It’s just a bill
Friday, Feb 14, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* House Minority Leader Tony McCombie…
Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie has filed a package of new legislation to fund initiatives encouraging young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math through mentorships and scholarships. STEM is the acronym used to refer to the four distinct but related technical disciplines in education.
Leader McCombie’s legislation includes:
HB 2801 – Directs the Illinois State Board of Education to create a resource for K-12 STEM teachers to inform young women pursuing STEM careers about externship/volunteer opportunities with Illinois organizations in STEM.
HB 2802 – Allows girls in STEM classes to have one school day long absence per school year to pursue STEM externships if approved by school administration.
HB 2806 – Adds women to the list of demographics eligible for the STEM higher education scholarship program (currently only racial minorities are eligible).
* Restore Justice…
On Friday, February 7, Representative Theresa Mah introduced House Bill 3332. The bill would create a limited opportunity for people under 20 and younger at the time of their offense to petition the court for their sentence to be reviewed.
Restore Justice recently released a report, More Than a Conviction: Stories of Children Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Illinois. This report highlights firsthand journeys of transformation and success, underscoring the urgent need for reform. It concludes that sentencing should be about changing people, not just punishing them. Everyone is more than their worst mistake; people can change and successfully reintegrate into the community.
Currently, people serving life or extremely long sentences have few meaningful opportunities to have their cases reviewed since Illinois abolished parole in 1978 and enacted so-called “truth-in sentencing” in 1998, limiting opportunities for people to earn reentry or time off their sentence.
“I have met a number of people incarcerated in our Department of Corrections from a young age who have genuinely become mature, educated, completely rehabilitated people who could be contributing members of society if given an opportunity,” said Representative Mah. “The current system is in need of reform, especially in light of what we know now about brain development and also the fact that our system of “corrections” really does not afford many opportunities for rehabilitated people to be considered for release.”
HB 3332 would build on recent bipartisan reforms recognizing children’s and young people’s brain development and unique capacity to mature and change. Data shows extremely low recidivism rates for people convicted as youth and released as adults. This bill would create a pathway for people sentenced as children and young adults to show that they have been rehabilitated and return home to give back to the community.
“No one should be defined for their whole life by one mistake. Illinois needs this retroactive reform because people deserve a chance to show who they have become,” said Restore Justice Policy Manager James Swansey. Swansey originally received a life without parole sentence at the age of 17. He received a new sentence after U.S. Supreme Court decisions.
HB 3332 is a fair, cost-effective, age-appropriate way to ensure children and young adults are held accountable for the harm they have caused while offering them an opportunity to redeem themselves.
* HB3061 from Rep. Sonya Harper…
Creates the On-Premise Cannabis Consumption Act. Provides that a county or municipality may issue licenses for temporary events and cannabis hospitality venues that will allow for the consumption of cannabis or cannabis-infused products and for the sale of cannabis paraphernalia at such temporary events or venues. Requires ordinances with specified requirements for such temporary events and cannabis hospitality venues before any licenses are issued. Limits home rule powers. Makes conforming changes in the Smoke Free Illinois Act. Effective immediately.
* HB3780 from Rep. Barbara Hernandez…
Creates the Illinois Universal Health Care Act. Provides that all individuals residing in the State are covered under the Illinois Health Services Program for health insurance. Sets forth the health coverage benefits that participants are entitled to under the Program. Sets forth the qualification requirements for participating health providers. Sets forth standards for provider reimbursement. Provides that it is unlawful for private health insurers to sell health insurance coverage that duplicates the coverage of the Program. Provides that investor-ownership of health delivery facilities is unlawful. Provides that the State shall establish the Illinois Health Services Trust to provide financing for the Program. Sets forth the requirements for claims billing under the Program. Provides that the Program shall include funding for long-term care services and mental health services. Provides that the Program shall establish a single prescription drug formulary and list of approved durable medical goods and supplies. Creates the Pharmaceutical and Durable Medical Goods Committee to negotiate the prices of pharmaceuticals and durable medical goods with suppliers or manufacturers on an open bid competitive basis. Sets forth provisions concerning patients’ rights. Provides that the employees of the Program shall be compensated in accordance with the current pay scale for State employees and as deemed professionally appropriate by the General Assembly.
* Sens. David Koehler and Doris Turner filed SB1607 earlier this month…
Creates the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission Act. Establishes the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission. Provides that the purpose of the Commission shall be to explore, research, and commemorate the journeys of freedom seekers and the sites and landmarks in the State that became the networks of the Underground Railroad. Provides that the Commission shall implement educational, landmark preservation, and grant programs. Sets forth provisions concerning membership; terms; compensation; administrative support; and staff. Provides that the Commission shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly. Effective immediately.
* Scott Holland…
If the current legislative session hasn’t ginned up enough controversy for your liking, pay attention to House Bill 2827.
The plan, from state Rep. Terra Costa Howard, D-Glen Ellyn, would create The Homeschool Act. The State Board of Education would create a declaration form any homeschool parent or administrator would submit to the local public school district office. Failure to do so would result in truancy penalties, which at present do not generally apply to kids not enrolled in school. […]
Enter The Caucus Blog, a digital arm of House Republicans, with a post headlined “Democrats take aim at homeschool families.” They labeled HB 2827 a legislative overreach and government expansion that would “impact thousands of Illinois families who have lawfully chosen to homeschool their children” in contravention of the 1950 Illinois Supreme Court opinion People v. Levisen.
A specific concern is the bill’s reference to an “educational portfolio.” The bill doesn’t directly require homeschoolers to keep such a document – basically a record of progress and assessment – but functionally mandates doing so by empowering state and local school officials to request portfolios “as evidence that the homeschool administrator’s homeschool program provides a course of instruction that is sufficient to satisfy the education requirements set forth in Sections 26-1 and 27-1 of the School Code and that is at least commensurate with the standards prescribed for public schools.”
* SB1685 from Sen. Christopher Belt…
Creates the Debt Resolution Services Act. Provides that no person shall provide or offer to provide debt resolution services without a debt resolution services license. Defines “debt resolution services” as a program or service represented, directly or by implication, to renegotiate, settle, or in any way alter the terms of payment or other terms of the debt between a consumer and one or more unsecured creditors. Sets forth requirements for a debt resolution services license. Sets forth the process for obtaining a debt resolution services license. Provides that specified persons are exempt under the Act. Provides the prerequisites and permitted practices for providing debt resolution services. Provides the requirements for a contract between a licensee and a consumer for debt resolution services. Provides that a consumer may terminate a contract to provide debt resolution services at any time without any penalty. Provides that a licensee may terminate a contract to provide debt resolution services if specified conditions are satisfied. Includes provisions concerning the powers of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; prohibited activities under the Act, including prohibitions against false or misleading advertising; annual reports filed by a licensee; fees for debt resolution services; information a licensee must provide to a consumer; records a licensee is required to keep; penalties for violating the Act; and transactions entered into before the effective date of the Act. Repeals the Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act. Amends various Acts to replace references to the Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act to the Debt Resolution Services Act. Effective January 9, 2026.
- Former Downstater - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 9:50 am:
Aren’t McCombie’s bills a form of DEI?
- Neef Jr. - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 9:54 am:
The Homeschool community isn’t just a bunch of right wind nut case weirdo’s anymore. There is an ever growing collection of progressive secular home school families that will also be pushing back on parts of that bill.
- Morty - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 9:56 am:
No one should be defined for their whole life by one mistake
I couldn’t disagree more. Some mistakes are so vile that one’s life should be defined by them.
- Huh? - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 9:58 am:
I cannot believe that in this day and age the republican’t minority leader would sponsor a such discriminatory bill. It is a clear violation of the republican’t purity tests.
- Huh? - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 10:05 am:
Furthermore, I am appalled that the minority leader has failed to follow the guidance of her dear leader.
- Michael McLean - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 10:08 am:
Unironically cool to see IL republicans doing DEI policy. I really mean it!
- JS Mill - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 10:10 am:
=Aren’t McCombie’s bills a form of DEI?=
Seriously? You beat me to it. It’s kinda fun to point that out though, because in the right wing pejorative of DEI, this is exactly that.
=The Homeschool community isn’t just a bunch of right wind nut case weirdo’s anymore.=
It never has been. In my experience there were three branches. Those who wanted a particular faith based education and didn’t want to send their kids to a parochial school.
Then there are those that educate thier children with fidelity and just want to do it at home in their own way. They often send their kids to public school when they reach high school, but not always.
The third are those trying to avoid something. Either truancy, or discipline usually.
There is no earthly reason that homeschoolers should not let their existence be know. Zero legitimate reason. Zero.
I do take issue with the portfolio piece. Let them do it however they see fit. If they think it may be possible that their kids will go to a public or private school at some point, a portfolio (really just a record/transcript) would make the transition much smoother but it definitely is not a requirement.
- Socially DIstant Watcher - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 10:13 am:
McCombie’s bill requires that applicants to the STEM program be “a woman” but doesn’t define what “a woman” is.
- Demoralized - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 10:13 am:
I’m not sure if this bill is the answer but there does need to be some sort of accountability for home schooling.
- Dupage Republican Guy - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 10:19 am:
Edward Blum (of Students for Fair Admissions fame) will certainly want to get to know Tony McCombie .
- sewer thoughts - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 10:26 am:
The homeschool community now encompasses nut case weirdos across the political spectrum, got it Neef.
There may be plenty of thoughtful parents and special situations for specific kids who would not be well served by their public institutions, but the state has a compelling interest that kids are not warehoused either by public or private actors.
- Crispy - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 10:37 am:
I agree with @Demoralized that some accountability needs to be in place for homeschooling families–in my opinion, including regular testing to make sure they’re meeting educational benchmarks, as well as mandatory home visits to ensure kids’ general welfare. There have been too many cases, here and elsewhere, where lack of oversight combined with so-called parents’ rights have effectively shielded the neglectful or worse; plus, some kids virtually vanished into a homeschool void during the pandemic. (I am married to a teacher and involved in the local school system; we have personally witnessed the gamut of homeschooling outcomes, from great to dismal.)
- Ducky LaMoore - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 10:42 am:
“ There is an ever growing collection of progressive secular home school families that will also be pushing back on parts of that bill.”
There are also homeschool parents that think it’s nuts that homeschooling is almost unregulated, and think there should be an acceptable minimum standard.
- I-55 Fanatic - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 11:17 am:
Homeschooling is like abortion. It should be legal, safe, and rare.
- RNUG - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 11:38 am:
Most home schoolers are part of a loose organization of home schoolers. They generally follow one of two accepted school plans.
Since our church started an academy / facility that is utilized by home school parents for certain classes and general socialization, I’ve become more familiar with the movement. Seems to work. And often the kids return to more formal schools, either public or private, in there high school years. So I can kind of see where the public schools would want to know that kids are being home schooled and may be returning at some point.
But I don’t really see the need to regulate much beyond that. The organizations I’ve been involved in follow a lot of the same regulations, including full background checks of all the volunteer teachers. So my opinion is don’t fix what isn’t broken.
- The Honda Lawyer - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 12:33 pm:
Why is Tony McCombie pushing government funded gender based preference? I thought Republicans opposed such discrimination on basis of gender and race. Such gender based preference is clearly unconstitutional as lawsuits challenging similar government actions have proven. Surely Tony or her people know how to Google.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 12:48 pm:
===Such gender based preference is clearly unconstitutional as lawsuits challenging similar government actions have proven===
Link?
- Just Me 2 - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 12:55 pm:
=== Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie has filed a package of new legislation to fund initiatives encouraging young women to pursue careers ===
How incredibly progressive for the Republican leader. She and AOC will be besties.
- Who else - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 1:06 pm:
Oops, let me fix this for the leader:
HB 2806 – Adds *white* women to the list of demographics eligible for the STEM higher education scholarship program (currently only racial minorities are eligible.
- Mike Gascoigne - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 1:24 pm:
Anybody ever feel like our problems have sub-problems and then hidden problems on top of problems we should have thought of to begin with? IDK. Sometimes I wonder what really makes an impact.
- Juvenal - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 1:38 pm:
My attitude toward Home Schooling is kind of like my attitude toward COVID vaccinations at this point: I don’t want your kids to grow up to be idiots, but its not my biggest problem right now.
Costa Howard has a legit concern about abusive parents deciding to ghost homeschool their kids just so that teachers do not report the abuse or neglect. We know it happens.
But we also know that child abuse is so widespread that homeschooling probably represents a small fraction.
I do like the idea of school districts offering themselves as a resource to homeschooling parents, for part time instruction as well as extra-curricular activities. And the bill might seem like less of a stick and more of a carrot if we required superintendents or RoE or ISBE to survey and work with home schooling families to identify what kinds of educational supports might be helpful.
Kudos to whomever thought to plant the language in there preventing someone convicted of aggravated sexual assault from being a homeschool administrator. I hate to be the lawmaker who voted to allow convicted sexual predators to run a homeschool. The reality though is that homeschooling parent has obviously been adjudicated, and a judge in coordination with a state’s attorney and DCfS has decided the child is not at risk.
- JS Mill - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 1:58 pm:
=I do like the idea of school districts offering themselves as a resource to homeschooling parents, for part time instruction as well as extra-curricular activities.=
We already do with regard to instruction. It is the law.
extra curricular activities are generally not available to homeschool students because they are not enrolled in the district and they would have to prove grades and the required number of course (IHSA requirement) are generally tough to prove. Some districts allow it, the IHSA has bravely left it to locals but most don’t. My perspective, and I am not antagonistic to homeschool, is that is an earned benefit for students enrolled fulltime ini our district.
=And the bill might seem like less of a stick and more of a carrot if we required superintendents or RoE or ISBE to survey and work with home schooling families to identify what kinds of educational supports might be helpful.=
I appreciate the perspective, but these folks have said they want to do it themselves. If they need something from us then they should take the initiative and let us know. Especially now when we generally don’t even know who they are.
- ArchPundit - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 1:58 pm:
===I do take issue with the portfolio piece. Let them do it however they see fit. If they think it may be possible that their kids will go to a public or private school at some point, a portfolio (really just a record/transcript) would make the transition much smoother but it definitely is not a requirement.
I appreciate your breakdown of home schoolers and it fits with the experiences I’ve had. It would be great if there could be some resources for those trying to create a profile–there may even be, but that is about as far as I’d go.
I also appreciate McCombie’s effort in general on STEM. It’s important to address women in STEM and those from underrepresented ethnicities and races differently as there are different causes for why women and those from underrepresented races and ethnicities are underrepresented in STEM. Women from underrepresented races and ethnicities face two kinds of challenges, of course.
- Occasionally Moderated - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 2:24 pm:
As the father of two daughters I don’t care who introduced SB 2801 et tal. I would like to see it passed.
McCombie is better than she gets credit for. Some proof seems to be that DeVore and his zombies are constantly attacking her on her social media.
- Occasionally Moderated - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 2:27 pm:
HB 3332.. Sigh. Do we really need another method to undo a long sentence for what must have been a horrific act? How hard is it to get a long sentence in Illinois? Isn’t a sentencing judge in the best place to make that call in the first place?
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 14, 25 @ 3:25 pm:
===Isn’t a sentencing judge in the best place to make that call in the first place? ===
C’mon, really? Judges are not infallible.