Welcome to Illinois State Senator Mike Halpin Legislative Website

Halpin measure to keep track of Illinois student loan market passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – In the face of higher student debt for many in Illinois and across the country, State Senator Mike Halpin’s measure to keep track of the private student loan borrowing market has passed the Senate.

“With the Trump administration placing caps on federal lending for student borrowers, we need to keep track of where the Illinois student loan market is at,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “Monitoring student loan default rates and loans with cosigners will give us a clearer picture of how students are doing with their debt and what actions Illinois can make to assist them.”

Halpin’s measure would provide that the annual report to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation should include the total number and dollar amount – instead of the volume – of private education loans made annually by a private educational lender. It should also include the total number and dollar amount of private education loans made annually at institutions of higher education, the total number and dollar amount of private education loans made annually with a cosigner, and the default rate for the private education loans reported by the private educational lender.

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Halpin secures nearly $400,000 in back wages for workers

SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to a law sponsored by State Senator Mike Halpin, nearly $400,000 in back wages for workers have been secured.

“Skipping out on paying hard working Illinoisans for the wages they earned is completely unacceptable,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “I am glad to see this legislation paying back dividends, but we have to remain vigilant and ensure our workers are being compensated in a timely and fair manner.”

The secured back wages are, in part, a result of Senator Halpin’s Senate Bill 1344 passed last year. This law provides that any contractor or subcontractor, who the Department of Labor finds has failed to file the certified payroll for any public works project, is subject to a civil penalty. The fine would be payable to the Department of Labor, of up to $1,000 for a first offense and up to $2,000 for a second or subsequent offense no more than five years after the first offense.

The legislation allows the Illinois Department of Labor to file a verified petition against the contractor or subcontractor to enforce the final administrative decision and to collect any amounts due in the circuit court of any county where an office of IDOL is located.

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Halpin fights to protect farmers and their land

SPRINGFIELD – With farmers in Illinois facing threats to their land from big carbon pipeline companies, State Senator Mike Halpin’s has introduced a bill to prohibit owners of carbon dioxide sequestration pipelines from exercising eminent domain authority.

“Our farmers already face threats from sky-high fuel and fertilizer costs, we don’t need big pipeline companies coming in and threatening their land too,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “These private companies must negotiate fairly with farmers and property owners, not use the government to sidestep folks who have worked their land for generations. Family farmers don’t need more headaches to worry about.”

Senate Bill 2842 would prohibit an owner or operator of a carbon sequestration pipeline from seeking or exercising eminent domain authority. The legislation does not seek to stop carbon sequestration pipelines, but rather would ensure landowners receive fair offers and choice when it comes to the future of their land.

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Halpin and Johnson designate a portion of Illinois Route 84 as “Chris James Memorial Highway”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin and State Representative Gregg Johnson’s resolution to honor the memory of Christopher Allan James was adopted by the Senate.

“Chris was a dedicated family man, hard worker and public servant who was a warm light to his community,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “The purpose of this dedication is so Chris’ memory will live on and bring good memories to those who knew him.”

Christopher Allan "Chris" James – of Savana – died tragically in an accident on May 23, 2023 at just 48 years old. Chris worked for Guffey Motors (now JC Carey Motors) as a mechanic. He then worked for Elkay for approximately a decade, then at the Illinois Department of Corrections, first as a correctional officer, then vehicle maintenance, and then as a groundsman. Chris served as a councilman and treasurer for AFSCME, and he also served on the Savanna City Council.

“Next month will mark three years since the passing of my friend, Christopher James, while on the job at the East Moline Correctional Center,” said Johnson (D-East Moline). “Chris was not just my friend; he was a friend to everyone his life touched – at work and in his community. We can never do enough to honor his service to all of us, but I’m looking forward to the day we can leave a permanent symbol to those who enter Savanna – giving citizens and visitors the opportunity to learn just how special a person he was.” 

House Joint Resolution 17 designates Illinois Route 84 from 1030 Viaduct Road (south point) to U.S. 52 – intersection of Chicago Avenue and Viaduct Road – in Savanna as the "Chris James Memorial Highway.”

HJR 17 was adopted by the Senate last week.