* House Minority Leader Tony McCombie…

Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie has filed a package of new legislation to fund initiatives encouraging young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math through mentorships and scholarships. STEM is the acronym used to refer to the four distinct but related technical disciplines in education.
Leader McCombie’s legislation includes:

HB 2801 – Directs the Illinois State Board of Education to create a resource for K-12 STEM teachers to inform young women pursuing STEM careers about externship/volunteer opportunities with Illinois organizations in STEM.

HB 2802 – Allows girls in STEM classes to have one school day long absence per school year to pursue STEM externships if approved by school administration.

HB 2806 – Adds women to the list of demographics eligible for the STEM higher education scholarship program (currently only racial minorities are eligible).

* Restore Justice…

On Friday, February 7, Representative Theresa Mah introduced House Bill 3332. The bill would create a limited opportunity for people under 20 and younger at the time of their offense to petition the court for their sentence to be reviewed.

Restore Justice recently released a report, More Than a Conviction: Stories of Children Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Illinois. This report highlights firsthand journeys of transformation and success, underscoring the urgent need for reform. It concludes that sentencing should be about changing people, not just punishing them. Everyone is more than their worst mistake; people can change and successfully reintegrate into the community.
Currently, people serving life or extremely long sentences have few meaningful opportunities to have their cases reviewed since Illinois abolished parole in 1978 and enacted so-called “truth-in sentencing” in 1998, limiting opportunities for people to earn reentry or time off their sentence.

“I have met a number of people incarcerated in our Department of Corrections from a young age who have genuinely become mature, educated, completely rehabilitated people who could be contributing members of society if given an opportunity,” said Representative Mah. “The current system is in need of reform, especially in light of what we know now about brain development and also the fact that our system of “corrections” really does not afford many opportunities for rehabilitated people to be considered for release.”

HB 3332 would build on recent bipartisan reforms recognizing children’s and young people’s brain development and unique capacity to mature and change. Data shows extremely low recidivism rates for people convicted as youth and released as adults. This bill would create a pathway for people sentenced as children and young adults to show that they have been rehabilitated and return home to give back to the community.

“No one should be defined for their whole life by one mistake. Illinois needs this retroactive reform because people deserve a chance to show who they have become,” said Restore Justice Policy Manager James Swansey. Swansey originally received a life without parole sentence at the age of 17. He received a new sentence after U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

HB 3332 is a fair, cost-effective, age-appropriate way to ensure children and young adults are held accountable for the harm they have caused while offering them an opportunity to redeem themselves.

* HB3061 from Rep. Sonya Harper…

Creates the On-Premise Cannabis Consumption Act. Provides that a county or municipality may issue licenses for temporary events and cannabis hospitality venues that will allow for the consumption of cannabis or cannabis-infused products and for the sale of cannabis paraphernalia at such temporary events or venues. Requires ordinances with specified requirements for such temporary events and cannabis hospitality venues before any licenses are issued. Limits home rule powers. Makes conforming changes in the Smoke Free Illinois Act. Effective immediately.

* HB3780 from Rep. Barbara Hernandez…

Creates the Illinois Universal Health Care Act. Provides that all individuals residing in the State are covered under the Illinois Health Services Program for health insurance. Sets forth the health coverage benefits that participants are entitled to under the Program. Sets forth the qualification requirements for participating health providers. Sets forth standards for provider reimbursement. Provides that it is unlawful for private health insurers to sell health insurance coverage that duplicates the coverage of the Program. Provides that investor-ownership of health delivery facilities is unlawful. Provides that the State shall establish the Illinois Health Services Trust to provide financing for the Program. Sets forth the requirements for claims billing under the Program. Provides that the Program shall include funding for long-term care services and mental health services. Provides that the Program shall establish a single prescription drug formulary and list of approved durable medical goods and supplies. Creates the Pharmaceutical and Durable Medical Goods Committee to negotiate the prices of pharmaceuticals and durable medical goods with suppliers or manufacturers on an open bid competitive basis. Sets forth provisions concerning patients’ rights. Provides that the employees of the Program shall be compensated in accordance with the current pay scale for State employees and as deemed professionally appropriate by the General Assembly.

* Sens. David Koehler and Doris Turner filed SB1607 earlier this month…

Creates the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission Act. Establishes the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission. Provides that the purpose of the Commission shall be to explore, research, and commemorate the journeys of freedom seekers and the sites and landmarks in the State that became the networks of the Underground Railroad. Provides that the Commission shall implement educational, landmark preservation, and grant programs. Sets forth provisions concerning membership; terms; compensation; administrative support; and staff. Provides that the Commission shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly. Effective immediately.

* Scott Holland…

If the current legislative session hasn’t ginned up enough controversy for your liking, pay attention to House Bill 2827.

The plan, from state Rep. Terra Costa Howard, D-Glen Ellyn, would create The Homeschool Act. The State Board of Education would create a declaration form any homeschool parent or administrator would submit to the local public school district office. Failure to do so would result in truancy penalties, which at present do not generally apply to kids not enrolled in school. […]

Enter The Caucus Blog, a digital arm of House Republicans, with a post headlined “Democrats take aim at homeschool families.” They labeled HB 2827 a legislative overreach and government expansion that would “impact thousands of Illinois families who have lawfully chosen to homeschool their children” in contravention of the 1950 Illinois Supreme Court opinion People v. Levisen.

A specific concern is the bill’s reference to an “educational portfolio.” The bill doesn’t directly require homeschoolers to keep such a document – basically a record of progress and assessment – but functionally mandates doing so by empowering state and local school officials to request portfolios “as evidence that the homeschool administrator’s homeschool program provides a course of instruction that is sufficient to satisfy the education requirements set forth in Sections 26-1 and 27-1 of the School Code and that is at least commensurate with the standards prescribed for public schools.”

* SB1685 from Sen. Christopher Belt…

Creates the Debt Resolution Services Act. Provides that no person shall provide or offer to provide debt resolution services without a debt resolution services license. Defines “debt resolution services” as a program or service represented, directly or by implication, to renegotiate, settle, or in any way alter the terms of payment or other terms of the debt between a consumer and one or more unsecured creditors. Sets forth requirements for a debt resolution services license. Sets forth the process for obtaining a debt resolution services license. Provides that specified persons are exempt under the Act. Provides the prerequisites and permitted practices for providing debt resolution services. Provides the requirements for a contract between a licensee and a consumer for debt resolution services. Provides that a consumer may terminate a contract to provide debt resolution services at any time without any penalty. Provides that a licensee may terminate a contract to provide debt resolution services if specified conditions are satisfied. Includes provisions concerning the powers of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; prohibited activities under the Act, including prohibitions against false or misleading advertising; annual reports filed by a licensee; fees for debt resolution services; information a licensee must provide to a consumer; records a licensee is required to keep; penalties for violating the Act; and transactions entered into before the effective date of the Act. Repeals the Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act. Amends various Acts to replace references to the Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act to the Debt Resolution Services Act. Effective January 9, 2026.