SPRINGFIELD – To ensure that more students can get ahead academically while maintaining strong instructional standards, State Senator Laura Ellman advanced House Bill 4239, which would expand access to high school-level coursework for seventh and eighth grade students.

“Students learn at different paces, and our policies should reflect that,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This measure ensures that motivated middle school students have clear, equitable access to high school coursework, without unnecessary barriers, while maintaining the high standards families expect.”

SPRINGFIELD – According to Saint Augustine’s University, investing in water infrastructure delivers compelling returns: every $1 spent on water and sanitation generates $4 in benefits, with improved health, education and labor productivity. With this in mind, State Senator Laura Ellman advanced a new measure through the Senate to make water infrastructure projects more efficient and cost-effective across Illinois.

“This bill puts Illinois’ water infrastructure on a path toward 21st-century excellence,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “It’s about giving our local governments the flexibility they need to plan, build, and deliver clean water more effectively.”

SPRINGFIELD – Nearly one in four adults in Illinois lives with a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To address the rising cost of living, especially for individuals who depend on welfare and disability programs being slashed by the federal administration, State Senator Laura Ellman is advancing legislation to make it easier for eligible residents to maintain critical property tax relief.

“Property tax relief programs should work for the people they are designed to support,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “By making this process more efficient, we are helping residents maintain stability and focus on what matters most in their daily lives.”

SPRINGFIELD – Artificial light at night is estimated to contribute to the deaths of hundreds of millions of migratory birds each year in the U.S., while also disrupting nocturnal wildlife and ecosystems, according to the National Audubon Society. State Senator Laura Ellman is working to address these impacts with legislation aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing harmful outdoor lighting across Illinois.

“Light pollution is more than just an inconvenience: it impacts our health, disrupts wildlife and wastes energy,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This legislation ensures Illinois is using smarter, more efficient lighting that protects both our environment and taxpayers.”