Cunningham legislation supports solar development on public school campuses

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham has advanced legislation to help Illinois public schools develop solar energy projects.

“As the federal administration cuts back on clean energy, we want to provide schools with alternative energy opportunities that will lower costs and benefit students,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This legislation will streamline the process so districts can install solar projects without unnecessary delays.”

Under Senate Bill 3273, electric utilities would be required to complete interconnection-related evaluations, reviews and screenings within 30 days after determining that a request is complete. Public school projects would also bypass the standard interconnection queue, allowing them to move forward more quickly.

The legislation also would requires utilities to disclose upgrade costs and construction timelines to schools as soon as possible after completing interconnection reviews, giving school districts clearer information when planning projects.

“By creating more avenues and reducing red tape, we are making it easier for schools to invest in energy solutions that save money and support sustainability,” Said Cunningham.

Senate Bill 3273 passed the Senate's Energy Committee on Thursday.

Cunningham measure formalizes mobile IDs while protecting personal devices

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced legislation which will formalize the use of mobile identification while strengthening protections for residents’ personal devices.

“As more residents use digital IDs, our laws need to reflect that reality,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This measure modernizes our statutes while making sure individuals’ rights and personal devices remain protected.”

Senate Bill 3449 would update state law to align terminology and requirements related to mobile identification, ensuring clarity and consistency as digital ID technology becomes more widely used. In addition to formalizing mobile IDs, this bill would prohibit any relying party, including law enforcement, from physically taking a person’s phone to verify a mobile ID. The provision would ensure individuals maintain control of their personal devices during the verification process.

“So much of our personal information, passwords and sentimental value is stored within our phones,” Cunningham said. “People shouldn’t have to hand over their phones just to prove their identity, nor can we allow critical personal information to fall into the wrong hands.”

Senate Bill 3449 passed out of the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.

Cunningham pushes legislation to help protect sensitive medical information

SPRINGFEILD – State Senator Bill Cunningham is introducing legislation to better privacy protections for individuals undergoing genetic and biomarker testing.

“As technology evolves, our privacy laws need to keep up,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “No one in our state should have to worry about sensitive medical information effecting job opportunities or their insurance rate.”

Senate Bill 2886 would update Genetic Information Privacy Act to expand existing safeguards to include biomarker testing, in addition to genetic testing. The measure clarifies that information derived from these tests is confidential and privileged, and may only be released to the individual tested or to those specifically authorized in writing.

Under this legislation, insurers would be prohibited from seeking or using information derived from genetic or biomarker testing, unless an individual voluntarily submits favorable results. The bill also would limit employer’s access to the information, protecting from discrimination.

“This bill makes it clear that personal health data belongs to the individual,” Cunningham said. “People shouldn’t have to worry that advances in medicine could be turned into a disadvantage.”

Senate Bill 2886 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

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