Illinois Senate Democrats
01/12/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/13/2026 11:39
The Majority Report 01/12/26 - Keeping Illinoisans safe
Senate Democrat-led landmark energy relief Measure becomes law
CHICAGO - Taking both affordability and sustainability into account, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus led a landmark law that is projected to save Illinois households more than $13 billion in energy costs over the next two decades.
"As Illinois and the rest of the nation face spikes in energy prices, this new law brings much-needed relief for families and gives our state the resources to protect its residents from unprecedented federal cuts," said State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford). "This law accomplishes our goal of saving Illinoisans hundreds of dollars on utility bills annually while transitioning the state to a more reliable energy grid."
"This law gives Illinois the tools to keep costs under control and prepare our energy system for the future," said State Senator Bill Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. "It's about making smart investments today that pay off for consumers tomorrow."
Turner and Senate Democrats announce $2 million investment for homelessness relief
SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Doris Turner announced an investment of $2 million in community organizations dedicated to combatting homelessness in Central Illinois. These grant investments are part of the state's interagency Home Illinois Plan, an initiative intended to drive state funding and policy toward preventing and eventually reaching functional zero homelessness - a goal where the state prevents homelessness whenever possible and ensures that if homelessness does occur, it is brief, rare and singular.
"With this funding, we are fulfilling our responsibility to help our neighbors stay housed and support our communities as they recover from the far-reaching effects of housing instability," said Turner (D-Springfield). "Every family in Illinois deserves a safe, secure place to call home, and this investment is essential to helping more families find stability, hope and a path forward."
Edly-Allen law protects domestic violence surviviors using workplace resources for documentation
SPRINGFIELD - In Illinois, 42% of women and 26% of men will face violence from an intimate partner. To ensure survivors are not further burdened at work, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen championed a new law to protect employees using workplace resources for documentation purposes.
"Survivors of domestic violence should not have to worry about workplace retaliation," said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). "Survivors should not be penalized for protecting themselves. This law can - and will - save lives."
Interesting New Laws for 2026
2026 is here, and with a new year comes new laws that will affect families in all corners of Illinois.
More than 250 new laws take effect this year - from one that bans discriminatory AI in the workplace to another that enhances missing persons investigations.
In this episode, learn about ten of the new laws taking effect in 2026.
In case you missed it
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Senator Cristina Castro, Elgin: Illinois State Fire Marshal to keep track of firefighter deaths | WICS News Channel 20
Senator Laura Ellman, Naperville: Lock 'em up: What state's new Safe Storage Act means for gun owners, safety | Daily Herald
Senator Doris Turner, Springfield: IL law requires guidance for AI in elementary, secondary education | WAND News
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Illinois Senate Democrats published this content on January 12, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 13, 2026 at 17:39 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]