Welcome to Illinois State Senator Mike Halpin Legislative Website

Halpin measure to keep track of Illinois student loan market signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – In the face of higher student debt for many in Illinois and across the country, State Senator Mike Halpin’s measure to keep track of the private student loan borrowing market has been signed into law.

“Student loans present a critical burden to students, graduates and their families,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “We need to keep track of the private student loan market in Illinois to get a sense of exactly how large that burden is and what the state needs to do to mitigate those effects.”

Halpin’s measure provides that the annual report to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation should include the total number and dollar amount – instead of the volume – of private education loans made annually by a private educational lender. It should also include the total number and dollar amount of private education loans made annually at institutions of higher education, the total number and dollar amount of private education loans made annually with a cosigner, and the default rate for the private education loans reported by the private educational lender.

According to The Education Initiative, Illinois residents hold $63.4 billion in student loan debt. The average borrower owes $39,042, with over one and a half million people in student loan debt. Over half of these borrowers are under the age of 35.

“The federal government is placing more pressure on borrowers than ever before,” said Halpin. “If students turn to private debt markets the state needs to ensure they are getting a good deal.”

House Bill 4754 has been signed into law and goes into effect immediately.

Halpin secures grants for local fire protection districts

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin has secured over $7,500 in grant money for two local fire protection districts.

“Rural Illinois cannot be left behind when it comes to fire safety,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This money is for fire training and purchasing equipment. I am glad to see these state dollars go to good use.”

The Volunteer Fire Capacity grant program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, matches funds to aid fire departments in the purchase of new equipment and helps fund training. Funding is passed through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to local fire departments and fire training academies.

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Halpin’s office to continue annual Summer Book Club tradition in Western Illinois

ROCK ISLAND – To keep students minds engaged and foster creativity, State Senator Mike Halpin is continuing the annual Summer Book Club this year.

“At a time when the future looks uncertain and our young people have to navigate all the modern pressures of life in the 21^st Century, we have a responsibility to teach the value of reading to our students,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “With AI tools, misinformation and short form content running rampant, I believe reading is necessary to prepare our next generation not for what to learn, but how to learn. Books foster new ideas, expand a child’s outlook and reinforce the values of education.”

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form, and return the form to Halpin’s Rock Island, Galesburg or Springfield office by Aug. 14. Every child who completes the Summer Book Club will receive a gift card from Halpin. Information forms are available at these local, Western Illinois libraries:

• Rock Island Downtown Library
• Rock Island Library Southwest Branch
• Rock Island Public Library Watts-Midtown Branch
• Macomb Public Library
• New Windsor Public Library
• Clover Public Library
• Galesburg Public Library
• Knoxville Public Library
• Alexis Library
• Warren County Public Library District
• Moline Public Library
• East Moline Public Library
• Silvis Public Library
• Robert R. Jones Public Library
• Colona Public Library
• Roseville Branch Library
• Village of Avon Public Library
• Bushnell Public Library
• Western District Library
• Sherrard Public Library District

Summer Book Club forms are available to download at Senator Halpin’s website. People can also fill out the form online here. People with questions can reach out to Halpin’s office at (309) 558-3612.

Halpin effort to protect student free speech on college campuses passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s measure to secure the rights of students, faculty and higher education institutions has passed the Senate.

“Speech, free expression and free assembly are fundamental rights guaranteed to all Americans,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “We need to stand by our higher education institutions and our students in the midst of pressure online and from the federal government to restrict these rights.”

House Bill 4304 would protect the constitutional rights of students in higher education institutions and spell out additional academic rights. These rights would include an inclusive and safe learning environment, accessibility, free expression and academic access, freedom of association and organization, peaceful protest, academic transparency, fair evaluation, educational records, protection of academic programs from political interference, career preparation, educational quality, due process, institutional accountability, financial transparency, refunds and withdrawals and right to transfer. 

The legislation would reinforce the core principles and preservation of integrity, independence, and academic freedom of its public institutions of higher education and in supporting students' pursuit of learning, inquiry, and career readiness.

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