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Dear Neighbors,

Last week we reached a crucial deadline in the Spring 2026 Legislative Session - 3rd Reading Deadline for House Bills. This deadline is for legislators to advance their bills out of the house and to the senate to continue the legislative process.

I advanced 4 bills out of the house, which you can read about below. I am continuing to work on other pieces of legislation, receiving subject matter hearings and meeting with stakeholders.

Continue reading to read about some of the other bills that passed out of the house this session.

During the month of May I will be working on the FY27 state budget and continuing legislative action on senate bills that have arrived in the house.

Warmly,

State Representative Dagmara Avelar
Illinois House District 85

REPRESENTATIVE AVELAR’S LEGISLATION

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

• HB958- Improves IDOT procurement rules to keep projects moving, unlock federal funds, and save taxpayers money

• HB5071- Allows the Illinois Tollway to establish bilingual pay for employees

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

BILLS THAT PASSED THE HOUSE

Healthcare

• HB3392- Requires Assisted Living Facilities to complete a comprehensive health assessment of prospective residents by a physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse prior to admission, and annually thereafter

• HB5225- Allows qualified Speech Language Pathologists to diagnose autism spectrum disorders, and sets provisions for treatments covered with insurance

• HB3605- Sets provisions to require insurance to cover genetic testing and evidence based screenings for cancer

• HB5295- Requires health information exchanges to segregate medical information related to abortion care and restrict access to out of state entities 

Affordability 

• HB4157- Increases income eligibility for vehicle registration discounts for seniors and individuals with disabilities

• HB4571- Allows counties with 750,000-2 million residents to increase affordable housing supply through financial incentives, property transfers, and land bank creations

• HB4456- Expands the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) income eligibility and freezes utility surcharge rates

• HB3564- Bans several types of junk fees charged by landlords and caps application fees at $50

• • This bill has passed both chambers and moves on to the Governor for his signature

Consumer Protection

• HB4461- Restricts hospitals from placing a lien upon a patient's primary residence for unpaid medical debt

• SB2427- Requires school boards to adopt and implement a cell phone policy in schools, including when devices can be used during school time

• HB5511- Sets requirements for social media platforms to keep minors safe on their platform

• HB4514- Requires utility companies to alert their ratepayers of their right to request a public forum when there is a rate increase request

• HB5449- Requires Homeowners Associations to operate a website that’s accessible to members that includes information about meetings, agendas, and minutes. Requires financial statements be provided annually to members

• HB4702- Requires diaper manufacturers to print a list of all ingredients used

• HB799- Ensures a tax liability is sold fairly in court, and any extra money after taxes and fees goes to the homeowner. Brings the state into compliance with Supreme Court decision Commissioner v. Zuch

Public Safety

• HB5107- Creates Alyssa’s Law, requiring school districts to consider using mobile panic alert systems for school emergencies, which would alert first responders of emergency situations faster

• HB2273- Restricts law enforcement, and other parties, from taking physical possession of a device while checking a mobile identification card

• HB4990- Requires higher education institutions to include sexual harassment in their comprehensive policy, including timelines for complaint resolution, protective measures, and handling distribution of digitall altered sexual images

• HB4255- Prohibits traveling acts with large, non-domestic cats, including tigers, cougars, and more

• HB5024- Prohibits detention centers near schools, parks, houses, and places of worship

Government Accountability

• HB2137- Requires local governments with websites to publish audit information and financial reports

• HB957- Requires state agencies to review and transmit invoices to the Comptroller within 30 days of receipt

Misc

• HB4758- Prohibits employers from requiring a valid driver’s license, unless driving is an essential function of the posted job. If driving is essential, the employer must include a brief description explaining why it is necessary

• HB5045- Allows the Treasurer to develop a non-profit investment pool to enhance investment opportunities for non-profit organizations

• HB5236- Prohibits book publishers from charging libraries more than the public for e-books

• HB910- Gives local communities tools to attract large economic development, negotiate property taxes, and establish special taxing districts

TAKE OUR 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.

APRIL WEEKLY RECAPS

UPCOMING EVENTS & RESOURCES

Job Opportunities 

Secretary of State: Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office is now accepting applications for its fourth annual summer job program.

Approximately 120 paid positions are available for college, trade school and graduate students, as well as graduating high school seniors who will be enrolled in college or trade school in the fall. A limited program is also available for 25 high school students ages 16 and older. Positions are offered across the Secretary of State’s 25 departments and at DMV facilities throughout the state.

“Our summer job program gives students a chance to gain real-world experience while supporting the essential services our office provides to Illinois residents,” Giannoulias said. “Participants build practical skills, earn money and get an inside look at how public service can make a difference in their communities.”

Along with building job and people skills for students, the program bolsters the office’s customer service efforts during the busy summer months.

Positions are available at Secretary of State facilities in Chicago, the surrounding suburbs, Springfield and locations throughout downstate Illinois. High school students earn $17 per hour, while college and trade school students earn $18 per hour. Graduate and law school students in select contractual positions earn $25 per hour.

Applications will be accepted beginning March 12, 2026, at ilsos.gov/summerjobs. Applicants must submit a resume, completed application and a cover letter describing their interest in working at the Secretary of State’s office. Applicants may list up to three preferred work locations.

Summer employees can begin their employment as early as May 18, 2026.

Department of Human Services: The Illinois Department of Human Services is hiring Social Services Career Trainees

The salary range is $56,964-$77,352

Multiple positions and locations are available. No experience required. Bilingual is a plus

More information 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.