I hope you had time to get outside and enjoy the weather this weekend! This week, the Senate and House are back at the Capitol working to move legislation out of committee and onto the floors for a vote.
In case you were curious, I serve on five committees: Child Welfare, Commerce, Consumer Protection, Judiciary, and Transportation. You can view the Senate’s weekly committee schedule here.
Topics below include:
- Legislation Targets Greater Transparency for Taxpayer Costs
- National Drug and Alcohol Fact Week
- You Asked, We Acted – Assistance with State Licensing Requirements
- Survey Finds Illinois Among Least Affordable States
- Recent Postal Service Changes Could Impact this Year’s Tax Filings
Legislation Targets Greater Transparency for Taxpayer Costs
Illinois taxpayers deserve to know how much legislation will cost before it becomes law.
That is why I am co-sponsoring Senate Bill 2094, which strengthens transparency and accountability in the legislative process by ensuring lawmakers cannot block requests for fiscal impact information.
Right now, while any legislator can request a fiscal note, that request can be voted down, preventing the public and lawmakers from seeing the true cost of a proposal.
A fiscal note outlines how a bill will impact state spending and revenue, in other words, what it will cost taxpayers.
Senate Bill 2094 puts an end to that practice by requiring fiscal notes to be completed whenever they are requested, ensuring lawmakers and the public have the information they need before a vote is taken.
This is a commonsense step toward greater transparency and more responsible government. I will continue fighting to bring more transparency and accountability to state government and protect Illinois taxpayers.
SB 2094 is currently awaiting committee assignment.
National Drug and Alcohol Fact Week
This week also marks National Drug and Alcohol Fact Week, observed March 22 through 28, with a focus on substance use prevention and overdose awareness. Coordinated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, this annual observance encourages educational opportunities for teens to better understand the science behind drug use and addiction.
As the State Government Sector representative for the Choose Your Path Coalition, I was glad to welcome local students from Wauconda to the Capitol who are actively involved in this important work. The coalition serves District 118, including Wauconda and surrounding communities, and brings together parents, schools, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and youth to reduce substance use and promote healthy choices. Through education and community-wide initiatives, Choose Your Path empowers young people to make informed decisions.
This work is especially important as we continue addressing emerging substance use concerns across our communities. I’ve heard from parents across our district who are worried about the rise in nitrous oxide misuse and the impact it is having on young people. As a mom and as your State Senator, I take those concerns seriously. That is why I filed legislation, SB 2738, to strengthen penalties for the unlawful possession and sale of nitrous oxide when it is intended for abuse. This measure increases consequences for those profiting from dangerous misuse and puts stronger safeguards in place to help protect our kids. To be clear, this legislation does not impact legitimate medical, surgical, or dental use under the supervision of a licensed professional.
If you or your family are looking for more information, resources, or ways to get involved, I encourage you to visit Choose Your Path Coalition’s website https://chooseyourpath118.org/ and learn more about the important work happening right here in our district.
You Asked, We Acted – Assistance with State Licensing Requirements
We’ve heard from many constituents needing help with professional licensing through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. From nurses to therapists to nutritionists, our office has been proud to assist. If you ever run into challenges with an application or licensing process, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Connecting with Constituents in Palatine
Last week in Palatine, I met with residents during traveling office hours at the Palatine Library District to hear directly about the challenges they’re facing and help connect them with the resources and answers they need. These conversations are an important way to make state government more accessible and ensure residents get the support they deserve.
My next one is Thursday, April 9th from 5-7p.m at the Palatine Library District.
Survey Finds Illinois Among Least Affordable States
A new survey confirms what families across Illinois are already feeling every day, our country is in a cost-of-living crisis, and Illinois is among the least affordable states.
According to recent research from Current, 87 percent of Americans say the nation is facing an affordability crisis. More than half report struggling to pay bills on time, and many are having a hard time covering basic necessities like groceries.
Here in Illinois, only 27 percent of residents describe our state as affordable, putting us near the bottom nationwide.
That is not by accident. Years of higher taxes, rising utility costs, and policies that make it harder to do business have made Illinois more expensive for the very people who can least afford it. Families are being asked to do more with less, while Springfield continues to miss the mark.
I am focused on changing that. I am sponsoring and supporting legislation to deliver real relief for Illinois families, including eliminating the diaper tax to lower everyday costs, expanding property tax relief so homeowners can keep more of what they earn, and creating tax credits to help with childcare, homeownership, and rising insurance premiums.
These are practical, commonsense solutions designed to ease the burden on working families and make Illinois a more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.
I will continue fighting for policies that put taxpayers first and help make life more affordable across our state. You can view a list of bills I am sponsoring to make life more affordable here.
Recent Postal Service Changes Could Impact this Year’s Tax Filings
The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is warning taxpayers that recent U.S. Postal Service (USPS) changes to postmarks could affect 2026 tax filings.
Under the new system, postmarks will show when mail is first processed, not when it is dropped off, which could create potential risks for meeting deadlines on time-sensitive items like tax returns and payments.
IDOR urges taxpayers to mail documents earlier than usual, ahead of the April 15 deadline, to avoid penalties. Those who are mailing close to the deadline should request a free manual postmark at the post office, which will reflect the actual drop-off date. IDOR also emphasizes that electronic filing is the most reliable option to ensure timely submission. Alternatively, taxpayers can drop off returns at an IDOR office, where documents will be date-stamped as proof of receipt.
For more information on this change, click here.
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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