SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Linda Holmes sponsors legislation on a variety of topics each year, and it isn’t unusual for her animal welfare bills to gain media attention. That has risen to a new level this week as her “bear selfie” law has been featured in National Geographic.

“Throughout my career in the Illinois Senate, I have championed laws that address how wild and domestic animals are confined and used for profit, often in dangerous and unhealthy conditions,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “The Wild Animal Public Safety Act addresses concerns with roadside zoos and traveling exhibitions by prohibiting close public contact with all primates and bears.”

The new law took effect Jan. 1, 2024, making it a Class B misdemeanor for any person to allow any member of the public, except for certain exempted people, to encounter a bear or primate. The National Geographic story added that Holmes’ 2017 law made Illinois the first state to prohibit using captive elephants in traveling circuses.

AURORA – State Senator Linda Holmes announced six school districts in the Aurora area have received more than $64,000 to provide resources to libraries through books, e-books, audiobooks, periodicals, multilingual materials, technology and programs.

“Our school libraries require the resources necessary for students to fulfill their educational goals,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “The General Assembly funds these grants each year, and I look forward to seeing how these dollars will be applied and what enhanced resources our libraries can add to their present offerings.”

CHICAGO – Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus celebrated the recent announcement of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s additional $13 million investment in the Job Training and Economic Development Program for workforce training and wrap-around services.

“After the great success of the first round of the JTED program, I’m thrilled to encourage eligible entities to apply to serve as community partners to help uplift working families,” said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora). “The community partnerships created through JTED are essential to boosting an equitable workforce recovery in every corner of Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD – Since her early years in the Illinois State Senate, Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes has built an impressive record of legislation addressing animal welfare: from apes to beagles, and elephants to stray cats. Her record in this year’s legislative session has earned her a perfect score from the Humane Society of the United States in Illinois in their 2023 Legislative Scorecard.

“I am grateful to the Humane Society not only for this recognition, but for their reliable support in bringing issues to light, along with their guidance and strategy to help get bills approved,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “In our community and throughout Illinois, people get behind efforts to end situations where animals are harmed or neglected, and I’m proud to stand with them.”