Senator Chesney’s Week in Review

Transit Bailout Forces Illinois Families to Pay for Chicago’s Failures

Governor Pritzker traveled to Union Station on Tuesday to sign Senate Bill 2111, a massive transit bailout that raises taxes and strips funding from communities outside Chicago to rescue a broken system the state refuses to reform.

This law hikes costs on suburban families through higher sales taxes and punishes commuters who rely on toll roads or drive long distances to work. At a time when families are already stretched thin, Springfield Democrats decided the answer was to make everyday life even more expensive.

Downstate communities are hit especially hard. Senate Bill 2111 redirects millions of dollars in motor fuel tax revenue away from local roads and bridges and funnels that money into Chicago. Projects meant to fix unsafe roads and crumbling infrastructure across Illinois are now being sacrificed to cover years of mismanagement in the Chicago transit system.

I oppose forcing families who do not use Chicago transit to pay for Mayor Brandon Johnson’s failures. This law is another example of Chicago politicians demanding blank checks instead of accountability. Illinois cannot tax its way out of bad leadership, and I will continue fighting for reforms that put our families and local communities first.

IDNR Accepting Applications for Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants

Volunteer fire departments play a critical role in keeping our communities safe, especially in rural areas. That is why I want to make sure local departments are aware of a funding opportunity that can help them get the equipment and training they need.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for Volunteer Fire Assistance grants through February 16. These federal funds are administered through IDNR and help local fire departments and training academies purchase essential equipment such as radios, fire hoses, wildland protective gear, hand tools, and chainsaws. The program also helps cover training costs and the modification of excess federal vehicles and equipment.

Last year, Illinois received more than $322,000 through this program, supporting 48 projects statewide. The grants reimburse up to 50 percent of project costs, with awards of up to $10,000 per recipient.

More information about grant requirements and opportunities can be found here.

New Illinois Laws Taking Effect January 1, 2026

Nearly 300 new laws will take effect in Illinois on January 1, 2026. Below is overview of notable new laws, organized by topic, with bill numbers included for reference.

 

Education

• HB 2801 (P.A. 104-0249): Requires ISBE to create a list of approved career and technical education (CTE) pathway opportunities.
• HB 2802 (P.A. 104-0250): Allows excused absences for approved supervised career development experiences, including FFA and CTE events.
• HB 3039 (P.A. 104-0267): Expands opportunities for 7th and 8th graders to earn high school credit.
• SB 1920 (P.A. 104-0399): Expands access to American Sign Language instruction and related teaching resources.
• HB 1366 (P.A. 104-0047): Strengthens notification and participation rights for parents of students in special education.
• HB 3500 (P.A. 104-0314): Requires schools to provide information on ABLE savings accounts for students with 504 Plans.
• SB 1329 (P.A. 104-0373): Allows ISBE to notify schools when an employee is under investigation for serious misconduct.
• HB 1787 (P.A. 104-0198): Requires safety-related training for substitute teachers.
• HB 3385 (P.A. 104-0303): Requires public colleges and universities to provide access to licensed mental health professionals.

Healthcare & Public Health

• HB 2464 (P.A. 104-0060): Limits out-of-pocket costs for emergency neonatal care from nonparticipating providers.
• HB 3328 (P.A. 104-0295): Establishes pre-admission cognitive assessment requirements for assisted living facilities with Alzheimer’s units.
• HB 57 (P.A. 104-0037): Allows individuals with disabilities in CILAs to designate an essential support person.
• HB 1287 (P.A. 104-0172): Requires AEDs in additional long-term care facilities.
• HB 1616 (P.A. 104-0193): Expands donor leave protections for organ donors, including part-time public employees.
• HB 2462 (P.A. 104-0229): Allows trained individuals to carry and administer epinephrine in emergencies.
• HB 2874 (P.A. 104-0252): Tightens regulations on ephedrine-related products.
• HB 3645 (P.A. 104-0321): Requires standardized reporting of opioid overdoses by EMS providers.
• SB 1238 (P.A. 104-0369): Requires providers to inform patients of non-opioid pain management options.
• HB 2562 (P.A. 104-0237): Establishes new training requirements for guardians of adults with disabilities.
• HB 3849 (P.A. 104-0336): Allows hospice staff to pick up prescriptions on behalf of patients.
• SB 73 (P.A. 104-0345): Requires stricter testing and transparency of heavy metals in baby food.

Veterans

• SB 32 (P.A. 104-0067): Expands SNAP eligibility for households that include veterans or service members if their gross income is at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines.
• SB 2175 (P.A. 104-0136): Provides paid leave for veterans to receive VA-authorized medical care.
• HB 2572 (P.A. 104-0238): Expands scholarship eligibility for dependents of veterans.

Women’s Health

• HB 5282 (P.A. 103-0701): Extends certain pregnancy- and postpartum-related healthcare coverage.
• HB 5295 (P.A. 103-0703): Expands insurance coverage for menopause hormone therapy.
• HB 4180 (P.A. 103-0808): helps with early detection of breast cancer by requires insurance coverage for enhanced imaging for women with dense breast tissue.
• HB 2688 (P.A. 104-0244): Expands access to maternity care through certified midwives.

Check out highlights from my Pet Rescue Fair!