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Dear Neighbors,

After five months of work in Springfield, we concluded the legislative session by passing Illinois’ eighth consecutive balanced budget. This budget makes strategic investments in our communities, helps address challenges created by federal uncertainty, and strengthens our state's long-term fiscal stability.

I was especially proud to support the inclusion of the Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credit (IAHTC) and the FRESH Program in the FY27 budget. The IAHTC is a long-standing, bipartisan program that has helped create and preserve tens of thousands of affordable homes across Illinois, while the FRESH Program will help support families facing food insecurity. Together, these investments reflect our commitment to making Illinois a more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.

While this budget represents meaningful progress, there is more work ahead. I remain committed to pursuing policies that strengthen our state's finances, expand opportunity, and ensure that working and middle-class families are not asked to shoulder a disproportionate share of the burden.

I am also proud to have sent five bills to Governor Pritzker's desk to be signed into law. Keep reading to learn more about those measures, as well as other important legislation passed this year.

I look forward to spending more time back in the 85th District this summer and continuing conversations with many of you.

Warmly,

State Representative Dagmara Avelar
Illinois House District 85

REPRESENTATIVE AVELAR’S LEGISLATION GOING TO THE GOVERNOR

• HB4340- Improves the state’s grant making process to respond to concerns about delayed grant agreements, billing, and payments

• HB5317- Gives local communities tools and funding to clean up abandoned underground storage tanks and protect our environment

• HB5390- Streamlines the process to apply for financial assistance at hospitals to ensure greater accessibility

• SB3341- Clarifies Illinois law on minors’ consent to contraception and aligns it with existing Illinois treatment of related sensitive care

• SB3774- Clears up confusion around chronic absenteeism, ensuring students aren’t expelled for non-attendance

BILLS THAT PASSED THE HOUSE & SENATE

Healthcare

• SB3496- Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to review prescription drug prices and limit price hikes

• HB2371- Improves access to the 340B drug program and prevents pharmaceutical companies from dictating which drugs are on the 340B list

• HB4327- Creates a one time study of the 340B drug program to increase transparency on where cost savings are going

Affordability 

• HB4248- Prevents businesses from using AI surveillance pricing using consumer’s personal data

• HB4273- Prevents insurance companies from raising fire and extended coverage premiums more than 10% without at least a 60 day notice

• SB714- Prevents auto insurance companies from raising auto policies more than 10% without at least a 30 day notice

Consumer Protection

• SB318- Bans the use of automated softwares (bots) to purchase tickets on ticket selling platforms

• SB2909- Limits the use of AI in teacher evaluations

• SB3527-Prevents condominium and homeowners’ associations from attempting to collect an unpaid debt for assessments unless they have a written policy in place

• HB5511- Requires digital platforms to provide settings for age verification and default safety settings for minors

Public Safety

• SB3484- Regulates e-bikes and e-scooters to ensure safety on streets and sidewalks

Misc

• SB2427- Requires school boards to establish wireless device policies during instruction

• HB5090- Allows rideshare drivers to unionize

FY27 BUDGET

TAKE MY HOUSING SURVEY

I have launched a housing survey to ensure I get constituent feedback on the state of housing in Illinois and the 85th District specifically. I would encourage everyone to fill it out, so I can take the results back to Springfield to advocate for housing solutions that center our communities.

NEW PACE BUS CHANGES

Thanks to the historic investment in public transit last year, Pace is increasing bus-on-shoulder trips and making additional changes in our region to reduce travel times.

• Inbound:

  • 855 “X” trips will operate non-stop from Plainfield Park-n-Ride to Clark St and Cermak Rd.

  • Most inbound 851 trips will serve all stops except Burr Ridge. However, 851 “B” trips will still serve Burr Ridge.

  • To provide more consistent frequency, some trips will shift by up to 5 minutes.

• Outbound:

  • 855 “X” trips will operate non-stop from Michigan Ave and Van Buren St to Plainfield Park-n-Ride.

  • New outbound 851 trips will serve all stops except Burr Ridge.

  • Two outbound 850 trips will not serve Plainfield.

  • To provide more consistent frequency, some trips will shift by up to 5 minutes.

UPCOMING EVENTS & RESOURCES

Will County is updating its Land Resource Management Plan (LRMP) to balance future growth, preservation, and infrastructure alongside community priorities. Since 2002, the Land Resource Management Plan has guided County land use and development decisions. With new growth patterns and evolving infrastructure demands, this update will provide clear and practical guidance for the years ahead. Take the survey here!

Save Money and Energy at Home! 

ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas have partnered to help single family homeowners and renters save money and energy through the Home Energy Savings offering, while also promoting sustainability. This program offers free home assessments, free and discounted energy-saving products, tips and resources tailored to your individual needs.

The Home Energy Savings program offers: 

• FREE virtual, in-person, or self-assessments to identify energy-saving opportunities.

• Ready-to-use products like LEDs, showerheads, faucet aerators and pipe insulation. Products such as smart thermostats, and advanced power-strips are free to income eligible customers.

• Free deeper home improvements like attic and wall insulation, and even equipment upgrades (e.g. A/C, boiler, furnace, hot water heater) for income qualifying customers.

• Free improvements to increase air quality and home comfort.

• Customized educational resources and referrals for further support

Get started with your free energy assessment here or by calling 855-660-9378.

211 Help Line

I encourage people to take advantage of the 211 line and website. 211 is powered by real people — trained specialists who work to identify and address the root causes of a client’s problem. That means from the first hello, someone in crisis is reaching a real person who can provide a connection to help. Get help with food, clothing, shelter, housing, rent/utility assistance, counseling, substance abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, transportation, support groups, senior services, aging parents, child care, employment, legal assistance, and health care.Text 898211 for help.

Know Your Rights Information

We have seen an increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in and around the 85th District. It is important to know that everyone has rights when dealing with ICE and law enforcement.

• You have the right to remain silent, not answer questions, and not sign any documents

• You have the right to ask to speak to an attorney

• You have the right to clearly state if you are afraid to go back to your country of origin

• You have the right to ask to speak with the consulate from your country of citizenship

If you need assistance due to ICE detention or to report any suspected ICE sightings, call the Illinois Family Support Network Hotline at 855-435-7693. To view various Know Your Rights documents, click here. I will continue to share updates via social media.

Food Pantries

• Bolingbrook

• Bolingbrook SDA Church Food Pantry- 301 E. Boughton Rd. Bolingbrook

  1. No ID required, no residency requirements

  2. The Compass Church Bolingbrook- 151 E. Briarcliff Rd. Bolingbrook

  3. Must live in 60440, 60490, 60446

     1. ID or current document showing name and address required

  4. 4 K.I.D.S Sake- 192 Lily Cache Ave. Bolingbrook

  5. ID required, no residency requirements

• Crest Hill

• Family Outreach Program- 1701 N Larkin, Crest Hill

  1. Must live in 60403, 60435, 60431

     1. ID or utility bill required

• Joliet

• Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet- Various locations

  1. Open to anyone in need

  2. My Pantry Express Pickup Center- 171 S. Larkin Ave. Joliet

  3. Must create a my pantry express account and place an order 

  4. MorningStar Mission- 364 East Washington St. Joliet

  5. Open to Will County residents

     1. ID required

  6. Who We Are - Joliet Salvation Army, - 300 3rd Ave, Joliet, (815) 726-4834

  7. Food Pantry | St. John Lutheran Church Food Pantry | United States, - 2650 Plainfield Rd, Joliet, 815-439-2320

• Lockport

• First Baptist Church Food Pantry- 800 Thornton St. Lockport

  1. Must be a Will County resident

     1. 2 forms of ID required

  2. Lockport FISH Food Pantry- 1463 Farrell Rd. Lockport

  3. Must live in Lockport or Homer Township

     1. ID and two documents with address on them required

     2. Must meet income requirements

  4. Fairmont Food Pantry- 525 Barry Ave. Lockport

  5. No ID required, asked to provide birthday and address

• Naperville

• Loaves and Fishes Naperville Grocery Market- 1871 High Grove Ln. Naperville

  1. Shoppers limited to 1 adult/household

     1. Must meet income requirements

     2. ID required

• Romeoville

• DuPage Township Food Pantry- 719 Parkwood Ave. Romeoville

  1. Must live in DuPage Township, ID required 

     1. Allows a proxy form for pick up

     2. Must meet income requirements

  2. Romeoville Community Pantry- 2 Belmont Dr. Romeoville

  3. Must live in Romeoville, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Lemont, Lockport, Crest Hill

     1. ID and recent utility bill required

  4. St. Andrew the Apostle We Care Pantry- 219 Arlington Dr. Romeoville

  5. Must live in Romeoville

     1. ID and utility bill required

• Woodridge

• West Suburban Food Pantry- 6809 Hobson Valley. Dr Ste 118 Woodridge

  1. Online market for delivery

     1. Must live in DuPage or Will County

     2. Account required to shop online or in person - can designate a proxy to pick up on your behalf

• Will County Micro Pantries

• Micro Pantries are designed to allow anonymous food pick-up for those in need, and a drop-off point for those who wish to help. Many micro pantries are accessible 24 hours a day.