Sen. Seth Lewis opposes HB2783 requiring no-cost menstrual products in Illinois Capitol

Sen. Seth Lewis (R-24th) cast a No vote on HB2783, which would mandate free menstrual hygiene products in the Illinois State Capitol, during the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026, according to the Illinois Senate. The measure was approved by a 35-19 margin in the Senate.

The bill's summary reads: "CMS-MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS."

Below is our summary derived from the bill’s published language, occasionally paraphrased for clarity.

In summary, the Illinois State Capitol Complex Menstrual Hygiene Product Accessibility Act directs the Office of the Secretary of State to provide free menstrual hygiene products in public restrooms at both the Illinois State Capitol and the William G. Stratton State Office Building. The Act instructs the Secretary of State to select dispensing locations, set a schedule for maintenance and restocking, and manage procurement, installation, and ongoing care of the dispensers. The law is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

The record states that HB2783 passed during its third reading.

Lewis received his BS from the University of Iowa in 1991.

A member of the Republican party, Lewis was elected to the Illinois State Senate to represent the 24th District in 2023, succeeding Suzy Glowiak.

Legislation in Illinois moves through a multi-stage process beginning with a chamber’s introduction, followed by committee evaluations, debates, and votes in both legislative chambers before being sent to the governor for either a signature or veto. The General Assembly meets every two years; of the thousands of bills introduced each session, only a portion advance to become law.