Welcome to Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings' Legislative Website

FRANKFORT — To expand the 19th District’s talent pipeline and boost diversity in Illinois’ construction and building trades, State Senator Michael E. Hastings is encouraging local community-based organizations to apply for the latest round of funding through the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. 

“The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program is a common-sense investment in working class people,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “This program has changed thousands of lives for the better since 2021.”

Date

This statement was created on 11 May 2026 using the W3C Accessibility Statement Generator Tool.

SPRINGFIELD - Following the Senate’s passage of a landmark piece of legislation that will cement Illinois’ status as a leader in the clean energy sector and save thousands of jobs, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) released the following statement:

“After years of difficult negotiations, a broad coalition of stakeholders came to a bipartisan agreement that will define the future of clean energy in Illinois. The Illinois Senate, and the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, refuse to allow ratepayers to foot the bill for a transition to a cleaner energy future that did not include our valued nuclear fleet. We traveled the state, conducted thorough hearings and made clear in negotiations that good-paying jobs and our environment must be preserved at all costs. This starts with our nuclear fleet, the most precious natural resource the state of Illinois can offer.

“We came together to win a must win battle to not only save jobs and generate clean energy, but to create new ethical standards for utility companies. The result of this agreement is the preservation of 28,000 direct and indirect jobs and $149 million in local economic impact, maintaining our dominance in the energy generation market space, and allowing us to reach our renewable goals. Greed has run rampant in Illinois for far too long, forcing many to pay the price for the actions of a greedy few. Under this legislation, those who cast a dark cloud over our state’s government will be held to the highest ethical standards.”

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois National Guard will now be sufficiently honored in death thanks to a piece of legislation, sponsored by State Senator Michael E. Hastings, which was signed into law Sunday.

“Members of the Illinois National Guard are valued members of our armed forces and deserve to be memorialized as such,” Hastings said. “The presentation of a flag to next of kin upon a soldier’s death is a time honored tradition I am proud to extend to those who served their country and state.”

Under current law, members of the Illinois National Guard serving on federal duty or training status are to have a state flag presented to their next of kin upon their death, should they die while serving. Senate Bill 505 adds State Active Duty to this provision, ensuring that all who lose their lives in service of their state and country are properly memorialized.

This legislation is effective immediately.