Senator Lewis Breaks Down the Budget on “Illinois Insider” Podcast
The Illinois Insider podcast is gaining in popularity because it is a no-nonsense discussion of activity under the Capitol dome in Springfield. The week after the budget was passed I had an opportunity to talk with host Mark Hespen to break down the budget that was passed in the overnight hours of May 31 and June 1.
If you have not subscribed to this podcast I would encourage you to do so. Here are the links to check out the interviews and clips for yourself.
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Senior Expo Set for June 24 in Wheaton
My staff and I are putting the finishing touches on a Senior Expo that will take place this Wednesday, June 24 in Wheaton. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. In addition to the over 70 vendors, who all cater to the needs of older Illinoisans, non-perishable food and toiletry items will be collected and delivered to the Milton Township Food Pantry. Click here to view the list of event participants (subject to change) and click here to view a list of needed items for the pantry.
- June 24: Senior Expo in Wheaton
- July 11: Electronics Recycling in Wheaton
- July 14: ICASH/Unclaimed Property in Wood Dale
- July 30: Senior Resource Fair in Roselle
- August 5: ICASH/Unclaimed Property in Warrenville
- August 12: IPASS on Demand in Winfield
- August 15: Document Shredding & Food Collection Drive in Carol Stream
- August 20: Disability Resource & Job Placement Fair in Carol Stream
- August 29: Kids Safety Exp in Bloomingdale
You can learn more about these events on the Events page of my website. New events are added regularly, so please visit the site often to remain up to date on outreach events near you.
Lewis Supports Safeguards to Help Keep Children Safe Online
In the early hours of June 1, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation designed to strengthen online protection for children and provide parents with additional tools to help keep their families safe in the digital age. I was proud to support this important legislation.
House Bill 5511, known as the Children’s Online Safety Act, establishes new safeguards for minors on social media platforms, including enhanced privacy protections, expanded parental controls, and restrictions on certain interactions between minors and adults.
The bill addresses growing concerns about online safety and the impact social media and technology can have on young people. The measure is intended to give families additional resources to navigate an increasingly digital world while helping protect children from harmful online interactions.
Lewis Secures Critical Funding for Fire/EMS Small Equipment Grants for 24th District
The Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal recently announced the recipients of its 2026 Small Equipment Grant Program, awarding $6 million to 260 fire departments, fire protection districts, and EMS providers across Illinois. Of this total, I am pleased to report that $129,271.97 is headed toward agencies in the 24th Senate District.
The grants, which provide up to $26,000 per recipient, help first responders purchase essential firefighting and ambulance equipment that may otherwise be difficult to fund through local budgets. Awards in this area include:
- Bartlett Fire Protection District: $17,645.97
- West Chicago Fire Protection District: $15,975
- Wood Dale Fire Protection District #1: $20,000
- Bensenville Fire Protection District #2: $26,000
- Addison Fire Protection District: $24,835
- Carol Stream Fire District: $24,816
Lewis: Out and About in the 24th District
Now that we are back in our home districts, I have been spending a lot of time meeting with constituents about issues that are important to them, presenting congratulatory certificates and resolutions, speaking to business and other groups, and having a presence at community events.
In the collage above, I am shown (L-R) with State Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro as we present Itasca School District 10 Superintendent Craig Benes with a congratulatory resolution on his upcoming retirement, at a Multi-Chamber of Commerce End of Session Recap Breakfast that included members from the Bloomingdale, Roselle, Bartlett and Carol Stream Chambers, and at the Warrenville Park District Multicultural Festival. Over the last few weeks, I also met with NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) DuPage, with the Roselle Fire Protection District, and toured Oakwood Park in Winfield.
Lewis Supports Consumer Protections for Ticket Buyers
As we wrapped up the spring 2026 legislative session, we also approved two measures aimed at strengthening consumer protections in the online ticket sales and resale market. I was pleased to support both bills.
Senate Bill 318 creates the Prohibition on Bots Purchasing Tickets Act, which targets the use of automated software, commonly known as “bots,” to purchase event tickets online. The legislation prohibits the use of bots or other automated programs that replicate human activity to buy more tickets than the posted purchase limits allow.
House Bill 4984 updates the state’s ticket resale laws by addressing a growing concern in the online ticket marketplace known as “ghost ticketing.” Under this bill, a seller would be prohibited from offering or selling a ticket they do not actually own or have in their possession.
The aim of both bills is to reduce fraud, prevent misleading resale practices, improve transparency in ticket availability, and give Illinois consumers greater confidence when purchasing tickets online.
SB 318 and HB 4984 should be signed into law this summer.
Revised Senior Driving Law Among New Laws Taking Effect July 1
While most new laws in Illinois take effect on January 1, some measures are scheduled to align with the start of the state’s fiscal year on July 1.
Among the new laws taking effect is House Bill 1226, a long-overdue measure aimed at ending an unfair and discriminatory requirement placed on senior drivers.
Under current law, Illinois drivers aged 79 and older are required to take a behind-the-wheel driving test when renewing their driver’s license. House Bill 1226 raises that age threshold to 87, ensuring that older drivers are not automatically subjected to additional testing based solely on age.
Senate Republicans have long argued that age alone should not determine whether a driver is required to take an additional road test. Instead, the focus should be on a person’s actual ability to safely operate a vehicle.
The new law also creates a process allowing immediate family members to request that the Secretary of State’s Office review a driver if they have observed cognitive or medical concerns that could affect the person’s ability to drive safely, regardless of age. If a report is found credible, the driver may be required to complete written, vision, and behind-the-wheel testing to maintain their license.
House Bill 1226 was signed into law on August 15, 2025, and will officially take effect on July 1, 2026.
Senator Lewis Supports Creation of Department of Early Childhood
Beginning July 1, the Illinois Department of Early Childhood is set to become fully operational, marking the next phase in the state’s effort to consolidate early childhood programs and services under one agency. I was proud to support this important legislation when it came before the Senate.
The department was created in 2024 through Senate Bill 1, also known as the Department of Early Childhood Act. Under the transition, the new department will take over several programs that were previously housed across three separate state agencies: the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Those responsibilities include the Early Childhood Block Grant at ISBE, which funds Preschool for All and Prevention Initiative programs; the Child Care Assistance Program, home-visiting programs and Early Intervention services currently at IDHS; and day care licensing, which has been managed by DCFS.
The department began operating in a limited capacity in 2024, while existing agencies continued administering programs during the transition. The full transfer of programs is scheduled to take effect with the start of fiscal year 2027 on July 1.
County Fairs Kick Off Across Illinois
Across Illinois, communities are gearing up for one of the state’s favorite summer traditions as county fairs prepare to showcase local agriculture, small businesses, entertainment, and the people who help drive Illinois’ rural economy.
With more than 100 county fairs held across the state each year, fairgrounds are set to come alive with livestock shows, carnival rides, food vendors, grandstand events, and opportunities for families to celebrate the best of Illinois agriculture.
For more information on your local 2026 County Fair Schedule visit Illinois Department of Agriculture 2026 County Fair Schedule.