Lawmaker criticizes efforts to replace natural foods with alternative proteins | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois plans to pump $5 million into alternative protein research at state universities, aiming to boost the plant-based and fermentation food-tech sector and make the state a hub for agricultural innovation. But not everyone is on board. State Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland, voiced skepticism about the initiative, questioning whether taxpayer money would […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois lags behind nation in roads and bridges | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois’ roads and bridges continue to lag behind most of the country, ranking 37th overall in the Reason Foundation’s 29th Annual Highway Report. The state dropped one spot from last year. Illinois improved its capital and bridge spending ranking from 45th to 35th and its maintenance spending from 24th to 18th, […]
Curran, GOP lawmakers seek to end home seizures over unpaid property taxes | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois Republican Senate Minority Leader John Curran is at the forefront in pushing legislation crafted to bring the state in compliance with a recent Supreme Court decision protecting homeowners from losing equity in their homes for unpaid property taxes. With Illinois now the only state in the country where residents face such […]
Lawmakers push bills to close loopholes, increase penalties for child sex offenders | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A state senator and former prosecutor says it is time to change Illinois law that allows people who record or transmit video of minors without authorization to avoid registering as sex offenders. State Sen. Darby Hills, R-Barrington Hills, said Senate Bill 2381 would require people to register as sex offenders if […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Polls close today at 7 p.m. | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Primary election polls close at 7 p.m. across the state. The Illinois State Board of Elections encourages voters to report instances of misinformation about the voting process, including election-related ads about incorrect polling place hours, incorrect requirements to vote or information about casting a vote online or via text, which is […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Weather cancels Bailey’s events | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Freezing weather is being cited as the reason former state Sen. Darren Bailey has canceled his statewide fly around Monday. A virtual event will be from Springfield on Monday at 7 p.m. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s campaign canceled a get out the vote event Sunday in Belleville because of extreme weather. PRITZKER […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois faces second amendment lawsuit | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Gun Owners Foundation and Gun Owners of America have filed suit in the Southern District of Illinois over the state’s prohibition of open and concealed public carry of firearms. The plaintiffs say the case involves a challenge to Illinois’ refusal to allow the vast majority of Americans to exercise their […]
Illinois lawmakers want to end foreign language requirement in high schools | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker says removing the state’s two-year high school foreign language requirement would give students more flexibility while easing pressure from what he calls an unfunded mandate that affects taxpayers. State Rep. Travis Weaver, R-Edwards, is backing legislation introduced by Democratic state Rep. Rick Ryan, D-Evergreen Park, that would eliminate […]
Lawmaker, physician: Politicians are micromanaging medical education | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A new proposal, Senate Bill 3325, would allow health care professionals to count menopause education toward the state’s implicit bias training requirement, drawing criticism from physician and state Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton, who says Illinois mandates too many continuing education courses. Supporters say the change could improve women’s care while giving medical […]
New Illinois gun bill aims at glock switches; critics say it misses the real problem | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A proposed Illinois measure aimed at handguns that can be modified for automatic fire is drawing criticism from gun rights advocates who say the legislation would do little to curb violent crime while restricting lawful gun owners. Supporters say the bill targets devices known as “Glock switches” that can convert a […]