* HB4589 from Rep. Jay Hoffman…

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Act. Eliminates the provision that provided for the repeal of the Act on January 1, 2025. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Includes “catalytic converter” in the definition of “essential parts”. Amends the Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law. Excludes catalytic converter from the definition of “recyclable metals”. Requires transactions involving a catalytic converter to include the identification number of the vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed and the part number or other identifying number of the catalytic converter that was removed. Provides that, in a transaction involving a catalytic converter, the recyclable metal dealer must also require a copy of the certificate of title or registration showing the seller’s ownership in the vehicle. Makes it unlawful for any person to purchase or otherwise acquire a used, detached catalytic converter or any nonferrous part thereof unless specified conditions are met. Provides that a used, detached catalytic converter does not include a catalytic converter that has been tested, certified, and labeled for reuse in accordance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency Clean Air Act. Defines terms. Makes technical changes.

* Center Square…

Illinois farmers and landowners are concerned that Illinois law makes it too easy for developers to use eminent domain to seize land for carbon dioxide pipeline projects.

Bill Bodine, the Illinois Farm Bureau’s director of business and regulatory affairs, said preventing the use of eminent domain for CO2 pipeline rights of way and storage areas is a top priority for IFB members in the current state legislative session. […]

In 2011, the legislature passed the Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Act. It grants CO2 pipeline developers eminent domain authority. Illinois Farm Bureau members want to see that power taken away from developers. […]

Illinois landowners want regulators to require proof of progress being made on willing agreements between landowners and developers before a pipeline project can be approved, Bodine said.

* Rep. Joyce Mason filed HB4596…

Amends the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. Removes a provision that the Act shall not apply to any employee who is covered by a bona fide collective bargaining agreement with an employer that provides services nationally and internationally of delivery, pickup, and transportation of parcels, documents, and freight. Provides that the definition of “employee” does not include an employee as defined in the Federal Employers’ Liability Act.

* SB2897 from Sen. Tom Bennett…

Creates the Campus Free Speech Act. Requires the governing board of each public university and community college to develop and adopt a policy on free expression; sets forth what the policy must contain. Requires the Board of Higher Education to create a Committee on Free Expression to issue an annual report. Requires public institutions of higher education to include in their freshman orientation programs a section describing to all students the policies and rules regarding free expression that are consistent with the Act. Contains provisions concerning rules, construction of the Act, and enforcement.

* Rep. Edgar Gonzalez filed HB4595 Friday…

Amends the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986. Provides that the Secretary of State shall include data fields on its annual report form that allows a corporation to report, at its discretion, the aggregated demographic information of its directors and officers, including race, ethnicity, gender, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Provides that, within 30 days after filing its annual AG990-IL Charitable Organization Annual Report, a corporation that reports grants of $1,000,000 or more to other charitable organizations shall post on its publicly available website, if one exists, the aggregated demographic information of the corporation’s directors and officers, including race, ethnicity, gender, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Provides that the aggregated demographic information shall be accessible on the corporation’s publicly available website for at least 5 years after it is posted. Provides that the Department of Human Rights shall work with community partners to prepare and publish a standardized list of demographic classifications to be used by the Secretary of State and corporations for the reporting of the aggregated demographic information. Provides that, in collecting the aggregated demographic information, a corporation shall allow for an individual to decline to disclose any or all personal demographic information to the corporation. Effective January 1, 2025.

* Sen. Sue Rezin filed SB2908…

Specifies that the amendatory Act may be referred to as Sami’s Law. Amends the Equitable Restrooms Act. Provides that the owner or operator of each public building and State-owned building shall install and maintain in that building at least one adult changing station that is publicly accessible if the building is constructed 2 or more years after the effective date of the amendatory Act or if certain alterations or additions are made to the building 4 or more years after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Requires the owner or operator of a public building and the owner or operator of a State-owned building to ensure that certain information about the location of adult changing stations in the buildings is provided. Defines terms.

* SB2926 from Sen. Natalie Toro…

Amends the Illinois State Police Act and the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that a person may not be selected or appointed as a State Police officer or certified as a law enforcement officer unless the person has performed satisfactorily on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 (MMPI-2) or another preemployment personality test prescribed and administered by the Illinois State Police or the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board. The test shall be taken by all applicants in the final selection process for a State Police officer or law enforcement position. Includes provisions relating to interpretation and evaluation of the preemployment personality test and testing dates. Provides that the Illinois State Police or law enforcement agency shall screen all officers at least once annually to evaluate the overall mental health of the officer, including whether the officer has negative impact of lateral trauma, signs of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, or other negative outcomes related to the officer’s career.

* Lake County News-Sun…

After a wildcat being kept as a pet got loose in a Vernon Hills neighborhood, a state representative introduced legislation proposing a ban on the possession of the African feline, called a serval, in Illinois.

Rep. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, proposed the legislation during the first week of the 2024 General Assembly session. Vernon Hills is part of Didech’s district. […]

Because servals are not included in the state’s dangerous animal statute, Didech said it limited Vernon Hills’ ability to respond to the November incident.

Deputy Police Chief Shannon Holubetz said the village was not able to cite the serval owners because the animal was not regulated under any local, county or state statutes.

* Sen. Tom Bennett filed SB2905…

Amends the Legislative Commission Reorganization Act of 1984. Provides for the acquisition and placement of statues depicting: (1) President Ronald W. Reagan; and (2) President Barack H. Obama. Provides that the Architect of the Capitol may provide for the design and fabrication of the statues, or may otherwise acquire, using funds collected for such purpose or through donation, a suitable statue for placement on the grounds of the State Capitol. Requires the Architect of the Capitol to take actions necessary to provide for the placement and unveiling of the statues within specified periods of time. Requires the Architect of the Capitol to issue a report to the Governor and General Assembly detailing actions taken to acquire and place the statues. Provides that the Capitol Restoration Trust Fund shall contain separate accounts for the deposit of funds donated for the payment of expenses associated with the placement of the statues. Provides that the separate accounts may accept deposits from any source, whether private or public, and may be appropriated only for use by the Architect of the Capitol for expenses associated with the acquisition, placement, and maintenance of the statues.