* Pluribus News…

California enacted the Coogan Act in 1939 to protect child actors. In 2023, state lawmakers in Illinois and Washington State want to protect the children of vloggers — parents who document their lives on video and share it to platforms such as YouTube and TikTok to earn money.

Like the Coogan Act, named after child actor Jackie Coogan of Charlie Chaplin fame, the vlogger bills introduced in both states would require that parents carve off a portion of their earnings for their children. The measures would also give the children of vloggers the right, when they turn 18, to request that video of them be taken offline. […]

While the Washington bill appears dead for now, a virtually identical bill in Illinois, sponsored by Sens. David Koehler (D) and Linda Holmes (D), is still in play.

Koehler said he got the idea from a 15-year-old constituent who contacted his office concerned about the potential for youth who grow up in a vlogging household to be exploited. The bill is modeled on the Washington legislation.

* ABC Chicago…

Since the I-Team first reported on xylazine earlier this month, it has quickly become labeled around the world as the “zombie drug.” The animal tranquilizer, not intended for human use, can cause a stupor-like state and produce raw, open wounds in chronic users. […]

Illinois legislation introduced this month in the Senate would outlaw the manufacturer, delivery or possession of the animal tranquilizer for human use.

However, even laws don’t address the humanity Dr. Poorman said is needed.

“People who use drugs are people who deserve our compassion and love, and that is the only way they are going to get better. If you instead say, you know, they’re the scourge of the earth and we just got to stop, you know, drug use at whatever cost, then the consequence of that is clear. And we’re seeing that right now with the worst overdose crisis in American history,” Dr. Poorman said.

* WGN…

Illinois State Representative Rita Mayfield is sponsoring House Bill1049 which will prevent insurance companies from discriminating against breeds or certain mixes regarding homeowners or renters insurance. And her bill will also prevent landlords or HOA’s from discriminating against certain dog breeds or dogs of a certain size.

* Rep. Barbara Hernandez…

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the second Monday in October of each year (currently, the last Monday in September) shall be a holiday to be known as Indigenous Peoples Day to be observed throughout the State (currently, not a holiday). Removes Columbus Day as a holiday and a commemorative date. Amends the Election Code, the Illinois Procurement Code, the School Code, and the Promissory Note and Bank Holiday Act to make changes to provide for Indigenous Peoples Day as a State holiday and the removal of Columbus Day as a State holiday. Makes conforming changes.

* WCCU…

State Senator Neil Anderson, (R) IL 47th, reintroduced Senate Bill 2106, and State Senator Andrew Chesney, (R) IL 45th, has since co-sponsored the bill.

The bill would mandate any member of the General Assembly who wants to introduce a bill “pertaining to a firearm” to complete firearm training requirements under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, range safety officer training, and a basic knowledge test of firearms.

Chesney says that their goal with this bill is to have those from a different perspective understand what they are trying to regulate.

“What we’ve seen when it involves second amendment regulations is that those that are proposing this don’t normally have the training to regulate it,” said Chesney. “So you start to see things that in our view are unconstitutional and maybe out of step with perhaps how the majority of people feel on the particular topic.”

* Rep. Maura Hirschauer‘s HB3238…

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that, with certain exceptions, it is unlawful for any person within the State to knowingly manufacture, deliver, sell, import, or purchase or cause to be manufactured, delivered, sold, imported, or purchased by another, an armor plate, body armor, or military helmet. Provides that, with certain exceptions, beginning January 1, 2024, it is unlawful for any person within this State to knowingly possess an armor plate, body armor, or military helmet.

Provides that this provision does not apply to a person’s possession of an armor plate, body armor, or military helmet if the person lawfully possessed that armor plate, body armor, or military helmet prohibited by this provision, if the person has provided in an endorsement affidavit, within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, under oath or affirmation and in the form and manner prescribed by the Illinois State Police: (1) an affirmation that the affiant: (i) possessed an armor plate, body armor, or military helmet before the effective date of the amendatory Act; or (ii) inherited the armor plate, body armor, or military helmet from a person with an endorsement or from a person authorized to possess the armor plate, body armor, or military helmet possessed by the affiant prior to the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides exemptions. Provides that a violation of these provisions is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense.

* WQAD…

Illinois State Senator Win Stoller (R) from District 37 is speaking out against Governor J.B. Pritzker’s recently announced child care plan. […]

Stoller agreed that child care is a huge issue that needs addressing, but is concerned because it would be another new program to fund.

“When we look at the things that we could or should be spending money on, we still have K-12 education, we have higher education, healthcare - we gotta be making sure we’re taking care of that,” Stoller said. […]

Stoller recently announced support for Senate Bill 2200 which would give $200 million in rebates to Illinois energy customers affected by increased power bills.

The senator also voiced concerns over the state’s energy production. He is supporting Senate Bill 1548 which would reduce regulations from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. 

* SB0085…

Creates the State Beverage Container Recycling Refunds Act. Establishes the Distributor and Importer Responsibility Organization to implement a beverage container recycling redemption refund program to issue redemption refunds to consumers for beverage containers. Provides avenues for redeeming refunds under the Act. Contains labeling requirements. Sets forth performance targets for the Organization. Contains reporting requirements. Requires the Organization to establish an Operations Advisory Committee and an Equity and Access Advisory Committee. Contains provisions concerning reimbursement, enforcement, and administration and other provisions.

* Press release…

Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza stood with law enforcement and area leaders at Romeoville’s Village Hall Monday seeking support for a bill to ensure timely payments for the families of law enforcement officers, members of the armed forces, firemen, paramedics and other first responders killed in the line of duty.

SB 217/HB 3388 aims to ensure a continuing line of appropriation so that there is no delay for the families.

“Going back to the police memorial this past spring, I was approached by the family of fallen Officer Brian Pierce. Tammy and Brian Pierce asked me for my help in checking on the award payments afforded to families of first responders who die in the line of duty,” Comptroller Mendoza said.

Currently, the Line of Duty Compensation Act provides for a death benefit for claims filed within one year of the death of a law enforcement officer, civil defense worker, civil air patrol member, paramedic, fireman, chaplain, or State employee killed in the line of duty or for claims filed within two years of the death of an armed-forces member. The Line of Duty Compensation Act also provides a burial benefit for fallen law enforcement and firefighters killed in the line of duty.

The total number of claims for the Fiscal Year 2022 was 26, which was 13 more claims than had been budgeted for.

While waiting for the approval of supplemental appropriations, Brian Pierce Jr.’s family was delayed in receiving their son’s line of duty death benefit because of a lack of appropriation authority. Upon further meetings with the family to hear out their concerns, Comptroller Mendoza pledged to help change the way these funds are appropriated.

“I really knew I had to fix this from ever happening again. That is why I’ve asked State Rep. Dave Vella and Sen. Chris Belt to introduce legislation, House Bill 3388 and Senate Bill 217, that would allow these vouchers to come to my office so that I can pay them without any delay,” said Comptroller Mendoza.

“Every day I’m reminded, and I see the amazing heroicness, generosity and compassion people have, and we should share it back to them,” Romeoville Mayor John Noak said about first responders.