Welcome to Illinois State Senator Mike Halpin Legislative Website

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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Halpin applauds plan to support schools, feed the hungry and provide tax relief to Illinoisans

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin released the following statement after the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2027 budget:

“There are key initiatives in this package that combat food insecurity and provide tax relief to working families. I am supportive of policies that make sure that we’re holding big multinational corporations and big tech companies financially accountable. They’re out there every day mining our data, taking that data and selling it to advertisers for a profit. They should be paying their fair share into the state’s tax system. The digital ad tax and social media license fee will support a balanced budget without placing the burden on working people.”

“This is a populist issue. I represent a district that has a median income much lower than a lot of places in northeast Illinois and Chicago, and we’re being taken advantage of by big corporations. Alongside these commonsense revenue reforms, I fought for the release of needed funds for higher education. I fought for increasing funds for lunch programs at K-12 schools to feed our kids. I fought for supplemental food assistance programs to prevent hunger as the Administration in Washington DC ruthlessly cuts SNAP benefits. I am supporting the balanced and measured spending package that prioritizes Western Illinois families with a school sales tax holiday. At the same time, I sponsored a bill to prevent retailers from using data mining to gouge consumers at the checkout lane.

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Halpin moves to prevent exploitation of those needing guardianship

SPRINGFIELD – In order to protect those needing a guardianship, State Senator Mike Halpin has passed a bill through the Senate to prevent their exploitation.

“Illinois needs to ensure folks who require a guardian are not taken advantage of,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This legislation puts rules around who can be a private professional guardian so we ensure only qualified people are performing this important role.”

Halpin’s bill would 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 legislation would impose reporting obligations and allow for court removal due to noncompliance.

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Senator Halpin Chats With IL Farmer About SB 2842 - Stopping Eminent Domain Use for CO2 Pipelines