Halpin law to make it easier to acquire a hunting license effective Jan. 1

• Hunting

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Mike Halpin’s law to clarify and simplify hunting license rules to the public goes into effect Jan. 1.

“Folks who are wanting to get into hunting will have an easier time acquiring apprentice licenses under this new law,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This law also cleans up regulations around suspension and revocation for hunting licenses to make the process clearer to the public.”

Halpin’s law allows for hunting apprentice licenses to be renewed and clarifies rules around suspension and revocation of hunting licenses. The law will crack down on repeat offenders but lighten punishment for low level or first time offenders. In addition, the law will exclude conservation violations from juvenile expungement. Among other regulations this law will allow officer discretion in issuing summonses for violations discovered during snowmobile inspections.

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the purpose of the Apprentice License Program is to extend limited hunting privileges, in lieu of obtaining a valid hunting license, to persons interested in learning about hunting sports.

“Many hunting rules and regulations are complicated and outdated,” said Halpin. “This reform will support hunters and conservation.”

House bill 3678 goes into effect Jan. 1.

Halpin supports legislation providing property tax relief to seniors

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Mike Halpin supported a property tax relief package that increases property tax exemption thresholds for senior citizens in Illinois.

“The cost of living is on the rise, increasingly making it harder for our seniors to live in our communities, with high property taxes continuing to contribute to this issue,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “With this bill, we are ensuring that property taxes are not burdensome for seniors and do not price them out of their homes.”

Senate Bill 642 would deliver critical updates to help seniors on fixed incomes and help families facing economic challenges manage rising property tax costs. Under the measure, the maximum income limit for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption would increase substantially over the next several years, beginning at $75,000 for taxable year 2026, increasing to $77,000 for taxable year 2027 and settling at $79,000 for taxable year 2028 and beyond.

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Halpin highlights local food pantries in the face of SNAP halt

• Food Pantry
• Food Assistance

WESTERN ILLINOIS – In the face of the federal administration pausing food assistance for thousands of Western Illinoisans, including children, State Senator Mike Halpin visited local food pantries in Rock Island, Galesburg and Monmouth to see firsthand the impact of SNAP being paused.

“Our local food pantries are working as hard as they can to get food to local folks who need it the most,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “SNAP food assistance is critical for thousands of families with children to keep food on the table, the loss of these benefits puts these families and their children at risk. We must work together as a community to support our food pantries and ensure vulnerable folks are getting enough healthy food to eat.”

Senator Halpin visited Fish of Galesburg, Jamieson Community Center and River Bend Food Bank of Rock Island on Monday to donate and hear from these food pantries about their urgent need on the ground. They spoke about which donations they need more of, the surge of need due to the SNAP funding uncertainty and local picture around food access.

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Halpin delivers on transit upgrades for Western Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – Building on recent successes in funding Western Illinois infrastructure, State Senator Mike Halpin helped secure landmark transit upgrades for the region.

“This investment will go to necessary upkeep and expansion of our public transit system in Western Illinois,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “With this money, we have the opportunity to expand ridership, improve safety and bring economic opportunity to the entire region.”

Most notably, the transit package includes funding for Chicago – Quad Cities passenger rail. This level of funding significantly advances the more than two-decade push to reestablish a passenger rail connection between Chicago and the Quad Cities. The legislation also addresses the downstate mass transit “fiscal cliff,” allocating nearly $160 million to downstate transit districts, including Metrolink, Warren County Transportation, City of Galesburg Transit, and Go West Transit in Macomb.

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