Under SB 2243, the state board must develop and adopt a comprehensive literacy plan by Jan. 31, 2024 and create a rubric by July 1, 2024. Local school districts could use the rubric to evaluate their reading lesson plans. In addition, the bill requires the state to develop training opportunities for educators by Jan. 1, 2025, and future elementary school teachers will also be tested on their knowledge

Enacted in 2021, the law would have forbidden people and organizations from outside Illinois from donating to campaigns or specific kinds of political committees designed to support judicial candidates. Further, Democrats imposed a $500,000 limit on all donations to judicial campaigns.

The current and projected accounts payable amounts are a major improvement from the large backlog of bills in previous years and represents a normal bill payment schedule.

Community leaders believe the new ethnic identity designation will give the state important insight into health care, education and employment. For instance, during the pandemic, when they were handing out food at the Islamic Center, this data would have allowed them to better understand how much of the community received the vaccine, and how well it worked.

“There’s not a single business organization that supports this legislation, except the trial bar,” Illinois Manufacturers Association president and CEO Mark Denzler said. “Make no mistake, this is not BIPA reform. … Just when we thought BIPA couldn’t get any worse for businesses in Illinois, lawmakers unveil a proposal that will only increase abuse of this law by trial attorneys.”

Senate Bill 1782 provides that a video blogger who features a minor child in 30% of their content shared on online platforms like YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, or others must set aside 15% of gross earnings on the video content in a trust account to be preserved for the benefit of the minor upon reaching 18 years old. The measure also would allow the child to request the deletion of the content upon turning 18.

State Rep. Lance Yednock said there is still time to address any issues. “We are a long way away from this happening, but you have to plan for it now to start thinking about what we may need in the future, which is going to be a lot more carbon-free energy that can be produced carbon-free from advanced nuclear reactors.”

Hendon and a group of business owners are urging Gov. JB Pritzker to make changes to allow them to sell interest to investors to get their businesses up and running.

“In fact, when measured in 2023 inflation-adjusted dollars, Illinois has realized no net revenue growth over the past 24 years from its sales taxes, liquor gallonage taxes, insurance taxes, corporate franchising taxes and associated fees combined. Projected forward over the next 20 years, Illinois’ extant tax policy won’t generate sufficient revenue growth to cover the cost of both maintaining the same level of public services currently provided into the future and repaying existing debt service. Which is the definition of a structural deficit.”

In 2021, there were changes to the Climate And Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which allows people to have solar panels installed to their homes and the Illinois Power Agency pays them back based on the size of the home and how much energy it would consume. More than 2,000 families are currently waiting for their claims to be processed.

Current federal law prohibits a non-U.S. citizen from becoming a police offer throughout the country. House Bill 3751 looks to change that law in Illinois.

“For decades, Illinoisans have seen state lawmakers pass surface reforms that simply delay the state’s pension challenges. Illinoisans have also seen state courts strike down any meaningful pension reforms because of the Illinois Constitution’s extreme pension provision, which has been interpreted to mean pension benefits are prioritized above all other government spending. This poll indicates the majority of Illinoisans are not OK with the status quo. “

“The state generated $212 million in gas-tax revenue in April, the highest monthly total for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2022. Look for that number to go even higher on July 1, 2023, when another automatic gas-tax hike takes effect.”

Supporters of the legislation, including the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, say it will enhance “victims’ rights.” But business groups, including the Illinois Manufacturers Association, and Republicans warned the law would only make Illinois – a state already known as being unfriendly to business and employers – even less so.

That amendment to SB 79 would exempt “relicensure” of nuclear power plants from the requirement that they use “advanced nuclear reactor” technology, which would be required for new construction.