SB1607
View on ILGAFREEDOM TRAILS COMMISSION
What this bill does
Creates the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission Act. Establishes the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission. Provides that the purpose of the Commission shall be to explore, research, and commemorate the journeys of freedom seekers and the sites and landmarks in the State that became the networks of the Underground Railroad. Provides that the Commission shall implement educational, landmark preservation, and grant programs. Sets forth provisions concerning membership; terms; compensation; administrative support; and staff. Provides that the Commission shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly. Effective immediately.
PASSED INTO LAW
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Current stage: Signed into Law · Last action 251 days ago
How does a bill become law in Illinois?
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Introduction of Bill
A member of the Senate or the House introduces a bill, which is assigned a unique identifying number (e.g., "H.B. ___" for House bills and "S.B. ___" for Senate bills). If not enacted, it must be reintroduced in the next General Assembly with a new number.
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Committee Work — Hearings
The bill goes to the appropriate committee, which holds hearings to gather expert opinions and determine the need for the legislation.
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Committee Work — Markup, Amendments, Report
The committee may make amendments to the bill. If approved, a committee report endorsing the bill is issued.
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Floor Debate
The bill is debated and can be further amended. The debate transcripts are accessible online for public viewing.
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Passage and Consideration in Second Chamber
If the bill passes in the first chamber, it moves to the second chamber for a similar review process. If both chambers approve, it goes to the governor.
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Gubernatorial Action
The governor can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action (resulting in an automatic law after 60 days). The type of veto can be total or amendatory. Once signed, the bill becomes a Public Act and is assigned a Public Act number.
Sponsor Context
David Koehler
Moderate Influence (#6)
Bridges legislative blocs (high betweenness)
Bills sponsored by David Koehler advance 6% more often than the chamber average.
Public Engagement
29 witness slips filed
27 proponents / 1 opponents
19 organizations
Witness slips
29 slips filed. Proponent / opponent / no position as filed with the committee.
| Name | Organization | Representing | Position | Hearing committee | Hearing date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Robinson | Jacksonville African American history museum | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 | |
| Carolyn Clark Farrar | Springfield and Central Il African American History Museum | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 | |
| Catherine Iftner | New Philadelphia Association | New Philadelphia Association | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 |
| Charlotte King | New Philadelphia Association | New Philadelphia Association | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 |
| CHRISTOPHER FENNELL | self | self | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 |
| Claire Fuller Martin | None | New Philadelphia Association | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 |
| David Goldenberg | ADL Midwest | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 | |
| Earl Pursley | Pike County Historical Society | Earl Pursley | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 |
| Ellen Miller | New Philadelphia Association | Self | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 |
| Gerald McWorter | New Philadelphia Association | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 | |
| Heather Feezor | Looking for Lincoln | self | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 |
| Jane A Yaeger | member New Philadelphia | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 | |
| Jeanne Schultz Angel | Naper Settlement | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 | |
| Jennifer Barker-Devine | Illinois College | Self | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 |
| Joe Brewer | Self | Self | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 |
| Julie Nicolai | Independent Scholar & Author | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 | |
| Kate Williams-McWorter | New Philadelphia Association AND University of Illinois Urbana Champaign | New Philadelphia Association, Freedom Corridor | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 |
| Kathryn M Harris | Library | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 | |
| Melinda Bilyeu | Rochester High School | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 | |
| Michael Lane | Illinois Municipal League | Illinois Municipal League | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 |
| Reginald Rene Ankrom | Illinois Freedom Corridor | Freedom Corridor | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 |
| Sue Scott | Western Illinois Museum | Western Illinois Museum | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-30 |
| John Coultas | Illinois Municipal League | Illinois Municipal League | Proponent | State Government Administration | 2025-04-23 |
| David Schwartz | Self | Self | Proponent | State Government | 2025-02-19 |
| John Coultas | Illinois Municipal League | Illinois Municipal League | Proponent | State Government | 2025-02-19 |
| Matthew Slade | Myself | Myself | Proponent | State Government | 2025-02-19 |
| John Coultas | Illinois Municipal League | Illinois Municipal League | Proponent | State Government | 2025-04-03 |
| William Heimbigner | Self | Self | Opponent | State Government | 2025-04-03 |
| William Heimbigner | Self | Self | No Position On Merits | State Government | 2025-04-03 |
Roll-call votes
Total votes and outcome per event. Deciding vote = margin of 1; those voters on the winning side could have changed the outcome by flipping.
| Date | Chamber | Type | Description | Yea | Nay | Present | NV | Outcome | Margin | Deciding voters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | Committee | State Government Administration | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Passed | 8 | — | |
| 2025-05-21 | H | Floor | Third Reading | 110 | 0 | 0 | 8 | Passed | 110 | — |
| S | Committee | State Government | 8 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Passed | 8 | — | |
| S | Floor | Third Reading | 56 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Passed | 56 | — |
Action History
45 actions recorded. Last action: 2025-08-01 — Public Act . . . . . . . . .104-0113. Each action's meaning and outcome signal are classified automatically.
2025-02-04
Introduction & Filing
Filed with Secretary bySen. David Koehler Rule 2-7(b)
Bill officially submitted to the Senate Secretary during the session.
2025-02-04
Introduction & Filing
First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38
Formal introduction — title read into the official record. Required procedural step; bill now exists in the system.
2025-02-04
Committee Assignment
Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)
Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-02-04
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added as Chief Co-SponsorSen. Doris Turner Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator takes on the chief co-sponsor role, a stronger commitment than regular co-sponsorship.
2025-02-11
Committee Assignment
Assigned toState Government Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b)
Sent to a substantive committee (e.g., Transportation, Revenue). This is where the bill gets a real hearing and evaluation.
2025-02-20
Committee Action
Positive
Do PassState Government; 008-000-000 Rule 3-11(a)(1), Rule 3-12(a)
Committee recommends passage. The most important positive gate — majority of bills never get here.
2025-02-20
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading February 25, 2025 Rule 3-12(a), Rule 4-4(7)
Bill placed on the order of Second Reading.
2025-03-12
Amendment Actions
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary bySen. David Koehler
[Amendment] Bill officially submitted to the Senate Secretary during the session.
2025-03-12
Amendment Actions
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred toAssignments
[Amendment] Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-03-18
Floor Process
Positive
Second Reading Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)
Bill reaches the floor amendment stage. Floor amendments can be offered here.
2025-03-18
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 19, 2025 Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-03-18
Amendment Actions
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers toState Government
[Amendment] Senate Assignments Committee forwards the bill to a substantive committee.
2025-04-03
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added as Chief Co-SponsorSen. Willie Preston Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator takes on the chief co-sponsor role, a stronger commitment than regular co-sponsorship.
2025-04-03
Amendment Actions
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do AdoptState Government; 008-000-000
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-04-04
Floor Process
Recalled to Second Reading Rule 5-4(a)
Bill pulled back from Third Reading to Second Reading, usually to adopt a floor amendment. Common and not negative — sponsors often recall bills to incorporate negotiated changes.
2025-04-04
Amendment Actions
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Koehler
[Amendment] Amendment sub-action.
2025-04-04
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-04-09
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added as Co-SponsorSen. Rachel Ventura Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator added as co-sponsor.
2025-04-09
Floor Vote
Positive
Third Reading - Passed;056-000-000 Rule 5-1(f)
Bill PASSED a floor vote on Third Reading. Major milestone — bill has cleared one chamber.
2025-04-09
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added as Co-SponsorSen. Jil Tracy Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator added as co-sponsor.
2025-04-09
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added as Chief Co-SponsorSen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr. Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator takes on the chief co-sponsor role, a stronger commitment than regular co-sponsorship.
2025-04-09
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added as Co-SponsorSen. Laura M. Murphy Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator added as co-sponsor.
2025-04-09
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Arrived in House Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
Senate bill arrives in the House after passing the Senate.
2025-04-09
Cross-Chamber
Positive
Chief House SponsorRep. Debbie Meyers-Martin Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12)
House sponsor assigned for a Senate bill — bill is being actively managed in the second chamber.
2025-04-09
Introduction & Filing
First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38
Formal introduction — title read into the official record. Required procedural step; bill now exists in the system.
2025-04-09
Committee Assignment
Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)
Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-04-09
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added as Chief Co-SponsorSen. Kimberly A. Lightford Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator takes on the chief co-sponsor role, a stronger commitment than regular co-sponsorship.
2025-04-10
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added as Co-SponsorSen. Meg Loughran Cappel Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator added as co-sponsor.
2025-04-10
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added as Co-SponsorSen. Lakesia Collins Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator added as co-sponsor.
2025-04-17
Committee Assignment
Assigned toState Government Administration Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b)
Sent to a substantive committee (e.g., Transportation, Revenue). This is where the bill gets a real hearing and evaluation.
2025-04-30
Committee Action
Positive
Do Pass / Short DebateState Government Administration Committee; 008-000-000 Senate Rule 3-11(a)(1); House Rule 22(a)(1), 52(b)
Committee recommends passage and places it on the Short Debate calendar (limited floor discussion time). Strong positive signal — committee believes bill has broad support.
2025-05-01
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52
Bill placed on the Second Reading calendar. Positive — bill is queued for floor action.
2025-05-06
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Alternate Chief Co-SponsorRep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Alternate chief co-sponsor added.
2025-05-14
Floor Process
Positive
Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)/52(a)(1)
Bill reaches the floor amendment stage on Short Debate calendar. Major milestone — bill has passed committee and is on the floor.
2025-05-14
Floor Process
Positive
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8)
Bill placed on the Third Reading calendar — queued for final vote.
2025-05-14
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Alternate Chief Co-SponsorRep. Suzanne M. Ness Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Alternate chief co-sponsor added.
2025-05-14
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Alternate Chief Co-SponsorRep. William "Will" Davis Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Alternate chief co-sponsor added.
2025-05-21
Floor Vote
Positive
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed110-000-000 Senate Rule 5-1(f)/7-1/7-2; House Rule 37(f)/49/50
Bill PASSED on Short Debate Third Reading. Bill cleared the chamber.
2025-05-21
Concurrence
Positive
Passed Both Houses Rule 8-1, Rule 8-4
Bill PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS. Major milestone — bill goes to the Governor next.
2025-05-21
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Alternate Chief Co-SponsorRep. Anthony DeLuca Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Alternate chief co-sponsor added.
2025-05-21
Co-Sponsorship
Mild +
Added Alternate Co-SponsorRep. Nicolle Grasse Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
Alternate co-sponsor added in the second chamber.
2025-06-18
Governor Action
Positive
Sent to the Governor Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82
Bill transmitted to the Governor for signature. Strong positive — bill has passed both chambers.
2025-08-01
Governor Action
Positive
Governor Approved Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82
GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILL. Bill is now law (pending effective date).
2025-08-01
Enacted Into Law
Law
Effective Date August 1, 2025 Article IX
Law's effective date announced. Most IL laws take effect January 1 of the next year unless otherwise specified.
2025-08-01
Enacted Into Law
Law
Public Act . . . . . . . . .104-0113 Article IX
Bill signed into law — assigned a Public Act number (e.g., PA 104-0032).
All actions (table)
| Date | Chamber | Action | Category | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-02-04 | Senate | Filed with Secretary bySen. David Koehler Rule 2-7(b) | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-02-04 | Senate | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-02-04 | Senate | Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-02-04 | Senate | Added as Chief Co-SponsorSen. Doris Turner Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-02-11 | Senate | Assigned toState Government Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-02-20 | Senate | Do PassState Government; 008-000-000 Rule 3-11(a)(1), Rule 3-12(a) | Committee Action | Positive |
| 2025-02-20 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading February 25, 2025 Rule 3-12(a), Rule 4-4(7) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-03-12 | Senate | Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary bySen. David Koehler | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-12 | Senate | Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred toAssignments | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-03-18 | Senate | Second Reading Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-03-18 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 19, 2025 Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-03-18 | Senate | Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers toState Government | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-04-03 | Senate | Added as Chief Co-SponsorSen. Willie Preston Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-03 | Senate | Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do AdoptState Government; 008-000-000 | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-04-04 | Senate | Recalled to Second Reading Rule 5-4(a) | Floor Process | — |
| 2025-04-04 | Senate | Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Koehler | Amendment Actions | — |
| 2025-04-04 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-04-09 | Senate | Added as Co-SponsorSen. Rachel Ventura Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-09 | Senate | Third Reading - Passed;056-000-000 Rule 5-1(f) | Floor Vote | Positive |
| 2025-04-09 | Senate | Added as Co-SponsorSen. Jil Tracy Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-09 | Senate | Added as Chief Co-SponsorSen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr. Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-09 | Senate | Added as Co-SponsorSen. Laura M. Murphy Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-09 | House | Arrived in House Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-04-09 | House | Chief House SponsorRep. Debbie Meyers-Martin Senate Rule 5-1(d)/4-4(9-11); House Rule 37(d)/31(10-12) | Cross-Chamber | Positive |
| 2025-04-09 | House | First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 | Introduction & Filing | — |
| 2025-04-09 | House | Referred toRules Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-04-09 | Senate | Added as Chief Co-SponsorSen. Kimberly A. Lightford Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-10 | Senate | Added as Co-SponsorSen. Meg Loughran Cappel Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-10 | Senate | Added as Co-SponsorSen. Lakesia Collins Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-04-17 | House | Assigned toState Government Administration Committee Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) | Committee Assignment | — |
| 2025-04-30 | House | Do Pass / Short DebateState Government Administration Committee; 008-000-000 Senate Rule 3-11(a)(1); House Rule 22(a)(1), 52(b) | Committee Action | Positive |
| 2025-05-01 | House | Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 4-4(7-8)/5-2; House Rule 31(8-9)/38/52 | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-06 | House | Added Alternate Chief Co-SponsorRep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-05-14 | House | Second Reading - Short Debate Senate Rule 3-12(a)/5-4(a); House Rule 24(a)/40(b)/52(a)(1) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-14 | House | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate Rule 4-4(8) | Floor Process | Positive |
| 2025-05-14 | House | Added Alternate Chief Co-SponsorRep. Suzanne M. Ness Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-05-14 | House | Added Alternate Chief Co-SponsorRep. William "Will" Davis Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-05-21 | House | Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed110-000-000 Senate Rule 5-1(f)/7-1/7-2; House Rule 37(f)/49/50 | Floor Vote | Positive |
| 2025-05-21 | Senate | Passed Both Houses Rule 8-1, Rule 8-4 | Concurrence | Positive |
| 2025-05-21 | House | Added Alternate Chief Co-SponsorRep. Anthony DeLuca Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-05-21 | House | Added Alternate Co-SponsorRep. Nicolle Grasse Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) | Co-Sponsorship | Mild + |
| 2025-06-18 | Senate | Sent to the Governor Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82 | Governor Action | Positive |
| 2025-08-01 | Senate | Governor Approved Senate Article IX/Rules 9-1 to 9-6; House Article IX/Rules 77-82 | Governor Action | Positive |
| 2025-08-01 | Senate | Effective Date August 1, 2025 Article IX | Enacted Into Law | Law |
| 2025-08-01 | Senate | Public Act . . . . . . . . .104-0113 Article IX | Enacted Into Law | Law |