Bills & Legislation

COMMENDS-UIC CHAIR CHAT SERIES

Commends the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) for its commitment to fostering leadership and dialogue through the Chair Chats series. Celebrates the upcoming event featuring Mike "Coach K" Krzyzewski and Chancellor Dr. Marie Lynn Miranda. Commends Coach K for his distinctive legacy of leadership. Commends Chancellor Miranda for her dedication to expanding inclusive access to world-class higher education, advancing student success, promoting research excellence, and enhancing the public good.

La Shawn K. FordDemocrat

ME/CFS AWARENESS DAY

Declares May 12, 2025 as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Day.

Robyn GabelDemocrat

MEMORIAL-GENE HACKMAN

Mourns the death of Eugene Allen "Gene" Hackman, formerly of Danville.

Brandun SchweizerRepublican

CONGRATS-POMPEYO FLOREZ

Congratulates Pompeyo Florez on the occasion of his 100th birthday.

Fred CrespoDemocrat

CONGRATS-REBECCA L. HOOKS

Congratulates Rebecca L. Hooks on becoming the first woman to reach the rank of first deputy director with the Illinois State Police.

Tony M. McCombieRepublican

CONGRATS-LONZO GREENWOOD

Congratulates Lonzo Greenwood on his retirement from the East St. Louis School District #189 Board of Education.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

CONGRATS-KEVIN RICHARDSON

Congratulates Kevin Richardson on the occasion of his retirement as Village President of the Village of Lake Barrington. Thanks him for his dedication as a public servant. Wishes him much happiness in his future endeavors.

Martin McLaughlinRepublican

CONGRATS-CCC SGA GRADS

Congratulates the 2024-2025 graduates of the City Colleges of Chicago Student Government Association (SGA). Thanks them for their commitment to serving their fellow students, their colleges, and the City of Chicago.

Michael CrawfordDemocrat

MEMORIAL-MILDRED KENERSON

Mourns the passing of Mildred Austin Kenerson of Chicago.

La Shawn K. FordDemocrat

SPONDYLOARTHRITIS MONTH

Declares May 2025 as Spondyloarthritis Awareness Month in the State of Illinois.

Amy ElikRepublican

TSWS AWARENESS DAY

Declares February 3, 2026 as Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome Awareness Day.

Daniel DidechDemocrat

ASSYRIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MO.

Declares April 2025 as Assyrian American Heritage Month in the State of Illinois in celebration of the Assyrian American community. Recognizes the resilience, culture, and contributions of the Assyrian people and joins them in celebrating their rich heritage and the dawn of Assyrian New Year 6775.

Kevin John OlickalDemocrat

CONGRATS-TERRY MOONS

Congratulates Terry Moons on her retirement after 40 years of dedicated service as a board member of Adlai E. Stevenson High School District #125.

Daniel DidechDemocrat

CONGRATS-MICHAEL W. LEOPOLD

Congratulates Michael W. Leopold on the occasion of his retirement as Mayor of the Village of Swansea. Thanks him for his 26 years of service and dedication to his community.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK

Declares April 11-17, 2025 as Black Maternal Health Week. Recognizes that Black women are experiencing high, disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in the State of Illinois. Recognizes that the alarmingly high rates of maternal mortality among Black women are unacceptable and unjust. States what the Black community needs to mitigate the effects of systemic and structural racism. States that in order to improve maternal health outcomes we must fully support and encourage policies grounded in the racial justice, reproductive justice, birth justice, and human rights frameworks that address Black maternal health inequity. States that Black women and birthing people must be active participants in the policy decisions that impact their lives. States that in order to ensure access to safe and respectful maternal health care for Black birthing people, the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act and other legislation rooted in human rights that seeks to improve maternal care and outcomes must be passed. States the goals of Black Maternal Health Week.

Sonya M. HarperDemocrat

CONGRATS-OLIVE-HARVEY COLLEGE

Congratulates the Olive-Harvey College women's basketball team, the Lady Panthers, on their successful 2024-25 season.

Nicholas K. SmithDemocrat

CONGRATS-ZAMMUTO'S

Congratulates Zammuto's on its 100th anniversary.

Maurice A. West, IIDemocrat

CONGRATS-PEOPLES STATE BANK

Congratulates The Peoples State Bank of Newton on the occasion of its 150th, or sesquicentennial, anniversary.

Adam M. NiemergRepublican

CONGRATS-KOC COUNCIL #997

Congratulates the members of Knights of Columbus Chicago Heights Council #997 on achieving and providing 120 years of service to their community.

Anthony DeLucaDemocrat

MEMORIAL-JAMES GOSHORN

Mourns the passing of James "Jim" Goshorn of Gurnee, formerly of Grove City, Pennsylvania.

Joyce MasonDemocrat

RECOGNIZES-CATERPILLAR INC.

Recognizes Caterpillar Inc. on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. Commends the company for its remarkable achievements, enduring legacy, and continued contributions to the economy, society, and the global community.

Jehan Gordon-BoothDemocrat

CONGRATS-KEVIN J. COLEMAN

Congratulates Kevin J. Coleman on the occasion of his retirement as Village President of the Village of Hennepin. Thanks him for his more than 32 years of service to his community. Wishes him the best in his future endeavors.

Jay HoffmanDemocrat

SIGMA/ZETA DAY

Declares April 30, 2025 as Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta Day in the State of Illinois. Commends the efforts of the members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. for their commitment to community service and recognizes their collective contributions to making their communities a better place to live, work, and play.

Michael CrawfordDemocrat

FIRST ROBOTICS DAY

Declares the third Friday in March 2025 and March 2026 as FIRST Robotics Day in the State of Illinois. Recognizes the continuing importance of the National Science Foundation's math and science education programs and encourages local school districts and other educational agencies to fund afterschool robotics programs. Encourages schools and educators to observe the day with appropriate activities that teach students about robotics and engage them about the study of mathematics and science.

Stephanie A. KifowitDemocrat

FALL OF SAIGON

Honors the contributions of Vietnamese and Vietnamese Americans to the United States and their values of upholding human rights, freedom, and democracy and recognizes the sacrifices made in order to support these values, including losses of family, home, and life. Honors the courage, dignity, strength, and resilience of Vietnamese refugees who were forced to flee their home to escape persecution and rebuild their lives and recognizes the need to build empathy and understanding for the plight of refugees. Urges all Illinoisans to take time to learn about the history and contributions of Vietnamese and Vietnamese American people to Illinois and the United States.

Hoan HuynhDemocrat

HENRIETTA LACKS DNA

Honors the life and legacy of Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman, whose contributions to medical science have had a lasting impact though her name is not widely known. Recognizes Alfred "Lacks" Carter Jr. for his work to preserve Henrietta Lacks' legacy and for his contributions in the fight against cervical cancer. Urges support for community-based research and education programs, which are vital to educating and empowering community members so they can make informed decisions about being involved in clinical research and the research process. Urges support for clinical research to reduce health disparities, to save lives, to gain insights about the safety and effectiveness of drugs and other medical treatments, and to discover treatments for various diseases.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.Democrat

HUMAN SERVICES-REIMBURSEMENT

Urges the State to increase reimbursement rates, state grants and contracts, and the minimum overhead allowance to meet the rising costs of providing essential human services in Illinois and supporting the workers who deliver those services.

Dagmara AvelarDemocrat

BLACK FARMERS/GROWERS WEEK

Declares May 11 through May 17, 2025 as Black Farmers and Growers Week. Encourages the people of Illinois and their representatives in government to learn about the history of Black farming communities and the contributions made by African Americans to agriculture in the United States.

Sonya M. HarperDemocrat

RARE DISEASE DAY

Declares March 5, 2025 as Rare Disease Day in the State of Illinois in order to raise awareness of rare diseases, support individuals and families who struggle with rare diseases, bring attention to the need for research and funding to support the discovery and development of therapies designed to treat and potentially cure rare diseases, and support the continued work of the Illinois Rare Disease Commission.

Sonya M. HarperDemocrat

MEMORIAL-THOMAS J. SCHUTTE

Mourns the passing of Thomas J. "Tom" Schutte.

Kyle MooreRepublican

MEMORIAL-GERALD S. SCHNEIDER

Mourns the passing of Sergeant Gerald S. "Jerry" Schneider of the Illinois Secretary of State Police.

Wayne A. RosenthalRepublican

MEMORIAL-GERALD SCHNEIDER

Mourns the death of Gerald Schneider of Sherman.

Patrick SheehanRepublican

MEMORIAL-MAULANA A. WALLER SR.

Mourns the death of Maulana Ali Waller Sr. of Peoria.

Jehan Gordon-BoothDemocrat

AFFIRMS-EQUAL EMPLOYMENT

Affirms the steadfast commitment to equal employment opportunity and economic equity for women and all Illinoisans. Affirms the commitment to continue to prioritize construction investments that transform the State's infrastructure and its workforce. Affirms that the State's ongoing and upcoming capital and infrastructure projects will rebuild roads, buildings, and lives by providing good jobs that create economic stability through family-sustaining wages and benefits. Affirms that Illinois contractors must uphold the State's values and workers' rights, reject workplace discrimination and harassment, and be held accountable to laws, including the Illinois Responsible Bidder Code, the Prevailing Wage Act, and the Illinois Human Rights Act. Affirms that employers looking to contract with the State must adopt strong policies to protect workers from harassment and discrimination and must take action to create equal access to job opportunities and respectful, safe, and accountable work sites. Urges the use of all available tools to ensure that contractors doing business with the State are committed to creating access to high-road opportunities and respectful work sites.

Elizabeth "Lisa" HernandezDemocrat

MEMORIAL-ANNIE PEARL HOWARD

Mourns the passing of Annie Pearl Howard.

Nicholas K. SmithDemocrat

MEMORIAL-JOSEPH P. BUFORD

Mourns the passing of Joseph Paul "Joe" Buford.

William "Will" DavisDemocrat

TRANSPORTATION LEGIS.-ID/DD

States that any transportation legislative package considered by the Illinois General Assembly should include complete consideration of the needs of the individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) community, including, but not limited to, accessibility, affordability, availability of transportation options, and the needs of providers who support individuals with ID/DD. Urges State agencies, regional planning organizations, and transportation providers to prioritize accessibility, stakeholder engagement, and equitable investment in transportation infrastructure to better serve individuals with ID/DD.

Sharon ChungDemocrat

CONGRATS-FRANK J. CHRISTENSEN

Congratulates International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) General President Frank J. Christensen for his years of service to the building and construction trades of the United States of America and his years of service to the Chicago labor community

Brad StephensRepublican

LITTLE PALESTINE DAY

Declares April 7, 2025 and April 7, 2026 as Little Palestine Day in the State of Illinois. Urges Illinoisans to celebrate Little Palestine Day by supporting businesses and cultural initiatives in Little Palestine and attending or hosting events showcasing the contributions of the Arab American community to the United States. Urges local schools and educational institutions to incorporate lessons about the history and contributions of the Arab American community into their curricula, promoting inclusivity and understanding.

Lisa DavisDemocrat

MEMORIAL-JERRY BUTLER

Mourns the passing of soul singer-songwriter Jerry Butler of Chicago.

Camille Y. LillyDemocrat

CONGRATS-ST. JUDE BOYS

Congratulates the St. Jude Catholic School 8th grade boys basketball team on winning the 2024-2025 Class 8-1A Illinois Elementary School Association State Championship.

Ryan SpainRepublican

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS-SUPPORT

Urges the State of Illinois to promote the use of daytime running lights.

Travis WeaverRepublican

EQUAL PAY DAY

Declares March 25, 2025 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.

Mary Beth CantyDemocrat

MEMORIAL-PHIL GOLDSTICK

Mourns the death of Phil Goldstick.

Bob MorganDemocrat

PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME MONTH

Declares May 2025 as Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month. Express support for raising awareness and educating the public about Prader-Willi Syndrome and increasing research and funding into the causes and treatments of the disease.

Nicole La HaRepublican

PRESCRIBED BURNING MONTH

Declares April 2025 as Prescribed Burning Awareness Month. Supports the appropriate and continued use of prescribed fire in Illinois.

Nicolle GrasseDemocrat

DEAF HISTORY MONTH

Declares April 2025 and April 2026 as Deaf History Month in the State of Illinois and encourages Illinoisans to become familiar with and celebrate the contributions of deaf Illinoisans to our state and nation.

Diane Blair-SherlockDemocrat

LATINA HERITAGE DAY

Declares March 15, 2025 as Latina Heritage Day.

Norma HernandezDemocrat

UNITED NATIONS DAY

Declares October 24, 2025 as United Nations Day in the State of Illinois to honor the United Nations (UN) for the positive impact it has had on the global community.

Jackie HaasRepublican

MEMORIAL-CHRISTINE LUNNINGHAM

Mourns the passing of Christine Lunningham.

Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.Democrat