During the 2026 legislative session, Representative Suzanne Ness focused her agenda on affordability, disability advocacy, ethics reform, environmental sustainability, mental health services, consumer protection, and local government accountability. Her legislative portfolio reflects a mix of constituent-focused initiatives and statewide policy reforms.

Several bills supported or sponsored by Representative Ness reached significant milestones during the session:

•  HB 762 (Regulation Technology) became Public Act 104-0445.
•  HB 1432 (ABLE Account Contributions) advanced through the legislative process and was promoted as a major disability advocacy initiative.
•  HB 1329 (Co-Responder Unit – McHenry County) passed the House and advanced to the Senate.
•  Multiple technology and consumer protection measures she co-sponsored passed both chambers or were enacted into law.

Affordability •  Tax relief, caregiver support, small business fee reductions
Disability Advocacy •  ABLE accounts, employment support, decision-making rights
Mental Health •  Expansion of co-responder crisis response programs
Ethics & Accountability •  County ethics commissions and election oversight
Environment •  Plastic bag reduction and sustainability initiatives
Consumer Protection •  Utility regulation, pricing transparency, technology oversight
Education & Libraries •  Digital resource accessibility and protection

HB4248 – Algorithmic Pricing Transparency Act

Purpose:
Creates the Algorithmic Pricing Transparency Act to regulate “surveillance pricing,” where online sellers use personal consumer data to adjust pricing.
Why It Matters:
•  Promotes fairness in online marketplaces
•  Protects consumers from hidden personalized pricing
•  Enhances transparency in digital commerce
Community Impact:
Provides greater clarity and consumer protections in a rapidly evolving online economy.

HB5236 – Digital Library Protection Act

Purpose:
Protects access to digital library materials and ensures equitable availability of digital resources for Illinois residents.
Why It Matters:
•  Expands access to educational materials
•  Supports libraries in the digital age
•  Promotes equitable information access
Status: Co-Sponsored
Community Impact:
Ensures residents, students, and families continue to benefit from modern, accessible library services.

HB1432 – ABLE Account Contributions

Purpose:
Expands opportunities for contributions to Illinois ABLE accounts, which help individuals with disabilities save money without jeopardizing benefits eligibility.
Why It Matters:
•  Supports long-term financial planning
•  Encourages financial independence
•  Assists families caring for loved ones with disabilities
•  Enhances economic security
Community Impact:
Provides individuals with disabilities and their families greater flexibility to save for future expenses.

HB1369 – Income Tax Caregivers

Purpose:
Provides tax relief for family caregivers who incur expenses while caring for aging parents, children with disabilities, or dependent relatives.
Why It Matters:
•  Recognizes unpaid caregiving responsibilities
•  Reduces financial burdens on families
•  Supports aging in place
•  Helps offset out-of-pocket caregiving costs
Community Impact:
Strengthens support systems for families providing essential care to loved ones.

HB1145 – Income Tax Employment Disabilities

Purpose:
Creates incentives that encourage employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Why It Matters:
•  Promotes workforce inclusion
•  Encourages economic independence
•  Expands employment opportunities
•  Supports employers who hire individuals with disabilities
Community Impact:
Helps create a more inclusive workforce while strengthening local economies.

HB1329 – Co-Responder Unit (McHenry County)

Purpose:
Supports the development and expansion of co-responder units in McHenry County, pairing law enforcement with mental health professionals to respond to crisis situations.
Why It Matters:
•  Improves crisis response outcomes
•  Connects individuals to appropriate mental health services
•  Reduces strain on law enforcement
Status: Passed the House
Community Impact:
Enhances public safety while ensuring individuals in crisis receive the care and support they need.

HB1146 – Plastic Bag Reduction Act

Purpose:
Amends the Solid Waste Planning and Recycling Act to phase out single-use plastic carryout bags statewide.
Why It Matters:
•  Reduces landfill waste and environmental pollution
•  Encourages reusable alternatives
•  Supports long-term sustainability goals
Community Impact:
Promotes environmental responsibility while supporting cleaner communities.

HB1314 – County Ethics Commission

Purpose:
Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act to allow governmental entities to establish ethics commissions to meet oversight requirements.
Why It Matters:
•  Strengthens accountability at the local level
•  Builds public trust in government
•  Creates structured ethics review mechanisms
Community Impact:
Supports transparent and ethical governance across Illinois communities.

HB1313 – Election Code: Equipment and Audits

Purpose:
Updates election administration procedures related to voting equipment and election audits.
Why It Matters:
•  Supports election integrity
•  Modernizes election operations
•  Enhances transparency
•  Improves voter confidence
Community Impact:
Helps ensure secure, reliable, and transparent elections throughout Illinois.

HB1144 – Residential Public Utility Services

Purpose:
Strengthens consumer protections related to residential utility services.
Why It Matters:
•  Protects utility customers
•  Increases service accountability
•  Improves consumer rights
•  Addresses utility-related concerns
Community Impact:
Helps households maintain access to essential utility services while ensuring fair treatment.

HB1604 – LLC Annual Report Fee Waiver

Purpose:
Provides annual report fee relief for qualifying limited liability companies.
Why It Matters:
•  Reduces costs for small businesses
•  Supports entrepreneurship
•  Lowers administrative burdens
•  Encourages business growth
Community Impact:
Helps local businesses retain resources for hiring, expansion, and investment.

HB762 – Regulation Technology

Purpose:
Modernizes state regulatory processes through technology improvements and streamlined administrative procedures.
Why It Matters:
•  Improves government efficiency
•  Modernizes public services
•  Reduces administrative delays
•  Enhances service delivery
Community Impact:
Creates a more responsive and efficient government for residents and businesses.

HB5513 – Hyperscale Data Centers (Supported Legislative Priority)

Purpose:
Establishes environmental, energy, water usage, and community-impact standards for large-scale data centers.
Why It Matters:
•  Protects local water resources
•  Encourages energy efficiency
•  Supports responsible economic development
•  Improves transparency for large infrastructure projects
Community Impact:
Balances economic growth with environmental stewardship and community protections.

On Tuesday, May 26, State Representative Suzanne Ness sang a Memorial Day tribute on the Illinois House floor in honor of the brave military personnel who gave their lives while serving our country. The tribute recognized the sacrifice and service of our fallen heroes and served as a moment of remembrance for those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation.

State Representative Suzanne Ness honored Beth Ryan, former Director of the Johnsburg Public Library, on the Illinois House floor for her years of dedicated public service and recognized her continued fight with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) during ALS Awareness Month. HR909 passed unanimously in the Illinois House to recognize Ryan’s outstanding career and honor her resilience following her ALS diagnosis earlier this year.

Representative Suzanne Ness presented House Resolution 876 on the House Floor, honoring the life and legacy of former Illinois State Representative Rosemary Magner Kurtz of Crystal Lake. Rep. Kurtz was a dedicated educator, environmental advocate, and public servant who spent decades fighting for her community and the people of McHenry County. Her legacy of leadership, service, and advocacy will continue to leave a lasting impact on Illinois.

“I’m proud to share that HB1329 has passed the House. This bill helps expand co-responder units in McHenry County, improving crisis response and connecting residents with critical mental health services.”

“HB4612 has passed the House and is now headed to the Senate. This bill helps protect homeowners by holding home service referral agencies to higher standards of transparency and accountability.”

February 23, 2026

In addition to filing legislation, Representative Ness has:
•  Met with municipal leaders across the district
•  Co-chaired the annual Conference of Women Legislators
•  Reviewed the Governor’s proposed 2026 budget to evaluate fiscal priorities

Representative Ness issued the following statement:

“I welcome the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down significant tariffs that were unconstitutionally implemented and raised costs for American families, manufacturers, and small businesses. While not an immediate fix, this is a step in the right direction for Americans who have borne the cost of these tariffs.”

This ruling represents progress toward easing cost pressures for Illinois families and businesses.