* HB2827 from Reps. Terra Costa Howard and Michelle Mussman…

Creates the Homeschool Act. Requires the State Board of Education to create a Homeschool Declaration Form to be used by a homeschool administrator to submit information indicating that a child is enrolled in a homeschool program to the principal of the public school or to the school district that the homeschooled child would otherwise attend. Provides that a student enrolled in a homeschool program in which the homeschool administrator has not notified the public school or school district with the Homeschool Declaration Form is considered truant, with penalties applying. Provides that if a child in a homeschool program seeks to enroll part time in a public school or participate in any public school activities taking place on or off of school grounds, the homeschool administrator must submit proof that the child has received all required immunizations and health examinations or a signed Certificate of Religious Exemption. Sets forth requirements for homeschool administrators and programs and reporting requirements. Makes conforming and other changes in the Freedom of Information Act, the School Code, and the Illinois School Student Records Act, including requiring (rather than allowing) nonpublic schools to register with the State Board of Education.

Last year, ProPublica and Capitol News Illinois published a series of stories examining Illinois’ “hands-off” approach to homeschooling.

* Rep. Anne Stava-Murray filed HB1589 last month…

Amends the Trustees Article of the Illinois Local Library Act. Provides that a candidate for the position of library trustee must have a valid library card for the library.

* Sen. Mike Porfirio…

State Senator Mike Porfirio is backing House Bill 2723, introduced by State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid, which would lift state pension investment restrictions placed on companies engaged in boycotts of Israel. Porfirio plans to file a bill in the Illinois Senate with identical language this week.

“Public pension funds should prioritize fiscal responsibility,” said Porfirio (D- Lyons Township).

In Illinois, public pensions are managed through administered retirement systems. The systems invest funds into assets such as stocks, bonds and real estate, and in return, guarantee annual benefits to employees once they retire.

Current law prevents the Illinois Investment Policy Board from investing public pension funds in companies that intentionally engaged in boycotts of Israel. House Bill 2723 would lift this restriction, allowing the state to invest in companies solely based on financial standards.

House Bill 2723 awaits committee assignment in the Illinois House of Representatives. The bill introduced by Porfirio will await assignment once filed.

* WGN…

Illinois’ neighbor to the north is well-known for its prodigious alcohol consumption.

There’s a reason why “Drink Wisconsinbly” has become a popular Badger State slogan.

A bill now up for consideration in the Illinois General Assembly proposes to put Illinois on the same footing as Wisconsin in at least one drinking measure.

The bill, introduced by State Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park), would amend the Liquor Control Act of 1934 to allow 18- to 20-years-olds to drink alcohol at bars and restaurants in Illinois, so long as a parent or guardian is present.

* WICS…

On February 5, a coalition of Illinois leaders, advocates, and community members gathered at the Illinois State Capitol Building Rotunda to rally support for the Clean Slate Bill.

This legislation aims to modernize the state’s record-sealing system by replacing the outdated petition-based model with an automated system. The bill seeks to remove barriers for over 1.5 million Illinoisans with old criminal records, fostering economic stability across the state.

According to the Paper Prisons Initiative, an estimated 73% of people in Illinois with an arrest or conviction record are eligible to have their records sealed under the current petition-based process. This represents 2.2 million Illinoisans who have met the requirements for a second chance but continue to be denied employment, housing, and other opportunities because of a past record. […]

In addition to economic benefits, the bill aims to promote public safety by removing barriers to meaningful employment, housing, and other opportunities. Donnell Williams, a member leader at the Workers Center for Racial Justice, called for action, saying, “We don’t want another task force to talk about the causes of recidivism. We don’t want another think tank to talk about the barriers to re-entry. We don’t want a seat at the table, we want to help build the table for our own resources that our community needs. We need automatic expungement now! We need good jobs now!”

* Rep. Maura Hirschauer filed HB2934 yesterday…

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, on and after October 1, 2025, the default speed limit is [25] (instead of 30) miles per hour within an urban district, and 10 (instead of 15) miles per hour in an alley within an urban district. Requires, by September 1, 2025, the Secretary of State to communicate the speed limit change to every licensed driver in the State via direct postal mail and a broad statewide communications campaign. Provides that a county, municipality, or township with speed enforcement authority may only issue warnings for violations during the first 60 days after the change of the speed limit is enacted. Effective immediately.

…Adding… A small note on Rep. Hirschauer’s bill: The synopsis contained a typo, stating 20 mph instead of 25 mph. I’ve corrected it to match the bill’s language.

…Adding… Rep. Bob Morgan…

Illinois State Representative Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) has introduced HB 2969, the ‘Balanced Earnings And Record Standards & Stadium Oversight Expectations Act,’ also known as ‘The BEARS Act.’ This legislation is designed to establish a merit-based framework for determining when tax dollars can be used for public funding of sports stadiums, based on the performance of the teams.

“Our primary goal with this bill is not to punish teams, but to ensure that Illinois taxpayers’ dollars are spent responsibly. No one wants to see taxpayer dollars wasted by billionaire team owners that are not investing in their teams’ competitiveness,” Representative Morgan said. “As families across Illinois are tightening their belts due to the rising cost of living, we must be careful with how we spend limited public dollars, especially when it comes to billion-dollar franchises. Illinois should be committed to ensuring that public investments are directed to Illinois residents, and then to teams that, at the very least, are performing at a competitive level.”

The ‘BEARS Act’ requires professional sports teams to achieve a .500 record or above in at least three out of five regular seasons in order to qualify for public financing for stadium construction, renovation, or maintenance. If a team’s record drops below .500, they will be ineligible for future funding until they demonstrate improved performance over three out of five seasons.

The legislation aims to ensure that taxpayer funds are only allocated to teams that demonstrate a basic level of competitiveness. “This isn’t about perfection; it’s about making sure that the teams we invest in have a realistic chance of being successful and bringing value back to the community,” Morgan added.

Public funding for sports stadiums often proves a poor return on investment. While proponents claim it boosts local economies, many studies show that the benefits are often overstated. The jobs created are typically low-wage and temporary, and the economic impact rarely offsets the massive public subsidies. In many cases, teams and stadium owners capture most of the profits, leaving taxpayers to cover construction, maintenance, and potential projected revenue shortfalls. This raises concerns about whether such investments truly benefit the public.

“While Illinois enters an unprecedented time, with state funding under constant threat from the Trump administration, Illinois must be vigilant with every cent spent. While I don’t support using taxpayer dollars for stadiums, this framework ensures that, if funds are spent, they go to teams offering the best return on investment,” concluded Representative Morgan.