Last week, we made progress on key initiatives to support our communities, recognized important milestones, and continued connecting with constituents both in Springfield and at home. Here’s a look at what we’ve been working on.
Topics below include:
- Sen. Hills Passed Resolution to Celebrate Citizens for Conservation’s 55th Anniversary
- Senator Hills Co-Sponsors Legislative Package to Support Small Businesses and Workers
- Lawmakers Wear Purple for Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day in Illinois
- Constituents at the Capitol
- You Asked, We Acted – Prescription Drug Drop Off
Sen. Hills Passed Resolution to Celebrate Citizens for Conservation’s 55th Anniversary
I had the honor of filing Senate Resolution 529 to celebrate Citizens for Conservation‘s 55th Anniversary and recognize their longstanding commitment to restoring and preserving natural spaces in northern Illinois. Founded in 1971 and based in the Barrington area, this volunteer-based nonprofit organization diligently works to restore and maintain over 732 acres of natural space across 14 separate preserves.
Last week, I welcomed Abigail Derby-Lewis, CFC’s Executive Director, and Janet Agnoletti, past CFC board member and former Chair of the Governmental Liaison Committee, to Springfield and was able to have them join me on the Senate floor so I could honor their hard work and dedication to preserving natural spaces for future generations and express how much Citizens for Conservation means to our community here in the 26th District.
Watch the video of me introducing them on the floor here.
Senator Hills Co-Sponsors Legislative Package to Support Small Businesses and Workers
I am co-sponsoring a legislative package aimed at supporting small businesses, providing relief to workers, and improving Illinois’ economic competitiveness.
The proposal comes as Illinois continues to face economic challenges, including projected population loss, slow job growth, and rising costs for employers and families.
I believe Illinois must take steps to become a more competitive and business-friendly state. The legislative package includes several proposals designed to reduce costs and support economic growth.
One measure, Senate Bill 3786, would create a Legacy Tax Credit for businesses headquartered in Illinois, rewarding companies for long-term investment and job creation.
Another proposal, Senate Bill 3792, would eliminate Illinois’ income tax on tipped wages, allowing workers to keep more of what they earn. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 137 would increase the retailer’s discount for small businesses, helping offset the cost of collecting and remitting sales taxes.
Finally, Senate Bill 2763 would allow individuals and small business owners to deduct health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical expenses from their state taxes.
Supporters say the package is designed to help businesses remain in Illinois, support workers, and strengthen the state’s economy.
Lawmakers Wear Purple for Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day in Illinois
Lawmakers and advocates wore purple on March 25 to mark the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter’s 2026 Day of Action, an annual event focused on raising awareness and pushing for stronger dementia-related policies across the state.
The effort comes as Alzheimer’s disease continues to affect a growing number of families in Illinois. More than 250,000 Illinois residents are currently living with the disease, underscoring the need for policies that support patients, caregivers, and long-term planning.
By wearing purple, participants highlighted both the urgency of the issue and the importance of continued legislative action to improve the lives of people affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Constituents at the Capitol
Great meeting with members from our district of the Illinois Association of School Boards at the Capitol! I appreciated the thoughtful conversation with Alicia Timm from Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95, Brian Lawton from Libertyville D70, and Shawn Killackey from Fremont School District 79 about the priorities and challenges facing our local schools. Thank you for your continued dedication to supporting students, educators, and our communities!
It was a pleasure to welcome students from Lake Forest College and President Michael Sosulski to the Capitol! We had a great conversation about their experiences on campus, their academic interests, and the importance of civic engagement and leadership. I truly enjoyed meeting with such an impressive group of students.
Fun fact, I played basketball there for my first year college!
Great meeting with students and representatives from Northern Illinois University at the Capitol today. I always appreciate the opportunity to hear directly from future leaders about the issues that matter most to them and share more about the work we’re doing in Springfield. Go Huskies!
Thank you to Marvin Hill from the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District for coming to the Capitol! We appreciate your dedication to keeping our communities safe and your insight on the issues impacting fire protection and emergency services.
You Asked, We Acted – Prescription Drug Drop Off
Last year, our Prescription Drug Drop-Off Event was a big success, and after it wrapped up, many residents reached out asking if we would host it again.
I’m happy to say we are bringing it back. Keeping unused or expired medications out of our homes and out of the wrong hands is a simple step we can take together to keep our families and communities safe.
I hope you’ll take a few minutes to clean out your medicine cabinet and join us at this year’s event on April 25th in Wauconda. It’s a quick, safe, and responsible way to dispose of medications you no longer need.
Learn more about the upcoming Prescription Drug Drop-Off Event.
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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