Illinois Democrats Deliver for Working Families during Spring Legislative Session

For Immediate Release
Friday, May 26, 2023

CONTACT:
Allison Janowski
[email protected]

As the 2023 Spring Legislative Session comes to a close, progress-driven bills will head to Governor Pritzker’s desk

Springfield, IL – In this year’s spring legislative session, Illinois Democrats have proudly led successful efforts to protect women’s rights, make our communities safer, and uplift Illinois’ working families. Under the leadership of Governor JB Pritzker, Senate President Don Harmon, and House Speaker Chris Welch, Democrats continue to deliver for Illinoisans.

The following bills will be sent to the governor’s desk:

• Both chambers approved a bill to require Native American History in elementary and high school social studies curriculum.
• HB218 holds gun manufacturers accountable for reckless advertising, allowing those affected by gun violence to take civil action when retailers and manufacturers violate new marketing standards.
• Democrats led legislation to crack down on “crisis pregnancy centers” that use deceptive tactics to mislead women who are seeking reproductive care.
• Illinois became the first state in the nation to pass anti-book banning legislation spearheaded by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. 
• The Pharmaceutical and Health Affordability Act would address skyrocketing prices of generic and off-brand prescription medication by prohibiting price gouging, making Illinois the first state in the nation to do so. 
• Democrats led new legislation to address the teacher shortage in Illinois, providing an incentive for teachers to work in underserved areas.
• New legislation would lower the co-pay cap for a 30-day supply of insulin to $35 for patients on state-regulated health plans and create a discount program so eligible individuals can purchase insulin at a discounted post-rebate price so people don’t have to choose between paying their bills and receiving vital medication.

Much of the newly passed legislation builds on previous efforts to protect and expand women’s rights, reduce gun violence, protect marginalized communities, and create a strong, equitable public education system. These latest achievements follow nation-leading legislation passed earlier this year including the ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines, paid leave for all workers, and protections for out of state residents seeking abortion care in Illinois.

These accomplishments and more were made possible by the electoral victories of a record number of Democrats in the General Assembly last November, the guidance and collaboration of House Speaker Chris Welch and Senate President Don Harmon, and the leadership of statewide officials including Governor JB Pritzker, Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Treasurer Mike Frerichs, and Comptroller Susana Mendoza. The Democratic Party of Illinois will sustain its efforts to elect Democrats up and down the ballot across Illinois so they may continue to move the state forward. 

“All of Illinois’ elected officials have a duty to deliver for the Illinoisans who elected them, and this year’s spring legislative session proves that Democrats are moving Illinois forward by putting working families first. None of this progress would be possible without the Democratic majorities we successfully defended in November, and we’ll keep our feet on the gas to make sure that continues next year. Democrats are showing Illinoisans what real leadership and real progress looks like in the Capitol, and the legislation passed this year will continue to promote equity, opportunity, safety, and freedom in our state,” said DPI Chair Lisa Hernandez.