With just three weeks remaining in the spring session in Springfield, things are beginning to move quickly as we work to advance legislation and wrap up key priorities before adjournment. The final stretch of session is always fast-paced, and I remain focused on getting meaningful, commonsense policies across the finish line for Illinois families.
As we move further into spring and summer, I’m also looking forward to continuing our outreach efforts with a full schedule of events across the district. I hope you’ll join us when you can and stay connected as we keep working together for stronger, safer, and more affordable communities.
Topics below include:
- Recognized the Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball Team
- Local Park Districts at the Capitol
- Closing Out Nurse Appreciation Week with Gratitude at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
- Senator Darby Hills Advances Three Key Bills in a Single Day at the Illinois Capitol
- Styrofoam Recycling Program Kick-Off
- Mother’s Day Diaper Drive
- Senator Darby Hills Announces Winners in “My Influential Teacher” Essay Contest
- Hills Raises Concerns Over Proposals That Would Increase Costs on Illinois Families
- Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen School Protections for Victims
- Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Events
- Annual Police Memorial Ceremony Recognizes Officers Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice
- Upcoming Medical Mission at Home
Recognized the Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball Team
I had the honor of welcoming the Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball team on the senate floor last week, along with their Final Four trophy!
Local Park Districts at the Capitol
It’s always great getting to connect with the people who help make our communities better every day!
I enjoyed spending time with the Palatine Park District, Hoffman Estates Park District, Mundelein Park & Recreation District, McHenry Parks and Recreation Department, Lake County Forest Preserves, Illinois Association of Park Districts. They had great displays set up, and it was nice getting to talk about the programs, parks, trails, and community spaces that mean so much to families across the 26th District and beyond.
Thank you for everything you do for our communities! It does not go unnoticed!
Closing Out Nurse Appreciation Week with Gratitude at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
We concluded Nurse Appreciation Week on a high note this morning at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Lake Barrington, celebrating the incredible nurses who continue to serve our community with compassion, dedication, and unmatched care.
A special highlight of the day was the Nurse Honor Guard Ceremony honoring Beccy Pedot for her 47 years of service in the nursing profession, including her time serving in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps. It was a powerful tribute to a truly remarkable career of service and sacrifice.
We were also joined by members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Auxiliary, whose presence added to the meaningful recognition of Beccy’s contributions.
It was an honor to take part, say thank you in person, and share a small token of appreciation, along with cookies from Deerfields Bakery, for all our nurses do every day.
While Nurse Appreciation Week may be wrapping up, our gratitude for nurses and their extraordinary service continues all year long.
Senator Darby Hills Advances Three Key Bills in a Single Day at the Illinois Capitol
On Tuesday, I had an eventful and productive day at the Capitol, moving from committee to committee to testify on three of my sponsored bills focused on protecting children, supporting families, and strengthening our communities.
It was a busy day, but one I’m proud of — because each of these measures addresses real needs being raised by families, educators, and local leaders across Illinois.
One of the bills I presented, Senate Bill 2788, creates a voluntary School Resource Officer Grant Program to help school districts and local law enforcement agencies cover the cost of placing School Resource Officers in schools if they choose to do so. Many districts want these resources but simply cannot afford them, and this legislation helps level the playing field while keeping all decisions at the local level.
Another measure, House Bill 2190, strengthens emergency preparedness in licensed child care and group home facilities by requiring that at least two non-administrative staff members are trained in CPR, first aid, and the Heimlich maneuver within 90 days of employment. This is a practical step to ensure children are protected and staff are prepared to respond in critical moments.
I also presented bipartisan legislation, House Bill 4242, which improves transparency within DCFS investigations by ensuring individuals receive clearer written notification about allegations, appeal rights, timelines, and access to their records. It strengthens trust in the process while maintaining strong protections for children.
All three of these efforts reflect my focus on commonsense solutions that improve safety, increase transparency, and support Illinois families without unnecessary mandates or bureaucracy.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue working on policies that make a real difference in our communities.
Styrofoam Recycling Program Kick-Off
I was honored to join the Algonquin Township Road District and the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County for their Styrofoam Recycling Program Kick-Off this past Saturday. Approximately 1,000 pounds of styrofoam was collected, almost filling an entire semi-trailer! This is a wonderful service that keeps these products out of landfills and helps create a cleaner, more sustainable future for our community.
Thank you to Algonquin Township Commissioner Danijela Sandberg and all the volunteers and community leaders who worked to make this event an outstanding success! For more information about future recycling updates, please visit the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County website.
Mother’s Day Diaper Drive
Our diaper drive has officially come to a close, and we are incredibly grateful for the generosity of everyone who donated. All items have been delivered to the Hope Center, where they will directly support local families in need, thank you for coming together to make a real difference. With Mother’s Day just yesterday, it was also a meaningful reminder to honor and celebrate all moms for the love, strength, and care they give every day. In related news, my bill to eliminate taxes on diapers has now been assigned to the Revenue Committee, and you can follow its progress here.
Senator Darby Hills Announces Winners in “My Influential Teacher” Essay Contest
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, Senator Darby Hills recently hosted an essay contest inviting students across the 26th District to share about the teachers who have made a lasting impact on their lives. More than 150 essays were submitted, which is a true testament to the outstanding teachers making a difference in classrooms throughout the district every day.
Congratulations to Angela Dong, an 11th-grade student at Barrington High School; Brandon Bulka, a 6th-grade student at Carl Sandburg Middle School; Amelia Tischauser, a 9th-grade student at Wauconda High School; Angel Carrillo, an 8th-grade student at Carl Sandburg Middle School; and Nicole Ramirez, a 9th-grade student at Barrington High School for their outstanding essays and thoughtful reflections honoring the educators who inspire them.
Click here to read the winner’s essay and see a video of the display at the Capitol.
Hills Raises Concerns Over Proposals That Would Increase Costs on Illinois Families
Every day, I hear from families, small business owners, and workers who are struggling to keep up with rising costs. That’s why I am deeply concerned about several proposals moving through Springfield that would make life even more expensive for the people of Illinois.
I am opposed to Senate Bill 3353, which would create a new tax on digital advertising, and Senate Bill 3796, which would repeal key provisions of the Blue Collar Jobs Act and eliminate the sales tax exemption on biodiesel.
At a time when families are already paying more for groceries, fuel, and everyday necessities, we should be focused on lowering costs and making Illinois more affordable, not creating new taxes that will only add more financial pressure.
These proposals may sound technical, but the impact is very real. Small businesses that rely on affordable online advertising will face higher costs. Farmers, manufacturers, and drivers will feel the effects of higher fuel and transportation expenses. And ultimately, working families will end up paying more.
I am also concerned that repealing incentives tied to the Blue Collar Jobs Act sends the wrong message to businesses looking to invest and create jobs in Illinois.
Illinois families deserve policies that support growth, encourage investment, and make it easier, not harder, to live and work in our state.
Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen School Protections for Victims
Last week, Senate Bill 939 passed the Illinois Senate with bipartisan support, and I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this legislation as it now moves to the House.
This bill is about something very simple but very important, making sure our schools are safe for students and that when something serious happens, it is handled the right way.
SB 939 sets a minimum one-year expulsion for any student who commits or attempts sexual assault at school or during a school activity. There must be accountability in these situations, and a clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated.
This legislation came forward because, too often, we’ve seen incidents handled with the level of seriousness victims and families deserve. That needs to change.
It also ensures school boards have to take a formal vote on how each case is handled. I think that matters, it brings transparency and makes sure these decisions aren’t just happening behind closed doors.
At the end of the day, this is about protecting students, supporting families, and making sure every child can walk into school feeling safe. I’m going to keep working to get this bill across the finish line in the House.
Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Events
As summer approaches, our office is excited to bring even more events and opportunities to connect across the 26th District! We have a full schedule of outreach events planned throughout June and beyond, and we look forward to seeing you in the community. Please mark your calendars and join us if you are able:
- May 16 – Mental Health Fair in Mundelein, from 10 AM – 1 PM
- June 1st – Senior Fair in Lake Zurich from 10 AM – 12 PM
- June 2nd – Fremont Township Blood Drive from 12 PM – 5 PM
- June 4th – IPASS/ICASH Event in Volo from 3 PM – 6 PM
- June 9th – Traveling Office Hours at Ela Area Public Library from 10 AM – 12 PM
- June 10th – Senior Fraud Event in Palatine from 12 PM – 1:30 PM
- June 15th – Blood Drive in Algonquin from 12 PM – 5 PM
All of these events are listed on the Events page of my website with full details, and additional events are added regularly. Please check back often for updates and new opportunities to stay engaged across the district.
Annual Police Memorial Ceremony Recognizes Officers Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice
Law enforcement officers, families, and community members gathered at the Illinois State Capitol on May 7 for the annual Illinois Peace Officers Memorial ceremony honoring officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The ceremony included a procession of squad cars from agencies across the state and a memorial service recognizing both recently fallen officers and officers whose sacrifices occurred many years ago. During the event, the names of eight officers were formally added to the Illinois Peace Officers Memorial.
Among those honored were Chicago Police Department Officer Krystal Rivera and Park Forest Detective Tim Jones, both of whom were killed in 2025 while serving their communities. Six additional historical officers were also recognized for their service and sacrifice.
The memorial ceremony serves as an important reminder of the courage and dedication demonstrated by law enforcement officers across Illinois. Honoring fallen officers ensures their service and sacrifice are never forgotten.
The annual memorial brought together officers from around the state in recognition of those who gave their lives protecting their communities and preserving public safety.
Upcoming Medical Mission at Home
I’m pleased to share information about Ascension Illinois’ upcoming Medical Mission at Home event taking place on May 16. This is a free, all-day community health clinic offering medical care, podiatry services, pharmacy support, specialty care, wellness services, and additional resources such as food and nutrition assistance.
The event is open to everyone — no insurance, payment, or appointment is required. Individuals may pre-register or simply walk in, and interpreters will be available on site. Hundreds of volunteer medical professionals will be coming together to provide compassionate care to those in need.
This is a great opportunity for residents to access important health and social services, and I encourage anyone who may benefit to attend or share the information with others.
Click here for more information and to register.
As always, my office is here to help if you have any questions or need assistance with anything. You can contact us here or call (224)662-4544.
Yours truly,
Senator Darby Hills