Welcome to Illinois State Senator Mike Halpin's Legislative Website

Halpin effort to protect student free speech on college campuses becomes law

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s measure to secure the rights of students, faculty and higher education institutions has been signed into law.

“With this law, Illinois is holding firm on protecting the First Amendment,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “Our students and universities are under attack from every direction when it comes to speech and what should be learned in the classroom. They should not have to face this pressure on their own, Illinois has their back.”

House Bill 4304 will 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 law will 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.

“We have seen these kinds of attacks on education and speech in other countries and throughout history and the results are not pretty,” said Halpin. “Illinois needs to remain a beacon of free learning, education and exposure to new ideas.”

House Bill 4304 was signed into law on Friday and is effective immediately.

Halpin bill to address untethered dog offenses signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s bill to ensure pet’s basic needs are met if an owner has been arrested for an untethered animal has been signed into law.

“This law makes sure a person’s pet is in proper care if the owner commits a tethering offense,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “If something goes wrong and a pet is mistreated, this process will be safer for the animal and the community.”

Previous law allowed a law enforcement officer making an arrest for an offense involving a companion animal to take possession of that animal, or other pets the alleged offender owns, for impoundment at an animal shelter or animal control in order to meet their basic needs. Halpin’s law will add dog tethering to the list of offenses that would allow an officer to impound the companion animal.

“Pets are a big responsibility,” said Halpin. “Laws like this ensure folks are taking care of their pets the right way.”

Senate Bill 2892 was signed into law on Friday.

Halpin applauds new supports for Illinois Service Members and Veterans

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mike Halpin applauded the new slate of laws intended to increase recruitment at the Illinois National Guard and connect veterans to continued education pathways and life-saving breakthrough therapies for suicide prevention.

“I am proud to see Illinois implement new laws that strengthen support for service members and veterans,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “These policies help build on our efforts to ensure our servicemen and women needs are met while also attracting new recruits. I greatly appreciate the effort to support access to breakthrough therapies for veteran mental health. Illinois must be committed to serving those who served us when they come home.”

Three pieces of legislation were signed into law Wednesday to support service members and veterans.

Senate Bill 3926 moves the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Program Advisory Council under the Department of Public Health..

The Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Program Advisory Council was created to advise the state on the health care infrastructure needed to provide veterans with access to preliminary clinical drug trials that might offer significant mental health benefits. These therapies include MDMA and pharmaceutical-grade psilocybin, which are used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and anxiety – conditions many veterans struggle with after service and combat.

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Halpin effort to prevent exploitation of those needing guardianship becomes law in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s bill to protect those needing a guardianship has been signed into law.

“We are seeing instances of those needing guardians being taken advantage of by greedy organizations, that kind of behavior cannot be allowed to continue in our state,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “I am pleased to see this law establish commonsense rules around who can be a private professional guardian so we ensure only qualified people are performing this important role.”

Halpin’s law will provide multiple guardrails to ensure private professional guardians are qualified. These include having a personal meeting with the respondent prior to appointment, background checks, certifications, fee disclosures and financial management standards. The law will impose reporting obligations and allow for court removal due to noncompliance.

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