It’s been another busy week across the 26th District, with meaningful conversations, community events, and continued efforts in Springfield focused on supporting families, protecting neighborhoods, and recognizing the people who serve our communities.
Topics below include:
- Sen. Hills on WGN News: Pushes Bill to Limit Data Centers Near Homes
- Honoring Service and Sacrifice at Lake Zurich America 250 Celebration
- Senior Fraud Prevention Seminar
- Helping Families with Access to Diapers
- Thank You for Stopping By Our Traveling Office Hours
- General Assembly Delays Interchange Fee Law for Another Year
- Local Fire Departments Receive State Grant Funding
- Pups & Prosecco
Sen. Hills on WGN News: Pushes Bill to Limit Data Centers Near Homes
Protecting our communities requires action, not just conversation. That’s why I filed Senate Bill 1050 to give residents a stronger voice in data center development decisions.
Thank you, Dana Rebik at WGN TV, for joining us at Plum Farms and highlighting the concerns of local residents as we work to protect our communities.
Watch the full news segment and learn more here.
Honoring Service and Sacrifice at Lake Zurich America 250 Celebration
At the America 250 celebration at the Lake Zurich American Legion, I was deeply honored to take part in recognizing the service and sacrifice of our local veterans and their families. I presented a certificate of recognition to CW4 Richard Johnson for his decades of military service and for his work in helping establish the Veterans Memorial in Lake Zurich, an enduring tribute to those who have served. It was also my privilege to honor the life and service of Major Paul R. Syverson III, who was killed in action in Iraq on June 12, 2004 following an enemy mortar attack, by presenting a certificate to his father in his memory. I also presented a flag that was flown over the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield to the Commander of the Lake Zurich American Legion as a small token of our gratitude. I was especially moved by the engraved plaques created by a Mundelein High School student, which honored various service members with Illinois connections, an incredible reminder that the next generation is carrying forward the duty to remember and honor their service.
Helping Families with Access to Diapers
There’s nothing more powerful than a room full of people fighting to serve families who need diapers. My legislation, SB 3869, removes all taxes on diapers. Every year, 47% of families struggle to afford enough diapers for their children. As tiny as they are, diapers make a massive difference in a child’s health, comfort, and dignity. It’s time our state prioritizes working families, eases the burden on parents, and ensures every child has access to this basic necessity.
Thank you Amy, Brenden, and the Diaper Dollars community for putting together a beautiful event, supporting families, and advocating for my legislation.
Senior Fraud Prevention Seminar
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our free Senior Fraud Prevention Seminar at Palatine Village Hall.
Making life more affordable and secure for seniors across our community remains a top priority. Every week, I hear from seniors who are concerned about rising property taxes, healthcare costs, prescription drug prices, and financial scams, and I’ve been focused on legislation that helps protect both your finances and your safety.
This spring, I also co-sponsored HB4911 to strengthen protections against financial fraud and scams. Click here to view a full list of bills I worked on this spring to reduce costs and make life easier for seniors.
Thanks again to the experts from the Office of the Illinois Attorney General and the Illinois Department on Aging, who joined us and shared important guidance on how to protect yourself from scams, safeguard personal information online, and access support through the Adult Protective Services Program.
General Assembly Delays Interchange Fee Law for Another Year
My office has received questions from local business owners and residents regarding the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act (IFPA), which was originally scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
The Illinois General Assembly recently approved legislation delaying implementation of the law until July 1, 2027. If signed by the Governor, this will mark the second time lawmakers have postponed the effective date as questions remain about how the law would be implemented and enforced.
The IFPA prohibits charging interchange fees on the sales tax and tip portions of credit and debit card transactions. However, businesses, financial institutions, and payment processors have raised concerns about how the law would work in practice and whether existing payment systems are equipped to meet its requirements.
Many business owners worry the lack of clear implementation guidelines could create confusion at checkout, increase administrative costs, or require costly updates to payment processing systems. Questions have also been raised about potential impacts on consumers, workers who rely on tips, and small businesses already facing rising operating expenses.
Adding to the uncertainty, the law remains the subject of ongoing litigation in federal court. As a result, there are still unanswered questions about whether, when, and how portions of the Act may ultimately take effect.
I understand the confusion surrounding this issue and will continue monitoring developments closely. My office remains available to assist constituents and business owners with questions as additional guidance becomes available.
Thank You for Stopping By Our Traveling Office Hours
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our Traveling Office Hours at the Ela Area Public Library.
It was great meeting with residents, hearing your concerns, answering questions, and discussing the issues that matter most to our community. These conversations help ensure your voice is heard both in the district and in Springfield.
Whether you needed assistance with a state agency, shared an idea, or simply stopped by to say hello, I appreciate you taking the time to connect. Thank you for being engaged and involved, and I look forward to continuing to serve you.
Local Fire Departments Receive State Grant Funding
Several fire departments and EMS providers throughout the 26th District have been awarded funding through the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s 2026 Small Equipment Grant Program.
This year, the program awarded a total of $6 million to 260 fire departments, fire protection districts, and EMS providers across Illinois. Grants of up to $26,000 help local first responders purchase essential firefighting and ambulance equipment needed to keep our communities safe.
Congratulations to the departments in our district that received this funding, and thank you to all of our firefighters, paramedics, and emergency personnel for their continued service.
26th District Recipients
Inverness Fire Department: $8,804.40
Countryside Fire Protection District: $26,000
Village of Lake Zurich: $16,000
Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District: $19,029.80
East Dundee & Countryside Fire Protection District: $21,820
Click here to view the full list of grant recipients.
Pups & Prosecco
Enjoy a refreshing glass of prosecco or a craft brew while discussing the spring legislative session and learning how you can help provide a loving forever home to animals in need.
- Broken Earth Winery
219 Robert Parker Coffin Rd.
Long Grove, IL 60047 - Thursday, June 18
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
We look forward to seeing you — and introducing you to a few four-legged friends along the way! No registration required.
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