* WTTW…

State lawmakers debating the future of Chicago-area transit have a new proposal to mull over Thursday, after a labor-backed coalition announced it would file a bill calling for reforming public transportation finances and governance but stopping short of merging CTA, Metra, Pace, and RTA into a single agency.

The group of more than 30 area unions, calling itself the Labor Alliance for Public Transportation, is behind what it’s calling the United We Move Illinois proposal (Senate Bill 1938) sponsored by state Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Assistant House Majority Leader Marcus Evans Jr. […]

Villivalam’s backing is significant, given his role as head of the Illinois Senate Transportation Committee and his sponsorship last year of a bill calling for creating a new, unified Chicago-area transit agency. […]

[Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter] told WTTW News that one massive, merged transit agency is “not the direction we want to go” and that the emphasis should be on building more accountability.

He said the union coalition wants to keep “important stakeholders” like the governor, Chicago mayor and suburban county board leaders involved.

* Rep. La Shawn Ford…

Emphasizing his continued push to develop overdose prevention centers in Illinois, state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, toured OnPoint NYC on Monday to observe operations and see firsthand the impact it has had in enhancing lives.

“Overdose prevention centers are good for communities, but even more importantly, they are critically valuable in saving lives and giving people a chance at life,” Ford said. “As we begin the process of starting overdose prevention sites in Illinois, it’s important to learn best practices and see how they’ve been implemented in other cities. OnPoint NYC has been at the forefront of delivering care to marginalized communities, and it’s a privilege to see firsthand the lifesaving impact they provide every single day. Collaboration is crucial, and I encourage Illinois officials to engage OnPoint and better understand their work.”

OnPoint NYC is the largest harm reduction service provider on the east coast, providing assistance with clinical care, professional development, case management, overdose training and more. Its overdose prevention centers provide safe, supportive spaces that are staffed by trained professionals available to immediately respond to health crises.

Last week, the Illinois Opioid Remediation Advisory Board approved $18 million to support up to three pilot overdose prevention sites over a three-year period. The money comes from the state’s opioid settlement fund, and is a concrete step forward after years of advocacy from Ford and local groups. Ford is continuing to push in Springfield, where he filed legislation (House Bill 2929) Wednesday proposing the Department of Human Services to collect research and data regarding overdose prevention sites and to further develop a pilot program.

“We can’t turn our back on those impacted by drugs and we can’t continue down a failed path that marginalizes those who need help,” Ford said. “Visiting OnPoint NYC and meeting the dedicated staff here reminds me of the immediate opportunity we have in Illinois to choose a better future. Let’s choose to uplift our neighbors, let’s support lifesaving overdose prevention centers.”

* Rep. Maurice West…

This week, State Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) introduced “Dillon’s Law” (HB2462) into the Illinois House of Representatives. The legislation would allow trained community members to obtain and administer epinephrine in the event of anaphylaxis, a potentially deadly allergic reaction to insect stings, foods, and other allergens.

The legislation, modeled after a law first passed in Wisconsin in 2017, is named after 18-year-old Dillon Mueller, who died in 2014 after being stung by a bee without any previous knowledge of an allergy. No epinephrine was available in the first aid kits of either the Eagle Scout with him or the arriving first responders.

“Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that can occur in seconds, and immediate access to epinephrine can mean the difference between life and death,” said State Rep. Maurice West. “As the father of a daughter with a peanut allergy, I know how important it is to be prepared for allergic reactions. No one should suffer or lose their life simply because life-saving medication wasn’t available when they needed it most. This legislation is about protecting our communities, our children, and anyone at risk of severe allergic reactions.” […]

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur immediately after being exposed to an allergen like an insect sting or certain foods. When a person experiences anaphylaxis, epinephrine is the only life-saving medication available. However, epinephrine is prescribed only to people diagnosed with life-threatening allergies. If a person doesn’t know they have an allergy, they may not have access to epinephrine.

Dillon’s Law would allow anyone to be trained on the proper use of epinephrine, to carry epinephrine, and administer it to save someone experiencing anaphylaxis. Since it was first passed in Wisconsin in 2017, the Dillon’s Law has been passed in states like Minnesota, Indiana, and Michigan.

* WCIA…

A new bill introduced into the Illinois General Assembly aims to give taxpayers a more transparent voice when local governments discuss tax increases.

A newly introduced bill aims to prevent local governments from raising levy taxes behind closed doors. The legislation requires local government to create a referendum where voters will have a say before any tax increase happens.

The bill’s sponsor, State Representative John M. Cabello, (R-Machesney Park), said this is something that should be in place.

“I see that our taxes are constantly going up and up and up and up and I firmly believe that the taxpayer should have a say if a government is going to raise their taxes,” Cabello said. “ If it’s going to be good for the folks and the government wants to do it, let it go to a referendum.”

* Dispatch-Argus…

Senator Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, introduced a bill to bring $7.2 million to Western Illinois University to support Quad-Cities campus developments.

The legislation, SB1308, focuses on new initiatives in innovation, workforce development and economic growth in the Quad Cities. This comes as WIU works to restructure the Quad-Cities campus in Moline, with major cuts in in-person academic programs and a focus on regional workforce needs. […]

University leaders plan to repurpose parts of the Quad-Cities campus into an “Innovation Campus” with support from the Illinois Innovation Network, a collaboration between the state’s public universities to drive economic growth and innovation, and explore other procurement and development assistance opportunities based on needs outlined in the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s “Thrive Quad Cities” report. […]

SB 1308 has been assigned to the Senate Education Appropriations Committee.

* HB3108 from Rep. Nicholas Smith…

Amends the Ticket Sale and Resale Act. Provides that a ticket seller or ticket reseller shall display the full price of a ticket, including all assessed fees, to a consumer when the price of a ticket is first shown to the consumer and shall not increase that price during the transaction with the consumer. Provides that a ticket reseller shall not sell or offer to sell a ticket that the ticket reseller does not possess or have a contract to purchase. Provides that a ticket resale marketplace shall not include the name of an artist, team, or ticket issuer in a URL of a website operated by the ticket resale marketplace unless authorized. Provides that a ticket issuer shall deliver a ticket purchased directly from the ticket issuer within 4 days after purchase unless otherwise clearly and conspicuously disclosed at the time of sale. Provides that a ticket issuer shall disclose the number of tickets for an event that are withheld from sale any time it offers tickets for that event for sale. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes.