* Daily Herald…
A bill raising the age of road tests for seniors from 79 to 87, backed by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, passed the Illinois House unanimously Wednesday. […]
Current law requires drivers aged 79 and 80 to take a road exam when their four-year license renewal is up. For drivers aged 81 to 86, it’s every two years, and for those 87 and older, it’s yearly.
State Rep. Jeff Keicher, a Sycamore Republican, and Rep. Joyce Mason, a Gurnee Democrat, had sponsored previous bills to end the age requirement but those never made it to the House floor.
“I’m glad that after all the hard work Rep. Mason and I did last year in the House and Sen. (Don) Dewitte in the Senate to advance this issue for Illinois seniors, that we finally got it over the first goal line,” Keicher said.
The legislation also means that drivers ages 81 through 86 would not need a road exam to renew their license but must take a vision test. Renewals are in-person, every two years.
* The Pantagraph…
In remarks at an event kicking off the annual lobby day for the state’s agriculture industry in the Illinois Capitol, state Sen. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, expressed delight in the generally bipartisan nature of legislative initiatives pertaining to farmers. […]
But with Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker seated in front of him, Chesney turned to a point of contention: Illinois’ status as one of 12 states with an estate tax.
“You cannot say you support family farms and allow a regressive estate tax to be in place in the state of Illinois,” Chesney said. […]
Pritzker and Chesney had a brief exchange after Chesney concluded his remarks.
“I said, actually, to Sen. Chesney as he came off the stage that I’m happy to talk about (it), he just has to tell us how we’re going to pay for it,” Pritzker told reporters after the event. “It’s a few $100 million of revenue to the state. So, if he’s able to come with his ideas about how to pay for it, then we ought to talk about it.”
* Tribune…
The Netflix miniseries “Adolescence” isn’t just a gripping drama to binge-watch over a weekend; it’s a wake-up call about the very real dangers kids on the internet face today. The show follows a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a classmate, fueled by dark online influences. It’s an extreme example, but one that is sadly reflected in real-life tragedies, igniting important dialogues about often unseen risks of social media and unrestricted online content, prompting parents, educators and policymakers to confront the need for protective measures for children entering the digital realm.
Right now, Illinois has the chance to turn this conversation into action with a new bill, the Digital Age Assurance Act. This critical piece of legislation would require specified manufacturers to implement device-based age verification to prevent young children from accessing potentially harmful platforms and content online. […]
Social media platforms in many cases can become addictive with infinite scrolling, constant notifications and curated feeds. Early exposure to these sites can have detrimental effects on critical development of self-control, attention spans and social skills. As a result of this constant pressure to be online, too many young people see negative impacts on their physical health, sleep habits and academic performance. […]
This is a problem that needs to be taken seriously, and it requires an industrywide solution. Leaving individual app-makers and web developers as the sole enforcers of age restrictions leaves the door open for far too many loopholes that could put our kids in harm’s way. Age verification needs to occur from the very start of a child’s online journey, and a device-based policy is the most effective way to do that.
Sen. Preston’s bill is up against an April 11 deadline, but its assigned committee, AI and Social Media, isn’t scheduled to meet this week.
* Capitol News Illinois…
Legislation approved on a 111-0 vote by the House on Wednesday adds women’s professional sports to the types of sports facilities the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority can oversee. Current law only allows the ISFA to oversee sports facilities for baseball, football and auto racing.
“What I wanted to accomplish with this bill is to make sure that women’s professional sports were being treated equally to men’s professional sports,” bill sponsor Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, D-Chicago, said in an interview.
The bill’s passage comes amid pushes by the Chicago Bears and Chicago White Sox for state funding to build new stadiums. But the Chicago Red Stars, a women’s professional soccer team that plays in suburban Bridgeview, are also interested in a new stadium with help from state funding. Team owner Laura Ricketts met with General Assembly leadership last year, Crain’s Chicago Business reported.
Delgado stressed the bill isn’t designed to move any specific stadium proposal forward and said the Red Stars have not approached her with any specific plan.
* Sen. Steve Stadelman…
To help fill vacant state job positions, State Senator Steve Stadelman passed a measure out of the Senate to diversify the state workforce and improve hiring outcomes that would open the door for more state job positions for people across Illinois.
“There are many people who have relevant work experience but lack a college degree, eliminating their eligibility from almost all state government jobs,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “If a degree is the only qualification they don’t meet, we are turning away talent that will still be able to get the jobs filled and done right.”
Senate Bill 1884 would allow relevant work experience – in lieu of a bachelor’s degree – to be considered when filling state job opportunities. Relevant work experience does not apply if the knowledge, skills or abilities required for the position for which an applicant is applying can only reasonably be obtained through a course of study in pursuit of a bachelor’s or other advanced degree.
The bill is also an effort to boost workforce equity by expanding access to good-paying jobs for working families and other communities who have been previously underrepresented in state government careers.
“State job openings will continue to sit unfilled if we do not take away educational barriers,” said Stadelman. “It’s time we take years of work experience and skillsets seriously so our residents have an opportunity at reliable jobs.”
Senate Bill 1884 passed the Senate April 4.
* WAND…
A plan requiring health insurance companies to cover prescription vitamins is one step closer to becoming law in Illinois.
State employee, private insurance, and managed care plans would be forced to provide the new coverage for prescription vitamins starting January 1, 2027.
Rep. Lisa Davis (D-Chicago) told her colleagues Tuesday that this policy will not apply to vitamins purchased over the counter. However, Republicans believe the change will cause higher insurance premiums. […]
House Bill 3699 passed out of the House on a 74-37 vote. The measure now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
* Sen. Linda Holmes…
Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes – alongside family members and advocates of terminally ill adults – outlined their support of legislation to provide terminally ill patients with end-of-life options during a subcommittee Wednesday.
“We are working to take a compassionate step forward to honor the fundamental human right to determine one’s own end-of-life journey with autonomy and peace,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “People deserve the dignity to make their own deeply personal choices – and to do so surrounded by their loved ones while free from unnecessary suffering.”
Holmes’ legislation would allow mentally capable, terminally ill adults with six months or less to live the option to request a prescription for medication that they could choose to take to end their suffering peacefully. Physicians would not administer the medication; patients would need to be able to take the medication themselves. To protect against coercion, the measure includes eligibility requirements and assessments by the attending physician and a consulting physician, who will determine if the patient has the mental capacity to make an informed decision.
If either physician has doubt, they must refer the patient to a licensed mental health professional for further evaluation. The physicians must apprise the patient of all end-of-life options. Further, coercing, attempting to force someone to request a prescription, or forging a medication request would be a felony under the legislation. No health care professional would be required to participate, and individuals would be able to withdraw their request or decide not to take the medication.
* Sen. Adriane Johnson…
In an effort to bring transparency and dignity to end-of-life care in Illinois correctional facilities, State Senator Adriane championed a measure that would require the Illinois Department of Corrections to publish annual reports on its hospice and palliative care programs.
“No one should face death alone and without dignity, regardless of where they are,” said Senator Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “This legislation will help us understand how the state is treating people at the end of their lives and allow lawmakers to make informed decisions on how to improve care for incarcerated individuals.”
Senate Bill 1524, an initiative of Access Living, was introduced in honor of Eddie Thomas—a man who died alone in a prison infirmary just five months after receiving a lung cancer diagnosis, without access to any end-of-life care.
Under the measure, the IDOC would be required to publish an annual report on its website by Dec. 1 of each year detailing the use and administration of hospice and palliative care programs. The report must include demographic data of individuals who received care, the total number of individuals enrolled in hospice and palliative care programs, the average length of stay in these programs, the number of individuals who died while receiving care compared to those who died without it, the department’s current policies and administrative directives regarding end-of-life care, information on staff available to provide hospice and palliative care, and the overall cost of administering these programs. […]
Senate Bill 1524 passed the Senate and heads to the House for further consideration.
* WAND…
State senators passed a bill Wednesday night to ban cell phones in classrooms.
The legislation requires school districts to adopt policies to ensure students do not use their cell phones during instructional time in a way that meets the needs of their community.
Each school district would need to allow for exceptions in cases of emergencies and if students with disabilities need technology. Teachers could also use cell phones for educational purposes.
“Students need to focus on what’s going on in the classroom and we want to help them be successful,” said Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin). “Let’s get the distracting devices out of their hands and have their noses in those books.”
* Daily Herald…
Legislation permitting speed cameras in some Cook County suburbs is on hold in favor of another bill also aimed at improving safety, sponsor state Sen. Laura Murphy said.
The speed camera proposal, Senate Bill 1497, would allow home-rule municipalities in Cook with populations of 35,000 or more to install speed cameras near schools along designated truck routes like Northwest Highway.
Constituents are concerned about trucks and other vehicles speeding and creating a dangerous situation for pedestrians, Murphy, a Democrat from Des Plaines, explained Tuesday. […]
Murphy introduced the camera initiative Jan. 31, but has paused it for now. A separate proposal, Senate Bill 1941, enables flashing beacons at crossings is more likely to pass the General Assembly, she said, and also would have a positive impact on safety.
- jolietj - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 9:45 am:
“Let’s get the distracting devices out of their hands and have their noses in those books.” Amen. Too bad can’t do it for rest of society. Article out today about how Augusta National doesn’t allow cell phones and how much more enjoyable it is because of it
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 10:17 am:
Raising the age for road tests for seniors up to 87 is insane to me.
There is a wide gulf between the best-case/worst-case mental-physical capabilities of folks over 75.
We should err on the side of safety for the public.
- H-W - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 10:25 am:
Re: Sen. Steve Stadelman and SB 1884
I am somewhat surprised this practice is not already codified into state employment more fully. I say this as a professor who understands what a college education brings to the table. I have taught general education courses as well as major courses and well as a few graduate courses. I have also supervised graduate students theses.
I routinely tell my students the degree is not simply an entry-level requirement (although it appears in many cases to be so). Rather, the college degree guarantees fundamental skills sets that can be learned on the job, along with leadership skills.
People who through their work experiences have learn job specific as well as general skills associated with leadership should not be turned away for promotion (or entry) simply because of the absence of explicit certification. My only hesitation would be require more extensive interviews with supervisors of the applicant in lieu of academic certification. In general, this is a good bill and I would support it.
- City Zen - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 10:28 am:
==Illinois has the chance to turn this conversation into action with a new bill==
Can’t wait to see them introduce legislation based on The White Lotus.
- H-W - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 10:34 am:
Re: Sen. Adriane Johnson
Regardless of whether this bill is approved, defeated or does not make to the floor, the intent is morally correct. The Governor’s office should commission such a study to gather such information and report its findings. Death without dignity approaches the definition of cruel and unusual punishment in principle, and I am willing to bet, in practice. It speaks ill of our State if we allow criminals to “rot away.”
- Leap Day William - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 10:37 am:
== “You cannot say you support family farms and allow a regressive estate tax to be in place in the state of Illinois,” Chesney said. […] ==
The estate tax begins at $4 million, and is a progressive marginal rate that starts a 0.8% and caps at 16% on estates over $14 million in value. Farming is hard work, I’m not gonna deny that. Given the federal subsidies and support that farmers receive which enabled them to amass the kind of wealth that makes them subject to the estate tax, I’m struggling to find sympathy for these poor multi-millionaires who didn’t plan their estate well enough to manage its tax burden.
- Stones - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 10:49 am:
I live in a community where the average age of a resident is 68 years old. Not to paint with a broad brush but many of these folks really shouldn’t be driving. I see so many mishaps - not caused so much by excessive speeding but usually not being able to park properly, avoiding obstacles in the road, not using turn signals, etc. I favor keeping the age standards where they are at.
- Payback - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 10:51 am:
“Richard Wistocki was a decorated member of the Naperville Police Department for nearly 30 years..” Of course the cop wants what all cops crave: control. Disguised as “for the children.”
There is a device that moderates online activity of children, they are called parents. Not government.
- Happy Go Lucky - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 11:07 am:
College graduate here with an extensive work history in the public sector. Not once have I ever been called for a state job after applying.
Why aren’t state jobs being filled? Because the unions don’t want to fill them.
- Jurist - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 11:11 am:
The NWSL team is no longer the “Red Stars.” A lot of local soccer fans think the Ricketts changed the name to “Stars” to keep the communist symbolism away from their requests for state funding. As seen in the Capitol News article, that change has gone largely unnoticed.
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 11:17 am:
“… a regressive estate tax … .”
What? Are we in Missouri / Indiana? The late Iowa State University agricultural economics professor Neil Harl once stated “The idea that the estate tax is somehow forcing farmer to sell their land, it’s wrong, just dead wrong.” If people in agriculture took the same approach to estate planning as business owners in other sectors, this wouldn’t be an issue.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 11:18 am:
=There is a device that moderates online activity of children, they are called parents.=
Not anymore.
=Can’t wait to see them introduce legislation based on The White Lotus.=
I am looking forward to seeing legislation based on Vice Principals
- froganon - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 11:18 am:
Reducing he testing requirements for older drivers is awful. I speak as a 70+ driver. People’s health and abilities fade as we get older. Testing alerts drivers and their families about dealing with declining abilities. This is bad legislation.
- NobodyAskedMe - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 11:24 am:
Happy, what could possibly make you think unions don’t want to add to dues-paying members?
- Excitable Boy - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 11:29 am:
- Because the unions don’t want to fill them. -
Maybe you aren’t getting calls because you’re obviously unqualified? Most state jobs are in the bargaining unit and most employees join the union. The idea that they’re the impediment could only be hatched by someone incompetent.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 12:04 pm:
My old man, who was a great driver in his day, is 85 and has no business behind the wheel.
An 86-year-old driving a 3/4-ton pickup that hasn’t been road tested in years?
Find the flaw in that plan.
- H-W - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 12:09 pm:
Re: Older Drives
Look at the data. Follow the data. I believe the push for this originated in the finding that 0lder drivers are not more dangerous, according to insurance studies. That would seem correct to me. I would guess based on anedotal observations, that as people age, they tend to drive much less. No trips - just a weekly trip to the bank and then the grocery store. Sure the drive more slowly, and may impede those in a hurry to get somewhere. But I do not see old people as an impediment on a racetrack. I see them as slow people in the slow lane.
On another level, it is somewhat prejudicial to assume all old people drive until they drop. Most old people already know their response time and reflexes are slower. Hence they drive slower. And many stop driving altogether when they realize they are not capable. Assuming all old people are a threat is just mean-spirited.
But regardless of biases against the elderly, look at the data. What do the data say? I am sure the insurance industry does, and I do not see them saying “get those old people off the roads ASAP. They are killing people and costing us fortunes.”
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 12:11 pm:
“The idea that they’re the impediment … .”
Their rules on replacing vacancies, particularly on “laterals” slow the entire process down.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 12:13 pm:
=Find the flaw in that plan.=
Come on, go easy on the pols… they are pandering for votes.
- Steve Polite - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 12:27 pm:
“Why aren’t state jobs being filled? Because the unions don’t want to fill them.”
This is patently absurd and illogical. Of course unions want open positions filled. Every new state employee in a union position is a potential dues paying member. Sometimes AFSCME has to forcefully push management to fill positions.
- Leatherneck - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 1:38 pm:
=Right now, Illinois has the chance to turn this conversation into action with a new bill, the Digital Age Assurance Act. This critical piece of legislation would require specified manufacturers to implement device-based age verification to prevent young children from accessing potentially harmful platforms and content online. […]=
How long before kids try to find workarounds around the age verification to watch the inappropriate programs? Similar to back in the analog cable days when kids or other people tried to do whatever they could to access at least a partially unscrambled picture from HBO or the adult channels.
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 2:12 pm:
@H-W - I know not all old people are bad drivers or irresponsible.
But we don’t legislate based on best cases. That’s why 16 year olds have to jump through so many hoops as new drivers.
That the insurance company money crunchers have determined they can collect a lot more money on old people’s insurance policies staying in effect than they will have to pay out in claims does not mean old drivers are actually suddenly safe.
You yourself acknowledge old people have worse reflexes and response time. What is wrong with the DMV actually checking out how bad the problem is with the 79+ set?
- Amalia - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 2:27 pm:
The Netflix streamer Adolescence is interesting and has some great acting. but it does not present a balanced view of the internet issue portrayed. it looks virtually completely at the kid who kills the girl. not what she put on line. to understand the issue completely you have to look at how toxic it is for all sides, the motivations, the stream the kids are in. the show does not really do that. and anyone who considers policies about it should not simply look at boys who do awful things.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 3:37 pm:
=Raising the age for road tests for seniors up to 87 is insane to me.=
The Raising Every Illinoisan’s Car Insurance Premium Act of 2025.
When my grandmother was 82, she backed her car out of her driveway and into the house across the street. Thankfully no one was injured.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 3:47 pm:
==Not once have I ever been called for a state job after applying.==
Maybe take the hint. If you aren’t getting the job then that’s a you problem and not an indication that the state is not filing the job. Maybe stop complaining and start working on why you aren’t getting the job.
- Shytown - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 7:40 pm:
There’s so much research that shows social media and much of content that young people are exposed to are harming their growing brains in multiple ways. I’m surprised it’s taken this long to come up with a solution this like this. It’s easy and sensible.
- I.T. Guy - Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 7:51 pm:
=A bill raising the age of road tests for seniors from 79 to 87, backed by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias=
Having just watched an 81 year-old president self-destruct I’m confident this is a bad move.
Alexi Giannoulias needs to stop pandering and show true leadership.
- NorthSideNoMore - Friday, Apr 11, 25 @ 8:53 am:
Leap Day, So recently a friend inherited 400 acres of prime Illinois farm land value in the 5.7 million range. Because of the State tax they had to borrow $400K against their land (not ideal). Believe it or not most farmers are not sitting on a big pile of cash. Costs are pretty much fixed and generally predictable for seed, fuel, fertilizer and labor. What is not fixed is the price of commodities and what your profit may be year after year. I can tell you not a lot of working family farmers are sitting on that kind of cash. Being dirt rich and cash poor is a real thing. You have two choices pay the tax or sell the land. Regardless of how you got there farming is expensive. The costs of a new tractor or combine if you buy local (John Deer X9) bring your check book and first communion money to the tune of 900K plus another 300k for the bean head and the depreciation right off only last for what 5 years ?