Bills & Legislation

COMMENDS-SERENITY GARDEN

Commends the establishment of the Serenity Garden, located beside Duane Dean Behavioral Health Center in Kankakee, as an exemplary initiative advancing social-emotional wellness, ecological stewardship, and pollinator conservation.

Jackie Haas

CONGRATS-NEVIN ERBSEN

Congratulates Nevin Erbsen on being awarded the 2025 American STAR in Agricultural Placement by the National Future Farmers of America (FFA). Wishes him continued success in his endeavors.

Tony M. McCombie

COMMENDS-DION'S CHICAGO DREAM

Commends Dion's Chicago Dream (DCD) for the organization's pioneering leadership in last-mile, direct-to-door produce delivery, its innovation in access infrastructure, including the Dream Vault, its job creation and local wealth-building, and its demonstrable contribution to health equity in Illinois. Commends DCD's sustained weekly service to households across well over 50% of ZIP codes in the organization's Cook County service area, its multi-million-pound distribution since 2020, and its role as a trailblazer in the Food-Is-Medicine movement, setting a standard for consistency, accountability, and dignity in public-interest logistics.

Sonya M. Harper

CONGRATS-FRANK THOMAS

Congratulates Frank Thomas for his extraordinary career, his lasting contributions to the game of baseball, and his profound impact on the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois.

Kam Buckner

RX TAKE-BACK DAY

Declares June 10, 2026 as Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

Jawaharial Williams

HERO DAY

Declares August 27, 2026 as Hero Day in Illinois to recognize the bravery, dedication, and sacrifices of the first responders who gave their lives in the line of duty and to honor and support the families that they leave behind. Commends the 100 Club of Illinois on its 60th anniversary and recognizes its extraordinary contributions to first responders and their families across the State of Illinois.

Mary Gill

CONGRATS-LEO GEERTS

Congratulates Leo Geerts on his retirement as chief of the Albany Fire Protection District.

Ryan Spain

GUN VIOLENCE-PREVENT

Urges the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to identify and publish a list of evidence-based, decision-making, and impulse-control curricula that have been demonstrated to reduce violence involvement, make at least one free or low-cost curriculum available statewide for optional integration into existing Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) instruction, encourage districts to implement these programs using existing resources and staff development, and develop, pilot, and rigorously test new school-based decision-making and violence-prevention curricula that can be easily adopted by ISBE and schools statewide if proven effective in reducing violence. Urges the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC), the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), and county probation and diversion programs to identify and approve evidence-based, decision-making curricula appropriate for minors under supervision, diversion, or detention, to encourage their integration as standard early interventions, and to implement these initiatives within existing budgets and structures. Urges the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) to coordinate with ISBE, AOIC, DJJ, and local partners to align violence-prevention curricula and community-based interventions across settings. Recognizes Professor Jens Ludwig for his groundbreaking research, leadership, and publication of Unforgiving Places. Acknowledges the contributions of other scholars and organizations advancing behavioral approaches to violence prevention.

La Shawn K. Ford

MEMORIAL-BETTIE J. JORDAN

Mourns the passing of Bettie Jean Jordan.

La Shawn K. Ford

COMMENDS-CGCC CHICAGO

Commends the China General Chamber of Commerce Chicago (CGCC Chicago) for its work in facilitating economic cooperation and cultural exchange between the United States and China.

Hoan Huynh

MEMORIAL-GRAHAM WALLER JR.

Mourns the death of Graham Waller Jr.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

CONGRATS-BRIAN K. LEONARD SR.

Congratulates Brian Keith Leonard Sr. on his retirement from Ameren Illinois. Wishes him continued success in his future endeavors.

Jay Hoffman

CONGRATS-FRIENDS OF CHI RIVER

Congratulates Friends of the Chicago River on the occasion of being awarded the 2025 Thiess International River Prize. Thanks the organization for its visionary leadership, tireless advocacy, and enduring commitment to protecting and restoring our waterways.

Will Guzzardi

COMMENDS-REV. DR. J. A. WRIGHT

Commends the Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Alvesta Wright Jr. on the occasion of his 65th year of membership in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Commends his extraordinary contributions to ministry, education, and the spiritual life of Illinois and the nation. Thanks him for his lifetime of service, scholarship, and unwavering faith.

Kam Buckner

MEMORIAL-MSGR. DOUG HENNESSY

Mourns the passing of Monsignor Doug "Father Doug" Hennessy of Bloomington.

Sharon Chung

CONGRATS-UNIVERSITY HS VBALL

Congratulates the University High School girls varsity volleyball team, the Pioneers, on winning the 2025 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 3A State Championship. Wishes the team continued success.

Sharon Chung

CONGRATS-KIM VILLANUEVA

Congratulates Kim Villanueva of Springfield on the occasion of her election as national president of the National Organization of Women (NOW). Wishes her success in her new role.

Sue Scherer

MEMORIAL-NEDDA J. SIMON

Mourns the death of Nedda Jane Simon.

Ryan Spain

MEMORIAL-ELDON W. ENTWHISTLE

Mourns the death of Eldon Wayne Entwhistle of Princeton.

Ryan Spain

COMMENDS-KERRY FRANK

Commends Kerry Frank of Rockford on her invaluable contributions in business and as a public speaker. Extends best wishes to her continued success.

John M. Cabello

RECOGNIZES-SHIRL P. BEST

Recognizes the memory of Flight Officer Shirl P. Best and his acts of valor during World War II.

John M. Cabello

CONGRATS-KATHY VERONI

Congratulates Kathy Veroni on being awarded the 2025 Humanitarian Award from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

Dave Vella

CONGRATS-WHITESIDE MIDDLE SCH

Congratulates Whiteside Middle School, the Warriors, on winning the 2025 Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association Class L Baseball State Championship.

Jay Hoffman

MEMORIAL-RONALD BEAN

Mourns the passing of former Village President Ronald "Ron" Bean of Park Forest.

Debbie Meyers-Martin

CONGRATS-CHRISTOPHER STOHR

Congratulates Dr. Christopher "Chris" Stohr on being named the 2025-2026 Jahns Distinguished Lecturer by the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEG).

Carol Ammons

MEMORIAL-JUJU LIEN

Mourns the death of Juju Lien.

Theresa Mah

MEMORIAL-JIMMIE R. GOGGINS

Mourns the death of Jimmie Ray "Jabo" Goggins of Somerset, Kentucky.

William "Will" Davis

COMMENDS-EMMAUS

Commends EMMAUS for its unwavering dedication to ending human trafficking and for supporting male survivors of exploitation. Commends EMMAUS for working toward its mission to validate the worth of every individual, reject stigma, and create a world where all survivors, regardless of gender, can find healing, hope, and a path to wholeness.

Michael Crawford

CONDEMNS-UNLAWFUL ORDERS

Condemns any statements, threats, or insinuations of political violence, from any official, including the President of the United States, that seek to intimidate or punish elected representatives for upholding the Constitution or for reaffirming the duty of service members to refuse unlawful orders. Reaffirms the constitutional and statutory obligations of all uniformed military personnel to obey only lawful orders, to protect the Constitution of the United States, and to reject any directive that violates the rights of the people or the rule of law.

Stephanie A. Kifowit

MEMORIAL-VICKY L. KING

Mourns the death of Vicky L. King of Mill Shoals.

Paul Jacobs

COMMENDS-TONYA S. HILL

Commends Tonya S. Hill for her outstanding contributions to her community and her profession. Extends heartfelt gratitude for her service.

Brandun Schweizer

CHILDREN OF 1ST RESPONDERS DAY

Declares June 8, 2026 as Unity for Children of First Responders Day in the State of Illinois. Recognizes the sacrifices made by families and children of first responders. Recognizes Yanna M. Davenport for her efforts to make Unity for Children of First Responders Day a national event.

Jay Hoffman

IDNR-POLLINATOR CONSERVATION

Urges the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, to increase conservation efforts and to delay seasonal cutting of milkweed and other pollinator enhancement plants along Illinois waterways until August.

Charles Meier

IL SOIL HEALTH WEEK

Declares March 1 through March 7, 2026 as Illinois Soil Health Week in the State of Illinois. Encourages the celebration of Soil Health Week and its related activities to increase the awareness of Illinois farmers, eaters, and those involved in agribusiness of the importance of the air and water quality environment for all citizens of this State.

Charles Meier

MEMORIAL-KEVIN RYAN

Mourns the death of Connecticut State Representative Kevin Ryan.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

COMMEND-DR. RUBY E. ROBERSON

Commends Dr. Ruby E. Roberson Ed.D. for her extraordinary career as an educator and her profound, sustained, and impactful work with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

William "Will" Davis

SCN2A AWARENESS DAY

Declares February 24, 2026 as SCN2A Awareness Day in the State of Illinois. Encourages all residents of Illinois to participate in activities and wear purple, blue, or green on this day to bring awareness of these disorders and the need for treatment.

Dan Ugaste

MEMORIAL-TIM JONES

Mourns the death of Park Forest Police Officer Tim Jones.

Anthony DeLuca

MEMORIAL-DEBRA THOMPSON

Mourns the death of Debra Thompson.

Sonya M. Harper

BLUES KIDS WEEK

Declares the week of July 5 through July 10, 2026 as Blues Kids Week in the State of Illinois in recognition of the annual Blues Camp in Chicago and in celebration of Illinois' rich Blues legacy. Recognizes Fernando Jones and the Blues Kids Foundation for their extraordinary contributions to music education, cultural preservation, and youth development

Michael Crawford

MEMORIAL-JACQUALINE F.G. SCOTT

Mourns the death of Jacqualine Florence Griffin Scott.

William "Will" Davis

CONGRATS-LEO HIGH SCHOOL

Congratulates Leo High School on achieving its 100th anniversary, providing a century of distinguished service and dedication to the education of young men on Chicago's South Side. Thanks the high school for its continued resilience and unwavering commitment to this mission.

Michael Crawford

MEMORIAL-ELISE HORTON-NEWKIRK

Mourns the death of Elise Lorraine "Lisa" Horton-Newkirk.

Michael Crawford

CONGRATS-SAUK TRAIL CH. NSDAR

Congratulates the Sauk Trail Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) on achieving its 100th anniversary on July 15, 2026.

Anthony DeLuca

CONGRATS-DERRICK M. ROSE

Congratulates Derrick Martell Rose on the retirement of his jersey by the Chicago Bulls in recognition of his remarkable life and career. Thanks him for his lasting contributions to the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois, and the game of basketball.

Kam Buckner

COMMEND-KEN MCCRACKEN & OTHERS

Commends Ken McCracken, as well as Connie Flack, Ken and Rhonda McCracken, Kevin Devlin, Sid Carlson, and Knox County Sheriff Jack Harlan for their contributions to saving a man's life.

Dan Swanson

CONGRATS-KMOX RADIO

Congratulates KMOX Radio on its 100th anniversary, expresses thanks for its service covering issues important to Illinoisans, and wishes it the best as it enters its second century of broadcasting.

Amy Elik

UNPLUG ILLINOIS DAY

Declares July 11, 2026 as Unplug Illinois Day in the State of Illinois. Encourages all citizens to participate in this opportunity by unplugging from their electronic devices and visiting their local parks, recreation sites, and conservation areas.

Charles Meier

COMMENDS-C. K. TRICHE-COLVIN

Commends Carmen K. Triche-Colvin for her extraordinary service, leadership, and dedication to public administration, procurement reform, community development, and government excellence. Thanks Carmen Triche-Colvin for her more than three decades of transformative impact on government operations and the communities served.

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

MEMORIAL-BISHOP DR. C. PORTER

Mourns the death of Bishop Dr. Claude Porter.

Emanuel "Chris" Welch