Democrats for the Illinois House, Author at Democrats for the Illinois House

Gov. Pritzker Signs Fifth Balanced Budget

By Democrats for the Illinois House | June 12, 2023

Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivers his combined budget and State of the State address in front of House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford to a joint session of the General Assembly on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool)

CHICAGO – Building on four years of fiscally responsible leadership, Governor JB Pritzker signed the Fiscal Year 2024 budget into law today, delivering his fifth balanced budget while making transformative…

Illinois Legislature Passes $50B Budget with Major Investments in Education and Child Welfare

By Democrats for the Illinois House | June 7, 2023

Speaker Pro Tempore Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, presents a budget bill on the House floor early Saturday morning before lawmakers adjourned for the summer around 3 a.m. Andrew Adams / Capitol News Illinois

The 2023 spring legislative session came to an end in the early hours of Saturday morning after the Illinois House gave its approval to a $50.6 billion spending plan for…

Illinois Lawmakers Passed Bills on Book Bans, Abortion Rights and Other Issues

By Democrats for the Illinois House | June 3, 2023

aerial view of a hall with people sitting for a meeting

It took more than a week longer than expected, but Illinois lawmakers wrapped up their spring legislative session early Saturday with a budget and hundreds of measures that passed. The…

Bill implementing full-day kindergarten in Illinois ready for governor’s desk

By Democrats for the Illinois House | June 2, 2023

ur children deserve the high quality early education no matter their zip code. Thanks to legislation sponsored by Rep. Mary Beth Canty, a bill to implement full-day kindergarten statewide now heads to Governor Pritzker's desk. (Illinois state Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights | Source: BlueRoomStream)

(The Center Square) – A measure that implements full-day kindergarten throughout Illinois is now awaiting to be sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker for his signature. State Rep. Mary Beth Canty,…

Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch Kicks off Pride Month with a Celebration for All on June 1

By Democrats for the Illinois House | May 31, 2023

It’s time to celebrate PRIDE across Illinois. Join House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch and House Democrats on June 1st at the Godfrey Hotel for a fundraiser to kick off PRIDE month and celebrate freedom, equality, and inclusion in Illinois.

Chicago, IL – It’s time to celebrate PRIDE across Illinois. Join House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and House Democrats on June 1st at the Godfrey Hotel for a fundraiser to…

Illinois Democrats Deliver for Working Families during Spring Legislative Session

By Democrats for the Illinois House | May 26, 2023

During the Spring session, Democrats passed legislation that: prohibits prescription price-gouging, caps the cost of insulin at $35 per month, cracks down on “crisis pregnancy centers” that use deceptive tactics, holds gun manufacturers accountable for reckless advertising, penalizes public institutions that ban books. And we'll keep delivering for the people of Illinois.

For Immediate ReleaseFriday, May 26, 2023 CONTACT:Allison [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…

Welch Applauds Healthcare Heroes, Codifies Health Delivery Innovations as COVID Orders End

By Democrats for the Illinois House | May 25, 2023

House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch (center) joins state leaders and healthcare workers at the Sangamon County Department of Public Health Thursday to recognize the end of the state and federal COVID emergency orders.

SPRINGFIELD | Healthcare workers and state leaders joined to recognize the end of the state and federal COVID emergency declarations, while also continuing effective reforms initiated under the pandemic orders to…

Illinois Democrats Say Abortion-Access Protections Are a Promise: ‘You’re safe here’

By Democrats for the Illinois House | May 25, 2023

State Rep. Kelly Cassidy speaks as Gov. J.B. Pritzker listens before Pritzker signed House Bill 4664, a bill that will further protect reproductive health care providers and patients who are seeking care in Illinois, Jan. 13, 2023, in Chicago. Cassidy pushed through legislation to require insurers in Illinois to cover abortion medication and hormonal therapy, part of a package of measures Democrats say protects access to medical services that other states are restricting. (Pat Nabong/Chicago Sun-Times via AP, File)

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Access to abortion is essentially locked down in Illinois. But Democrats are looking for ways to further protect the practice and its availability, including to outsiders…

US Supreme Court Denies Request to Block Illinois and Naperville Gun Bans

By Democrats for the Illinois House | May 25, 2023

An employee at Law Weapons & Supply in Naperville rearranges guns at the store on May 11, 2023. The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday denied a request from a Naperville gun store owner to block a city ordinance and Illinois law banning the sale of certain high-powered firearms and high-capacity ammunition magazines. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

SPRINGFIELD — The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday denied a request from a Naperville gun store owner to block a city ordinance and an Illinois law banning the sale of…

Illinois Bill to Allow DACA Recipients to Become Police Officers

By Democrats for the Illinois House | May 25, 2023

Some Illinois municipalities already hire DACA recipients to the police force on a case-by-case basis, but a new Illinois bill will open the opportunity to the entire state. Illustration by Emily Lichty.

Amid staffing shortages in police departments across the country, a new bill in Illinois will clear the path for DACA recipients looking to become police officers. State Rep. Barbara Hernandez…