* Crain’s…

One bill worth watching that you haven’t heard much about: Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s request to convert the state’s Affordable Care Act — aka “Obamacare” — insurance exchange from federal to state control. That would allow the state to, for instance, guarantee coverage for abortion and birth control if the White House were to flip back to Republicans.

If you click the link, keep in mind that session is scheduled to end two weeks from Friday, not one week.

* Politico…

Uber is out with a six-figure radio ad buy that opposes a state House bill that sponsors say would hold rideshare companies accountable for the safety of passengers. Uber opposes the bill, saying it’s more about ending “frivolous lawsuits,” which would make rideshare “more expensive for everyone,” according to the ad.

* Press release…

A new proposal from Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and State Representative La Shawn Ford (8th District – Chicago) would no longer make it illegal for motorists to have items hanging from their rearview mirror, which often serve as a pretext for traffic stops.
 
Under House Bill 2389, law enforcement would no longer have the authority to stop a motorist for simply hanging items like air fresheners, rosaries or disability placards from their rearview mirror while driving. This legislative effort – which passed the Illinois House on March 24 and is awaiting an expected floor vote in the Senate – follows through on a campaign promise Giannoulias made in 2021.
 
Current Illinois law prohibits such items from hanging from a rearview mirror, or affixed to a windshield, on the grounds that they obstruct a motorist’s vision. Such unnecessary encounters over minor vehicle code offenses can lead to violent confrontations between police and motorists. Additionally, this arcane law can serve as a pretext for racially motivated traffic stops for minor infractions.
 
“Pulling someone over for merely having an air freshener attached to the rearview mirror is not only archaic, it’s ridiculous,” Giannoulias said. “Amending the law by prohibiting traffic stops that encourage discriminatory practices will ultimately make our streets safer for both motorists and police officers.” […]
 
House Bill 2389, which is sponsored in the Senate by State Senator Christopher Belt (57th District – East St. Louis), passed the Senate Transportation Committee 17-1 on April 19, sending it to the full Senate for consideration. If the bill passes the full Senate, it will advance to the governor’s office.

* HB3601 is still in the House Rules Committee and never even received a committee vote. But, here’s WGEM…

Illinois Bill, HB 3601, looks to provide schools the information, tools, spare parts, software, and other means to extend the life of classroom devices.

The Quincy Public School District’s IT Director, Dan Ware said Chromebooks are cheaper to use and buy compared to other laptops. He said it’s also easier for both students, and teachers to use for learning purposes.

However after a certain amount of years, he said Google will no longer support certain Chromebook models which can cost $400 to replace, depending on the model. […]

Ware said their Chromebooks will expire in 2030. He said while it’s possible to put new software on the Chromebooks, it can be tricky to find and would be more expensive than buying a new one. As for parts, it can also be tricky depending on the type. He said keyboards are the most common part they have to replace, which can range up to $15, depending on the condition of it. For other parts, it can vary on prices, and availability. But the bill could make it easier for them.

* WCIA…

A push in the Capitol would require animal shelters and animal control facilities to waive adoption fees for veterans. […]

The bill passed unanimously out of the House and is waiting further action in the Senate.

“This gives our vets who have sacrificed so much, just an opportunity to have that extra support, that extra comfort, that camaraderie, that friendship that we have with our animals, with our pets that become part of the family,” State Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood), the bill’s sponsor in the Senate, said. […]

Some shelters like the Animal Protective League (APL) in Springfield work with veterans on a case-by-case basis and have, in some instances, waived or discounted the fees.

* Higher Ed Dive…

An Illinois bill that would establish guardrails on income-share agreements, a controversial method of financing a college education, has stalled in a Senate committee.

Income-share agreements, or ISAs, allow college graduates to pay back their tuition and fees through a monthly portion of their salaries over a set time frame with little to no initial costs. However, ISA critics argue these deals are often difficult to parse, potentially saddle students with greater debt, and have minimal government oversight.

Illinois’ draft legislation would allow ISA providers to take up to a 20% cut of graduates’ income until their tuition is repaid. Providers would also need to ensure graduates wouldn’t pay an effective annual percentage rate greater than 36%.

* Maybe there should be a bill to stop these online newspaper subscription scams…

Change the state where you live in your account to California and it will let you cancel

— austin (@bainard) April 28, 2023