SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham’s legislation to formalize mobile IDs and protect people’s personal device advanced to the House.

“Your phone holds some of your most personal information, and no one should be required to hand it over just to prove who they are,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “Losing possession of your phone for so many of us means losing your wallet, your ID and a bank of your personal information and photos.” 

Senate Bill 3449 —an initiative of Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias – 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.

“People shouldn’t have to risk exposing personal information just to show identification,” said Cunningham. “This bill ensures mobile IDs are used in a way that protects both privacy and security.”

Senate Bill 3449 passed out of the Senate and moves to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham’s legislation to prevent genetic marker data from being used by employers and insurers has passed out of the Senate.

“With the field of medicine progressing, we face a new set of privacy challenges,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “We want to encourage people to take part in these new beneficial practices, while keeping important genetic data about them out of the wrong hands.”

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.

“Your personal health and wellbeing should be shared with who you want, not with who’s looking,” said Cunningham. “This bill will ensure that your genetic marker information will not fall into the hands of prying employers or insurers.”

Senate Bill 2886 has passed out of the Senate and heads to the House for further consideration.

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.

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.