* KFVS…

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is asking the state legislature to change the way it pays families of fallen first responders.

The way the current law is written, money for benefits could run out before the end of the year, requiring the state legislature to approve supplemental appropriations.

In Williamson County on Thursday, September 29, Mendoza urged lawmakers to pass a bill in the legislature to approve more funding.

“No family should have to wait a minute more than it takes to process their claim and get it to my office for payment. Now I immediately knew that this was a problem that needed to be fixed and I’m happy to be able to lead the charge along with these wonderful members of the legislature who are going to carry the bill on behalf of all of these families and unfortunately the future families who will in fact have to receive benefits,” Mendoza said.

* The Southern…

Together with State Rep. Dave Vella of Rockford and State Sen. Christopher Belt of Swansea, Mendoza is championing HB 5785 and SB 4229, which are measures to ensure timely compensation for the next of kin of fallen first responders and members of the armed forces.

“It seemed absurd to me. Legislators budgeted $5 million that year in death benefits. We underestimated by almost half what benefits would be needed,” Mendoza said.

She added that no family should have to wait longer than it takes for the Comptroller’s Office to get the claim and pay it. […]

The legislation also will extend the time a family has to apply for benefits. They currently have one year; the new law extends it to two years.

* The Telegraph…

Inappropriate and coercive teacher-student relationships would be outlawed under legislation introduced by state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville. […]

Stuart introduced House Bill 5809 in response to an incident in which a male former teacher at Granite City High School published an online book detailing a reported sexual relationship with a female student, then 18 years old.

The student later obtained a restraining order against the teacher. The teacher resigned and has lost his teaching license. He was cleared of criminal wrongdoing because the student was above the legal age of consent at the time.

“My bill will close what is, honestly, an appalling blind spot in our current state laws,” Stuart said. “No educator should be having this kind of relationship with a student, and no student — regardless of age — can truly consent to this kind of relationship. The risk of coercion is too high, and the imbalance of power is too great.”

* Press Release…

Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), an advocacy organization dedicated to safeguarding India’s pluralist and tolerant ethos, has welcomed the announcement by Illinois State Senator Ram Villivalam that the state will change a law, passed earlier this year to set up an Indian American Advisory Council, that uses religion to define the Indian American community, thus creating the potential for anti-Muslim discrimination.

After meeting civil society groups, Senator Villivalam tweeted: “It has been brought to my attention that the Indian American Advisory Council law was drafted with language that is not inclusive to all Indian Americans who call Illinois home. I am committed to working with my colleagues, stakeholders, and constituents to rectify this language. Just like we have done with hundreds of other laws and programs, we will ensure this law reflects the diversity and the welcoming nature of our state. I am proud of the work that has been done on behalf of and in collaboration with the Muslim American community.” […]

The current law says the Council will, “advise the [Illinois] Governor and the General Assembly on policy issues impacting Indian Americans and immigrants; to advance the role and civic participation of Indian Americans in this State; to enhance trade and cooperation between Indian-majority countries and this State; and, in cooperation with State agencies, boards, and commissions, to build relationships with and disseminate information to Indian American and immigrant communities across this State.” […]

The activists urged the lawmakers to pause any appointments to this Council until the law was altered. Illinois must consult extensively with the Indian community, including all faiths, caste, and language, to select the Council’s members, they said.

* The Center Square…

Last April, the House narrowly passed a measure that lowered the criminal penalties for what they call low-level possession of drugs like fentanyl and heroin. Misdemeanors under the bill include possession of less than five grams of cocaine, less than five pills of most scheduled III substances such as Xanax and Valium, and less than 40 pills of oxycodone and similar painkillers. […]

Republicans have introduced legislation designed to allow state attorneys to prosecute fentanyl dealers.