After a busy four weeks in Springfield, the Senate is on break this week, giving me the opportunity to spend more time back home in the district. I always value this time because it allows me to connect with residents, attend local events, and hear directly from the people I represent about the issues, challenges, and priorities that matter most to our communities.
This week’s topics include:
- NBC Chicago – Hills’ Bill Aims to Close ‘Loophole’ for Those Convicted of Secretly Videotaping Minors
- Standing Up to Protect Children
- Honoring Officer Christian “CP” Pascente of the Wauconda Police Department
- Hills’ Capitol Highlight
- You Asked, We Acted – Prescription Drug Drop Off
- Legislation Introduced to Create the Illinois Pediatric Cancer Fund
- Eligibility Expanded for ABLE Accounts
NBC Chicago – Hills’ Bill Aims to Close ‘Loophole’ for Those Convicted of Secretly Videotaping Minors
Thank you to Bennett Haeberle – Reporter and the team at NBC Chicago for covering my legislation to close a dangerous loophole in Illinois law.
Right now, someone can secretly record a child in a bathroom, locker room, or other private space for sexual gratification and still avoid sex offender registration. No tracking, no oversight, and no community notification. That is unacceptable.
My bill, SB 2381, would require offenders who sexually exploit minors through unauthorized recording to register as sex offenders. This is about accountability, closing a loophole that should never have existed, and most importantly, protecting children.
Watch the coverage and read more on NBC Chicago here.
Standing Up to Protect Children
Last week, I joined a press conference at the Illinois State Capitol to introduce a legislative package aimed at strengthening protections for children and cracking down on trafficking, grooming, sexual exploitation, and predatory offenders.
These bills are designed to close dangerous gaps in Illinois law, increase penalties for serious crimes involving minors, and ensure those who exploit children face stronger consequences.
The legislative package includes:
- Andrew’s Law would eliminate plea deals for individuals charged with involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, trafficking in persons involving a minor, or grooming, preventing those charges from being reduced to lesser offenses. The bill would also make it a Class 4 felony for a child sex offender to work at, volunteer at, or be present at a facility that exclusively provides entertainment for minors.
- Illinois Senate Bill 1572 would increase penalties for human trafficking and related crimes by raising each offense by one felony class. For the most serious Class X offenses, the bill would set a prison sentence of 9 to 45 years.
- Illinois Senate Bill 2381 would require sex offender registration for individuals convicted of unauthorized video recording of minors in private spaces if the offense was found to be sexually motivated. This measure addresses a gap in current Illinois law that has allowed some offenders to avoid registration even in cases involving the secret recording of children in bathrooms, locker rooms, or other private areas.
Protecting children must remain a top priority, and our laws should reflect the seriousness and lasting harm caused by trafficking, grooming, and sexual exploitation. I will continue working to ensure Illinois holds predators accountable and keeps children safe.
Honoring Officer Christian “CP” Pascente of the Wauconda Police Department
Last week on the Senate floor, I asked for a moment of silence to honor Officer Christian “CP” Pascente of the Wauconda Police Department. CP dedicated his life to serving and protecting others. His commitment to his community and fellow officers will never be forgotten. Please join me in keeping his family, loved ones, and the entire Wauconda community in your thoughts.
In honor of Officer Pascente’s life and service, I also filed Senate Resolution 672 to recognize and remember CP Pascente.
The Chicago Bears
Following recent action by lawmakers in neighboring states to pursue a potential new stadium for the Chicago Bears, the conversation about the team’s future location is heating up. With other states actively competing for this major investment, it’s important to hear from residents about what they think Illinois should do and what priorities should guide the decision.
Hills’ Capitol Highlight
It’s been a busy week at the Capitol! This afternoon I was on the Senate floor for session and held a press conference alongside State Senator Sue Rezin and State Senator Sally Turner on legislation to strengthen protections for children and crack down on exploitation. Afterwards I had an interview with NBC Chicago. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the day!
You Asked, We Acted – Help from IDOT
A constituent who lives in the Grand Dominion of Del Webb reached out to our office regarding a traffic sign/pole near Rt. 176 and Del Webb Blvd. that had been lying on the ground for over a year and asked if we could reach out to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to bring it to their attention and see if it could be installed at this intersection, citing traffic and pedestrian safety concerns. Our office reached out to IDOT and was pleased to learn that the traffic pole had been reinstalled a few weeks later.
Legislation Introduced to Create the Illinois Pediatric Cancer Fund
Legislation has recently been introduced to strengthen research efforts to help fight childhood cancer and improve outcomes for young patients across Illinois.
I co-sponsored Senate Bill 3954, which would create the Illinois Pediatric Cancer Fund, a special fund within the State Treasury Department dedicated to supporting research, prevention, and treatment efforts related to pediatric cancer. The fund would provide grants to physicians, hospitals, laboratories, universities, and other eligible organizations conducting research focused on childhood cancers.
Under the proposal, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services would administer the fund and oversee a grant program designed to support scientific research and innovation related to pediatric cancer. Funding could come from legislative appropriations as well as private donations and other contributions made to support the cause.
The legislation also ensures transparency by requiring the department to submit annual reports to the General Assembly detailing how funds are used and the progress of research initiatives.
In addition to supporting research grants, the bill allows a small portion of the fund to be used to promote awareness and encourage donations to further expand research opportunities within the state.
SB 3954 is currently assigned to the Health and Human Services Committee.
Eligibility Expanded for ABLE Accounts
The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office recently announced that an estimated 250,000 Illinoisans with disabilities are now eligible to open ABLE accounts, allowing them to save and invest money without jeopardizing access to certain federal benefits.
The expanded eligibility is the result of a change to the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. Previously, individuals were required to acquire their disability before age 26 to qualify for an account. Beginning in 2026, that age threshold has been raised to 46, broadening access to ABLE accounts for people with disabilities in Illinois and across the country.
ABLE accounts are designed to help individuals with disabilities save for important life expenses while maintaining eligibility for programs such as Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid. Prior to the creation of ABLE accounts, people with disabilities generally could not accumulate more than $2,000 in assets without putting those benefits at risk.
Supporters say the expansion will provide greater financial flexibility for people facing disability-related expenses, including housing, transportation, assistive technology, vocational training, and other quality-of-life needs.
More information about the program can be found here: illinoisable.com.
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As always, my office is here to help if you have questions or need assistance with anything. You can contact us here or call (224)662-4544.
Yours truly,
Senator Darby Hills