SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans will soon have access to additional refinancing options for their student loans thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Omar Aquino.

"As the cost of living continues to soar, student loan borrowers need access to meaningful economic relief tools in order to build a secure future,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “Offering more loan options and reducing interest rates will help borrowers hold on to more of their income for other important expenses."

The new law allows the Illinois State Treasurer to invest in refinanced student loans and work with financial institutions that provide refinancing for student loans. Refinanced loans at lower rates will result in lower payments for borrowers, freeing up spending power and supporting the local economy.

SPRINGFIELD – Amid alleged due process violations and changing immigration policies, State Senator Omar Aquino championed a new law to secure representation for non-citizen Cook County residents undergoing immigration proceedings.

"As federal immigration policies continue to shift, it is our responsibility to ensure immigrant communities are not left without access to legal counsel. No family should face uncertainty alone,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “We are committed to maintaining reliable, accessible legal support, regardless of changes at the federal level. Stability and justice must remain a constant in our communities."

The new law expands the jurisdiction of the Cook County Public Defender to represent non-citizen Cook County residents in immigration cases arising or being heard outside of the county. The law also allows the county board to authorize representation by the public defender beyond those limits.

SPRINGFIELD – To protect the stability of safety net hospitals, State Senator Omar Aquino championed a new law that will generate additional revenue for hospitals across the state.

"As a patient of Humboldt Park Health, a designated safety net hospital, and the representative of two additional safety nets, I have experienced firsthand the contributions of these hospitals to the integrity of our communities by ensuring the health of our neighbors,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “With the updates to the Hospital Assessment Program, we are ensuring that hospitals continue to provide critical services to our most vulnerable."

The Illinois Hospital Assessment Program was established in 2003 to help ensure low-income patients have access to health care services. The program was extended and expanded in 2022 to improve cash-flow predictability for hospitals, tying greater funding to higher Medicaid utilization. The program is funded through a special tax on Illinois hospitals, which is then matched by federal funds and redistributed to hospitals based on the volume of the Medicaid patients they serve and their level of care.

SPRINGFIELD — In response to the Senate’s approval of the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget, State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“As our state undergoes budgetary pressures coming down from the federal level that affect key resources, the FY 26 budget is a fiscally responsible plan that allows Illinois to hold the line on critical services working families depend on.

“Fulfilling our commitment to investing in our children, we are fully funding the K-12 evidence-based funding formula. With the $20 million increase in MAP grant funding, we are ensuring that our young people can confidently pursue higher education.