“The response from the community was incredible,” said Senator Harriss. “Seeing my office filled with donations and knowing these items will help local moms and children means so much. I’m truly grateful to everyone who took the time to give and help support families in need.”

Community members donated diapers, wipes, pull ups, bottles, hygiene products, toothbrushes, socks, and other everyday essentials for families caring for young children.

Representatives from Safe Families for Children Metro East said the donations will make an immediate difference for the families they serve.

“Support like this means so much to the families we serve,” said Ellen Mossman, Chapter Director of Safe Families for Children Metro East. “These donations help meet everyday needs for moms and children, and we are incredibly thankful to Senator Harriss and everyone in the community who helped make this drive such a success.”

Senator Harriss said the success of the drive reflects the compassion and generosity of the Metro East community.

“These are simple items that make a big difference for families,” said Senator Harriss. “I’m so thankful for everyone who came together to support local moms and children this Mother’s Day.”

The post Senator Erica Harriss’ Mother’s Day Diaper Drive Collects Hundreds of Essential Items for Local Families appeared first on Erica Harriss.

“These Traveling Office Hours are an important way for my team to stay connected with the communities we serve,” said Senator Harriss. “Whether you need help navigating a state agency or simply want to share your thoughts, we are here to listen and assist.”

During these events, district office staff will be available to help individuals and businesses access state services, answer questions, and gather feedback on state issues and legislation.

Traveling Office Hours for May are scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Wood River Public Library
326 E. Ferguson Ave, Wood River
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Bethalto Public Library
321 S. Prairie St, Bethalto
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Fairview Heights Library
10017 Bunkum Rd, Fairview Heights
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Collinsville Memorial Public Library
408 W. Main St, Collinsville
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Hayner Public Library
326 Belle St, Alton
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

East Alton Library
250 Washington Ave, East Alton
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

Senator Harriss will be in Springfield for the legislative session but looks forward to meeting with constituents any time in her district office. Appointments are necessary to ensure availability.  She encourages residents to stop by and take advantage of these convenient, local opportunities to engage with her office.

“Our goal is to make state government as accessible and responsive as possible,” said Senator Harriss. “These events allow my office to meet people where they are and ensure their voices are heard.”

For more information about Traveling Office Hours, residents can call Senator Harriss’ district office at (618) 307-5789. Individuals who are unable to attend may also visit the district office located at 120 N. Main Street, Suite 1B in Edwardsville.

The post Senator Erica Harriss Announces Traveling Office Hours for May appeared first on Erica Harriss.

Constituents are encouraged to stop by to check if they are owed unclaimed property and receive assistance filing a claim.

ICASH Event Details
Who: Senator Erica Harriss; Illinois State Treasurer’s Office
When: Monday, May 4, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Mississippi Valley Library District, 408 West Main Street Collinsville, IL 62234

ICASH events help residents across Illinois locate and reclaim unclaimed property. Since 2015, more than $2 billion in assets have been returned to Illinoisans. Unclaimed property can include everything from forgotten bank accounts and uncashed checks to insurance payments, stocks, and even the contents of safe deposit boxes.

The post Senator Harriss to Host ICASH Event in Collinsville appeared first on Erica Harriss.

Constituents are encouraged to stop by to check if they are owed unclaimed property and receive assistance filing a claim.

ICASH Event Details
Who: Senator Erica Harriss, Senator Jil Tracy, Illinois State Treasurer’s Office
When: Monday, May 11, 2026, from 12:00PM-4:00PM
Where: Hayner Public Library at Alton Square Mall 132 Alton Square, Alton, IL 62002

ICASH events help residents across Illinois locate and reclaim unclaimed property. Since 2015, more than $2 billion in assets have been returned to Illinoisans. Unclaimed property can include everything from forgotten bank accounts and uncashed checks to insurance payments, stocks, and even the contents of safe deposit boxes.

The post Senator Harriss and Senator Tracy to Host ICASH Event in Alton appeared first on Erica Harriss.

The legislative package is designed to put stronger safeguards in place for children in the digital space by restricting harmful online access, increasing accountability for tech companies, and improving social media algorithms.

“Kids today are growing up in a digital world that is moving faster than our laws have kept up, and for too long, we have allowed that gap to exist,” said Sen. Rezin. “We have a responsibility to step in, set clear expectations, and make sure the online spaces our children are using every day are safe and built with their well-being in mind.”

Among the proposals included in the package is Senate Bill 4046, sponsored by Sen. Rezin, to restrict social media access for children under the age of 16 by requiring platforms to implement age assurance measures. The proposal is intended to address growing concerns about the harmful effects social media can have on children’s mental health, development, and overall well-being.

Sen. Rezin is also sponsoring legislation focused on improving how social media platforms operate. Senate Bill 3454, the Better Social Media Feeds Act, would require companies to disclose how their algorithms recommend content, including the data inputs used to shape what users see. The bill also directs platforms to prioritize long-term user well-being over engagement-driven design and gives users more control over their content preferences. The measure is intended to increase transparency and reduce exposure to harmful content.

The legislative package also includes the Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, Senate Bill 3241, which is sponsored by Sen. Rezin, requiring companies that collect children’s personal data in Illinois to prioritize the best interests of minors over commercial gain. The bill would establish stronger privacy protections by default, limit data collection, and restrict profiling and targeted advertising aimed at children. It would also require businesses to conduct data protection impact assessments and provide them to the Attorney General upon request. Violations could result in civil penalties of up to $7,500 per affected child.

“We know social media is having a real impact on our kids, from mental health challenges to exposure to harmful content,” Rezin said. “While many believe the answer is to fix these platforms, and I agree, we also have to be honest that if meaningful changes are not made, we cannot simply stand by and do nothing. Everything has to be on the table when it comes to protecting children.”

As part of the package, Harriss is sponsoring the Adult Content Age Verification Act, Senate Bill 3945, to require websites containing adult content to verify that users are at least 18 years old through government-issued identification or other approved methods. Companies that fail to comply could face fines of up to $5,000 per day, with penalties directed to support child cybercrime investigations.

“Parents are doing everything they can to protect their children, but too often they are up against an online environment with few real safeguards,” said Sen. Harriss. “If a business is profiting from explicit material, it should take reasonable steps to ensure that minors cannot access it. This is a commonsense step that puts children first and gives families more support in navigating today’s digital world.”

Sen. Harriss said the broader package represents an effort to give parents more support and ensure children are not left vulnerable online.

“The internet is more accessible, more pervasive, and in many ways more dangerous for young people than ever before,” Sen. Harriss said. “These proposals are about creating reasonable guardrails, protecting children from harmful and exploitative content, and making sure Illinois is taking meaningful action to keep kids safe online.”

The senators discussed the legislative package as part of their ongoing efforts to strengthen protections for children and families across Illinois.

The post Senator Harriss and Senator Rezin Push to Protect Kids in the Digital Age appeared first on Erica Harriss.

Beginning May 1, reservations for campsites and shelters will transition to an updated platform through ExploreMoreIL, the customer service portal used by IDNR. While customers will continue to use the same website, they will notice an upgraded interface and improved tools for making reservations and securing permits.

To accommodate the transition, electronic reservations will be unavailable from April 27 through April 30. During that period, neither customers nor staff will be able to access the online reservation system. However, walk-up reservations at campgrounds will still be available as space allows.

IDNR said existing reservations will automatically transfer to the new platform. Customers will need to use the same email address connected to their current reservation to access those bookings, and all users will need to create a new account and password once the updated system goes live.

Existing customers should watch their inbox for an email from IDNR with additional instructions about how to access the new system.

The post IDNR Upgrades Campsite and Shelter Reservation System appeared first on Erica Harriss.

I-COVER is a three-year initiative funded by a $7 million grant from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to promote the use of cover crops and improve soil health.

Applications for the program opened April 15. IDOA will select applications on a first-come, first-served basis per county, with the first application per county being prioritized, pending qualification and verification.

State Senator Erica Harriss believes that Illinois farmers are at the forefront of innovation, and the I-COVER program helps ensure they have the tools and resources needed to implement practices that benefit both their operations and the environment.

Pre-enrollment and applications are available online. Visit the IDOA website at agr.illinois.gov/ and select the I-COVER program link on the home page. Interested participants can also contact IDOA by email at agr.icover@Illinois.gov or by phone at (217) 782-6297.

The post I-COVER Program Reopens to Provide Incentives for Sustainable Farming Practices appeared first on Erica Harriss.

This event is free and open to seniors. The event details are:

Monday, April 27th

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Asbury Village

5201 Asbury Lane, Godfrey

“Too many seniors are being targeted by increasingly sophisticated scams,” said Rep. Amy Elik. “This seminar is about empowering older adults with the tools and knowledge they need to protect themselves. I’m happy to partner with Senator Harriss and the Attorney General’s Office to bring these resources directly to our community”

This seminar will help seniors understand how to recognize potential fraud attempts, learn how to be ready and stop them, and how to use the Attorney General’s Senior Help Line.

“By connecting our seniors with the experts who can answer their questions and equip them with tools they need to stay a step ahead of the scammers,” said Sen. Erica Harriss. “We encourage all seniors and folks interested to attend.”

Questions can be directed to Rep. Elik’s District Office at 618-433-8046 or by e-mail at elik@ilhousegop.org.

The post Rep. Amy Elik and Sen. Erica Harriss Hosting Senior Fraud Seminar appeared first on Erica Harriss.

“We have been working to get this road-naming resolution passed for five years now,” said Rep. Elik. “The legislative process has slowed this down, but I am thrilled to finally be able to officially designate a portion of Route 140 in Tommy Miller’s honor. Corporal Tommy Miller gave his life in service to our country and there is no doubt that this true American hero deserves this recognition.”

“It’s an honor to pass this resolution in the Senate, honoring the life of Corporal Miller,” said Senator Harriss. “He was just 19 years old when he sacrificed it all for our country. Naming this highway in his memory is one small way we can make sure his service is never forgotten and that his story continues to be told.”

Cpl. Tommy Neal Miller was born on July 19, 1949 and was raised in Meadowbrook near Bethalto in Madison County. Cpl. Miller enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served during the Vietnam War; he began his tour of duty on June 10, 1968. His military specialty was mortarman, and he was attached to Echo Company, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Third Marine Division.

While serving as a radio operator on the morning of February 25, 1969 at Fire Support Base Russell in Quang Tri Province in South Vietnam, under assault by a large North Vietnamese Army sappers unit, Cpl. Miller unhesitatingly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain in search of an undamaged radio; after locating operable equipment, he again exposed himself to hostile fire to assist the commanding officer with restoring communications; he then went to the aid of his fellow Marines to free them from entrapment in debris. As Cpl. Miller attempted to free his comrades, he was mortally wounded by fragments from an enemy grenade.

Cpl. Miller’s heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and contributed greatly to repelling the enemy’s assault. Cpl. Miller’s commendations include the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V”, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal.

Cpl. Miller is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC; his name is inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 31w, Line 53. Like so many who gave the ultimate sacrifice and gave up many years of their lives, Cpl. Miller will forever be 19.

“Vietnam is considered ancient history to most, but for the remaining veterans and the families of those that gave their all, it feels like yesterday,” said Cpl. Miller’s brother Kevin Miller. “It’s been 57 years since my family’s loss, and I still have blurry eyed moments. My brother’s name on that short section of road isn’t just for him – it represents all of them.”

HJR 6 sponsored by Rep. Elik and Sen. Harriss was adopted by the House of Representatives on May 28th, 2025 and was adopted in the Senate on April 16, 2026. The Illinois Department of Transportation is now directed to erect appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name ‘Cpl. Tommy N. Miller Memorial Highway’. A dedication ceremony will be planned for a later date.

The post Illinois Designates Portion of Route 140 ‘Cpl. Tommy N. Miller Memorial Highway’ appeared first on Erica Harriss.

NG911 replaces the outdated, voice-based system with a secure, internet-based network that allows 911 calls to be routed based on a caller’s precise location rather than the nearest cell tower. This improvement helps reduce delays by ensuring callers are connected directly to the appropriate emergency responders without the need for transfers between dispatch centers.

The upgraded system also enhances reliability. In the event of widespread emergencies such as severe storms or tornadoes, calls can be automatically rerouted to other 911 centers across the state, ensuring uninterrupted service for those in need.

In addition, NG911 strengthens Text-to-911 capabilities, improving access for individuals who are unable to make voice calls. The system is also designed to support future advancements, including the potential for sharing photos and video with first responders during emergency situations.

Senator Harriss says this transition reflects years of coordination and investment and will provide faster, more reliable, and more accessible emergency services for communities throughout Illinois.

The post Illinois Completes Statewide Upgrade to Next Generation 911 System appeared first on Erica Harriss.