LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

2026 Legislative Session Overview

The 2026 bill-filing deadline marked an important milestone in Springfield. This session, Representative Ness is advancing legislation focused on affordability, economic stability, and responsible governance.

Her 2026 legislative priorities include:
•  Addressing rising costs impacting working families
•  Safeguarding retirement security
•  Investing in transportation and infrastructure improvements
•  Strengthening support systems for veterans
•  Protecting essential services for vulnerable populations
•  Ensuring fiscal discipline and responsible budgeting

She remains committed to bipartisan collaboration to deliver meaningful, community-focused results during the 2026 session.

2026 Sponsored & Co-Sponsored Legislation

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.


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.

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.

HB4612 – Home Services Referral Act

Purpose:
Strengthens oversight and consumer protections related to home services referral agencies.
Why It Matters:
•  Protects consumers from misleading or unsafe referrals
•  Improves accountability within the home services industry
• Enhances transparency for homeowners
Status: Passed the House; now in the Senate
Community Impact:
Helps families make safer, more informed decisions when hiring home service providers.

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.

HB5513 – POWER Act

Purpose:
The POWER Act is currently being developed through ongoing collaboration with stakeholders and community members.
Why It Matters:
•  Reflects a community-driven approach to policymaking
•  Ensures legislation is thoughtful and responsive to real needs
Status: In development
Community Impact:
Demonstrates a commitment to inclusive policymaking and long-term solutions shaped by community input.

Recent Legislative Videos

HB1329 – Co-Responder Unit
(McHenry County)

“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 – Home Services Referral

“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.”

Springfield Update
Budget, Local Leaders & Women Legislators

February 23, 2026

Recent Legislative Activity – 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

Statement on Supreme Court Tariff Decision

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.

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

Illinois State Representative Suzanne Ness proudly serves as Chairperson of the Adoption and Child Welfare Committee, where she leads efforts to strengthen protections for children and support families across Illinois.

She also serves as Vice-Chairperson of the Appropriations – General Services Committee, helping oversee responsible budgeting and the effective use of taxpayer resources.

In addition, Representative Ness serves on the Appropriations – Health & Human Services, Counties & Townships, Energy & Environment, and Human Services Committees, where she works to advance policies that support local communities, protect essential services, promote sustainable energy solutions, and ensure Illinois families have access to the resources they need to thrive.

PASSED/OTHER LEGISLATION

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=136&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=HR&LegID=149457&SessionID=112 Declares the month of March 2023 as Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Expresses support for legislation to reduce Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) disparities in early detection and survival by improving education and awareness through health promotion initiatives targeting underserved communities that are disproportionately impacted.
● Resolution Adopted

SB2293 Allows the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to maintain the Youth in Care Fund for the purchase of immediate needs or immediate support for youth in care, families, or caregivers. Originated in the Senate with Senator Julie Morrison.
● Passed Both Houses

HB3224 Requires that as part of the transitioning period for a student with an individualized education plan (IEP), the parent and the student must be provided with the school district’s career, technical education opportunities and dual credit opportunities.
● Passed Both Houses

HB3140 Creates the End Youth Solitary Confinement Act to end the use of solitary confinement in juvenile facilities with detainees under 18.
● Passed Both Chambers

HB2800 Authorizes quick take proceedings for multiple properties for two projects: one in Menard County for the purpose of reconstructing the Athens Blacktop corridor and one in McHenry County for purposes of the Randall Road Corridor Improvement Project.
● Passed Both Chambers, Sent to Gov.

HB2569 Requires all state agencies and local governments to use compost products unless they are not available or do not comply with federal or state health standards.
● Passed House, Re-referred to Assignments in Senate

HB2474 Updates the maximum number of children that are allowed in daycare facilities from 12 to 14 in total. The goal is to have an additional assistant present at the daycare facility if the facility cares for more than 12 children.
• Passed House, Third Reading in Senate

SB2969 amends the Illinois Insurance Code to provide that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2023 shall provide coverage for continuous glucose monitors. Makes conforming changes in the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code.
Filed with Secretary by Sen. Julie A. Morrison

HB3296 amends the School Code. Requires a school district to offer a program to prepare students enrolled in grades 6 through 12 for a career and technical education pathway by introducing students to career exploration opportunities that allow students to explore a wide variety of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand career fields. Sets forth what a school district shall provide in its career and technical education pathway program. Provides for rule making. Effective immediately.

Amends the Secretary of State Act. Provides that the Secretary of State has the duty to accept service of process only in those specifically mandated areas of the law and as determined by the General Assembly. Provides that the Secretary is not the default agent for service of process in the State of Illinois and makes other changes.

HB2433 is a first step to explore collaborative opportunities for local county health departments to work with the State in improving response times and mitigation of nursing home complaints. Residents and their families deserve the sense of security knowing they are being cared for in the best manner possible. This bill also adds accountability requiring the State to report to the GA regarding nursing home complaints.

HB2741 will serve as an important tool for those who work to protect children in our community. This bill is an example of how different groups can come together to ensure that policies and laws do what they are intended to do. Thank you to Beth Vonau for bringing this important issue to my attention.

HB2748 allows for an additional year of in-person learning for students with developmental disabilities, and their families, who have “aged-out” of their schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic. That last year is vital to what comes next for many of these students.

SB1977: DHFS Long-Term Care Services
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to apply for all available federal funding to promote community inclusion and integration for persons with disabilities, regardless of age, and older adults so that those persons have the option to transition out of institutions and receive long-term care services and supports in the settings of their choice.