Senate Republicans Push to Strengthen Protections for Illinois Children
Senate Republicans are renewing efforts to advance several pieces of legislation aimed at protecting Illinois children from sexual exploitation, trafficking, grooming, and assault.
The three proposals address different gaps and concerns in Illinois law but share a common focus on strengthening protections for children and victims.
Recent allegations involving a Mundelein teacher and volleyball coach have renewed attention on Senate Bill 2381, legislation filed by State Senator Darby Hills to address sexually motivated unauthorized recordings of minors.
Under current law, a conviction for unauthorized video recording of a minor does not by itself trigger sex offender registration. Senate Bill 2381, cosponsored by State Senator Sally Turner, would make the offense registrable when the victim was under 18, the defendant was an adult, and a court determines the offense was sexually motivated.
Senate Republicans are also pushing Senate Bill 3094, filed by State Senator Sue Rezin and cosponsored, to strengthen protections against child trafficking and grooming.
The legislation would prohibit individuals charged with involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, trafficking in persons involving a victim under 18, or grooming from pleading down to lesser offenses. It would also create additional restrictions intended to keep convicted child sex offenders away from facilities providing entertainment exclusively for minors.
A third proposal focuses on sexual assault involving students.
Senate Bill 939, filed by State Senator Steve McClure and cosponsored by State Senator Sally Turner, would generally require a student determined to have initiated sexual assault or attempted sexual assault against another student to be expelled for at least one year when the offense occurs at school, a school-sponsored activity or event, or another activity or event reasonably related to school. The legislation contains procedures allowing the punishment to be modified under certain situations. The legislation was developed following reports involving students who were sexually assaulted but continued attending school with the students responsible for the assaults.
None of the three measures has yet passed both chambers of the General Assembly.
Senate Republicans say the proposals demonstrate areas where lawmakers can strengthen protections for children by closing gaps in existing law, imposing appropriate consequences for serious offenses, and ensuring victims and their safety remain at the center of the response.
State Senator Sally Turner says the bills may address different situations, but they all share the same goal of protecting children, standing with victims, and taking action before another family is forced to ask why more wasn’t done.
Republicans Call for Repeal of New Taxes and Fees
House and Senate Republicans joined together to call for the repeal of new taxes and fees approved as part of Illinois’ Fiscal Year 2027 revenue package.
The measures target digital assets, targeted digital advertising, exchange wagers and fantasy sports. Republican lawmakers say the new taxes represent another attempt to find additional sources of state revenue rather than addressing Illinois’ spending.
The repeal effort comes as some of the new taxes and fees are already facing legal challenges.
Lawsuits were filed challenging the Digital Asset Tax and Targeted Advertising Services Tax. The lawsuits allege the measures violate federal law and constitutional protections. Those claims remain pending, and the courts will ultimately determine their merits.
The Targeted Advertising Services Tax drew questions about potential litigation even before it was enacted. When Democrats approved the FY27 budget, they did not plan to collect revenue from the new tax during the fiscal year because a legal challenge was expected.
State Senator Sally Turner says Illinois taxpayers should not be asked to shoulder the cost of defending new and legally contested taxes while state government continues searching for additional sources of revenue. She says House and Senate Republicans are instead calling for the new measures to be repealed.
Republican lawmakers say repealing the five measures would eliminate new tax burdens and avoid additional uncertainty surrounding their legal challenges.
Senate Republicans Renew Call for Pritzker to Give Illinois Families Access to Federal Scholarships
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service released new proposed regulations on October 1, outlining how the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program will operate when it begins January 1, 2027.
The new federal program allows taxpayers to receive a federal tax credit for qualifying contributions to scholarship granting organizations, which can then provide scholarships to eligible students for qualified elementary and secondary education expenses. Individual taxpayers may claim a credit of up to $1,700.
The newly released guidelines establish rules that:
- Make it easier for eligible families to qualify by simplifying income and eligibility requirements.
- Prevent participating states from placing additional restrictions on scholarship granting organizations beyond federal requirements.
- Allow more scholarship organizations, including multistate organizations, to participate.
- Allow unused credits to be carried forward for up to five years.
- Establish reporting, verification and audit requirements aimed at preventing fraud, duplicate payments, and misuse of scholarship funds.
The U.S. Treasury and the IRS also released companion temporary regulations providing states and scholarship granting organizations with procedures needed to prepare for the program’s 2027 launch. Those rules address state elections, certification of scholarship organizations, electronic registration, donor acknowledgements and reporting requirements.
Thirty states have already formally elected to participate in the program for 2027, but Illinois has not.
Senate Republicans have repeatedly called on Gov. JB Pritzker to opt Illinois into the program and have introduced legislation that would allow Illinois families to participate. The program is funded through private contributions incentivized by a federal tax credit and does not reduce existing state appropriations for Illinois public schools.
Pritzker previously pointed to wanting established federal rules as one reason for not committing Illinois to the program. With those rules now released, Senate Republicans say that explanation is no longer on the table and are pushing the Governor to opt in.
They argue that continued inaction would leave Illinois families on the sidelines while families in dozens of other states gain access to scholarships that could help cover educational expenses.
State Senator Sally Turner said that for families struggling to afford additional educational resources, a scholarship could open doors that otherwise remain closed. She said now that the rules are out, Governor Pritzker should opt Illinois in to the program and give parents and students access to these opportunities.
LIHEAP Funds Now Available
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is encouraging eligible families to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for support with utility costs.
Applications opened October 1, 2026, and will remain open through August 13, 2027, or until funds are exhausted. A total of $240 million is available to assist eligible Illinois families.
Assistance is provided through a priority application system, with eligible applicants beginning with:
- Adults age 60 and older
- Individuals with a disability
- Families with children age five or younger
- Households that are disconnected from their utilities, have received a disconnection notice, or have less than 25 percent remaining in their propane tank
All other income-eligible households can begin applying November 1, 2026.
State Senator Sally Turner said Illinois families are facing high energy costs that can put added pressure on household budgets and that a particularly high utility bill can force difficult choices about where to cut back.
For more information on eligibility or to submit an application, visit the DCEO’s website or call 1-833-711-0374.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign focused on raising awareness about breast cancer, encouraging early detection, and connecting individuals with screening and support resources.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in eight women will be faced with a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, and an estimated 382,640 women in the United States will be diagnosed with the disease this year.
Breast cancer is also the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Public Health reports that more than 10,000 women in the state are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. And the disease does not just impact women, with men also being susceptible to the disease.
Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, individuals are encouraged to learn about risk factors, recognize potential warning signs, and talk with their healthcare providers about when breast cancer screening may be appropriate.
As a 15-year breast cancer survivor, State Senator Sally Turner says she understands firsthand the importance of awareness, early detection, and ensuring people have access to the information and resources they need.
For more information about breast cancer and available screening resources, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Illinois Archery Deer Season Opens
Illinois bowhunters can take to the field as archery deer season is now underway statewide.
The season opened October 1 and runs in most counties through mid-January, with breaks during portions of the firearm deer season.
Hunters are reminded that Illinois limits the harvest of antlered deer to no more than two per year across all deer seasons combined, including youth, archery, muzzleloader and firearm seasons.
Before heading out, hunters are encouraged to review the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Archery Deer Hunting Rules and Regulations for information on legal hunting devices, hunting hours, clothing requirements, permits, licenses, stamps, and other regulations.
For more information about archery deer season, contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at 217-782-6302 or dnr.hunting@illinois.gov.
Upcoming Events
Over the next couple of weeks, State Senator Sally will be hosting a variety of events, from Coffee and Conversations to a Blood Drive.
- October 7 from 8 to 9 a.m.: Coffee and Conversation with State Senator Neil Anderson and Pekin Mayor Mary Burress – Coffee Connection, 404 Court St., Pekin, IL.
- October 7 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.: Coffee and Conversation with State Senator Neil Anderson and Marquette Heights Mayor Dale Little – Community Center (Liberty Hall), 100 Lincoln Rd., Marquette Heights, IL.
- October 13 from 9 to 10 a.m.: Medicare 101 & Senior Fraud Protection Seminar – Oasis Senior Center, 2810 Woodlawn Rd., Lincoln, IL.
- October 15 from 9 to 10 a.m.: Medicare 101 with State Representative Regan Deering – Kirby Medical Center (Community Outreach Room), 1000 Medical Center Dr., Monticello, IL. (RSVPs Requested)
- October 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Community Blood Drive – Parking Lot of 120 S. McLean St., Lincoln, IL. (RSVPs Requested)
All events are free and open to the public. For additional information, including RSVP requirements, please visit my events page.