News and Updates from Democrats for the Illinois House

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MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis honors former Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris at breakfast reception

October 29, 2023

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis honored former Democratic Illinois House Majority Leader Rep. Greg Harris at a breakfast reception…

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Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, testifies before the Executive Committee on his legislation to allow legislative staff to unionize, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, in Springfield, Ill. (AP Photo/John O’Connor)

Illinois House approves staff unionization, GOP questions whether it’s necessary

October 26, 2023

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The speaker of the Illinois House on Wednesday won approval for allowing legislative staff to organize for collective bargaining, overcoming Republican objections about…

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Illinois House Democrats wait for Republicans to return from a caucus called immediately as they came back in for the last day of session on the floor of the Illinois House of Representatives at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill. on May 31, 2021. Justin L. Fowler / The State Journal-Register via Associated Press

The Illinois Legislature’s fall veto session starts today. Here’s what to expect.

October 25, 2023

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and statewide lawmakers are gathering in Springfield this week for the first week of the state legislature’s veto session. Happening this…

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Flanked by domestic violence advocates and a pair of state senators, State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, speaks at a Chicago news conference on Thursday announcing intentions to run a gun-related proposal during the General Assembly’s fall veto session later this month. Hirschauer’s bill would require law enforcement to confiscate guns from those with domestic violence orders of protection within 48 hours of a judge granting an order. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Hannah Meisel)

Advocates push for guns to be taken from domestic abusers when order of protection served

October 18, 2023

Bill named for Chicago domestic violence victim allegedly shot and killed by husband this summer By HANNAH MEISELCapitol News [email protected] CHICAGO – As lawmakers prepare…

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Illinois Speaker of the House Emanuel “Chris” Welch speaks on the floor of the Illinois House of Representatives at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill., on Sept. 9, 2021. Justin L. Fowler—The State Journal-Register/AP

State Legislative Staffers Across the U.S. Push to Unionize

October 6, 2023

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch says he wants the state’s legislative staff to be allowed to unionize. The Democrat authored a bill he says…

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House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, D-Hillside, is pictured with Senate President Don Harmon (left), D-Oak Park. (Capitol News Illinois file photo by Jerry Nowicki)

Welch introduces bill to allow legislative staff to unionize

September 29, 2023

SPRINGFIELD – House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, has filed legislation that would, for the first time in Illinois, authorize legislative staff to form a…

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A statue is pictured outside of the Illinois Supreme Court building in Springfield. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)

As SAFE-T Act goes live, murder suspects previously eligible to post bond are held in jail

September 26, 2023

Hearings have been longer, more deliberative – resembling federal detention proceedings In courtrooms around the state early this week, judges conducted the first hearings under…

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Studies show nearly 74% of people jailed in the U.S. are awaiting trial. Even when found not guilty, many lose their jobs, their homes, and even custody of their children. Illinois' Pretrial Fairness Act counteracts this by taking money out of the equation. Instead, judges will decide pretrial detainment based on a public safety evaluation.

Cash bail disproportionately impacts communities of color. Illinois is the first state to abolish it

September 14, 2023

CHICAGO (AP) — It took four and a half months for Shannon Ross’ life to unravel. Ross, who describes himself as Indigenous and a person…

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It was announced that State Representative Dave Vella will be the Grand Marshall of the 2023 Labor Day Parade. The event hosts, RUL (Rockford United Labor) and the AFL-CIO, chose Representative Dave Vella to be the Grand Marshall of the Labor Day Parade because of his tireless efforts to help the working people of the State-line area throughout his tenure in office.

68th District State Representative Dave Vella Named as the Grand Marshall of the 2023 Rockford Labor Day Parade

September 9, 2023

It was announced that State Representative Dave Vella will be the Grand Marshall of the 2023 Labor Day Parade. The event hosts, RUL (Rockford United…

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The election day countdown starts now! This week, our members will begin collecting petitions to get on the ballot. Help us stay strong in the fight for our communities! You've got until December 4 to sign a petition for your Democratic state representative.

Politicians start collecting signatures as Illinois election season officially kicks off

September 7, 2023

Tuesday is the official kickoff to the 2024 political season. Candidates began the work of getting on the ballot for next spring’s primary election. Voters…

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