SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Mike Halpin’s law to clarify and simplify hunting license rules to the public goes into effect Jan. 1.

“Folks who are wanting to get into hunting will have an easier time acquiring apprentice licenses under this new law,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This law also cleans up regulations around suspension and revocation for hunting licenses to make the process clearer to the public.”

Halpin’s law allows for hunting apprentice licenses to be renewed and clarifies rules around suspension and revocation of hunting licenses. The law will crack down on repeat offenders but lighten punishment for low level or first time offenders. In addition, the law will exclude conservation violations from juvenile expungement. Among other regulations this law will allow officer discretion in issuing summonses for violations discovered during snowmobile inspections.

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the purpose of the Apprentice License Program is to extend limited hunting privileges, in lieu of obtaining a valid hunting license, to persons interested in learning about hunting sports.

“Many hunting rules and regulations are complicated and outdated,” said Halpin. “This reform will support hunters and conservation.”

House bill 3678 goes into effect Jan. 1.

WESTERN ILLINOIS – In the face of the federal administration pausing food assistance for thousands of Western Illinoisans, including children, State Senator Mike Halpin visited local food pantries in Rock Island, Galesburg and Monmouth to see firsthand the impact of SNAP being paused.

“Our local food pantries are working as hard as they can to get food to local folks who need it the most,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “SNAP food assistance is critical for thousands of families with children to keep food on the table, the loss of these benefits puts these families and their children at risk. We must work together as a community to support our food pantries and ensure vulnerable folks are getting enough healthy food to eat.”

Senator Halpin visited Fish of Galesburg, Jamieson Community Center and River Bend Food Bank of Rock Island on Monday to donate and hear from these food pantries about their urgent need on the ground. They spoke about which donations they need more of, the surge of need due to the SNAP funding uncertainty and local picture around food access.

ROCK ISLAND – In order to bring good jobs to Western Illinois, State Senator Mike Halpin secured $34 million in pro-growth infrastructure upgrades.

“To rebuild Western Illinois’ economy we need to repair and upgrade our roads and bridges,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This funding will bring good jobs, improve safety on the road and set us up well for more business coming to the area.”

The largest multi-year program to build and repair infrastructure in state history will invest $50.6 billion over six years, continuing an unprecedented investment in safety, mobility and quality of life made possible by the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program. IDOT’s new multi-year program is both comprehensive and multimodal, with investments in roads and bridges, aviation, transit, freight and passenger rail, waterways, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations touching every Illinois county.

Western Illinois will see multiple local infrastructure projects in 2026 totaling $34 million.

“I am pleased to see Western Illinois get the funding it needs for projects that will uplift everyone in our community,” said Halpin.

A full list of projects in the 36th District can be found here.

CHICAGO – With too many veterans falling through the cracks, State Senator Mike Halpin helped secure a grant to support the Road Home Project at Rush Hospital. Halpin toured and spoke at the Rush facility last week with several other senators, engaging with experts in the field of veterans mental health care.

“Thank you to the therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists that are helping veterans and their families every single day,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “That’s the kind of contact that we need to keep bringing to our communities.”

The grant brings needed support to the Road Home Project, an innovative, high success-rate mental health support program for veterans, active duty service members and their families. Their facility specializes in treating PTSD and invisible wounds of war so that patients can lead fulfilling lives. The project offers personalized treatment programs, outpatient services and family care support. In addition to the State of Illinois, the Wounded Warrior Project is a key partner to the Road Home Project

“I know that we can never repay the debt that our veterans have given us,” said Halpin. “But we are working day in and day out to do give them the resources they need.”

You can watch Senator Halpin’s speech here.