Michael Hastings

This bill expands sexual assault service vouchers so survivors can use taxis or rideshare services for transportation to or from hospitals, residences, or shelters, with written consent when arranged by hospitals. It offers a commonsense, targeted service response without creating a new entitlement bureaucracy. CPAC supports focused victim services that do not expand permanent government programs and supported this bill. The Senate passed this bill on 2025-05-08 by a vote of 55-0. The bill later became law.

This bill changes reporting deadlines and requirements for the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention so it can issue more frequent reports and compile funding recommendations for anti-gun programs. It grows a state-funded gun-control policy apparatus without addressing criminals or enforcing existing laws. CPAC opposes expanding taxpayer-funded gun-control bureaucracies and opposed this bill. The Senate passed this bill on 2025-04-09 by a vote of 47-8. The bill later became law.

This bill restructures and extends the Commission on Youth Sports, allows delays in implementing administrative support, and sunsets the Act in 2028. It continues the trend of state micromanagement of youth sports instead of leaving decisions to parents and local communities. CPAC favors local and parental control over youth activities, not new state commissions, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed this bill on 2025-05-22 by a vote of 46-11. The bill later became law.

This bill requires law enforcement agencies to use the ATF's eTrace system to track and share data on recovered firearms, and classifies ATF investigators as peace officers for certain investigations. It expands centralized gun tracing databases that can be used to target lawful gun owners rather than just violent criminals. CPAC opposes expanding federal-style gun tracking systems that erode Second Amendment protections and opposed this bill. The Senate passed this bill on 2025-05-31 by a vote of 43-11. The bill later became law.

This bill mandates how firearms must be stored where minors, at-risk persons, or prohibited persons might gain access, imposes escalating civil penalties up to $10,000, and declares violations to be prima facie negligence per se in civil suits. It weaponizes civil liability against lawful gun owners instead of targeting criminal misuse of firearms. CPAC defends responsible gun owners from punitive storage mandates and opposed this bill. The Senate passed this bill on 2025-04-10 by a vote of 33-19. The bill later became law.

This bill establishes a Child Welfare Disclosure to Parents Act that codifies parents' rights when involved with DCFS, including respectful treatment, consultation on placement and visitation, timely disclosure of their rights, and involvement in care decisions such as hair care plans. It pushes a system that often sidelines families to recognize parents as central decision-makers whenever possible. CPAC supports strengthening parental rights against an overreaching child welfare bureaucracy and supported this bill. The Senate passed this bill on 2025-05-22 by a vote of 58-0. The bill later became law.

This bill revises educator licensure rules, adds community college members to the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, creates a state-developed teacher performance assessment pilot, and establishes a Paraprofessional to Teacher Pathway Program along with new testing and partnership structures. It layers yet more state-driven education bureaucracy onto a system already failing too many students, rather than empowering parental choice. CPAC supports school choice and local control over education and opposed this bill. The Senate passed this bill on 2025-04-09 by a vote of 50-2. The bill later became law.

This bill requires courts to dismiss and seal any eviction complaint that names a minor defendant and grants minors attorney's fees, actual damages, and $1,000 in liquidated damages, though landlords may refile against adult tenants. It exposes property owners to punitive penalties for technical errors and makes the eviction process even more legally perilous. CPAC defends property rights and opposes new traps for landlords in eviction proceedings and opposed this bill. The Senate passed this bill on 2025-05-22 by a vote of 48-7. The bill later became law.