* WSPY…

97th District Democratic State Rep. Harry Benton is working on a number of bills including some for tax relief and to extend remote schooling options for military families.

One bill would list all of the exemptions that people qualify for on their tax bill.

“That way you’re not trying search around and figure out what you’re eligible for, you can look at it,” Rep Benton said. “Only about 8% of people take the exemptions that they’re qualified for. This is going to impact veterans, seniors, people who are disabled. Expanding out some possible homestead exemptions. So I want to make sure we do some property tax relief through this bill.”

Benton also says he’s working on a joint resolution naming a building for former Secretary of State Jesse White.

* Center Square…

During an Illinois House Insurance Committee hearing in Chicago Monday, Giannoulias said an individual’s driving record should serve as the primary factor that is analyzed when setting rates.

“I am sure you will hear from the other side today, who will predict that this legislation [House Bill 4611] will lead to rate hikes and job losses, but I implore all of you to look at the numbers and facts,” Giannoulias said. “I do feel it is important for us to step up and fight for those who don’t always have a voice fighting for them. We aren’t asking insurance companies to give Illinoisans special treatment, only fair treatment.”

State Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, pressed Giannoulias and asked him if he knew that there are already laws that prevent companies from discriminating against consumers.

“Is that effective? Is it working? Because based on the data we have seen there are still differing rates depending on zip code,” Giannoulias said.

* Rep. Barbara Hernandez introduced HB5669 last week…

Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Reuniting Family Initiative Act. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Creates the Family Advocacy Initiating Recovery (F.A.I.R.) Pilot Program within the Department of Children and Family Services. Provides that the F.A.I.R. pilot shall operate for a 2-year period and that the Department shall partner with peer-led organizations to assess the Department’s performance and management of child placement and parental termination cases that involve a parent with a substance use disorder. Provides that the purpose of the F.A.I.R. pilot is to: (i) create a system of continuing safe care for mothers and families involved in the Department’s parental termination and child placement case process in order to resolve decades-old family reunification failures by the Department; and (ii) ensure transparency between the Department and those peer-led organizations advocating on behalf of mothers and families. Contains provisions concerning the development of guidelines and best practices on how to create a sustainable pathway to family reunification in child placement cases; family needs assessments; reporting requirements; and other matters. Amends the Adoption Act. Provides that a petition to adopt a child may include an adoption contact agreement under which a petitioner may request an agreement for contact between a child and the child’s birth parent or parents. Provides that the adoption contact agreement may include provisions for contact, visitation, or the exchange of information, and the grounds, if any, on which the adoptive parent or parents may decline to permit visits or cease providing contact or information. Provides that if the child is 12 years old or older, the court may not order an adoption contact agreement unless the child consents to all terms of the agreement. Provides that in DCFS cases a consent to adopt or surrender a child is not valid unless the legal mother has received pre-consent counseling or refused to participate in pre-consent counseling.

* Sen. Mike Porfirio…

Military service members on active duty status who represent part of a public body – such as a village board, school district or township –may soon be allowed to attend meetings remotely, thanks to a new measure passed by State Senator Mike Porfirio.

“It is our duty to create a more inclusive and adaptable environment for all members of our community, especially those who selflessly serve in the military,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township), a member of the Navy Reserve. “This legislation reflects our commitment to ensuring service members on active duty status can participate in discussions and decisions that impact our communities and the people they have dedicated their lives to protecting.”

Currently, a majority of the members of any public body choose to allow another member to attend remotely in cases of illness, disability, employment related to the business of the public body, a family emergency or unforeseen child care obligations.

The proposed measure aims to include military service members on active duty status among the exceptions eligible for remote attendance at meetings if the cause of their absence is their performance of military duty. This addition recognizes the unique challenges faced by those serving in the military and seeks to provide a flexible framework that accommodates their service commitments without obstructing their ability to participate in civic responsibilities. […]

Senate Bill 2665 passed the Executive Committee on Wednesday and moves to the full Senate for further consideration.

* WATT Poultry…

A bill has been proposed in Illinois that would make caged egg production illegal in the state by January 1, 2026.

Illinois State Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, on February 9 proposed SB3655, the Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens Act, which would make it unlawful for a farm owner or operator to confine a laying hen in an enclosure that is not a cage-free housing system, or has less than the amount of usable floor space per hen required by the 2017 edition of the United Egg Producers’ Animal Husbandry Guidelines for U.S. Egg-Laying Flocks: Guidelines for Cage-Free Housing.

The bill also requires that business owners in the state cannot knowingly sell eggs that are not consistent with the above-mentioned production standards. The legislation, however, does have a stipulation that a business owner or operator of a farm “shall not be liable under the Act if the business owner or operator relied upon, in good faith, a written certification by the supplier that the shell eggs or egg products were not derived from an egg-laying hen that was confined in a manner that conflicts with the act.” […]

The bill also calls for civil penalty of $2,000 per violation per day.

A member of the Illinois State Senate since 2006, Holmes is chairperson of the Senate’s Agriculture, Commerce and Economic Development Committee, and is the Majority Caucus Whip.

* The United Egg Producer Guidelines…

Depending on the system type, a minimum range between 1.0 - 1.5 sq. ft. of usable floor space per hen shall be provided to allow for normal behavior.

* Eater…

Cage-free, a term regulated by the USDA, means that the eggs come from hens that, put simply, aren’t caged: They can “freely roam a building, room, or enclosed area with unlimited access to food and fresh water during their production cycle, but [do] not have access to the outdoors.” Considering the conventional cage is 8 ½ by 11 inches, or the size of a piece of paper, this seems like a better lifestyle — but there are downsides, too. According to All About Eggs by Rachel Khong, cage-free facilities have more hen-on-hen violence and lower air quality than facilities that use cages.

* Here’s the synopsis of SB3655…

Creates the Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens Act. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2026, a farm owner or operator shall not knowingly confine an egg-laying hen in an enclosure that: (i) is not a cage-free housing system; or (ii) has less than the amount of usable floor space per hen required by the 2017 edition of the United Egg Producers’ Animal Husbandry Guidelines for U.S. Egg-Laying Flocks: Guidelines for Cage-Free Housing. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, a business owner or operator shall not knowingly sell any shell egg or egg products that the business owner or operator knows or should know was produced by an egg-laying hen that was confined in a manner that conflicts with the requirements in the Act. Provides for exemptions from the requirements of the Act. Provides that a business owner or operator of a farm shall not be liable under the Act if the business owner or operator relied upon, in good faith, a written certification by the supplier that the shell eggs or egg products were not derived from an egg-laying hen that was confined in a manner that conflicts with the Act. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to administer and enforce the Act. Authorizes the Director of Agriculture to adopt rules necessary to administer the Act. Sets forth requirements to certify shell eggs and egg products as compliant with the Act. Provides for a civil penalty of $2,000 per violation per day.

* Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock…

Families would be able to more easily rollover money from a 529 College Savings account to a Roth IRA under a proposal introduced by state Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock, D-Villa Park.

“This option would give parents and their children greater flexibility to decide how to save their money, particularly if they have funds no longer intended for education,” Blair-Sherlock said. “For those looking to help their child get a head start on retirement savings, this would be a helpful change.”

Blair-Sherlocks’ House Bill 5005, which she introduced in partnership with the Illinois Treasurer’s office, would allow rollovers from a 529 College Savings account into the beneficiary’s Roth IRA account without triggering income taxes or penalties. Rollovers would only go to the beneficiary’s Roth IRA, not the parent or guardian. College accounts must be opened at least 15 years before rollover, and up to $35,000 of leftover 529 College Savings funds can be rolled into the Roth IRA.

This update would reflect changes to federal law and expand existing practice in Illinois, which allows rollover from a 529 College Savings account into a qualified tuition program via an Illinois ABLE account.

* Citizens Utility Board…

CUB’s priorities for the 2024 Illinois General Assembly session include the following. […]
Utility Affordability Act

Bill Number: Senate Bill 2885/House Bill 5061
Sponsor: Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton and Rep. Theresa Mah
What it does: Current Illinois law allows utilities to recover certain expenses from their customers that consumer advocates have long argued should be paid for by shareholders. Under the Utility Affordability Act, investor-owned electric, gas and water utilities in Illinois would be prohibited from charging customers for the following expenses:

- Utility dues for memberships in trade associations that push the companies’ agenda.
- Work devoted to political issues campaigns, such as referendums.
Goodwill advertising that enhances the utility image and benefits shareholders.
Charitable donations made by utilities on behalf of ratepayers.
- Insurance protection for shareholders.
- Lawyer and expert witness costs when utilities push for rate hikes before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Typically, such legal expenses take up the largest chunk of these recoverable costs.
CUB estimates the Illinois legislation could, for the average year, save ratepayers across Illinois more than $50 million, based on documents the utilities filed with their most recent rate cases.
[…]

The joint news release by CUB and AARP Illinois.

Water Affordability & Accountability

Bill Number: House Bill 5157
Sponsor: Rep. Nabeela Syed
What it does: This bill would lower water utility bills by:

- requiring water utility shareholders to pay the majority of costs when the utility buys a water or wastewater system,
- creating a referendum prior to privatization of water or sewer systems,
- removing the QIP surcharge that speeds rate increases for utility customers. […]

Telecom & Broadband Affordability

Bill Number: House Bill 5214
Sponsor: Rep. Lilian Jiménez
What it does: This bill would update Illinois’ supplemental broadband assistance fund by sunsetting the landline collection of donations and instead provide for donation collections on broadband bills (including wireless, VOIP and cable internet bills).

With Congress unable to agree on an extension of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), this legislation would be vital for helping people stay connected to the internet.

This bill would also revive low-priced local calling plans, saving money for AT&T customers in Illinois who depend on landlines.

Electric Utility Transparency

Bill Number: House Bill 4747
Sponsor: Rep. Joyce Mason
What it does: This bill would require any electric utility that is a member of a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) to disclose to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) any recorded vote they make within that organization, regardless if such disclosure is required by the RTO itself.

These votes at RTOs—organizations that manage regional power grids—can impact issues that matter to our reliability and our electric bills in Illinois.

More on this bill:Illinois is one of five states where similar legislation has been announced, along with Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. “When utilities vote at regional transmission organizations, they have impacts on our clean energy transition and the cost of electricity,” Rep. Mason said in a news release put out by the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators. “My bill introduces better transparency for how utilities vote in our electric markets, which is part of a healthy democracy. As a legislator, my votes are public – it should be the same for utilities whose votes impact the affordability and cleanliness of our electricity.” This bill is one of the reforms CUB’s Clara Summers is working as part of CUB’s Consumers for a Better Grid project.