Federal Lawsuit Challenges Illinois Law Giving Financial Aid to Undocumented Students
Illinois is once again facing a federal lawsuit over its immigration policies, this time for offering taxpayer-funded financial aid and in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. Earlier this summer, Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 460 into law, expanding state scholarships and grants to include undocumented immigrants beginning next year.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice filed suit against Illinois, Governor Pritzker, and Attorney General Kwame Raoul, arguing the law violates federal statutes that prohibit giving benefits to individuals in the country illegally that are not equally provided to U.S. citizens. Federal officials say the law discriminates against students from other states who are legally in the U.S. but do not receive the same financial breaks Illinois is now promising to undocumented immigrants.
The lawsuit contends that Illinois’ policy not only conflicts with federal law but also shifts the financial burden onto taxpayers while incentivizing more illegal immigration.
This latest lawsuit is further proof that Governor Pritzker’s policies are putting the interests of those here illegally ahead of hardworking Illinois families. I believe taxpayer-funded financial aid should be reserved for U.S. citizens and legal residents, not used to create additional incentives for illegal immigration.
Have You Switched Out Your IPASS Transponder for the New Stickers Yet?
My next outreach events are a pair of IPASS on Demand Events in Fox Lake and Lindenhurst. If you have not yet switched out your plastic IPASS transponders for the new sticker technology, these events are for you! If you plan to attend, please bring your plastic transponder(s) with you and jot down your license plate number(s) to ensure quick service.
Other upcoming outreach events include:
- September 23: Constituent Services Event with Senator Wilcox and Cary Mayor Mark Kownick, Cary Municipal Center, 755 Georgetown Drive, Cary, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- September 30: Medicare 101, Harrison School (Use Entrance #1), 6809 McCullom Lake Rd, Wonder Lake, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- October 14: Senior Resource Fair, Grand Oaks Recreation Center, 1401 IL-176, Crystal Lake, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
New events are added regularly, so please visit the Events page of my website regularly to be kept up to date about events taking place near you.
New Legislation Seeks to Provide Relief to Middle-Class Illinoisans Struggling with Soaring Utility Bills
In response to the recent spike in electricity rates throughout the entire state, newly filed Senate Republican legislation seeks to provide much-needed relief for Illinois families struggling with rising utility bills. I am a proud co-sponsor of this bill.
Senate Bill 2687, also known as the Home Utility Relief Act, creates a Home Utility Rebate Program through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The program would provide rebates to households with incomes between 100% and 500% of the federal poverty guidelines. These are families who often earn too much to qualify for traditional low-income assistance programs but are still burdened by rapidly rising energy costs.
The measure establishes a $500 million Home Utility Rebate Relief Fund to be used in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. After rebates are issued to qualifying households, any remaining funds may also be made available to certain first-time small business owners.
Families across the state are already struggling to keep up with the higher costs of living and are now being hit with soaring electricity bills. Working and middle-class families often find themselves with no access to programs to help offset spiraling energy prices.
State Launches Cemetery Relief Fund Grant Program
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) recently announced the launch of the Cemetery Relief Fund Grant Program. The initiative is designed to help restore cemeteries that have been abandoned, neglected, or are otherwise in need of care.
Under the program, IDFPR will award ten grants of up to $20,000 each year to eligible applicants. Units of local government and not-for-profit organizations, including cemetery authorities, are encouraged to apply.
To qualify, applicants must meet requirements under the Cemetery Oversight Act, have a valid FEIN, be in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State, and be registered in the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grant Portal. Local governments must show proof of authorization for the application, while not-for-profits must provide proof of nonprofit status. If the applying entity does not own the cemetery, it must either secure permission from the owner or explain why that permission is not possible.
Applications are due by October 24, 2025. To assist with the process, AmpliFund, the state’s grant management platform, hosted a virtual training session earlier this month and made the session available on IDFPR’s YouTube page.
Questions about the program can be directed to Denise Bullocks, IDFPR Deputy Director of Cemetery and Funeral Oversight, at denise.bullocks@illinois.gov or (312) 814-6187.