* Capitol News Illinois…
A bill aimed at making college education and teacher preparation programs more accessible and affordable for people of color began working its way through the General Assembly on Saturday with the formal introduction of language that lawmakers have been negotiating for months.
The action came on the second day of the General Assembly’s lame duck session, which is focused heavily on a racial and social justice agenda developed over the summer and fall by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus.
Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, who chairs the House Higher Education Committee, introduced the language in the form of a 268-page amendment to Senate Bill 458. During a hearing Saturday, she said the omnibus bill touches on numerous aspects of higher education, but she focused the hearing on a few key parts: restructuring the AIM HIGH scholarship program; increasing the diversity of the state’s teaching workforce; and reforming the way schools place students into non-credit bearing “developmental” or “remedial” classes.
Go read the rest for the details.
* And while we’re on this topic…
- low level - Sunday, Jan 10, 21 @ 10:05 am:
Mike’s bill is common sense. The only people benefiting from the in state collegiate games ban are off shore gaming sites. This bill should be passed ASAP.
- Lucky Pierre - Sunday, Jan 10, 21 @ 10:25 am:
Why don’t they allow wagering on what percentage of the legislators will be convicted of the crimes they are indicted for?
- Jimmy The Geek - Sunday, Jan 10, 21 @ 11:04 am:
Hoping the Legislators include expungement of any prior Book Making convictions as part of the sweeping Progressive changes coming, similar to Cannabis now that Book Making is Legal.
- CapnCrunch - Sunday, Jan 10, 21 @ 12:07 pm:
“…. Given that [NCAA athletes were asked to play during COVID], the idea they’d be harmed by wagering is illusory… I look forward to…..find a way for student athletes to benefit from wagers placed on games they play in”
Don’t understand the logic here. NCAA athletes weren’t asked to play, they asked to be allowed to play. As for finding a way for student athletes to benefit from wagers placed on games they play in , see Bradley University 1951 basketball team.
- Been There - Sunday, Jan 10, 21 @ 12:24 pm:
===Mike’s bill is common sense. The only people benefiting from the in state collegiate games ban are off shore gaming sites. This bill should be passed ASAP.====
Or just head over to Indiana. Or call a friend in Indiana who will do it for you.
- Rep Z - Sunday, Jan 10, 21 @ 12:55 pm:
Capn- basically what I’m saying is the universities can’t have selective concern over the welfare of student athletes when they sent them out to play during COVID. And I’d like to explore using revenues derived from wagers on these games for the purposes of protecting the health, welfare, and financial security of athletes as they risk injury.
- PublicServant - Sunday, Jan 10, 21 @ 1:48 pm:
Thanks for the clarification Rep Z. I initially thought your bill would allow the athletes themselves to bet on games. Using a percentage of the bets to compensate the athletes is a good idea.