Kane County Reporter

Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-North Aurora) thanks Rep. Lindsey LaPointe (D-Chicago) for sponsoring House Bill 1293 and bringing a bill that 'actually does something.'

"This was a back and forth and a good faith effort among our staff to get to an agreed place with this bill. I want to thank you again for this, Rep. LaPointe," Wheeler said from the House floor. "This is what we're supposed to be doing — collaboration. … We do resolutions for things we feel. But this is a bill that actually does something. This is the action we take because of those resolutions. There are elements of this bill that in collaboration and conversation bring forth a whole cybersecurity element that is vital for us going forward to maintain our sovereignty as a nation and state. This is something we should be engaged with and grateful for. I urge an aye vote." 

House Bill 1293 divests state pension funds of investments in Russia-based companies and prepares the state to become better equipped at accepting Ukrainian refugees. 

It also creates the Money Laundering in Real Estate Task Force and the Illinois Elections and Infrastructure Integrity Task Force ahead of the 2024 election to prepare for and prevent potential cyberattacks on state infrastructure. 

House Bill 1293 passed in the House on April 5 unanimously with 114 yes votes. It has now moved on to the Senate, where it is sponsored by Democratic Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) and has been referred to the Senate Assignments Committee.

LaPointe is the chief sponsor of House Bill 1293 in the House. She is joined by 30 colleagues –Democrats and Republicans – as co-sponsors in the House.