Hastings leads effort to protect Illinois clients and attorneys from private equity interference

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings advanced legislation that would safeguard the professional independence of attorneys and protect clients from undue influence by private equity investors, hedge funds and investor‑backed management services organizations.

“This legislation is about ensuring that legal decisions in Illinois are made by attorneys, not by outside investors focused on profits,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Clients deserve counsel whose loyalty is to them, not to remote financial interests.”

The bill would prohibit private equity groups, hedge funds and related entities from interfering with lawyers’ professional judgment, controlling client records or setting staffing standards based on competency or proficiency. It would also ban investor‑linked fees tied to law firm revenues or profits — a move supporters say reinforces ethical legal practice and strengthens client protections.

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Hastings calls for fair distribution of water infrastructure investment

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings called on the Illinois Commerce Commission to ensure fairness and balance in a proposed $200 million infrastructure plan filed by Illinois American Water ─ raising concerns about how those investments are distributed across the state. During a hearing in Springfield, Hastings questioned ICC representatives about the scope and location of the proposed improvements.

“After analyzing what has been filed before the Illinois Commerce Commission, it strikes me that the majority of the investment is taking place in the southern part of Illinois, primarily in St. Clair County and around the Belleville area,” said Hastings (D-Franfkort). “There is nothing wrong with that, because their infrastructure is outdated, but when you compare that to what is being invested in the southwest suburbs, specifically Homer Glen, Orland Hills and Bolingbrook, it is disproportionate.”

The ICC confirmed the proposal and noted the investment is intended to address aging systems, replace lead service lines and remove per- and polyfluoroalkly substances, or PFAs, and other contaminants from drinking water. Hastings acknowledged the importance of those upgrades but raised concerns after reviewing the company’s filing of approximately $200 million. Hastings emphasized that the proposed rate increase would be shared by customers statewide.

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Hastings breaks ground at Caboose Park renovation site

MATTESON — Caboose Park is undergoing a historic renovation and is set to become one of the premier attractions in Matteson’s downtown district, right off the Old Plank Trail.

“This project is about more than just improvements; it is about creating a space for the entire community,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “The new park will feature a community events stage, a bouldering wall and a dedicated children’s play area all designed to bring families together for events, recreation and everyday connection.”

Even more importantly, this investment complements the broader infrastructure improvements happening at the Matteson train station and along the Old Plank Trail, helping transform this corridor into a true destination.

This project was made possible through strong collaboration and smart investment, including more than $500,000 secured through an Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant and an Open Space and Land Acquisition grant.

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Hastings backs bill updating Illinois child support rules for shared parenting

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is backing legislation to further modernize Illinois child support law, building on the income-shares model he helped enact in 2016.

“Too often families spend thousands of dollars fighting over formulas instead of focusing on their children,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “This is about fairness, transparency and lowering conflict so parents can prioritize stability and co-parenting.”

Senate Bill 3524 would amend the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act to change how child support is calculated in shared parenting cases. The bill lowers the threshold for applying the shared-care formula from 146 overnights per year to 110, expanding eligibility for families in which both parents play a significant caregiving role.

The proposal would also allows courts, or parents by agreement, to count certain periods of substantial daytime care as ‘overnight equivalents’ when a child is in a parent’s physical care and under direct supervision, even if the child does not sleep there. Supporters say the change better reflects the realities of shift workers, nontraditional schedules and modern co-parenting arrangements. Hastings said the measure is intended to make the system more equitable and less likely to fuel costly disputes.

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