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SR 300

SUPPORT-TAIWAN

104th Regular Session Introduced by Willie Preston and 1 co-sponsor

Illinois formally supports stronger economic and diplomatic ties with Taiwan, including trade, investment, and Taiwan’s participation in international forums.

Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura
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Bill Summary · SR 300

Summary — Senate Resolution 300 (SR 300) — "SUPPORT‑TAIWAN"

Overview

SR 300 is a Senate resolution adopted in 2025 that combines two distinct, non‑binding recognitions in a single enrolled document: (1) a formal commendation of the Sims family for civic and economic contributions in Newton County, Georgia, and (2) an expression of support for enhanced Illinois ties with Taiwan (Republic of China). As a resolution, it expresses the sense and policy positions of the Senate but does not create enforceable law.

Key provisions and statements

A. Commendation of the Sims family

  • Recognizes the Sims family’s multi‑generational impact on Newton County:
    • Cary Sims leased ~110 acres in the late 1920s and purchased the land on February 27, 1947, for $3,000 in cash.
    • Eddie Roy Sims (b. 1932) served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, later founded a landscaping business that evolved into Sims Grading; his wife Mildred founded and ran a janitorial business for over 35 years.
    • Lanier Sims took over Sims Excavating Inc. in 1996, expanded mass excavation projects across metro Atlanta, served as Newton County Commissioner (2011–2018), led economic development organizations, and helped bring over 15,000 jobs to Newton County.
  • Notes family philanthropy and mentorship (e.g., Newton County Miracle League, support for senior center and Black entrepreneurs).
  • Directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide an appropriate copy of the resolution to the Sims family.

B. Support for Taiwan and Illinois–Taiwan engagement

  • Reaffirms support for the U.S. Taiwan Relations Act (TRA, 1979) and for Illinois businesses to refer to Taiwan, ROC, as “Taiwan.”
  • Highlights economic ties and statistics cited in the resolution:
    • U.S.–Taiwan bilateral trade: more than US$128 billion in 2023.
    • Taiwan imported nearly US$3.7 billion in U.S. farm products in 2023.
    • Illinois exported about US$758 million in goods to Taiwan in 2023; Taiwan investment in Illinois cited at US$51 million, supporting up to ~6,285 jobs in Illinois.
    • U.S.–Taiwan economic linkage supports an estimated 360,400 U.S. jobs.
  • Expresses support for:
    • Negotiations toward a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA), participation in Indo‑Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) initiatives, and other trade/technical cooperation.
    • Exploring a formal Illinois economic/trade presence in Taiwan (an Illinois office), high‑level Illinois official visits, and signing memoranda of understanding.
    • Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations (UN, WHO, ICAO, UNFCCC, INTERPOL) relevant to health, safety, and global cooperation.
  • Opposes misuse of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 as a basis to deny Taiwan international participation.
  • Requests copies of the resolution be delivered to the Illinois Congressional delegation and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago.

Who is affected

  • Primarily symbolic: Sims family and Newton County (recognition); Illinois businesses, state economic development entities, and Taiwan‑Illinois relationship (policy encouragement). Taiwan and its representative offices are named beneficiaries of Illinois’ expressed support for deeper ties and international participation.

Legislative/procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced/received by Secretary of the Senate: March 18, 2025
  • Read and Adopted / Read: March 26, 2025 (also recorded as Read and Adopted Feb 28, 2025 in the actions list)
  • Reported enrolled and printed in full: March 26, 2025
  • Filed with Secretary: May 7, 2025; added co‑sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura: May 16, 2025
  • Sponsors include multiple senators (lead sponsors and co‑sponsors listed in the enrolled resolution).

Potential impact

  • The resolution is ceremonial and declarative rather than legally binding.
  • It signals Illinois’ support for expanding trade, investment, and official engagement with Taiwan and for Taiwan’s inclusion in international organizations—potentially encouraging state agencies, economic development groups, and private sector actors to pursue deeper engagement, trade missions, or memoranda of understanding. It also serves as formal recognition of local civic contributions by the Sims family during Black History Month.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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