* Retired educator and college basketball referee Ed Hightower…

In high-pressure moments, when everything is on the line, leaders must be able to make the right call. As March Madness takes hold this spring, Illinois lawmakers must make the right call regarding affordable housing.

Growing up in a family of eight children in Southeast Missouri, I knew what it meant to struggle. We didn’t have indoor plumbing until 1966, when my mother moved us to Alton, Illinois. That experience shaped my understanding of the critical need for safe, affordable housing — something too many families in Illinois still lack today. […]

I urge Illinois lawmakers to support the Build Illinois Homes Tax Credit — an innovative solution to our state’s affordable housing crisis.

I believe this legislation could be a game-changer. It provides the push developers need to move projects forward. This tax credit is a low-risk investment for taxpayers. Private investors supply the funds upfront, and the state issues credits only after developments are completed and families move in. It’s a fiscally responsible way to create much-needed housing while spurring economic growth. […]

The Build Illinois Homes Tax Credit will close those financing gaps by making the critical commitment for developers and investors to give these developments the green light. More than half of the states nationally have adopted credits like Build Illinois Homes to drive affordable housing investment. During these trying times, people need safe, affordable housing and education, health care, and social service support. All work together to lift people and their communities.

* Center Square…

Lawmakers discussed proposed regulation of hemp-derived intoxicating beverages in a state Senate Liquor Committee hearing Tuesday afternoon.

State Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, filed Senate Bill 1766, which would impose taxes on hemp manufacturers and distributors. It would also force hemp businesses to be regulated by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission.

“We are open to making modifications to the bill, but I think it’s time that this form of beverage be entered into the regulatory space. We think this is a good way to do it,” Cunningham said. […]

Chris Coleman of the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois spoke in support of SB 1766 and said it would impose strict labeling requirements on hemp beverages.

Coleman also addressed lawmakers’ concerns that highly-caffeinated beverages are not part of the bill.

Executive Director of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois Tiffany Chappell Ingram …

“While we agree that it’s time for Illinois to take action against intoxicating hemp products, including THC beverages, this proposal falls short of providing consumers the protections they deserve. These products are not alcoholic beverages – differing greatly in their effects on consumers as well as the way they are produced, tested, labeled and sold – and should not be regulated under our state’s liquor laws. THC beverages are derived from the cannabis plant and should be regulated under the state’s existing cannabis laws, which prioritize public health, safety, and industry oversight. We are eager to collaborate on a more appropriate path forward.”

* Rep. Carol Ammons…

Working to bring transformative change to Champaign-Urbana communities and statewide, state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, successfully advanced legislation filling crucial gaps in education and access to economic opportunities.

“Spearheading these bills, to me, is about restoring opportunity,” said Ammons. “Whether it’s through fairer licensing, access to education, or removing unnecessary barriers, we’re creating real pathways for all Illinoisans to prosper.”

In efforts to expand pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals, Ammons’ House Bill 3462 would refine licensing requirements for those with a criminal record — enforcing the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations (IDFPR) to evaluate licensing applications based on the manner of a person’s conviction, rather than if they possess “good moral character,” an ambiguous term used for justification of denial.

Plus, continuing her advocacy for expanded education for the incarcerated, Ammons’ House Bill 2466 would further support formerly incarcerated students by removing a provision that excludes them from the opportunity to participate in academic programs and financial aid, such as the monetary assistance program (MAP).

Ammons’ work also seeks to remove barriers that hinder those from practicing their profession. House Bill 3356 removes hair-braiding from the list of license cosmetology professions, allowing individuals to self-start in the hair braiding profession without having the financial obligation to pay IDFPR a licensing fee.

* Sen. Erica Harriss…

Another deadline week has come and gone in the Senate as we inch closer to the adjournment of our spring legislative session at the end of May. We just wrapped up week seven of session, a week in which we had to pass Senate bills out of committee that we hope to pass this spring.

Last week, I was able to pass Senate Bill 2463 out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. This is a bill I worked closely on with the Department of Natural Resources. It is intended to offset taxpayer costs in the event that an oil well operator fails to remediate a well they are responsible for after operations have ceased.

While I am thrilled to have passed a couple of bills out of committee, I have filed extensions on my bills that were assigned to committees but haven’t received a vote. Most of those bills relate to property taxes, with the goal of helping save Illinois residents money.

* WAND…

A proposal moving in Springfield could require health insurance companies to cover prescription vitamins.

State employee, private insurance, and managed care plans would be forced to provide the new coverage for prescription vitamins starting January 1, 2027.

House Democrats said this policy will not apply to vitamins purchased over the counter, but Republicans still argue the bill will cause higher insurance premiums. […]

House Bill 3699 passed out of the House Insurance Committee on a partisan 11-5 vote. It now moves to the House for further consideration.

* KSDK…

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s ambitious plan to allow community colleges to offer four-year degrees has hit a significant roadblock, exposing the complex political dynamics of higher education reform in Illinois.

The proposed legislation, House Bill 3717, would enable community colleges to grant bachelor’s degrees in applied fields, potentially transforming access to higher education for thousands of students. Despite Pritzker’s vocal support, the House Higher Education Committee declined to advance the bill last week.

“I’m glad to see negotiations continuing,” Chairwoman Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) said. “I think we need to focus on finding pathways for students to earn the credentials they need to support their careers and on supporting all our institutions of higher education across the state.’

For Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora), the proposal represents a personal mission. A Waubonsee Community College alumna who later transferred to Aurora University, she understands the financial challenges of higher education firsthand. “School is turning into more of a luxury at this point, and it is unfortunate,” Hernandez said. “I saved a lot of money by starting at community college.”

* Center Square…

Illinois lawmakers are considering a slew of bills affecting gambling in the state. […]

One measure, Senate BIll 2145, would require fantasy sports companies to pay a fee to operate in the state and places a tax of up to 40% on their contest receipts. Tim Jensen of Real Time Fantasy Sports said the bill would end their Illinois operations.

“As a smaller operator, we have hundreds of Illinois players that have been with us for years if not decades, however, the half-million dollar licensing fee exceeds our total gross revenue for the state of Illinois and would effectively lock us out of the state,” said Jensen during a Senate Gaming, Wagering and Racing Committee hearing Tuesday. […]

State Sen. Christina Castro, D-Elgin, said if you want to play, you have to pay.

“Whether the tax the gaming board proposed is the right one I’m not sure, but it’s something to say I don’t want to be taxed, I don’t want to pay fees,” said Castro. “You want the privilege to do business in Illinois, guess what, you’re going to pay for that privilege.”

* Sen. Steve Stadelman…

Following an Illinois Supreme Court decision that weakened protections for journalists, State Senator Steve Stadelman is working to safeguard the rights of Illinoisans and news outlets to state their opinions in the media.

“This legislation is needed in order to protect media and what they do on a daily basis,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “We need to stand up for free press and speech, and this measure shows our efforts to do so.”

Senate Bill 1181 builds on existing law to ensure the Citizens Participation Act protects individuals and the press from lawsuits intended to silence or intimidate them, regardless of the motive behind the lawsuit. A Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) is a legal tactic used to silence or intimidate critics by burdening them with costly and time-consuming litigation, often targeting individuals or organizations who speak out on issues of public interest.

The Supreme Court ruled the state’s anti-SLAPP law did not protect media outlets or journalists. Stadelman’s legislation clarifies news organizations should be shielded from retaliatory lawsuits.

Senate Bill 1181 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee last Wednesday.