* Illinois Times…

On May 9 the Public Utilities Committee approved an amendment to a bill which would lift the moratorium on nuclear power plant construction. That amendment to SB 79 would exempt “relicensure” of nuclear power plants from the requirement that they use “advanced nuclear reactor” technology, which would be required for new construction. The proposal, submitted by Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, passed the committee unanimously. The bill currently has a May 19 deadline for passage.

David Kraft, director of the Nuclear Energy Information Service, a Chicago-based organization opposed to the proliferation of nuclear power, called the new amendment a “bait and switch” tactic because all discussion of the bill until the May 9 hearing was about Small Modular Nuclear Reactors, while no mention was made during hearings of applying more liberal rules to existing nuclear plants. Kraft’s organization is joined in its opposition to the measure by the Illinois Sierra Club, Illinois Environmental Council, Environmental Law and Policy Center, and Physicians for Social Responsibility.

Under current law, no nuclear power plants may be constructed in Illinois unless there is a method for permanent disposal of high-level nuclear waste approved by either the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the Illinois legislature. SB 76 would eliminate that restriction. The measure has widespread bipartisan support.

SB 76 and its companion bill HB 1079 were introduced in January at the beginning of the legislative session and in the next four hearings proponents of the bill presented evidence that focused on a new technology currently in development called Small Modular Nuclear Reactors. Their claim is that SMNRs are safer, cleaner, more portable and less expensive than traditional nuclear power plants. However, the technology will not be ready in the United States at least until 2029 and it could be years after that before production reaches a scale large enough to have an impact on energy production. Critics of SMNRs argue that not only is the technology immature but SMNRs are actually dirtier, more expensive and more susceptible to terrorist attack and other proliferation risks.

* Fox Chicago…

A state Senate Committee late Wednesday approved a bill limiting the way guns are marketed.

The proposal would punish any gun maker or gun seller who “knowingly endanger the public by failing to establish reasonable controls.”

Over 1,100 pro-gun rights activists registered their opposition, which also makes it illegal to run marketing campaigns to Illinoisans under the age of 18 or to those engaging in unlawful paramilitary or private militia activity.

The Republican leader of the state Senate objected to the vagueness of some of that language.

* Center Square…

Attorney General Kwame Raoul supports House Bill 218, which among other things allows lawsuits for marketing firearms to children.

“We’ve seen an Illinois manufacturer remove their previous advertisement for the ‘JR-15, own one just like mom and dad’s’ after coming under national pressure,” Raoul told the Illinois Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.

“We’ve seen an Illinois manufacturer remove their previous advertisement for the ‘JR-15, own one just like mom and dad’s’ after coming under national pressure,” Raoul told the Illinois Senate Executive Committee Wednesday. […]

Another provision makes it unlawful for the gun industry to advertise what could appear to support “unlawful paramilitary or private militia activity.” Aurora Sportsmen’s Club board member Todd Vandermyde asked who makes the call on whether sponsoring self-defense training crosses over to paramilitary training.

* Journal Courier…

The Illinois Senate is preparing for the third reading of a bill that would require feminine hygiene products to be provided free in any public toilet facility that is available to women, or any that are not gender-specific.

An amendment to House Bill 3093 is scheduled to be heard today by the Senate’s Executive Committee before it is sent to the floor for a third reading. The General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn Friday.

“I think it is government overreach,” said state Sen. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, who serves on the Executive Committee. “What will happen is private businesses will simply close their restrooms to the public. Asking them to carry these products is a cost-barrier to businesses. I certainly don’t support it.” […]

“I have been fighting for fair access to reproductive hygiene products for years now because every person deserves to have their vital health care needs met,” Hernandez said. “This measure is a big step toward fulfilling that right by guaranteeing products to people who menstruate that they cannot live without.

* WGEM…

The CDC reports over 100,000 Americans died of a drug overdose in 2022, with fentanyl being a factor in 67% of those.

Illinois House lawmakers continue to debate House Bill 0002 bill which would allow the Illinois Department of Health and Human Services to establish overdose prevention sites in cities. For those not familiar with them, overdose prevention sites offer drug users a place to do drugs, and revived by staff if they overdose, and offer them resources or help for them to get clean.

Local law enforcement and the state attorney are concerned about this legislation, as they don’t think it’ll help.

Adams County Sheriff Anthony Grootens said methadone clinics were offered to heroine addicts back in the 70s to help them get clean, but they failed to help get users off the drugs. He said while the sites can help prevent overdoses at the location, it won’t stop someone from overdosing outside of the clinic hours later, a sight they have seen before.

* WAND…

The Illinois House unanimously passed a bill Wednesday to make the popular AIM HIGH grant pilot program permanent for college students.

This grant was specifically designed to help Illinois keep the “best and brightest” high school students in the state after years of declining enrollment when many of those students chose colleges in other states that offer attractive merit based scholarships.

Sponsors said many students from middle class families do not qualify for MAP and Pell grants, but they still deserve an opportunity to receive financial aid. […]

The plan now heads to the Senate for further consideration. Sponsors hope the measure can pass out of the Senate before the scheduled adjournment on Friday.

* WAND…

Sangamon County could soon have a rescue squad to help law enforcement, firefighters, and other first responders.

A bill moving to the Illinois House floor would allow the Sangamon County Board to form, manage, fund, and operate the volunteer rescue squad. Sponsors explained Wednesday the volunteers may help locate missing people and drowning victims, support in fighting fires, and extricate people from unsafe conditions.

The Sangamon County Board would be responsible for providing benefits for rescue squad volunteers who suffer disease, injuries, or death in the line of duty. […]

The rescue squad plan was a bipartisan initiative from Senators Steve McClure (R-Springfield) and Doris Turner (D-Springfield) and Representatives Sue Scherer (D-Decatur) and Wayne Rosenthal (R-Morrisonville). Didech included their bill language in a completely separate proposal regarding community mental health services to ensure their plan could be approved before the spring session ends.

* Herald-Review…

A bill that would reform Illinois’ arcane tax sale system is working through the legislature in the waning days of spring session as lawmakers seek to close loopholes that often leave properties languishing down the path to blight and, ultimately, demolition.

The legislation, sponsored by state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, aims to essentially get these properties out of a limbo status by making it easier for homeowners and business owners to pay back their delinquent taxes or, if the property has been abandoned, allowing local governments to intervene and take possession earlier than is allowed under current state law.

Delinquent property taxes are put up for auction annually. Once they are sold, a lien is placed on the property and the owner has three years to pay back the tax buyer with interest. This gives people time to pay what they owe while ensuring that local units of government receive the tax revenue they levied for. […]

The legislation was approved in House committee Wednesday morning.