Weekly Update!
I hope you enjoyed your weekend. Things are really picking up at the Capitol as we head into the fifth week of session. Thank you for staying informed, and I look forward to sharing more about what we’ve been working on this week.
Topics below include:
- Legislation Introduced for Stronger Protections for Students Following Sexual Assaults in Schools
- Legislation Proposed to Boost Illinois Engineering Talent Pipeline
- Lawmakers Push Bipartisan Energy Choice Package to Protect Reliability and Affordability
- Pressure Mounts in Springfield as Indiana Courts the Bears
- Nominations Open for 7th Annual Makers Madness Competition
- Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Illinois
Legislation Introduced for Stronger Protections for Students Following Sexual Assaults in Schools
Senate Republicans are backing legislation to strengthen protections for students and ensure tougher consequences for sexual assault in schools.
I co-sponsored Senate Bill 2991 that would require a student who commits sexual assault or attempted sexual assault to be expelled for at least one year if the incident occurs at school, during a school-sponsored activity or event, or at any activity that has a reasonable relationship to school.
Supporters say the legislation is needed to better protect victims and hold offenders accountable. The proposal follows a troubling case in Illinois in which a young girl was sexually assaulted at school, yet the attacker was neither suspended nor expelled, despite admitting to the offense. According to the victim’s parents, they were forced to repeatedly seek court-issued orders of protection to keep their daughter safe.
The measure would align school responses to sexual assault with existing Illinois laws regarding weapons in schools. Under current statutes, students who bring a deadly weapon to school are subject to a mandatory one-year expulsion.
Senate Bill 2991 has been assigned to the Senate Criminal Law Committee.
Legislation Proposed to Boost Illinois Engineering Talent Pipeline
Senate Republicans have introduced legislation aimed at supporting Illinois engineering students and helping connect them to in-demand careers in the state’s workforce after graduation.
Senate Bill 3855 would create the Engineering Students of Illinois Scholarship Act to provide scholarships for engineering students attending an Illinois public university. In return, participating students would agree to work for the Illinois Department of Transportation for at least three years after graduation.
Supporters say the proposal is designed to address a growing shortage in the engineering profession and help ensure Illinois has the skilled workforce needed to deliver critical infrastructure projects. The engineering industry contributes $20.7 billion annually to Illinois’ gross domestic product and supports more than 182,000 jobs statewide.
Lawmakers note that Illinois, like much of the nation, is feeling the effects of an engineering workforce gap as experienced engineers retire and fewer graduates enter the profession to replace them. Recent national data shows that about 184,000 engineers retired or left the profession in recent years, while only 166,000 new graduates entered the workforce, resulting in an annual shortfall of roughly 18,000 engineers.
Senate Bill 3855 has been introduced in the Illinois Senate and is currently awaiting committee assignment. If enacted, the Engineering Students of Illinois Scholarship Act would be administered through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission from July 1, 2027, through July 1, 2031.
Lawmakers Push Bipartisan Energy Choice Package to Protect Reliability and Affordability
A bipartisan group of Illinois lawmakers gathered at the State Capitol this/last week to unveil a legislative package aimed at protecting energy affordability and reliability as Illinois moves more toward electrification.
The bipartisan set of lawmakers noted that Illinois is already facing rising energy costs and growing concerns about grid stability. A recent state resource adequacy study warned of tightening capacity margins and potential reliability challenges in the coming years if infrastructure decisions are not carefully managed.
According to them, the package is designed to maintain Illinois’ existing energy infrastructure, prevent unnecessary cost burdens on families and small businesses, and protect vulnerable and low-income residents from higher utility bills.
The legislation includes:
- Senate Bill 3970 and Senate Bill 3979, which require thorough studies and reviews of customer bill impacts before large-scale gas transition projects are approved.
- Senate Bill 3929, which extends closure dates set in CEJA for power plants by 10 additional years.
- Senate Bill 4028, which modernizes outdated interconnection rules that contribute to project delays and inconsistent upgrade costs.
Natural gas continues to play a critical role in Illinois’ energy system by providing reliable, on-demand power that stabilizes the grid during peak demand and extreme weather conditions. I believe that this bipartisan package seeks to promote balanced energy policy grounded in affordability, infrastructure readiness, and long-term grid stability.
Pressure Mounts in Springfield as Indiana Courts the Bears
Following Indiana lawmakers’ action to advance a potential stadium project, we’re seeing just how serious the competition has become for the Chicago Bears.
As I see it, this situation reflects the broader challenges Illinois families and employers are facing. Property taxes continue to rise, utility bills are increasing, and the overall cost of doing business in our state remains high. When neighboring states move quickly and aggressively to attract investment, we cannot afford to stand still.
Illinois has tremendous strengths, from our workforce to our infrastructure and central location. But those advantages must be paired with policies that improve affordability and restore competitiveness. If we want to keep major institutions here, we have to create an environment where businesses and families feel confident about Illinois’ future.
Nominations Open for 7th Annual Makers Madness Competition
The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association has launched the 7th annual Makers Madness: The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois competition, a statewide contest highlighting the products manufactured in Illinois and the workers who power the state’s manufacturing sector.
The competition shines a spotlight on the more than 650,000 men and women working in manufacturing across Illinois and recognizes the innovation, craftsmanship, and economic impact of the industry. From advanced machinery to lifesaving technology, manufacturers across the state continue to produce world-class goods that strengthen Illinois’ economy and communities.
Previous winners have included Caterpillar’s 797F Mining Truck, Rivian’s R1T all-electric pickup truck manufactured in Normal, the Rosenberg Space Habitat made by Ingersoll Machine Tools in Rockford, and Komatsu’s Mining Truck manufactured in Peoria. Last year’s winner was the Aerial Firefighting Helicopter Refill Pump manufactured by MTH Pumps in Plano.
The competition is a great opportunity to recognize the hardworking men and women who keep Illinois manufacturing strong and to showcase the innovation taking place in communities across the state.
Nominations are open February 16 through March 8 at makersmadnessil.com.
Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Illinois
I am proud to support and promote District 53’s exciting and inspiring children’s literacy program, The Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Illinois, which provides children in our community with brand-new, free, age-appropriate books each month. Through the DPIL program, families have an accessible and affordable way to foster a love of reading and help their children learn and grow.
Thanks to the program’s partnership with the Imagination Library in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties, more than 1,200 children have already enrolled and begun receiving books this past year. Beyond delivering books to homes, this initiative has strengthened connections across our counties and created meaningful opportunities for families to engage together.
Families have described the program as “a way to bond, to laugh, to learn, and to dream together,” calling it “an incredible opportunity for children in our community.” Many also note that participating children are better prepared for school as a result.
Expanding early childhood literacy across Illinois is a priority of mine, and programs like this demonstrate the powerful impact we can have when we invest in our children’s futures.
We invite you to visit your local program, where you can see the impact of the Imagination Library. Here is your local program partner contact information:
I hope you take advantage of this amazing program!
Red for American Heart Month
Everyone at the Capitol wore red last week because February is American Heart Month. It’s a reminder to slow down, check in on our health, and talk about heart disease, especially since it remains the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Knowing your risk, managing your blood pressure, and recognizing symptoms can truly save lives.
You can learn more about American Heart Month and heart-healthy living through the American Heart Association.
Have a great rest of your week! If you ever need anything, please reach out to my office! We are happy to help! See locations and contacts below.
Senator Chris Balkema