SPRINGFIELD — A measure sponsored by State Senator Rachel Ventura to make plug-in solar panels legal and accessible in Illinois – in turn expanding clean energy options for renters, condominium owners, and residents who currently face barriers to installing traditional rooftop solar – passed the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee Thursday.

The legislation would allow the use of small, plug-in solar energy systems, often referred to as “balcony solar” or “plug-in solar panels” that connect directly to a standard electrical outlet and provide immediate, low-cost renewable energy for homes and apartments. The bill establishes clear safety standards while preventing unreasonable restrictions that block residents from using these panels.

“With energy prices on the rise, more people are looking to green alternatives to cut costs,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Plug-in solar panels are a simple, affordable solution that empowers people, especially renters and condo owners, to participate in the clean energy transition.”

SPRINGFIELD — A new measure introduced by State Senator Rachel Ventura to establish the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board to investigate and advise on best practices for psilocybin treatments to help tackle treatment-resistant conditions such as PTSD passed the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.

“I remain committed to passing the CURE Act in its entirety and providing real change for individuals who have exhausted other treatment methods,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “This bill is an important first step in that effort and will provide legislators with essential research on the safety and efficacy of psychedelic use in therapeutic treatments.”

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Rachel Ventura introduced a comprehensive package of legislation aimed at protecting Illinois residents from unchecked artificial intelligence, strengthening data privacy rights, improving online safety for young people and holding AI developers and data center operators accountable for real-world harms.

“As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in our daily lives, Illinois has a responsibility to ensure innovation does not come at the expense of privacy, safety or basic fairness,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “These bills put people first by setting clear rules, increasing transparency and protecting consumers, workers and communities.”

The legislative package includes Senate Bill 2994 to safeguard sensitive personal data, including neural and biometric information collected by consumer devices such as health apps, sleep trackers and wearable technology. By extending privacy protections to emerging forms of neuro-data, the legislation would prevent companies from exploiting deeply personal biological information without meaningful consent.

Ventura’s proposal also includes Senate Bill 3890, which would establish a comprehensive data privacy and artificial intelligence governance framework modeled on leading protections adopted in Minnesota and California. The bill would grant consumers the right to access, correct, delete and transfer their personal data and to opt out of targeted advertising, data sales and profiling, particularly when automated systems are used to make decisions affecting housing, employment or other significant life outcomes. It would require businesses to minimize data collection, obtain affirmative consent for sensitive data, conduct risk assessments for high-risk AI systems and implement safeguards against bias and discrimination – with heightened protections for children and vulnerable populations.

Senate Bill 2995 would strengthen transparency and accountability around AI use by requiring disclosure when individuals are interacting with an AI system, whether through chat, phone, email or drive-thru services, and guaranteeing access to a human upon request. Another measure, Senate Bill 3364, would expand notice requirements when AI is used in decision-making processes, such as housing or employment determinations.

To protect consumers from harmful or deceptive practices, Ventura introduced Senate Bill 3180 with the goal of prohibiting companies from training AI systems on user content by default without clear, separate consent. Another proposal, Senate Bill 3502, would establish product liability standards for AI developers, ensuring systems are designed to account for foreseeable harms, while Senate Bill 2993 would prohibit artificial intelligence from independently prescribing medication without human oversight by a licensed pharmacist.

Recognizing the growing environmental and community impacts of AI infrastructure, Ventura also advanced Senate Bill 3830, which would require data centers and AI operators to secure long-term water and carbon-free energy plans, monitor and report resource usage, mitigate community harms and comply with decommissioning and e-waste standards.

Finally, the package includes Senate Bill 3264, or the Illinois Online Safety Act, which would strengthen protections for youth on social media platforms by requiring cyberbullying prevention policies and the creation of Online Safety Centers.

“This package is about responsibility,” Ventura said. “Responsible innovation, responsible data practices and responsible stewardship of our communities and resources. Illinois can lead by setting smart, balanced guardrails that protect people while allowing technology to serve the public good.”

The measures in this package await Senate committee assignment.

SPRINGFIELD – Following severe water rate hikes that affected Bolingbrook and the surrounding area, State Senator Rachel Ventura introduced a new measure that would discourage municipalities from selling off their water lines to private companies and would disincentive companies from raising prices for the rest of the ratepayers.

“Access to water is a human right, and the exorbitant price hikes put in place by private water companies put that right in danger,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “This legislation would encourage local governments to keep their water systems in their own hands and prevent private water companies from passing off the cost of out of town systems onto existing ratepayers."