• HB2597 Invest in Kids Act: Brings parity to private schools that accept state tax credit scholarships and mandates that they must come into compliance with all provisions of federal and State laws and rules applicable to public schools. This is especially pertaining to special education and the instruction of English learners and provisions of the Illinois Humans Rights Act.

• HB3537 Crime Victims Rights: adds a new section to the Bill of Rights for Children providing that every child reported to the Department of Children and Family Services or law enforcement to be a victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse whose case is accepted by either agency has the right to have child’s forensic interview conducted by a forensic interviewer from a Children’s Advocacy center.

• HB3546 Ethics Legislative Commission: Makes changes to the state officials and employees ethics act. This bill allows for the appointment of a 9th commissioner to the Legislative Ethics Commission and allows for the LIG to issue subpoenas without the advance approval of the Legislative Ethics Commission. Requires the Legislative Ethics Commission to make any summary report of a current or former member of the General Assembly publicly available,.

• HB 804 Clean Energy Jobs Act: During the 2019 Illinois legislative session, Representative Ann Williams introduced the Clean Energy Jobs Act. This bill has now been reintroduced this session after last years truncated session. The implementation of this legislation, known commonly as CEJA, aims to put Illinois on the path to 100% renewable energy by 2050, cut carbon from the energy sector by 2030, and reduce gas and diesel vehicles from the transportation sector. Enacting clean renewable energy policies in the State is of vital importance. With CEJA, the new green economy would receive the assistance needed to flourish and the State would be able to ensure a more sustainable future. This means not only the expansion of green jobs but proactive measures to ensure the heightened prevalence of climate change issues are properly planned for and addressed here in the state of Illinois. Our State has continued to be challenged by the growing impact of climate change, taking the extraordinary temperatures, rise in Lake Michigan levels, and extreme weather events are examples of what Illinois has seen in recent years. Under Representative Williams leadership, I continue to support the introduction of clean environmental legislation into the current 102nd General assembly as time is of the essence and more imperative than ever. This bill is assigned to the Energy and Environment Committee March, 15 at 4pm and March 17 at 2pm. To watch the committee you can tune in here.

• HB 1871 Election Code Vote by Mail: Amends the Election Code to ensure that remaining funds received under the federal Help America Vote Act, are distributed to the State Board of Elections for maintenance and securing of drop off vote by mail boxes. Requires election authorities to accept ballots returned with insufficient or no postage. Allows election authorities to continue the use of permissive curb-side voting programs, which was also put in place for the 2020 General Election, addition to current state and federal laws requiring accommodations for persons with temporary or permanent disabilities. This bill has been assigned to the Ethics and Elections Committee and will be called for a hearing March 15 at 2pm. You can tune in here to watch the committee.

• HB158 Healthcare and Human Services Reform Act: Is the fourth and final pillar of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus's legislative agenda that was not called for a vote before the end of the 101st General Assembly. This bill contains provision addressing community health workers, hospital reform, medical implicit bias training, substance abuse and mental health, access to health care, hospital closures, managed care organization reform, and maternal and infant mortality. The intent of the bill is to remedy health care disparities and inequities among Black Illinoisans. This bill has been assigned to the Appropriations - Human Services committee and will be called for a hearing today, March 12 at 12pm. You can watch the committee here.