A Commitment to the 45th District and Our Shared Values
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.
As we approach 2026 and the upcoming 105th General Assembly, I want to reassure the people of the 45th District that I will continue to stand up for what matters most to you while I’m in Springfield.
Illinois needs leaders who are willing to say what too many in government refuse to say. We need strong immigration enforcement, including cooperation with federal authorities. We need to defend our Second Amendment rights, advance pro-life legislation that protects the most vulnerable, and fight for lower property taxes so families can afford to stay in the communities they love. Above all, we must continue defending the core values that make America strong: freedom, faith, and family.
Unfortunately, those values are becoming harder to find in Illinois. Gerrymandered maps and a far-left supermajority have created a state government that is increasingly out of touch with the people it represents. Too often, decisions are made in Chicago and Springfield with little regard for how they impact working families, seniors, farmers, and small business owners in our communities.
But that does not mean we stop fighting. In fact, it means the fight matters more than ever.
I promise you this: I will be in Springfield day in and day out, pushing back against bad policy, standing up for our shared values, and being a strong voice for the people of the 45th District. I will continue working with like-minded colleagues, listening to constituents, and calling out legislation that threatens our freedoms or makes life more expensive for Illinois families.
As you enjoy the rest of the holiday season with your loved ones, I encourage you to stay informed and stay engaged. If you see concerning legislation being pushed by Governor Pritzker and his far-left allies, please let me know. Your input matters, and together, we will fight back and work to put Illinois back on the right track.
Part 2: 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.
Public Safety & Criminal Justice
- SB 1422 (P.A. 104-0099): Enhances training requirements for frontline workers to identify and respond to human trafficking.
- HB 2602 (P.A. 104-0241): Extends the statute of limitations for certain human trafficking-related offenses.
- SB 2323 (P.A. 104-0159): Improves coordination of services and support for victims of human trafficking.
- HB 1302 (P.A. 104-0173): Strengthens victim rights and reporting procedures for criminal sexual assault and domestic violence cases.
- SB 1195 (P.A. 104-0084): Updates trauma-informed training requirements for law enforcement officers.
- HB 3140 (P.A. 104-0276): Establishes a medical care program for retired police K-9s.
- HB 3439 (P.A. 104-0307): Strengthens background checks for childcare workers.
- HB 2690 (P.A. 104-0245): Increases penalties and reporting requirements for child sexual abuse material.
- SB 1274 (P.A. 104-0371): Provides transportation assistance for victims of sexual assault.
- HB 2774 (P.A. 104-0247): Establishes a statewide domestic violence hotline.
- SB 1548 (P.A. 104-0384): Expands outreach for missing persons with developmental disabilities.
- SB 24 (P.A. 104-0339): Improves procedures for missing persons and unidentified remains.
- HB 1697 (P.A. 104-0027) & SB 1295 (P.A. 104-0372): Require CPR instruction training for emergency dispatchers.
- HB 3178 (P.A. 104-0282): Regulates misuse of digital replicas and protects personal likeness rights.
Business, Technology & Consumer Protections
- HB 1631 (P.A. 104-0195): Clarifies authority and accountability for state technology systems.
- SB 2044 (P.A. 104-0406): Expands the validity of electronic signatures for business transactions.
- HB 1865 (P.A. 104-0055): Targets predatory insurance sales practices, particularly those affecting seniors.
- SB 2318 (P.A. 104-0144): Prohibits misleading representations by financial technology companies.
- HB 3352 (P.A. 104-0297): Protects consumers from debt obtained through coercion or abuse.
- HB 1431 (P.A. 104-0181): Requires clearer disclosure of medical facility fees.
- HB 1597 (P.A. 104-0191): Strengthens protections for residents of assisted living and nursing homes.
Agriculture, Environment & Outdoors
- SB 2372 (P.A. 104-0146): Creates a Farmland Transition Commission to support young and beginning farmers.
- HB 3098 (P.A. 104-0274): Updates electronic recycling standards and education requirements.
- SB 2425 (P.A. 104-0148): Revises regulations for low-level radioactive materials.
- HB 2340 (P.A. 104-0059): Provides free landowner deer permits in counties affected by chronic wasting disease.
- SB 710 (P.A. 104-0361): Expands nuisance and landowner hunting permits and eligibility for landowners and tenants.
Motorist & Transportation Safety
- HB 1120 (P.A. 104-0041): Removes the voluntary blood-type and Rh-factor designation from driver’s licenses and state IDs to streamline emergency response.
- SB 2075 (P.A. 104-0408): Expands motorcycle rider training standards and increases the number of Illinois training centers.
