Murphy: Budget navigates complex fiscal landscape

State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued the following statement after the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2026 budget:

“Once again, Illinois has produced a balanced budget that provides funding for essential services, without putting additional tax burdens on working families. It is a plan that puts people first while navigating a complex fiscal landscape. Despite financial challenges, this budget takes a responsible approach to ensuring stability and continued investment in our communities.

“In Illinois, we are fighting to ensure students have access to an equitable education. K-12 education will continue to be fully funded through the evidence-based funding formula, ensuring our youth have the support and resources needed to succeed. The investments in higher education are also notable with a $10 million increase for MAP grants and funding to keep momentum at community colleges all over the state.

“I’m also glad to see wage increases for community care workers and direct support professionals. They are the backbone of support for our seniors and people with disabilities, this wage increase helps recognize their essential work. We need these essential workers in our communities, so I will continue to fight for future increases to support a high-quality workforce to care for our seniors and those with disabilities.

“We are maintaining our funding responsibilities to local governments. Local governments are on the front lines of our communities. Keeping level funding is essential to ensure they have the resources to meet their residents’ needs and keep communities vibrant.

“This budget does the difficult job of ensuring vital services continue to be funded, regardless of the uncertainty of funding from the federal government. I would like to thank my colleagues for coming together to ensure that financial needs of this state are addressed in a fair and equitable way.”

Murphy advances measure to fight crime on expressways, protect residents’ privacy

SPRINGFIELD – To keep human traffickers off Illinois roadways, bring to justice to victims of human trafficking and shield everyday Illinoisans from unnecessary exposure, State Senator Laura Murphy passed legislation to expand the expressway camera program to target traffickers while prohibiting images taken by license plate readers from being released via FOIA requests.

“The expansion of this program would empower law enforcement with the tools necessary to swiftly identify human traffickers in real time,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “This bill sends a clear message that Illinois will not be used as a safe haven for these criminals.”

Human traffickers often use highways to transport victims. Truck stops in particular are often hotspots for this kind of illicit activity and those vehicles can be tracked using an expressway camera.

Building on Murphy’s efforts to address public safety in 2022, the new initiative would expand the existing expressway camera program to Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties and enable police to use expressway cameras for human trafficking and involuntary servitude investigations. The current camera program is limited to target gun violence, vehicular hijacking and other offenses.

Law enforcement has already used these cameras to great effect in the 20 counties currently authorized for their operation. According to Illinois State Police, automated license plate readers helped identify a suspect or a witness in 82% of interstate shootings in 2024.

On the issue of privacy, Murphy’s legislation would exempt images captured on automated license plate cameras from Freedom of Information Act requests. This is in line with current state law prohibiting data collection tools like license plate readers from being used by out-of-state law enforcement to target people traveling to and around Illinois to access reproductive and gender-affirming care.

“There are bad actors out there who may use these images to track or stalk someone,” said Murphy. “Additionally, if the public or media gain access to photos while building a criminal case, it could tip off criminals. Exempting photos taken from expressway cameras is the right thing to do for public safety.”

House Bill 3339 passed the Senate Friday.

Murphy bill to fight crime on expressways, protect residents’ privacy passes committee

SPRINGFIELD – To keep human traffickers off Illinois roadways, bring to justice to victims of human trafficking and shield everyday Illinoisans from unnecessary exposure, State Senator Laura Murphy has pushed forward a bill to expand the expressway camera program to target traffickers while prohibiting images taken by license plate readers from being released via FOIA requests.

“We are giving our law enforcement an invaluable tool to bring human traffickers to justice,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “This legislation proves we are serious about cutting down on length of investigations, rescuing victims and making the police’s job easier.”

Human traffickers often use highways to transport victims. Truck stops in particular are often hotspots for this kind of illicit activity and those vehicles can be tracked using an expressway camera.

Building on Murphy’s efforts to address public safety in 2022, the new initiative would expand the existing expressway camera program to Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties and enable police to use expressway cameras for human trafficking and involuntary servitude investigations. The current camera program is limited to target gun violence, vehicular hijacking and other offenses.

Read more: Murphy bill to fight crime on expressways, protect residents’ privacy passes committee

Murphy secures nearly $5 million in grants for muti-use paths in Des Plaines and Elk Grove Village

DES PLAINES – State Senator Laura Murphy announced $4.9 million to fund the construction of several multi-use paths in Des Plaines and Elk Grove Village.

“Multi-use paths are more than just a way to get from point A to point B — they create safe, accessible spaces for walking, biking and connecting with others,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “These grants are investments in our community’s health and safety.”

Three projects have received funding in the 28th District. The first is a 10-foot wide, half-mile long multi-use path in Des Plaines along Devon Avenue from Stillwell Drive to Des Plaines River Road, which received $1.2 million. Elk Grove Village is set to receive $1.47 million for an 8-foot wide multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists from north of Devon Avenue to Clearmont Drive. The village also received $2.2 million for bike and pedestrian projects along Tonne Road, including a 1.55-mile path within the center median, street and pedestrian lighting, a sidewalk, and enhanced landscaping.

The grants were administered as part of the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program through the Illinois Department of Transportation. The program is focused on improving bike and pedestrian travel, as well as making other improvements that promote options for safely traveling around communities.

“Pedestrian and cyclist safety is vitally important,” Murphy said. “Our state’s continued commitment to improving our infrastructure shows our dedication to the safety of all travelers, not just those who use our roadways.”

The grant is part of IDOT’s commitment to improving non-motorized transportation options and supporting local infrastructure development across Illinois. For a full list of projects, visit IDOT’s website.