* Sen. Sue Rezin, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association President Mark Denzler and President of Operating Engineers Local 150 James Sweeney…

The United States has long been a leader in nuclear energy, with 94 reactors generating 102 gigawatts across 28 states. Illinois plays a pivotal role, home to six nuclear facilities producing nearly half the state’s electricity. Nuclear power has ensured reliable, carbon-free energy, keeping costs manageable while supporting thousands of high-paying jobs. However, outdated policies are preventing Illinois from embracing the next generation of nuclear technology.

Senate Bill 1527 will remove unnecessary restrictions and allow Illinois to advance new nuclear projects. As other states and nations invest in nuclear power, Illinois cannot afford to be left behind. […]

Illinois still has an outdated law barring the construction of new nuclear reactors over 300 megawatts until the federal government approves a permanent disposal solution for high-level nuclear waste. While responsible waste management is essential, this restriction is outdated. Federal regulations already ensure safe storage, and modern technology has improved waste handling. Meanwhile, states like Georgia, Tennessee, and Wyoming are advancing nuclear projects while Illinois remains stuck in the past.

It is time to lift this restriction and enable large-scale nuclear projects. This builds on the successful effort to end the moratorium on small modular reactors (SMRs), which are a promising step forward for our energy future but cannot meet Illinois’ full energy demands alone. We need every tool available to maintain grid reliability and economic stability.

SB1527’s committee deadline was extended to April 4.

* WISH…

The idea of having parts of Illinois join Indiana has hit a roadblock.

The sponsor of Illinois House Bill 1500, the counterpart to Indiana’s boundary adjustment commission bill, says the measure has died because it did not meet Friday’s deadline for bills to pass out of committee.

Indiana House Bill 1008 sets up a commission to investigate the possibility of changing Indiana’s boundary with Illinois. It passed the House in February. House Speaker Todd Huston, of Fishers, says he’s continuing to pursue the measure.

In order for the commission to be set up, Illinois would have had to pass its own companion legislation. Illinois HB 1500, sponsored by state Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, would have been that companion legislation.

* WAND…

State lawmakers are one step closer to removing toxic heavy metals from baby food.

Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) wants to ban people from selling, distributing or offering baby food in Illinois that contains arsenic, cadmium, lead, or mercury. Her bill could require baby food manufacturers to test their products for each toxic heavy metal on a monthly basis.

Companies would also have to tell consumers the name and level of each metal present in the baby food and link to the FDA’s website with information about health risks for children. Manufacturers would be required to include a QR code for people to scan and find information about their heavy metal testing as well. […]

Senate Bill 73 passed unanimously out of the Senate Public Health Committee Wednesday. Senators could vote on the legislation when they return to Springfield next month.

* Sen. Cristina Castro…

Over 20 million pounds of plastic enter the Great Lakes and Chicago-area waterways annually, the majority being single-use plastics with an average use of just a few short minutes. Once in the water, plastic breaks down into smaller pieces known as microplastics — toxic particles that make their way into drinking water, harm animal life and contribute to environmental degradation.

To tackle excessive plastic pollution and safeguard Illinois’ natural resources, State Senator Cristina Castro is working with consumers, businesses and environmental experts to pass legislation to cut down on single-use plastic bags. […]

The Public Interest Research Group estimates Illinois could save approximately 3.7 billion single-use plastic bags from being used each year by restricting the sale of these items. This would mean fewer microplastics entering local rivers and streams, less plastic litter in streets, parks and highways, and fewer toxic chemicals being ingested by Illinois families. […]

Castro’s proposal seeks to prevent large and mid-size retailers from offering single-use plastic checkout bags to customers, but would allow them to offer recycled paper bags as an alternative. Municipalities in Illinois with current plastic bag taxes would not be able to continue charging working families for plastic bags but rather would also have to eliminate their use. Recognizing the potential impact on small businesses, it would exclude restaurants, gas stations under 5,000 square feet in size, and small independent retailers with fewer than 12 locations within Illinois.

Senate Bill 1872 passed the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee Thursday.

* G-PAC…

The Gun Violence Prevention PAC (G-PAC) of Illinois, the state’s leading gun violence prevention organization, today called on Illinois leaders to pass Safe At Home legislation to strengthen safe gun storage laws following this week’s tragic accidental shooting in the South Shore neighborhood that claimed the life of an 8-year-old boy and injured his 5-year-old brother.

Since the Thursday shooting, police have reportedly confirmed the horrific shooting stemmed from the two boys accessing a loaded weapon left unattended in their home.

The proposed Safe At Home legislation in the General Assembly this spring would enhance what it means to safely store weapons and also strengthen reporting requirements for lost and stolen guns. Working together, these safety measures will protect more families from deadly tragedies in their homes and communities.

“The alarming reality is that one in three children lives in a home with a gun, and with this level of gun ownership in our society, too many tragedies unfold when guns get into the hands of children and other vulnerable people,” said Kathleen Sances, President and CEO of G-PAC. “This shooting joins a long list of incidents where unsecured firearms have caused unintentional shootings, suicide, mass shootings, and crime in our communities. We can and must do more to strengthen Illinois law to keep our communities safe and save lives.”

Safe At Home was introduced earlier this session as Senate Bill 8 and House Bill 3688 and is sponsored by Sens. Laura Ellman and Ram Villivalam and Reps. Maura Hirschauer and Kevin Olickal. […]

Provisions of Safe At Home include:

- Outlines improved safe storage requirements in homes where a minor, at-risk person, or someone prohibited from using firearms could gain access to them.
- Changes definition of “minor” to a person under 18 years of age (military and national guard excluded).
- Adds civil penalties associated with the failure to safely secure firearms; at first violation, courts may impose community service or restitution.
- Strengthens requirement for reporting a lost or stolen firearm from 72 to 48 hours after the owner first discovers the loss or theft.
- Requires education for gun owners of the obligation to report a lost or stolen firearm at the time of firearm purchase and FOID/CCL application and renewal process.
- Requires ISP to create a portal for law enforcement to report individuals who have failed to report the loss or theft of a firearm.
- Imposes penalty of revocation of FOID card on second violation for failure to report lost and stolen firearms.

* Sen. Sara Feigenholtz…

Amid a nationwide rise in pedestrian fatalities, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is continuing her efforts to streamline and expedite key transportation safety solutions in Chicago.

“When a pedestrian fatality is studied, improved collaboration between government entities leads to solutions,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Pedestrian safety must be prioritized at every street and every intersection.”

In January 2023, IDOT entered into a Memorandum of Understanding agreement with the Chicago Department of Transportation in an effort to strengthen collaboration and streamline the review process for safety improvements on local streets and state routes. The MOU was in part sparked by a request from Feigenholtz that the departments conduct a traffic study after a pedestrian was killed in the 6th Senate District.

Senate Bill 1559 aims to formalize portions of the MOU by requiring that completed safety studies be on the agenda when IDOT and CDOT meet to discuss traffic and pedestrian fatalities. […]

Senate Bill 1559 passed the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday.

* Illinois Blockchain Association Executive Director Nelson Rosario in Crain’s…

In the Web3 and blockchain space, Illinois’ leadership is undisputed, with more than 320 startups operating in this space, earning $1.5 billion in venture-capital investment since this technology emerged. One-third of the top public companies headquartered in Illinois already have (or are actively making) significant investments in Web3 and blockchain technology. And the state has already secured more than $7 million in grants to advance digital assets research in our top academic institutions.

Now is the time to build on that leadership, and we can only do that through purpose-built blockchain regulation that clarifies rules of the road, enhances protections for consumers and incentivizes innovation and job creation in Illinois.

Unfortunately, a new proposal in the General Assembly would have a chilling effect on Illinois’ blockchain leadership, both now and in the future. Senate Bill 1797, the Digital Assets & Consumer Protection Act, attempts to establish a state regulatory framework for all entities innovating in digital assets, from established corporations to bourgeoning startups and entrepreneurs. Though well intentioned, the bill sweeps far too broadly and contains a number of structural flaws that would drive innovation out of our state.

Among other things, the act would establish a state-level licensing regime for anyone operating in blockchain and digital assets. Modeled off New York State’s BitLicense, the legislation would impose a burdensome, costly registration process for all players — startups, entrepreneurs, institutions and individuals — innovating in blockchain. The license, which could cost as much as $100,000 and take hundreds of hours to attain, would halt blockchain innovation in its tracks. Perhaps most disturbing, it would serve as a gatekeeper, limiting participation in blockchain innovation to well-funded, legacy corporations that have the time and bandwidth to navigate licensure.

SB1797, sponsored by Sen. Mark Walker, received April 4 deadline extension to advance out of committee.

* Daily Herald…

Lake Forest Democratic state Sen. Julie Morrison’s bill requiring seat belts in new school buses passed the Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday.

The legislation now heads to the Senate for a full vote. The National Transportation Safety Board has said while school buses are among the safest vehicles on the road, seat belts are critical for preventing injuries and deaths in crashes.