This Senate resolution honors the life of Michael L. Smoot, a longtime Illinois educator who passed away on January 3, 2026. It acknowledges his 37-year career in public education, including his 25 years as superintendent of the Wood Dale School District, and celebrates his contributions to teaching, administration, and community service. The resolution expresses the Senate's condolences to his family and directs that a copy of the document be presented to them as a gesture of sympathy.
Congratulates the DeGeratto family and Buddy Bear Car Wash on the City of Chicago designating "Buddy Bear Way" as an honorary street name. Commends Buddy Bear Car Wash and the DeGeratto family for their extraordinary and lasting contributions to the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois.
This is a ceremonial resolution (SR 637) passed by the Illinois Senate to honor Reverend Jesse Jackson following his death on February 17, 2026. The resolution expresses the Senate's condolences to his family and acknowledges his lifelong contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, including founding Operation PUSH and the National Rainbow Coalition, advocating for economic equality, and serving as a presidential candidate. It does not create new laws or affect any policies; it is solely a symbolic tribute to his legacy. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the Illinois Senate on February 26, 2026.
Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Creates emergency rulemaking procedures for the student teaching stipend program. Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Authorizes a person to establish optional credit for periods of service as a student teacher under a specified provision of the Board of Higher Education Act. In provisions requiring an additional employer contribution for certain salary increases greater than 6%, provides that the System shall exclude any stipends paid to an eligible cooperating teacher under the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Creates the student teaching stipend program. Defines terms. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of Higher Education of all eligible students and eligible cooperating teachers who qualify for the stipend program. Creates requirements for the disbursement of stipend funds under the program. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student from participating in the stipend program or from receiving a stipend from the stipend program. Requires an eligible cooperating teacher who receives a stipend to complete specific training. Requires the Board to issue a report in collaboration with the State Board of Education evaluating the impact of the stipend program. Permits the Board to adopt emergency rules regarding the administration of the stipend program in certain circumstances subject to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Effective immediately.
This bill is a memorial resolution honoring Tardifay (Horton) Jackson, a longtime Chicago-area educator and community member who passed away on February 13, 2026. The Illinois House of Representatives formally mourns her death and extends condolences to her family, including her daughter, grandson, and surviving relatives. Filed by Rep. Camille Y. Lilly and adopted on February 26, 2026, it serves as a ceremonial expression of respect without enacting any policy changes or affecting any legislation.
Commends Lieutenant Bill White, Engineer Kevin Zender, Firefighter-Paramedic Darrion Roszkowiak, Firefighter-Paramedic Michael Ries, and Firefighter-Paramedic Karl Boubouleix of the Niles Fire Department for their lifesaving actions on September 19, 2025. Expresses deep gratitude for their service.
This is a memorial resolution (SR 633) honoring John V. Capranica of Springfield, who died on February 18, 2026. The Illinois Senate formally mourns his passing and extends condolences to his family, including his wife, children, grandchildren, and surviving relatives. The resolution serves solely as a ceremonial expression of sympathy from the Senate, with no policy impact or direct effect on constituents or legislation. It does not create new laws or alter existing policies.
This is a memorial resolution (SR 630) honoring Andy Jack Bolsen, a Moultrie County farmer, Illinois Farm Bureau leader, and community volunteer who died on February 14, 2026. The resolution formally expresses the Illinois Senate's condolences to his family and recognizes his life, including his work on the family farm, contributions to agricultural innovation, and decades of service to county fairs and the Farm Bureau. It does not create any new laws or policies - it is a ceremonial gesture of respect. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the Senate on February 26, 2026.
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that when the two Houses adjourn on Thursday, February 26, 2026, the House of Representatives stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 18, 2026, and when it adjourns that day it stands adjourned until Thursday, March 19, 2026, and when it adjourns that day it stands adjourned until Friday, March 20, 2026, and when it adjourns that day it stands adjourned until March 24, 2026 or to the call of the Speaker; and the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 03, 2026, and when it adjourns that day it stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 04, 2026, and when it adjourns that day it stands adjourned until Thursday, March 05, 2026, and when it adjourns that day it stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 10, 2026, and when it adjourns that day it stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 11, 2026, and when it adjourns that day it stands adjourned until Thursday, March 12, 2026,and when it adjourns that day it stands adjourned until March 13, 2026, and when it adjourns that day it stands adjourned until March 24, 2026, or to the call of the President.
Congratulates the Oak Prairie Middle School's cheerleading team, the Bulldogs, on winning the 2026 Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) Class 1A state cheerleading tournament.
This resolution honors the life and service of John Henry Jordan, Ed.D., following his death on February 15, 2026. It recognizes his career as an educator, community leader, and mentor in Mississippi and Illinois, and acknowledges his surviving family. The Illinois Senate adopted the resolution to extend condolences to his family and loved ones. As a memorial resolution, it has no policy impact or effect on legislation.
This is a ceremonial resolution (HR 691), not a substantive bill. It formally congratulates the Springfield Park District on its 125th anniversary, recognizing its century of service since 1900. The resolution highlights the district's parks, facilities, and community impact but contains no new laws, funding, or policy changes. It serves only as a symbolic gesture of appreciation from the Illinois House of Representatives.
