* WAND…

A common call State Senators receive from constituents are employees complaining how they haven’t received money from unpaid wages, even after winning in court.

A bill by Illinois Senate Democrats hopes to remove some administrative burden, which has been delaying unpaid wages being sent back to employees on time after winning in court.

The plan is supported by the Illinois Department of Labor, but the Illinois Chamber of Commerce is in opposition, who said it leaves business owners in the dark. […]

The proposal passed 15-3 out of committee, where it heads to the Senate floor for further discussion.

* Rep. Natalie Manley…

Working to expand pathways for certified public accountants (CPAs) to work in Illinois, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is sponsoring a bill that would add two additional methods for CPAs to gain licensure and make it easier for non-residents to provide CPA services in the state.

“With tax season upon us, this bill fixes some of the barriers for residents that want to become a CPA and establishes a pathway for current CPAs that want to work in Illinois — licensure stalls, red-tape, and antiquated requirements,” said Manley. “This is a practical, no-fuss solution that lowers barriers to CPA license access to address the profession’s pipeline crisis and workforce shortage by one, encouraging out-of-state accountants in good standing to come practice in Illinois, and two, allowing qualified accounting graduates who have passed the CPA exam to become licensed.”

Manley recently filed House Bill 2459, which would amend the Illinois Public Accounting Act by carving two new pathways for accounting professionals without disturbing the current path to licensure, allowing CPA applicants to become licensed with:

1. A bachelor’s degree in accounting, at least two years of experience, and the passage of the CPA exam; or
2. A bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree with 30 hours of accounting concentration, at least one year of experience, and passage of the CPA exam.

“By putting two new licensure methods on the table for our accounting professionals, we can ease burdens around tax season where so many of our residents request accounting services by slashing the red tape that’s kept more than qualified individuals from practicing and serving our state.”

House Bill 2459 is currently under consideration by the Financial Institution and Licences Committee.

* Center Square…

A consumer advocate is calling for utility reform after multiple corruption-related convictions tied to ComEd.

Citizens Utility Board Director of Governmental Affairs Bryan McDaniel said the series of trials have been “sad and infuriating” for Illinois consumers. […]

McDaniel urged Illinoisans to support Senate Bill 1275, filed by state Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton, D-Western Springs. McDaniel said the measure is aimed at preventing utility companies from enhancing their political power with consumer dollars. […]

McDaniel also expressed support for Illinois House Bill 1621, filed by state Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, D-Bridgeview, which would prevent utilities from making campaign contributions to people seeking municipal or state office.

* WCIA…

Lawmakers in the Capitol filed a bill that would make landlords set their property prices according to areas they are based in rather than using computers to set prices. This comes after the Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined other states in a lawsuit against top six landlords in the country for allegedly fixing rent prices across the nation using algorithms.

The bill filed by Rep. Lilian Jiménez (D-Chicago) will stop landlords and property management businesses from using computer systems and algorithms to set rent prices. Jimenez said the rent price should be made by the people, not computers. […]

Jiménez said her bill does not prevent landlords from using technology but rather stops the requirements to use rent algorithms which can take away the competitive practice. […]

Jiménez said that putting these laws in place will prevent anticompetitive practices from expanding in other parts of Illinois and create more opportunities for the local property owner and allow people to invest in their community.

HB1427 from Rep. Jiménez is scheduled for a hearing in the Housing Committee today.

* Sen. Robert Peters…

A new bill aiming to improve patient safety and provide fairer treatment for nurse agencies has passed the Senate Labor Committee, thanks to State Senator Robert Peters.

“This measure is about protecting both patients and nurse agencies alike,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Right now, a small mistake is treated the same way as a serious violation, which isn’t fair to agencies who comply with state law. This bill will allow penalties to be more appropriately matched to the severity of the violation.”

The Nursing Agency Licensing Act sets guidelines to ensure nurse agencies meet certain operational standards and holds them responsible for the actions of the nurses they dispatch to health care facilities. Currently, Illinois law imposes a flat $10,000 fine for every violation of NALA, only targeting licensees or applicants. These guidelines do not account for the severity of the violation, meaning minor mistakes can result in the same financial punishment as more serious issues.

Under Peters’ measure, the scope of accountability will be expanded, holding all violators accountable and making penalties more proportional to the violation. This will improve patient safety and ensure nurse agencies can operate effectively without fear of disproportionate fines, creating a fairer system that is better equipped to protect the public and the health care professionals who serve them. […]

Senate Bill 67 passed the Senate Labor Committee Tuesday and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

* Capitol News Illinois…

On Tuesday, environmentalists made their pitch for how to bolster the state’s grid and implement new consumer protections. The plan comes from the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, a group of consumer and environmental advocates that has backed several major energy bills, including the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. That law set Illinois’ goal to shut down all power plants using fossil fuels by 2050.

The ICJC proposal, contained in twin House and Senate bills, offers several provisions aimed at stabilizing volatile electricity prices and increasing grid reliability. It’s a broader proposal than when the group announced an early version in its platform last spring.

The bill would bump up the energy efficiency targets for the state’s major utility companies, increase their minimum spending on low-income efficiency programs and create “time of use” electric rates that offer electric customers lower rates at times of day with lower demand and higher rates at times of high demand.

Ameren Illinois, the utility for downstate, would have its energy efficiency targets increased more to match the already higher targets for ComEd, according to Kari Ross, Natural Resource Defense Counsel energy affordability advocate.

* Sen. Sara Feigenholtz…

State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is leading a measure that would allow short-term teachers to take family and medical leave.

“Illinois has been tackling the ongoing teacher shortage for years – and this is another step in the right direction,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “We should be encouraging people to become educators, not holding them back.”

Senate Bill 1584 would permit the Illinois State Board of Education to make rules allowing for extensions to short-term approval licenses if the licensee has taken leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act during the time they were licensed under short-term approval.

Feigenholtz’s measure comes in response to a local resident who took FMLA leave during her pregnancy when she was a short-term approval teacher. The initiative seeks to allow an extension to expiration date for a short-term approval license if a teacher has taken FMLA leave while having short-term approval. […]

Senate Bill 1584 passed the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday.

* Rep. Maurice West…

State Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, will join advocacy group Mascots Matter this Wednesday, March 5 at 1 p.m. for a Capitol Blue Room press conference to discuss their initiative to prohibit public schools from using discriminatory disability mascots.

“We need to ensure all schools across Illinois show empathy and compassion in addressing the problematic names of certain mascots,” said State Rep. Maurice West. “Our schools should be a place we teach our children about respect and understanding, and holding on to sport nicknames considered to be a slur is irresponsible.”

“This week, the Mascots Matter campaign is proud to join Representative Maurice West at the Illinois State Capitol to discuss House Bill 3527, a groundbreaking piece of legislation that seeks to eliminate harmful and outdated mascots from Illinois schools, including those that perpetuate harmful stereotypes toward individuals with disabilities defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Shelby Holloway, Co-Director of the Mascots Matter Campaign. “This bill is a critical step toward ensuring that all individuals are empowered to embrace diversity, respect, and cultural understanding. We believe that this important measure will help foster a more inclusive future for Illinois, one that honors the dignity of every community.”

West’s House Bill 3527 creates the Prohibition of Discriminatory Disability Mascots Act and would require relevant public schools to phase out their problematic name, logo, mascot and other relevant material. “Discriminatory disability mascot” is defined in the legislation as any name, logo or mascot that is derogatory or representative of an individual or group based on disability, as defined by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

If passed and implemented, impacted schools would need to have adopted a new mascot identity by September 1, 2028.

* More…

* WAND | AI companies could have to be entirely powered by renewable energy under IL plan: With lawmakers facing a new challenge in data centers and AI requiring record levels of power, the plan would force those companies to produce 100% of the power required for the new technologies. The energy would have to be renewable only and does not count nuclear energy. […] The House bill has not been assigned to a committee yet, but the Senate bill has been assigned to the Energy and Public Utilities committee, where lawmakers could talk about it in the coming weeks.

* WAND | Bill improving Illinois school emergency response plans heads to Senate floor: The legislation could require the Illinois State Board of Education to work the State Fire Marshal, State Police, and Illinois Emergency Management Agency to develop clear threat assessment procedures and rapid entry response plans. […] The proposal would call for emergency rules to be implemented based on procedures agreed on by state and local officials. Senate Bill 2057 now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration.

* WAND | Illinois bill could help address school, athletic events conflicting with cultural, religious holidays: A plan moving in Springfield could require the Illinois State Board of Education to identify days where major school events may conflict with cultural or religious holidays. […] Senate Bill 1616 passed unanimously out of the Senate Education Committee Tuesday afternoon. The measure now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration.

* WAND | Illinois bill could help address school, athletic events conflicting with cultural, religious holidays: “We’ve got wonderful models. Washington state has a very easily accessible list,” said Amy Zimmerman from the Jewish United Fund. “Even Wilmette School District has a nice list as well. They not only have the date. They tell you a little bit about the holiday.” Senate Bill 1616 passed unanimously out of the Senate Education Committee Tuesday afternoon. The measure now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration.