đź“ś New Year, New IL Laws for 2026
Dear Neighbor,
I hope you and your loved ones had a restful holiday season. I’m excited to welcome in the new year, but also shaken by the tragedies with which it has begun.
The murder of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis is an appalling crime. Though it’s shocking, it’s not surprising to us here in Chicago, where we witnessed a similar killing in September, as well as countless acts of inhumane violence against peaceful protesters by federal agents. We’re also familiar with the government lying in response — here, ICE originally claimed that an officer was struck by a car and dragged “a significant distance,” when later video revealed that to be flatly untrue.
I stand with my colleagues in Minnesota in demanding an immediate end to ICE deployments, not just in Minneapolis but in every city in this country. And I stand with our congressional leadership calling for the impeachment of Kristi Noem. Federal agents are terrorizing our communities, breaking apart our families, and killing our neighbors, and it needs to end.
Here in Illinois, we continue the fight for progress and justice in spite of what’s happening in Washington. With the start of the new year, several new Illinois laws went into effect that may directly impact our communities. Here’s a summary of just a few of these new provisions:
HB 3637: Allows medication approved by the FDA prior to January 1, 2025 to remain available despite any possible revocation from Trump/RFK
HB 3247: Prohibits denial of a free public education based on immigration status
HB 2755: Requires Illinois-based corporations to pay taxes on income generated overseas
SB 212: Requires employers to provide paid time off for women to pump for up to one year after their child’s birth. Employees cannot be forced to use paid leave to do so.
SB 1976: Preserves existing federal workplace safety standards in Illinois, even if the federal government repeals them
SB1697: Regulates pharmacy benefit managers and prevents them from abusing their position in order to price gouge for certain drugs
HB 3352: Establishes legal process to dispute charges/purchases victims were forced to incur
HB 2464: Prevents health insurers from charging patients out of network rates for neonatal care
I’ll be heading back to Springfield later this month for the start of session, and I’ll be sure to keep you updated about the legislative goings-on here. Please stay in touch with my office for any assistance navigating state programs or connections to other services and resources. You can reach us by phone or email at (773) 853-2570 and will@repguzzardi.com.
All my best,
Will
SNAP Updates
SNAP recipients can now check to see if they are subject to, are meeting, or may be eligible to seek an exemption from work requirements by using the ABE: SNAP Work Requirements screener.
Before the federal budget bill, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) applied to adults ages 18-54 who had:
No kids under 18 living at home
No disabilities
Now, more people must meet or be exempt from work requirements, like:
People who are homeless
People with kids at home who are only 14 or older
Veterans
People with no disabilities, ages 55-64
February 1: ABAWDs who do not meet or who are not exempt from work requirements may only get SNAP for 3 months in a 3-year period.
May 1: ABAWDs who do not meet or who are not exempt from work requirements will lose benefits.
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IHDS) has sent initial notices of these federal changes along with a copy of an exemption form, to all current and new ABAWDs. IDHS will also continue to provide updates here: snapfederalimpact.illinois.gov
LIHEAP Application for Utility Bill Assistance
Starting January 2, income-eligible households can apply for LIHEAP through Rincon Family Services, a proud CEDA partner. Make an appointment at their three locations throughout the city of Chicago by calling (312) 907-1517 or emailing utilityhelp@rinconfamilyservices.org.
IDHS Job Vacancies
Ready to make a difference in your community? At the Illinois Department of Human Services, you'll find truly rewarding career paths in fields like Healthcare, Medicine, Social Services, Technology, Business, Law, and more, available across the entire state. Join in-person or virtual recruitment presentations to explore open positions, learn about benefits offered, and get assistance with the application process. View current vacancies and apply for open positions here.
The Unsung Heroine Awards
In recognition of Women’s History Month, the Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues will recognize 18 women as the County’s “Unsung Heroines”. Nominees should be women who, in a professional or volunteer capacity, have made significant contributions to the well-being of their community for which they have not received widespread recognition. They should not be elected officials or Cook County employees. Nominations close at 5 pm on Thursday, January 15, and we encourage you to nominate a community leader today! Learn more and apply here.