONGRATS-KADE HILL

Congratulates Kade Hill on earning third place in the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet competition at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention.

Chris Balkema

FARMWORKERS DAY

Declares March 31, 2026 as Farmworkers Day in the State of Illinois in recognition of the essential contributions and sacrifices of farmworkers past and present. Recognizes the multiracial, intergenerational coalition of workers, including men, women, and children, whose collective action transformed labor rights in this country. Honors the courage, resilience, and contributions of farmworkers in the State of Illinois and across the United States.

Celina Villanueva

DOLORES HUERTA DAY

Declares April 10, 2026 as Dolores Huerta Day in the State of Illinois in recognition of Dolores Clara Fernandez Huerta's lifelong commitment to justice and her enduring impact on generations of activists and working families. Commends Dolores Huerta for her extraordinary contributions to civil rights, labor rights, gender equity, and social justice. Recognizes her resilience in sharing her story and her commitment to uplifting the experiences of women whose narratives have too often been overlooked.

Celina Villanueva

MEMORIAL-BUTLER MCGEE JR.

Mourns the passing of Butler McGee Jr.

Kimberly A. Lightford

MEMORIAL-MILTON D. KELLY

Mourns the passing of Milton Dow "Milt" Kelly of Fisher.

Chapin Rose

MEMORIAL-MILTON CHANDLER

Mourns the death of Milton Chandler.

Mattie Hunter

MEMORIAL-ELLEN C. HAMAKER

Mourns the passing of Ellen Clare Hamaker of Lehigh Acres, Florida.

Doris Turner

NEC AWARENESS MONTH/DAY

Declares May 2026 as NEC Awareness Month and May 17, 2026 as NEC Awareness Day in the State of Illinois to encourage increased public awareness, education, and research efforts related to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and support for families affected by this disease.

Chris Balkema

CONGRATS-JAY HARRINGTON

Congratulates Southwestern Illinois College Basketball Head Coach Jay Harrington on his career accomplishments.

Christopher Belt

RECOGNIZES-SUE BUSTIN

Recognizes Sue Bustin for her service and dedication as medical caseworker of the Joliet Township Government Office for 23 and a half years.

Rachel Ventura

MEMORIAL-WARREN B. COOPER JR.

Mourns the passing of Warren Bell Cooper Jr.

Mattie Hunter

ASSYRIAN HERITAGE MONTH

Declares April 2026 as Assyrian Heritage Month in the State of Illinois. Commends the Assyrian community in Illinois for their enduring contributions, resilience, and cultural heritage.

Ram Villivalam

MEMORIAL-ROBERT D'ONOFRIO

Mourns the passing of Robert "Bobby" D'Onofrio of Chicago.

Michael E. Hastings

MEMORIAL-JAMES L. O'BRIEN

Mourns the death of James L. "Boz" O'Brien of Chicago.

Michael E. Hastings

DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARE. MO.

Declares April 2026 as Distracted Driving Awareness Month in the State of Illinois. Urges the citizens and businesses of the State of Illinois to observe Distracted Driving Awareness Month by practicing safe driving behaviors and pledging to drive distraction-free.

Seth Lewis

NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH-SUPPORT

Expresses support for National Safety Month in June 2026 and strongly urges the citizens and businesses of Illinois to observe National Safety Month by practicing safe and healthy behaviors in all aspects of their lives.

Seth Lewis

MEMORIAL-ETHEL L. JESSE

Mourns the passing of Ethel Lucille Jesse of Girard and Decatur.

Steve McClure

MEMORIAL-WILLIAM E. PETERSON

Mourns the death of former Illinois State Senator William E. "Bill" Peterson Jr. of Long Grove.

John F. Curran

MEMORIAL-REV. JANIS A. SHARPE

Mourns the death of Reverend Janis Arlene Sharpe.

Lakesia Collins

MEMORIAL-JAMES D. BOLIN

Mourns the passing of James Dean "Jim" Bolin of Casey.

Chapin Rose

HOME FIRE SPRINKLER WEEK

Declares May 10 through May 16, 2026 as Home Fire Sprinkler Week in the State of Illinois.

Patrick J. Joyce

WHOLE CHILD MONTH

Declares March 2026 as Illinois Whole Child Month to recognize the value of assuring that each student is challenged, supported, healthy, safe, and engaged. Urges parents, educators, and community members to support a whole child approach to education for each student. Urges every school in Illinois to celebrate Whole Child Month by adopting at least one of the whole child tenets to promote and encourage throughout the month.

Adriane Johnson

MEMORIAL-THOMAS FRIYE

Mourns the passing of Thomas "Tom" Friye of Quincy.

Jil Tracy