Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs abortion bills; Operation Purple Heart returns medals | Illinois
Pritzker signs abortion bills Two bills Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted Friday impact access to abortion procedures. House Bill 3637 shields health care providers from discipline for providing abortion services that are lawful in Illinois. House Bill 3709 requires colleges and universities to offer contraception and medication abortion if they have an on-campus pharmacy or student […]
WATCH: Illinois’ FY23 financial audit released amid criticism of tardy reports | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers can now look at how the state spent their money in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2023, but they’re still waiting for the report for the fiscal year that ended over a year ago. The fiscal year 2023 annual comprehensive financial report for Illinois was released earlier […]
Illinois trucker warns foreign firms faking logs, dodging rules, risking safety | Illinois
(The Center Square) – After a recent deadly crash in Florida and a crash in Illinois involving semi-trucks, an Illinois trucking company owner is sounding the alarm about industry troubles, warning that electronic logging devices are being manipulated by foreign carriers and lax enforcement is putting lives at risk. Zach Meiborg, of Meiborg Brothers Trucking […]
Governor defends mental health mandate, rejects parental consent plan | Illinois
(The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, who represents the 15th Congressional district in southeastern Illinois, is reintroducing legislation to “strengthen parental rights” following the state’s new law mandating mental health screenings for public school students. The Parents Opt-In Protection Act would require written parental consent before schools conduct mental health or sensitive-topic surveys, […]
Soaring utility bills, solar federal tax credit cuts dominate Illinois energy debate | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Energy prices and clean energy policy took center stage during a senate energy and public utilities committee hearing as lawmakers sparred over rising summer energy bills and the future of Illinois’ energy mix. State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, and Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland, published a video Friday blasting […]
WATCH: IL state reps challenge IEMA-OHS responses to local agencies | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security officials are promising to be more responsive to local emergency management agencies after state lawmakers raised concerns. IEMA-OHS has proposed rule changes involving accreditation and other issues which affect local emergency services disaster agencies. During a Joint Committee on Administrative Rules hearing on […]
State defends gun ban district court ruled unconstitutional | Illinois
(The Center Square) − Ahead of oral arguments over Illinois’ gun ban in the federal appeals court, attorneys for the state filed their final reply brief. Part of the state’s argument filed Thursday is that the firearms banned in 2023 are both dangerous and unusual. They cite that only 0.64% of the state’s population registered […]
Illinois quick hits: ‘Lawsuit inferno’ bill takes effect after Pritzker signed 267 measures Friday | Illinois
‘Lawsuit inferno’ bill takes effect Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation which led the American Tort Reform Association to label Illinois a “Lawsuit Inferno.” Senate Bill 328, sponsored by Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, expands jurisdiction for claims alleging injury or illness resulting from exposure to toxic substances. Illinois House Minority Leader Tony […]
Illinois quick hits: Search continues for Gibson City suspect; manufacturing declines since 2000 | Illinois
Search continues for Gibson City suspect Illinois State Police continue their search for a suspect wanted in connection with a Gibson City shooting which left two law enforcement officers injured. ISP says a Gibson City police officer and a Ford County Sheriff’s deputy were struck by gunfire when attempting to make contact with David Jordan, […]
Illinois quick hits: Human trafficking law signed; Mercyhealth to pay for COVID vaccine discrimination | Illinois
Human trafficking law signed Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation requiring state agencies to develop a strategic unified plan to build a network of services for survivors of human trafficking survivors. According to Illinois State Police, Senate Bill 2323 addresses human trafficking through prevention, intervention and establishing standards for survivor support. If you suspect human […]