Springfield News
-
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.
-
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.
-
MAY 18, 2018
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
MAY 14, 2018
