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.  

Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago), yellow ties, and members of the speaker’s office staff confer over a question of parliamentary rules Friday night. [Blue Room Stream]   

The House concluded its deadline week to pass bills on to the Senate abruptly Friday night after a procedural error over debate rules angered Republicans and a growing number of Democrats left session for the night.  

Illinois Capitol.    

The House passed multiple bills dealing with education, disability benefits for first responders and cooling in apartment buildings on Thursday as the House faces a Friday deadline to move bills out of the chamber.