October 5, 2026

Hills’ Highlights: E-Bike Safety, Protecting Children, District Events

It’s been another busy week across the 26th District, and I’m grateful for every opportunity to get out into our communities, listen to you, and work on the issues that matter to our families.

As always, I’d love to hear from you. If you ever have any questions, you can always respond to this email!

Topics below include:

Keeping Kids Safe on E-Bikes
Sen. Hills Calls for Passage of Her Legislation to Close Loophole in Illinois Law and Protect Children
Palatine Township Mobile DMV
Wauconda Township Senior Fair
Bricks of Hope Opens The Hope Hub
Mobile DMV Event in Ela Township
Mark Your Calendars! Upcoming Events Near You

Keeping Kids Safe on E-Bikes

As a mom of three, the rise in serious e-bike incidents involving young people is deeply concerning.

I joined NEWSMAX to discuss the growing safety concerns surrounding e-bikes and other electric devices, and how Illinois is responding as technology continues to outpace our laws.

After hearing from parents, law enforcement and local leaders, I worked with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office on legislation to close gaps in state law and establish clearer statewide safety standards. That legislation was signed into law this August.

As these devices continue to grow in popularity, we need to make sure safety keeps pace. Kids should be able to enjoy them, while parents have confidence that commonsense protections are in place.

Sen. Hills Calls for Passage of Her Legislation to Close Loophole in Illinois Law and Protect Children

Thank you to the Chicago Tribune Lake County News-Sun and the Daily Herald for highlighting this serious issue and the legislation I have been fighting for. Protecting children has been a priority of mine since day one, and I’m not backing down. We need to protect our children, and I’m going to keep fighting to get this across the finish line.

Read both articles and join me in this fight by signing my petition: https://www.senatordarbyhills.com/news-petition

Palatine Township Mobile DMV

A little less time at the DMV and a little more time back in your day! Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Mobile DMV Event with Palatine Township. It was great to see so many neighbors take advantage of the opportunity to renew IDs and licenses and access other Secretary of State services right here in our community.

I’m a big believer that government should work for you, and sometimes that means bringing the services you need directly to your neighborhood.

A huge thank you to Palatine Township, Andy-John G. Kalkounos: Palatine Township Supervisor, Illinois Secretary of State, and everyone who helped make today’s event possible. We’ll keep working to bring convenient, helpful services like this closer to home!

Wauconda Township Senior Fair

What a turnout in Wauconda! It was wonderful to see so many seniors come out for our Senior Health Fair, ask questions, make connections, and learn more about the services available to them.

A huge thank you to Wauconda Township and all of the vendors and organizations who joined us and took the time to be a resource for our seniors. When our neighbors leave an event with a new resource, a helpful answer, or a connection they didn’t have before, that’s a good day. Thank you to everyone who made it such a great one!

Route 59 IN North Barrington is Officially Open

A great day for the Village of North Barrington! Route 59 is officially open, and Phase 2 will be getting underway soon! I was glad to join Village President Eleanor Sweet McDonnell and local leaders for the ribbon cutting celebrating the completion of Phase 1 of the Route 59 project! Congratulations to the Village of North Barrington and everyone who helped get Phase 1 across the finish line!

Bricks of Hope Opens the Hope Hub

What a special day for Bricks of Hope! I was honored to join the Bricks of Hope team and our community in Lake Zurich to officially cut the ribbon on The Hope Hub, their new home and the start of an exciting new chapter.

Bricks of Hope has built an incredible mission around something so simple: bringing joy, comfort and hope to children when they need it most. Congratulations on this wonderful milestone, and thank you to everyone who continues to help build this mission up, one brick at a time!

Mobile DMV Event in Ela Township

Need to renew your driver’s license or state ID? I’m partnering with Ela Township to bring convenient Secretary of State services directly to our communities with two upcoming Mobile DMV events.

Ela Township Mobile DMV Event
Thursday, October 22 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Ela Township Community Center
380 Surryse Road, Lake Zurich
Appointments are mandatory, click here to schedule.

Residents will have access to several services, including driver’s license renewals and corrections, state ID services, organ and tissue donor registration, and vehicle sticker purchases. REAL ID services will also be available at the Lake Zurich event.

Please note that driver’s tests will not be administered. Appointments are required and space is limited.

My office is always looking for ways to make state services more accessible and convenient. I hope these events make it a little easier to take care of your DMV business close to home!

Mark Your Calendars! Upcoming Events Near You

There’s something happening all year long across the 26th District! I am hosting these events to connect residents with valuable resources, services, educational seminars, family activities, and opportunities to get involved.

September Events

💡 Free Utility Bill Clinic

Tuesday, October 6 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Fremont Township

22385 W. Route 60, Mundelein, IL 60060

🩺 Medicare 101 Seminar

Wednesday, October 7 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

200 South Hough Street, Barrington, IL 60010

🚗 I-PASS and I-CASH Event

Thursday, October 15 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

The Barn at Village Hall

2 Lagoon Drive, Hawthorn Woods