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SPRINGFIELD – A consistent advocate for legislation to end unsafe conditions for animals, State Senator Linda Holmes is leading a proposal that would bring statutory guidance to Illinois courts to resolve pet possession conflicts when their unmarried parents separate.

“Laws need to reflect how family roles change over time, and how more people see their pets as beloved family members rather than property,” Holmes (D-Aurora) said. “If those roles change and the future residence of a companion animal is in question, the courts need guidance to reflect that not every family starts with a married man and woman whose pet is considered an asset rather than a furry family member whose wellbeing is at stake.”

SPRINGFIELD – In Illinois, law enforcement officers and prosecutors who charge suspects accused of harassment need updates to the law to reflect today’s use of technology. State Senator Linda Holmes advanced legislation to reflect the realities of how offenses are being committed in present day.

“The means to harass someone continues to magnify from phones to electronic devices, offering platforms on which to send demeaning, frightening messages,” Holmes (D-Aurora) said. “Our intent is to capture harassment that causes emotional distress. Emails, social media, forums and gaming are being used, so our laws must reflect the changed landscape violators use to intensify their attacks.”

Senate Bill 2741 is an initiative of Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser and Detective Rich Wistocki whose organizations see how the nature of harassment has changed with technology. To prosecute offenders who use these tools, the bill would remove the requirement that content must be of a sexual nature. It would lay out how violators would be charged for harassment by telephone and by electronic devices.

SPRINGFIELD – In Illinois, law enforcement officers and prosecutors who charge suspects accused of harassment are seeing options to update the law to reflect today’s technology. State Senator Linda Holmes filed legislation to reflect the realities of how offenses are being committed in present day.

“The means to harass someone continues to expand from phones to electronic devices, offering platforms on which to send demeaning, frightening messages,” Holmes (D-Aurora) said. “Emails, social media, forums and gaming are being used by those intending to cause emotional distress to the recipient, so laws need to be amended to address each offense separately.”

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Linda Holmes welcomed representatives of PaintCare, Inc. to the Capitol to announce early progress in the new statewide household paint recycling program, created by Holmes’ 2024 Paint Stewardship Act.

Many households and businesses have old, unused cans of paint in their basements or garages; there have been few options to dispose of them safely. Beginning in December of 2025, designated collection centers at familiar paint retailers began opening across the state for environmentally safe disposal.

Holmes’ Paint Stewardship Act was passed and signed in 2024, and the program has been in development by PaintCare and their stewardship cohorts throughout 2025.

“Gathering cans of leftover paint from our homes and dropping them off at a nearby paint retailer will be a safe, convenient process for consumers,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “PaintCare has streamlined the safe management of this waste with paint manufacturers, and work with states and jurisdictions that pass paint stewardship laws.”