Charges against stalkers updated to reflect use of phones, electronic devices, thanks to Holmes’ measure

• SB2741
• Phone and Electronic Harassment
• Updates to Stalking Laws

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.

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Holmes measure updates prosecutors’ options to charge phone and electronic harassment offenders

• Cyberbullying
• Telephone
• Electronic Devises
• SB2741

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.”

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Holmes and PaintCare roll out household paint recycling program in Illinois

• Household Paint Recycling
• PaintCare
• Drop Off at Retailers

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.”

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Holmes reacts to governor’s proposed Fiscal 2027 budget

SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes joined her colleagues Wednesday to listen to Governor JB Pritzker’s Fiscal 2027 budget proposal to the General Assembly, and released the following statement in response:

“The governor’s proposed budget provides resources for higher education, job training and apprenticeship programs, health care accessibility and affordability, and providing for children, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. It makes our full pension payment.”

“Economic concerns are challenges we may face from year to year. Our most dire challenges today are unlike any our country has faced in our lifetimes: life-threatening and harsh cuts to essential federal programs that have been under attack by the Trump Administration.

“As we begin reviewing details in the Governor’s proposals, I remain committed to responsible funding for essential needs and affordable food, housing and electricity for all Illinoisans.”