It’s just a bill
Wednesday, Oct 18, 2023 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Rep. Kam Buckner’s HB4168…
Amends the Election Code. Changes the minimum voting age to 16 years old (instead of 18 years old) for State and local elections. Makes conforming changes.
* Rep. Margaret Croke introduced HB4175…
Amends the School Code. Provides that a nonpublic school may not engage in slapping or paddling a student, the prolonged maintenance of a student in a physically painful position, or the intentional infliction of bodily harm on a student.
* 25 News Now…
The tragedy of losing a child to an undiagnosed pulmonary embolism is the driving force behind a new legislative proposal.
State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth has worked with the Hubbard family and the Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Insitute to create “Stop the Clot” legislation.
It aims to raise awareness and offer more education about blood disorders.
The measure is an effort to reduce morbidity and mortality rates for people with blood clots with earlier detection.
HB4172…
Creates the Deveraux Hubbard II Blood Clot Prevention and Treatment Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to carry out projects to increase education, awareness, or diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism and to reduce the incidence of morbidity and mortality caused by blood clots. Requires the Director of Public Health to establish the Advisory Committee for Deep Venous Thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolism Prevention. Sets forth the Advisory Committee’s duties, membership, reporting requirements, and termination of the Advisory Committee. Requires the Department to conduct or support a study on model systems of deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism surveillance and submit a report to the General Assembly detailing the results of the study.
* Vandalia Radio…
The Illinois chapter of a political advocacy organization is speaking out against a bill that would grant utilities the right-of-first refusal in the construction of transmission lines. The measure, which was vetoed by Governor J.B. Pritzker, would have given Ameren Illinois the power to build high-voltage transmission lines without going through the bidding process. Jason Heffley is the Illinois State Director for Americans for Prosperity:
“Obviously we’re looking to protect the consumer/tax payer. But with this bill in particular, its a priority for our organization across the country. But particularly in Illinois we’ve seen skyrocketing energy prices already because of some of the polices implemented and federal level.”
Pritzker vetoed HB3445 in August. From the governor’s release…
House Bill 3445 is an omnibus energy bill that makes changes to the Adjustable Block Grant program to make it more available to public schools, requires IPA to conduct a study evaluating several policy proposals, amends existing law regarding siting for renewable energy projects, requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to conduct a thermal energy network workshop, and gives incumbent utility providers the right of first refusal over new transmission projects in the MISO region.
The Governor has issued an Amendatory Veto due to the right of first refusal language inserted by Senate Amendment 4 that will raise costs for rate payers by giving incumbent utility providers in the MISO region a monopoly over new transmission lines. Eliminating competition will cause rates to increase in the MISO region, where there is currently over $3.6 billion in planned transmission construction in the Ameren service territory. Without competition, Ameren ratepayers will pay for these transmission projects at a much higher cost, putting corporate profits over consumers.
* Rep. Jed Davis introduced HB4173 on Friday…
Amends the School Code. Allows a METT Educator District License for teaching a course in manufacturing, engineering, technology, or a trade (METT) to be issued to an applicant who has at least 10,000 working hours in a trade. Provides that a METT Educator District License may be issued to qualified individuals who have not obtained a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent number of hours in an educational program at an institution of higher education. Provides that a METT Educator District License is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of the license being issued and may be renewed. Provides that a METT Educator District License is valid only for the teaching of a course that the State Board of Education has identified as related to the work experience of the licensee. Sets forth other provisions regarding the license. Amends the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Provides that the State Board of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity or the Department of Labor, shall expand a database to identify METT labor shortages. Provides that by July 1, 2026, school districts in identified regions shall be notified by the State Board and shall participate in a College and Career Pathway Endorsement program and offer a METT endorsement. Makes other changes.
* Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado introduced HB4165 last week…
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Requires all entities that receive renewable energy credits through the Illinois Power Agency for renewable energy credit projects to submit an annual report by April 15 on all procurement goals and actual spending for female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and small business enterprises in the previous calendar year. Requires the goals to be expressed as a percentage of the total work performed by the entity submitting the report, and the actual spending for all female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and small business enterprises shall also be expressed as a percentage of the total work performed by the entity submitting the report.
* HB4164 from Rep. La Shawn Ford…
Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Provides that by January 1, 2024, the Department of Agriculture shall adopt emergency rules and begin accepting applications for the conversion of transporting organization licenses to third-party transporting organization licenses. Provides that there shall be no applicable fees for the conversion application process, and the Department shall process these applications and convert qualifying transporting organization licenses to third-party transporting organization licenses within 60 days after application submission. Provides that third-party transporting organizations are subject to the same standards and requirements for transporting organizations under the Act. Provides that a cultivation center, craft grower, infuser, or infuser agent shall not transport cannabis or cannabis-infused products and shall use third-party transporting organizations for all transports authorized under the Act, unless (1) the licensee possesses a transporting organization license, (2) the licensee requires delivery within 36 hours, and (3) the licensee has offered a right of first refusal to all third-party transporting organizations and confirmed there are no available third-party transporting organizations to complete the delivery. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to make a conforming change. Effective immediately.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 1:03 pm:
=* Rep. Jed Davis introduced HB4173 on Friday…=
Making education worse, not better.
=Changes the minimum voting age to 16 years old (instead of 18 years old) for State and local elections.=
Hoping this does not pass. They should at least have to pass the constitution test before they vote.
- Retired SURS Employee - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 1:12 pm:
=HB4172= This proposed legislation is a good idea.
Having experienced an episode of DVT and a resultant pulmonary embolism, everyone should be aware of the these dangers, especially since such dangers can, as in my case, be genetic.
- NotRich - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 1:13 pm:
16 year olds can’t chose what socks to wear to school. God don’t let them choose a President. Lol
- JoanP - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 1:15 pm:
@NotRich -
This is restricted to state and local elections. Nothing to do with presidential elections.
Nevertheless, not a great idea.
- Interim Retiree - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 1:21 pm:
==Making Education worse, not better==
This is the first I’ve seen of the bill. There are things I liked in it but really need to know more about why it’s not good at, especially from current admins.
- Voting Age - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 1:21 pm:
Is there some public demand to lower the voting age of which we are unaware? What justification for this bill, if any, was provided? It seems as though the legislature should have more pressing matters to remedy.
- Dotnonymous x - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 1:43 pm:
Sixteen year olds are barely conscious…c’mon Man.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 2:01 pm:
===c’mon Man===
It’s just a bill.
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 2:06 pm:
In addition to lowering the voting age they should increase the juvenile act to up to 23. All I have heard from criminologist is that the brain isn’t developed till 23 so should be treated as minor for crimes but let them vote too.
- Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 2:08 pm:
My knee-jerk reaction to lowering the voting age was “no” but, really, why not? A lot of 16 year olds are better informed than many current voters and they have more at stake.
They could probably tell Rep. Davis why they would prefer a trained professional in their classroom.
- Hannibal Lecter - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 2:09 pm:
=== Amends the Election Code. Changes the minimum voting age to 16 years old (instead of 18 years old) for State and local elections. Makes conforming changes. ===
Can we stop messing with the Election laws already?
- JoanP - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 2:11 pm:
@ Voting Age -
= Is there some public demand to lower the voting age of which we are unaware? =
There is, in fact, an organization whose goal is to get the voting age lowered: https://vote16usa.org/reasons-for-lowing-voting-age-16/
And see: https://fairvote.org/archives/why_should_we_lower_the_voting_age_to_16/
And legislation was introduced in the U.S. House earlier this year to reduce the age: https://meng.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/meng-reintroduces-legislation-to-lower-the-voting-age-in-america-to-16-0
- Norseman - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 2:25 pm:
=== They should at least have to pass the constitution test before they vote. ===
We have a lot of MAGA GOP politicians (cough, cough, Tommy Tuberville) and probably a few Dems as well who couldn’t pass this test.
P.S. Concur that the 16yr old bill is bad.
- cermak_rd - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 2:27 pm:
About HB4175 , good that it’s going to be discussed, but wouldn’t the non-public school be guilty of assault or possibly battery on a student if they engaged in “…slapping or paddling a student, the prolonged maintenance of a student in a physically painful position, or the intentional infliction of bodily harm on a student. ”
And what kind of modern parent would put a child in such an environment?
- Hannibal Lecter - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 2:28 pm:
=== A lot of 16 year olds are better informed than many current voters and they have more at stake. ===
Where is the evidence of that? You can’t even get 16 year olds to put away their cell phones in class or take out their ear buds.
Also, what is the percentage of turnout for 18 year olds? Isn’t it abysmally low? If 18 year olds already don’t come out to vote, then what makes you think that 16 year olds will?
- Kelly Cassidy - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 2:29 pm:
Over the years, I’ve interacted a fair bit with a national group called Vote16 that advocates for allowing 16 year olds to vote in local elections. There are several local jurisdictions around the country that have had this in place for a while. Hyattsville, MD where my spouse lived before moving here was an early adopter of the policy. Here in IL, we’d need to change state law to allow local jurisdictions to choose to adopt the policy.
The theories behind this are that the issues decided in local elections are the things that most closely impact young people like school and park budgets and policies and that the earlier a young person adopts a habit, the more likely it is to continue. So building voters earlier has long term benefits to our entire system by increasing participation.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 2:30 pm:
===Also, what is the percentage of turnout for 18 year olds?===
Since when does turnout dictate the legality of voting?
It’s not an accident the *necessity* of enshrining the right to vote for women… “what is the turnout of women voting?”, amirite?
- Hannibal Lecter - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 2:36 pm:
=== Since when does turnout dictate the legality of voting? ===
The only thing that dictates the legality of voting is the laws established by legislators.
My whole point is that we cannot even get the 18 year olds to vote who already can. Why are we going to pursue further expanding the right to vote to even younger voters?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 2:40 pm:
===Why are we going to pursue further expanding the right===
Right now the trend is to disenfranchise voters, limit voting, limit absentee voting, limit ways and places to vote or even drop off ballots.
It’s odd to have a concern about “turnout” when the want of those against democracy is curtailing voting.
Its a dorm room position, the idea of turnout… to a right.
- DuPage - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 2:46 pm:
===The measure, which was vetoed by Governor J.B. Pritzker, would have given Ameren Illinois the power to build high-voltage transmission lines without going through the bidding process===
Whatever is done, they need to hurry up. They should not let it drag on for years. There will be more electrical demand as more people will need air conditioning. Also, there are questions about who will own and have control over these lines. If someone other then Ameren gets control over the lines, they could end up charging whatever they want without being regulated by the ICC.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 2:47 pm:
===They should at least have to pass the constitution test before they vote.===
We have people right now that are going to be running for offices that won’t (and did not in the past) defend the constitution because a leader tells them not to.
Any restrictions to vote that hampers the simplistic franchise is hurtful to democracy… poll tax, gender, etc.
- Lurker - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 2:50 pm:
I see the lowering of the vote to 16 as ok for local issues. I cared more about things like the mayors ideas about parks, trails, schools, etc when I was that age then I do now.
- Hannibal Lecter - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 2:51 pm:
Willy, so do you support 16 year olds voting? Why or why not?
If you do, then persuade me. Stop criticizing my opinions without providing anything of value to the discussion other than criticism.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 3:01 pm:
===Stop criticizing my opinions without providing anything of value===
Your argument is “turnout” which is dorm room ridiculous to any argument and dangerous to any democracy. I can’t help you make silly arguments.
My support, existing or not, won’t be based on un-democratic principles. That’s your argument.
If the national voting age is up for a discussion to 16, I’d likely be in favor of it, largely because the old angry cranks think all kids do nowadays is listen to their music, hang around the soda shop with their greasy hair, leather jackets and motorcycles… lol
It wouldn’t be the end of the world for 16 year olds, that can drive as an example, being engaged in the electoral process.
- fedup - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 4:03 pm:
I’ve heard plenty of crazy ideas from the over-18 crowd the past few years and seen just as many terrifying votes cast in the last couple of elections. The 16-17-year-old cohort voting would not be the end of the world. They might save it. After all in a couple of years, it’s their butts that get drafted if a war begins tomorrow. Let the kids vote.
- unafraid - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 4:52 pm:
Age 16 to vote? Why not 14? Why not 12? Democrats will be pushing for this and I should not have to be explaining why to anyone who reads this site.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 5:25 pm:
=Over the years, I’ve interacted a fair bit with a national group called Vote16 that advocates for allowing 16 year olds to vote in local elections. =
Having taught government (which included the constitution test) and interacted with 16 year olds daily for 30 years my professional opinion is that the overwhelming majority are not ready for the responsibility.
Some are and would be better voters than most over 18. I was one of those as I was interested and paid close attention to issues and elections going back to when I was 8 years old. I watched the watergate coverage the minute I got home from elementary school. I was an outlier for sure and so are the kids at Vote16, they are not the norm.
We have enough issues with under informed voters we do not need to increase the pool.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 5:38 pm:
=Any restrictions to vote that hampers the simplistic franchise is hurtful to democracy… poll tax, gender, etc.=
My point is that, at least in Illinois, most schools require that students pass/take the constitution test to graduate with a diploma. It is usually also noted on your transcript.
Students take the test their junior or senior year (depending on the district) and generally do not take it before they are 16. Not that it should be similar to a poll tax.
And yes, many people that vote couldn’t pass it, but do we need to intentionally grow the number of ill prepared voters?
- Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 5:41 pm:
===Where is the evidence of that? You can’t even get 16 year olds to put away their cell phones in class or take out their ear buds.
Also, what is the percentage of turnout for 18 year olds? Isn’t it abysmally low? If 18 year olds already don’t come out to vote, then what makes you think that 16 year olds will?===
Please be consistent. If you don’t think they will vote, why worry?
With respect to their qualifications vs current voters, look how many voters there were for 45 and fly flags, etc to show their ignorance and disrespect. I think the 16 year olds who show up at the polls will be fine (and probably better informed and respectful of our democracy).
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 18, 23 @ 7:01 pm:
===And yes, many people that vote couldn’t pass it, but do we need to intentionally grow the number of ill prepared voters?===
Only for an argument sake, if I had to make one;
There are states today that are now allowing those under 18 to work in dangerous “3rd shift” industry jobs, are licensed drivers to those jobs possibly, paying taxes far different than say a summer lifeguard making dough to … what end I dunno.
So laws to license driving, to now work in factories, to be treated as a taxpayer with safety issues at a workplace and behind the wheel, can’t these 16, 17 year olds have a say in laws that they are going to live by… while being treated like legal adults?
If 16 now isn’t just “I get my license this year”, but, “who knows by 17 I could be a shift boss on the floor”, how can laws be put into place to endanger or empower without the right to the vote?
If I’m making an argument, for the argument sake.