SPRINGFIELD – To end the misleading practice of fake “final notices,” State Senator Rachel Ventura advanced legislation from the Senate Judiciary Committee that requires senders to clearly post the intention of their mailing.

“Seniors and first-time homebuyers are often the victims of these misleading mailers,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “We must end this dishonest business practice so that no one is tricked into purchasing goods or services they don’t need.”

When someone buys a car or home in Illinois, “final notice” letters regarding warranties, protection plans and insurance are often mailed out by third parties to scam recipients into providing information or buying products under the guise of maintaining their home or vehicle. Ventura’s legislation amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to require that senders clearly state that their mailing is not a bill but rather a solicitation of services.

Senate Bill 1440 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday and awaits further consideration before the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura filed a slate of legislation on issues covering criminal justice reform, the environment and more to start her first term representing Illinois’ 43^rd Senate District.

“Across the district I represent, I’ve witnessed the struggles that climate impact, a hardening economy and post-pandemic life place on working families,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Keeping polluters out of our communities, growing good-paying jobs, reforming our criminal justice system and expanding access to utilities are my top priorities, and I look forward to advocating for the solutions that meet the needs of our communities.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet) released the following statement after Gov. JB Pritzker delivered his FY24 budget proposal to the Illinois General Assembly:

“Recently I met a gentleman named Lawrence, who is experiencing housing instability. My office is assisting him in navigating the complex housing system to move from temporary shelter to being fully housed. The barricades that people like Lawrence face are extremely difficult to overcome, and the new Home Illinois program will help to address these systemic challenges. People like Lawrence need this help now, and the proposed funding for Home Illinois will expand homeless prevention services to nearly 5,000 more families across the state.

State Senator Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet) joined other lawmakers representing DuPage County to call for the enforcement of Illinois' ban on assault weapons. After the passage of the ban under the Protect Illinois Communities Act, the DuPage County Sheriff unilaterally directed his office to disregard the new law.

To the People of DuPage County:

We are the 16 Illinois State Senators and Representatives that represent the overwhelming majority of you and your families in DuPage County. Like so many concerned individuals who have contacted us in recent days, we are dismayed and angered by the recent pronouncement by the DuPage County Sheriff to unilaterally direct his office to flout and disregard the duly passed and signed Protect Illinois Communities Act. The Sheriff has no authority to determine the constitutionality of a law–that is up to the courts. Nor can he pick and choose which laws to enforce; he must enforce them all.

This bipartisan law was the product of hundreds of hours of negotiations and advocacy from across our shared community and constituents. It will fight the senseless barrage of gun violence that has plagued our state for far too long. By banning the sale and distribution of assault weapons, high-capacity ammunition magazines, and switches in Illinois, the Act makes our schools, neighborhoods, parades, grocery stores, and workplaces safer from the gun violence that is a threat to our wellbeing everywhere.