It’s just a bill
Wednesday, Jan 24, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* HB4567 from Rep. Anne Stava-Murray…
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Includes in offense of threatening a public official or human service provider, threatening a library employee. Provides that the threat to a public official, human service provider, or library employee includes a threat made electronically or via social media. Defines “library employee”. In the offense of threatening a public official, human service provider, or library employee, includes in the definition of “public official” an employee of any State of Illinois constitutional office, State agency, or the General Assembly. Provides that the offense of disorderly conduct includes transmitting or causing to be transmitted threats or false reports electronically or via social media. Provides that disorderly conduct includes the knowing transmission of or causing to be transmitted in any manner, including electronically or via social media, a lewd, lascivious, indecent, or obscene message to a public official. Provides that making a terrorist threat or falsely making a terrorist threat includes making a terrorist threat or falsely making a terrorist threat by any means of communication, including electronically or via social media. Makes other changes.
* WIFR…
House Bill 4431 would amend the Illinois Vehicle Code, ending requirements for drivers over the age of 75 to retake a driving test to renew their driver’s license.
According to data from the National Safety Council, after age 34 the number of drivers involved in fatal crashes decreases as the age of the driver increases.
While many may have preconceived notions about older drivers causing more car accidents, State Representative Jeff Keicher says the facts show seniors are actually the safest drivers on the road.
“Illinois is the only state in the United States that does this, I think it’s time we trust our seniors,” Keicher said.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, in 2022, 24.39 out of every 1,000 Illinois drivers over the age of 75 have gotten in a crash, the lowest crash rate for every range of drivers between 16 and 69 years old.
* WLPO…
Municipalities would be given back their voice in the placement of solar farms under a new measure sponsored by State Senator Sue Rezin.
The Morris Republican has introduced a bill allowing cities, towns and villages to weigh in on the placement of solar-energy facilities in unincorporated areas that are within three miles of town.
Rezin says she’s backing the bill to help fix a mistake she says was made in the fall. That’s when another bill was pushed through the veto session. That measure allows the state to automatically approve placement of a wind or solar project, provided it meets what Rezin says are watered-down site requirements. While the law does allow cities to approve or deny nearby wind farms, it doesn’t allow an official local voice over the placement of solar farms.
Rezin’s new proposal is waiting to be assigned to a Senate Committee for consideration in Springfield.
* Lake & McHenry County Scanner…
A local lawmaker has filed a bill to ban people from possessing African serval cats after one escaped from its owners in a Vernon Hills neighborhood in November and died when it was captured.
Illinois State Rep. Daniel Didech (D-Buffalo Grove) introduced the legislation during the first week of the 2024 legislative session.
Didech said Tuesday the bill proposes a ban on the possession of African serval cats throughout Illinois. […]
State law currently prohibits individuals from possessing lions, tigers, leopards, ocelots, jaguars, cheetahs, margay, mountain lions, lynx, bobcats, jaguarundis, bears, hyenas, wolves, coyotes and nonhuman primates.
* HB4566 from Rep. Camille Lilly…
Amends the Business Corporation Act of 1983. Creates the Diversity and Inclusion in Business Organizations Leadership Task Force within the Office of the Secretary of State. Provides that the purpose of the Task Force is to identify ways to increase diversity in business organization leadership and to make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly to achieve that goal. Provides that the Task Force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2026. Sets forth provisions concerning duties, membership, and administrative support. Repeals the provision that creates the Task Force and dissolves the Task Force on January 1, 2027. Effective immediately.
- Cool Papa Bell - Wednesday, Jan 24, 24 @ 10:27 am:
=That’s when another bill was pushed through the veto session. That measure allows the state to automatically approve placement of a wind or solar project, provided it meets what Rezin says are watered-down site requirements.=
Renewable energy projects in rural areas should have the same location requirements at livestock facilities. Right now, that’s no local control, and watered down site requirements.
- Perrid - Wednesday, Jan 24, 24 @ 10:42 am:
How many “drivers” -maybe meaning having a license?- over 75 actually drive? I’m just wondering how they got the statistic. Instead of doing it by person, it may make sense to look at accidents per mile driven. Also, I know my parents do everything possible not to drive at night because they know their eyes are going. Which you could argue means they’re being responsible, but still it would be a confounder with comparisons.
But if the numbers really do back this up, as surprising as that is to me, sure, end it. Especially if IL is the only state that does it and we don’t have fewer accidents than other states (I have no idea), then there’s no reason for it.
- Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Jan 24, 24 @ 11:11 am:
==According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, in 2022, 24.39 out of every 1,000 Illinois drivers over the age of 75 have gotten in a crash, the lowest crash rate for every range of drivers between 16 and 69 years old.==
Maybe that’s because the current testing requirements work.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Jan 24, 24 @ 11:13 am:
==identify ways to increase diversity in business organization leadership==
Trade union leadership is almost entirely male and white.
- Sir Reel - Wednesday, Jan 24, 24 @ 11:19 am:
I know this is based on my personal experience/observation but I think the legislature should focus more on distracted driving. IMO older drivers do this less.
Yes there’s old geezers who have no business behind the wheel but let’s get to the root of the problem, not waste time on feel-good statistically insignificant solutions.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Jan 24, 24 @ 11:39 am:
As a State employee and “Human Services Provider”, I am super thankful for this bill protecting me. Honestly it’s a frequent occurrence that state employees are threatened and is what necessitates the armed security in our lobby. State employees work tirelessly on behalf of Illinoisans and it’s such a shame that we even have to have this. It’s even more galling given the fact that we’re so understaffed that our workload is untenable. Adding frequent threats to the mix is so unhelpful.
So thank you for this bill.
- H-W - Wednesday, Jan 24, 24 @ 11:40 am:
RE: Lake and McHenry County Scanner
“State law currently prohibits individuals from possessing and nonhuman primates.”
Hmmm. Just gonna leave this alone.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 24, 24 @ 11:54 am:
===Maybe that’s because the current testing requirements work===
Heh. Could be a good point. But I do wonder if those stats are different from other states.
- Lagartha's Shield - Wednesday, Jan 24, 24 @ 12:04 pm:
I’m not against the library bill, but I have a hard time seeing how prohibiting social media posts with obscene messages is going to hold up under the first amendment. As a superintendent, I often saw obscene social media posts with my name in them, usually over whether I did or did not cancel school due to weather.
- Macon Bakin - Wednesday, Jan 24, 24 @ 12:28 pm:
Why is Rezin wanting to give municipalities control over unincorporated, that’s for the township, am I crazy? I am someone who doesn’t want unincorporated to be a thing anymore btw.
- Stephanie Kollmann - Wednesday, Jan 24, 24 @ 2:34 pm:
Librarians need resources and respect and not to be the only no punitive public infrastructure and politicians to stand up for them against fascists.
They don’t need penalty enhancements.
- Stephanie Kollmann - Wednesday, Jan 24, 24 @ 2:34 pm:
*nonpunitive
- Stuck in Celliniland - Wednesday, Jan 24, 24 @ 3:43 pm:
==The Morris Republican has introduced a bill allowing cities, towns and villages to weigh in on the placement of solar-energy facilities in unincorporated areas that are within three miles of town.==
If this bill was proposed in the last GA, Jim Langfelder would probably consider it to be his most favorite legislative proposal ever.