Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) speaks on the Senate floor Friday. [ILGA]   

Senate Democrats advanced a controversial bill targeting anti-abortion pregnancy centers called the most “extreme” by Republicans but a bill to “clarify” existing law by the bill’s sponsor.  

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) speaks at a news conference in Springfield Thursday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

The Senate voted Thursday to end Illinois’ 1987 ban on new nuclear energy construction in a move approved by a bipartisan group of Senators.  

Cannabis

The smell of cannabis in a vehicle would not be probable cause by itself for police to search a vehicle under a bill passed by the Senate Thursday.  

Illinois State Capitol 

The Senate Executive Committee passed a bill on a party line vote Wednesday that would target crisis pregnancy centers that ‘mislead’ or provide ‘disinformation’ about services or medical advice in a controversial bill opponents believe violates the First Amendment.  

The Senate passed a bill Wednesday creating a new unit of government for the Bloomington-Normal airport to cover McLean County. The Senate also passed a bill establishing rules for child influencers.  

Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) speaks at a news conference in Springfield Tuesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

Senate Democrats announced a plan Tuesday that would cap insulin prices at $35 for people with all types of insurance.  

State Rep. Mary Gill (D-Chicago) is sworn in following her appointment Tuesday. [Ald. Derrick Curtis’ Facebook]

An appointment has been made to replace former Democratic Rep. Fran Hurley of Chicago to represent the 35th House District in the General Assembly. Last month Hurley stepped down to accept a gubernatorial appointment to the Illinois Labor Relations Board after serving for 10 years. 

All six members of a selection committee — made up of local Democratic committeepersons — voted to appoint Mary Gill, executive director of the Mt. Greenwood Community and Business Association.

Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) speaks on the House floor Thursday. On the right is a picture of the current driver’s license issued to undocumented residents. [Blue Room Stream & Illinois Secretary of State]   

Driver’s licenses for undocumented Illinois residents could soon look more standard after the House passed a bill that would remove a purple line identifying the person’s temporary status.  

Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) speaks on a bill in the House in 2022. [Blue Room Stream]   

Illinois lawmakers took bipartisan action Friday to help DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients become police officers.  

Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) speaks on the House floor Friday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

A proposal that could establish a wind farm in Lake Michigan passed through the House despite opposition from a representative who represents the lakefront on Chicago’s South Side.