Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, released the following statement supporting The Alestle, the student newspaper at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and its student journalists:

“Over the last few months, tensions have risen between student journalists and their institution’s administration over disagreements on what topic can or cannot be approached in The Alestle— a student-run newspaper that is operated by funds generated from student fees. Student journalists’ work is crucial when analyzing a university’s function or understanding the youth’s perspective of a current event.

“Everyone in the United States is covered by the First Amendment, offering us the freedoms of speech and press. In Illinois, we have additional protections specifically for our student journalists. The College Campus Press Act states that campus media is not subject to prior review by public officials of those institutions. I supported an effort this spring to strengthen these protections, and House Bill 4420 will go into effect on January 1. The only exception would be if the content is unconstitutional or harmful, and neither is the case for the student journalists of The Alestle.

“I stand with the students and staff behind The Alestle in their commitment to free press and free speech, and refusing to be silenced. I sincerely hope they are allowed to return to their high-quality and extremely important journalistic duties, without unjust institutional oversight and censoring.”

Link to Original Article: https://ilhousedems.com/2026/09/15/stuart-supports-student-journalists-free-speech/

Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville releases a statement supporting the federal Combating Illicit Xylazine Act and calls on the Illinois House to pass Senate Bill 1773:

“Earlier this month, we watched the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act unanimously pass the federal House of Representatives. Their bill would list xylazine as a Class III controlled substance while still allowing professionals, like veterinarians and biologists, access explicitly for work needs. 

“Xylazine is being used as a low-cost cutting agent, leading to the fentanyl crisis becoming increasingly more deadly. This drug has harmful side effects, like lowering a person’s heart rate and blood pressure to dangerously low levels. It does not respond to opioid reversal medications used when treating fentanyl overdoses, making it difficult to treat. 

“If their act passes the Senate and is signed into law, it will be a clear signal that the drug crisis cannot continue, and it’s time to hold those who profit from these drugs accountable. It’s a clear step in the right direction, and I hope that Illinois will follow the same path.   

“Over the most recent session period, the Illinois Senate passed my legislation, Senate Bill 1773, which would classify xylazine as a Class III controlled substance, while still allowing professionals access. It’s time that the Illinois House of Representatives also passed this bill, so we can send it to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. With this classification, we would be taking an important step towards saving lives, strengthening public safety, and providing law enforcement with the tools they need to protect our communities.”

Link to Original Article: https://ilhousedems.com/2026/09/22/stuart-releases-statement-supporting-federal-combating-illicit-xylazine-act/

  Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, released the following statement in response to proposed cuts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services aimed at “Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs,” but will effectively reduce the quality of care and support for Head Start programs nationwide:

“Head Start provides multi-generational support, giving every child the opportunity to begin school on a footing equal to their peers who are fortunate to come from more resourced families. I strongly oppose the changes being considered because of the harm it will cause for our most vulnerable children and their families. The changes are not simple administrative measures; these proposed changes oppose the foundational values of the Head Start Program.

“Removing student-to-teacher ratio requirements and maximum classroom sizes will make learning harder for students and education unmanageable for teachers. Removing age appropriate home-language development assistance and eliminating language support in classrooms makes language unattainable for students. These aren’t ‘cost saving initiatives,’ these are initiatives to undermine and dismantle Head Start programs.

“America should strive to be a country where every child— regardless of where they live, the language spoken in their home, the structure of the family that is raising them, or the amount of money the family has— can access high-quality early education opportunities in order to thrive and succeed. The attempts to change this are cruel and seem designed to maintain children, especially poor children or those with special needs, in a cycle of poverty. For these reasons, I respectfully request that the proposed changes to Head Start regulations are not enacted.”

You can leave a public comment on the proposed changes to Head Start here.

Link to Original Article: https://ilhousedems.com/2026/09/29/stuart-opposes-suggested-federal-cuts-to-head-start-programs/