“While Illinoisans mark Memorial Day, the administration of Gov. J.B. Pritzker has failed to fully explain how 36 state veterans died from COVID-19 in 2020. If the Democratic governor has a weakness for reelection, it is in the coronavirus massacre at the LaSalle Veterans Home. That is unless one counts the failure of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to ensure adequate care for those the agency is supposed to protect.”

The new law also requires any court in a county with a population above 250,000 to offer the option of a remote hearing for that order.

Statewide, the unemployment rate was 4.4 percent, down from 4.7 percent in March and 6.4 percent last year.

Under Senate Bill 3019, a child sex offender would not be able to work at a carnival, amusement enterprise or county or state fair. The new law takes effect January 1, 2023.

Duckworth took with her three members of the Pritzker administration. A Duckworth spokesperson said, “Illinois is uniquely positioned for companies looking to expand manufacturing in the U.S., and the Senator hopes this trip will develop closer economic ties and partnerships throughout the region.”

Brad Weisenstein, of the Illinois Policy Institute: ” Of course, you’d expect him to grab onto the ‘Illinois is growing’ theme, because it lets him ignore the public policy issues that he’s made worse, including $2,165 in new taxes per family that are driving those families out.”

Brad Tietz, vice president of government relations with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, said not everyone was involved in critical conversations, if they were held at all. Also troubling was that two of the task force managers in charge of planning meetings and developing subject matter were contract lobbyists, Tietz said.

Under the law, nursing homes can qualify for higher payment rates as they hire additional staff to reach certain target levels. The law also establishes new reimbursement rates for services provided by certified nursing assistants, providing them with wage increases based on their years of experience in the profession, rather than their tenure at the specific facility where they work.

On an annual basis, the average Illinois worker will shell out $1,021 more for gasoline this year, $844 more for housing, $454 more for groceries, and $264 more for utilities. By the time you add up all the different ways inflation nickels and dimes you, the total cost adds up to more than $4,233.

Republicans spent $19.7 million on ads over the month, with another $10.5 million coming from Democrats.

Under House Bill 5193, safe gun storage will be added to existing safety education instruction taught in schools in Illinois. Automobile safety, CPR training, safety in the home, and safety while carrying out vocational training or work are all examples of what is already included in statewide safety education curriculum.

The report said Illinois should see strong growth in health care, child care, education and hospitality. Other opportunities exist in areas such as clean energy and transportation, and the task force called for policies that would ensure traditionally marginalized groups get fair access to jobs.