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Writer @CNET: Techpocalyptic privacy tools, weird science, civil unrest | rae.hodge@protonmail | Priors: @AP @BBC @NPR et al | @USUKFulbright | Hon. @KYColonels
MAY 24, 2018
The Illinois House passed a measure Wednesday aimed to keep guns out of dangerous hands. The bill won passage with both Republican and Democratic support despite a last-minute message of opposition from the National Rifle Association, received by members in the middle of the chamber’s debate.
‘Vote your conscience’: Bipartisan House victory over NRA sends Red-Flag Gun Bill forward
The Illinois House passed a measure Wednesday aimed to keep guns out of dangerous hands. The bill...
MAY 24, 2018
Sexual harassment - Two bills taking aim at sexual harassment in the public sector have been approved by the General Assembly, with one headed to the desk of Gov. Bruce Rauner. The Illinois Senate approved HB4242 and HB4243 on unanimous votes Wednesday. Both of the measures are sponsored by Cary Republican Rep. David McSweeney.
Morning Briefs: Anti-sex harassment bills head to Rauner, Wage equality clears hurdle
Sexual harassment - Two bills taking aim at sexual harassment in the public sector have been app...
MAY 23, 2018
A bill backed by the Illinois Finance Authority, boosting caps on one of its loan programs sparked a heated debate in the Illinois House Tuesday during its narrow passage in the chamber.
PACE loan increase, IFA authority expansion spark heated House debate over state’s clean energy loan subsidies
A bill backed by the Illinois Finance Authority, boosting caps on one of its loan programs sparke...
MAY 23, 2018
LIG requested in Cassidy allegations - One story took over the Illinois statehouse Tuesday, following allegations made Monday by Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago). House Speaker Mike Madigan sent a letter to Legislative Inspector General Julie Porter, requesting an investigation into “recent allegations of possible sexual harassment and retaliation” made by Cassidy, adding: “Myself and my staff will cooperate with any investigation into this matter.”
Morning Briefs: Madigan LIG request sets off tide of reaction; Anti-ERA flyer features women in gun crosshairs
LIG requested in Cassidy allegations - One story took over the Illinois statehouse Tuesday, follo...
MAY 22, 2018
The Illinois House and Senate flew through bill motions Monday afternoon in a late convening of the chambers. On either side of the rotunda, lawmakers sped batches of bills to their final votes of approval. The following is a round-up of key legislation now headed to the desk of Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Governor’s desk: Abuse report transparency bills lead the day; Legislature approves new state Info Security Office, Council on Women and Girls
The Illinois House and Senate flew through bill motions Monday afternoon in a late convening of t...
MAY 22, 2018
Poor People’s Campaign - In concert with other protests at state houses throughout the U.S., the Poor People’s Campaign flooded the Capitol rotunda in one of the most lively protests of the year, rallying for a slate of social and economic causes. The group of more than 300 members — many of whom wore work uniforms from McDonald’s — spent several hours sounding chants in favor of a minimum wage raises as well as immigrant and voting rights protections.
Morning Briefs: Poor People’s Campaign rallies in rotunda; Anti-carjacking tech in Executive Committee today
Poor People’s Campaign - In concert with other protests at state houses throughout the U.S., the ...
MAY 21, 2018
The General Assembly sent Gov. Bruce Rauner a package of bills early Friday afternoon before adjourning for the weekend. Here are the highlights of the bills now headed to Rauner’s desk:
Governor’s desk: Legislature passes new rules for Rauner’s budget office, protections for sex trafficking victims, cap on check-cashing costs
The General Assembly sent Gov. Bruce Rauner a package of bills early Friday afternoon before adjo...
MAY 21, 2018
The clock is ticking on budget matters and the state’s debate on school safety and gun control laws has taken on new urgency as General Assembly reconvenes with just two weeks left in the 100th session. Here are the Senate and House Committees we’ll be watching today.
Morning Briefs: Rauner’s amendatory veto, Legionnaires’ notification, sexual consent education bills slated for hearing
The clock is ticking on budget matters and the state’s debate on school safety and gun control la...
MAY 18, 2018
With the General Assembly lurching into the final weeks of session, bills are moving at a frenetic pace through committees and chambers. To help readers keep tabs on the latest twists and turns in leading issues, here’s a round-up of Wednesday’s most notable legislative actions.
Leaderboard: Cannabis-infused medicine heads to governor’s desk; Teacher salary boost clears Senate; LGBT history poised for House vote; Emanuel’s carjacking bill stalls out
With the General Assembly lurching into the final weeks of session, bills are moving at a freneti...
MAY 18, 2018
Amendatory veto hits House - Attached as an amendment to SB2580, House Speaker Mike Madigan, D-Chicago, assigned Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amendatory veto of Gun Dealer License Bill HB1468 to the House Rules Committee. A subject matter hearing is set to take place Monday morning.
Morning Briefs: Madigan sends Rauner AV to committee; Leaders' meeting hints at possible revenue reconciliation
Amendatory veto hits House - Attached as an amendment to SB2580, House Speaker Mike Madigan, D-Ch...
MAY 17, 2018
ERA advances - On Wednesday, the Illinois House Human Services Committee advanced legislation carrying the Equal Rights Amendment, SJRCA4, from Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie). Supporters signed witness slips for the hearing totaled 3,397 and opponents 569. The measure cleared the panel 7-5 along party lines, and now moves to the House floor. The hearing was the panel’s second on the matter, following a four-hour no-vote hearing last week. At a press conference after the hearing, Lang said he continues to seek wider Republican support and may call the measure for a House vote next week. Lang added that while his goal was to see the measure passed by the end of session, the process may extend into summer as he still faces some Republican opposition.
Morning Briefs: ERA advances but full House vote delayed; Rauner overridden on AG worker protections
ERA advances - On Wednesday, the Illinois House Human Services Committee advanced legislation car...
MAY 17, 2018
The Illinois Senate approved a new measure to regulate gun dealers Wednesday after Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed a similar bill in March.
Harmon’s new gun shop effort, Waffle House shooter bill clear Senate
The Illinois Senate approved a new measure to regulate gun dealers Wednesday after Gov. Bruce Rau...
MAY 16, 2018
Manar’s teacher salary bill cleared for Senate action
A measure aimed to boost teacher pay was cleared by an Illinois Senate committee Tuesday.
MAY 16, 2018
Sports betting - On Tuesday, Illinois took its first tiny step on sports betting legislation since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling Monday striking down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. SB3432, from former NFL linebacker and state Sen. Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey), emerged from the Senate Assignments Committee where it has been parked since May 3 and was sent back to the Senate Gaming Committee. The bill had only one reading in the Senate and has not cleared a committee. It would allow casinos to offer in-person and online sports betting to Illinois residents. Casinos would pay a $10,000 license fee, an annual $5,000 renewal fee as well as a 12.5 percent tax on gross wagering receipts plus a 1 percent “integrity fee” to fund sports governing bodies.
Morning Briefs: Harmon unveils latest gun shop effort; First small steps taken on Sports Betting Bill
Sports betting - On Tuesday, Illinois took its first tiny step on sports betting legislation sinc...
MAY 15, 2018
Gov. Bruce Rauner issued an amendatory veto Monday on a bill which would include more guns in the state’s 72-hour purchase waiting period.
Rauner vetoes gun control bill, death penalty among proposed amendments
Gov. Bruce Rauner issued an amendatory veto Monday on a bill which would include more guns in the...
MAY 15, 2018
Volkswagen Settlement - At 3:30 p.m. in Stratton room 413, the House Environment Committee is slated to take up SB3101 from Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin). The bill would require the Illinois EPA to create a state beneficiary mitigation plan and a Volkswagen Settlement Task Force. The task force would open up the settlement process for more public hearings, be required to keep the public informed, and would have to produce a public report on its findings and recommendations by January 2019. The measure passed the Senate 31-21 on April 26.
Morning Briefs: Volkswagen settlement bill and Open Meetings measure posted for hearing
Volkswagen Settlement - At 3:30 p.m. in Stratton room 413, the House Environment Committee is sl...
MAY 14, 2018
This weekend’s In Case You Missed It report from the Capitol brings you the must-read round-up on the latest gun bill awaiting action on the governor’s desk, and the budget-mastery advice from one Republican Illinois governor to the next.
Morning Briefs: The ICYMI on gov-to-gov budget advice and the latest gun bill waiting in the wings
This weekend’s In Case You Missed It report from the Capitol brings you the must-read round-up on...
MAY 14, 2018
The General Assembly re-assembles in Springfield Tuesday to dive into its second week of the last month of session. Budget negotiations are expected to pick up steam as top lawmakers continue meetings with Gov. Bruce Rauner. A number of high-visibility bills are still circulating in the statehouse at a rapid clip and election pressures are mounting for candidates in the crosshairs.
Committee times and bill hearings are always subject to change, but here are some of the key ones we’ll be watching this week:
Committee times and bill hearings are always subject to change, but here are some of the key ones we’ll be watching this week:
Capitol agenda: Legislative action this week slated to include opioid task forces, SANE nurses, ERA, and Emanuel’s carjacking proposal
The General Assembly re-assembles in Springfield Tuesday to dive into its second week of the last...
MAY 11, 2018
A measure aimed to prevent the state from creating a database of Muslim residents cleared the Illinois Senate Thursday.
Cullerton’s Muslim Registry Ban clears Illinois Senate
A measure aimed to prevent the state from creating a database of Muslim residents cleared the Ill...
MAY 11, 2018
Victim protection - The Illinois Senate approved a bill Thursday which would extend the statute of limitations on adult sexual assault charges to a full year after the sexual assault is discovered by the victim. Sen. Jill Tracy (R-Quincy) said SB2271 came about after a woman who was drugged later discovered video evidence that her assailant had sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious. Tracy said a loophole in the current statute of limitations left the woman unable to press charges. The bill cleared the chamber 50-0 and now moves to the House.
Morning Briefs: Legionnaires’ Notification Bill heads to governor’s desk; Senate approves rape victim protection bill
Victim protection - The Illinois Senate approved a bill Thursday which would extend the statute ...
Bio
Writer @CNET: Techpocalyptic privacy tools, weird science, civil unrest | rae.hodge@protonmail | Priors: @AP @BBC @NPR et al | @USUKFulbright | Hon. @KYColonels
