* The Chicago Tribune…

Illinois doesn’t allow children under 10 to be held in detention facilities. But last year, there were about a dozen admissions of children under 12 and more than 60 of children who were 12 years old, according to data from the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission.

Cases like those are the subject of a bill that was passed in the state Senate last week that, if approved by the House and signed by Gov. JB Pritzker, would essentially ban the detention of kids 12 and under, with some exceptions for 12-year-olds accused of certain violent crimes. […]

Advocates argue detention can add to trauma for children who in many cases have already experienced problems before they ever get into trouble with law enforcement, adding to risk factors that may lead them to act out again. […]

The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association opposes the change and its executive director, Jim Kaitschuk, questioned whether there are sufficient alternatives available to what is essentially jail for 10- or 11-year-olds accused of violent crimes.

“Who’s gonna take them?” Kaitschuk asked, pointing as an example to the difficulty the state’s Department of Children and Family Services has in finding placements for hundreds of children in its care. “That’s the rub, right out of the gate.”

* Capitol News Illinois…

A bill that would tighten homeschooling regulations in Illinois missed a key deadline on Friday. But its sponsor, Rep. Terra Costa Howard, said it’s still alive — and she’s working on changes recommended by fellow lawmakers to get it passed.

“We recognize that there’s some more changes that need to be made and so we want to be respectful of the process,” Costa Howard, D-Glen Ellyn, told Capitol News Illinois. “I want to pass a bill that we can be proud of. And even though I’m proud of the bill now, I want to be able to take into consideration some of the other suggestions that have been made.” […]

The bill missed a procedural deadline on Friday for non-budget bills to clear their chamber of origin. But lawmakers can request an extension, which Costa Howard has done. […]

Costa Howard says changes to the bill have already been made to address concerns, and that she’s working on more. The amendment that passed a House committee on Wednesday, April 9, provided more specific details for the declaration form, ensured that an online version would be available, and clarified that a truancy investigation would be required to compel families to turn over homeschooling portfolios.

* Tribune…

Almost immediately after President Donald Trump was elected to a second term in November, Illinois Democrats began stressing the need to provide legislative protections against potential action by the White House on issues such as immigration and abortion. […]

With six weeks left in the spring legislative session, lawmakers have a range of measures before them that backers say are necessary to protect Illinois’ progressive policies. […]

One initiative Pritzker supported was filed with the General Assembly earlier this year amid concerns that Trump could take federal action to roll back abortion rights protections, even though Trump indicated that issue should be left up to the states.

The legislation would provide more protections under Illinois’ 2023 shield law that prevents health care workers from facing disciplinary action by the state if, for instance, they provide abortion care to someone from another state that has more stringent abortion restrictions.

* Subscribers were already in the know. Daily Southtown…

In a fiery debate after 6 p.m. on the statehouse floor as a legislative deadline loomed, a decade-long fight between Chicago Heights and Ford Heights came to a head last week as two Democratic lawmakers argued until proposed legislation was pulled from debate.

The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, who represents Chicago Heights as is former mayor there, would have allowed the state comptroller to collect debts between local governments if the entities reached an agreement or filed a court order. It would have created a pathway to resolve close to $2 million in unpaid water bills Ford Heights owes Chicago Heights, its water supplier.

Chicago Heights has attempted to collect the money for about a decade, including suing Ford Heights.

But state Rep. Thaddeus Jones worried state intervention could further hike the water bills for the Ford Heights, which already has some of the highest water bills in the south suburbs, after Chicago Heights threatened to turn off the water in 2018.

“This bill does not allow me to represent a poor community that can barely pay their water bills,” said Jones, who is also mayor of Calumet City.

* Capitol News Illinois…

With many county public defender offices pushed to the limits throughout Illinois, state lawmakers are moving forward on legislation to create a statewide public defender office.

Many public defender offices in Illinois, especially in rural areas, are in desperate need of resources to provide adequate defense services. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1963 on Gideon v. Wainright that anyone accused of a crime has a right to a defense attorney, setting the basis for public defenders that judges often assign to defendants to represent a person for free. […]

Legislation in front of the General Assembly would create the “Office of State Public Defender” which would primarily be responsible for providing public defender offices around the state with more resources. House Bill 3363 passed the House last week on a 72-41 vote. It now heads to the Senate where President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, has tried to pass similar legislation in recent years. […]

If lawmakers approve the bill, the office may provide public defense services — but not for several years. Over the first few years, the office’s primary responsibility would be to assess the needs of public defenders in Illinois and collect data about their workloads.

“We are really lacking any type of data gathering across public defender offices in the state of Illinois because we just have never had the resources to really even count the number of cases that we have,” Pollock said.

* Tribune…

Independent pharmacy owners have long complained that PBMs are part of massive conglomerates that have led to higher out-of-pocket costs for patients. They say PBMs steer patients to pharmacies in which they have a financial interest, don’t reimburse pharmacies enough for medications and don’t adequately pass along rebates they get from drugmakers. […]

After years of outcry, Gov. JB Pritzker has thrown his support behind efforts to require PBMs to change how they do business in Illinois. Pritzker has called for legislation that would prevent PBMs from directing patients to pharmacies where they have a financial interest, bar them from pocketing certain savings on medications and require them to open their books to state regulators, among other changes. […]

Despite Pritzker making the issue a top priority for the spring legislative session, his allies in Springfield have yet to introduce a formal proposal. Closed-door negotiations are ongoing, but key Democratic lawmakers said the involvement of the governor’s office should make the difference in getting a measure passed before the General Assembly’s scheduled May 31 adjournment.

“I expect we will pass the bill, I just don’t know exactly when,” Pritzker told the Tribune in a brief interview last week. Lawmakers and the governor remained tight-lipped, however, about whether whatever legislation emerges from those discussions would achieve all the goals Pritzker outlined earlier this year.

* WIFR…

“The world is is going away from fossil fuels and going towards electric,” cautions State Rep. Dave Vella (D-Rockford). “Unless we want to burn a whole bunch of fossil fuels, we go to nuclear because solar and wind’s just not enough.”

In Springfield, Vella sponsors HB3603, a house bill changing the limitations on constructing nuclear power reactors. While Governor J.B. Pritzker lifted a 30-year moratorium on reactors 2 years ago, the lift didn’t impact larger units.

Vella’s bill would allow any “advanced nuclear reactor” to be built. A similar bill moves through the Illinois Senate, where State Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) and State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) sponsor SB1527.

Syverson explains nuclear power is “common sense.” The lawmaker points to “brownouts,” or power drops, in Texas and California – where renewable energy makes up more of the states’ electrical supplies v. a “consistency” in nuclear.

“That’s going to help us keep and attract good paying manufacturing jobs that are high energy users,” argues Syverson.

Both bills have failed to advance in committee. However, SB1527’s deadline has been extended to May 9.

* Sen. Rachel Ventura…

Following the Senate passage of Senate Bill 42, State Senator Rachel Ventura made clarifying remarks on the bill, explaining its intent and background.

The legislation makes clear that the smell of raw or burnt cannabis alone cannot justify a search of a vehicle, driver, or passenger. The goal is to ensure consistent law enforcement practices in situations involving cannabis. While the odor may still be noted, it cannot be the sole reason for a stop or search.

“I want to ensure there is no misunderstanding about the core intent of this bill — to clarify existing statute and address ambiguities in the law that currently create challenges for law enforcement,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Dispensary workers and Illinoisans who legally use cannabis should not be penalized and targeted on smell alone. If a driver is exhibiting erratic behavior in addition to the scent of cannabis, then law enforcement may conduct a search. This bill not only protects people’s Fourth Amendment rights from unreasonable search and seizure, but also addresses due process.”

Senate Bill 42 removes the requirement for odor-proof cannabis packaging, while maintaining the mandate that cannabis must be stored in a secure, sealed, or resealable child-resistant container. The bill also prohibits law enforcement from stopping, detaining, or searching a vehicle solely based on the smell of cannabis if the driver or passengers are 21 or older. However, it does not instruct officers to disregard the odor entirely.

The Illinois Supreme Court recently ruled on two separate cases contradictory to each other on whether the scent of cannabis is a probable cause. The Court held in People v. Redmond that the odor of burnt cannabis alone is insufficient to provide probable cause for police officers to perform a warrantless search of a vehicle. In People v. Molina, the Court ruled that the odor of raw cannabis alone gave police probable cause to search a vehicle because the statute mandates odorless packaging.

The bill makes these clarifications for law enforcement:

· Officers can still consider odor during a stop, but odor alone can no longer justify search – other factors must be present to establish probable cause
· Should law enforcement have reasonable suspicion based on the driver’s or passenger’s behavior and speech, a sobriety test would be conducted before probable cause is determined
· The measure still allows odor to be considered as a part of the totality of circumstances, but odor alone cannot justify a vehicle search
· Cannabis still must be inaccessible to those in the vehicle […]

Senate Bill 42 passed the Senate last week and awaits action in the House.

* Center Square…

Illinois state Rep. La Shawn Ford is again pushing to protect school kids at the forefront of his agenda.

Ford said he is all in on a measure proposed by Democratic State Sen. Karina Villa that would ban police from issuing any tickets or citations to students for breaking school rules like truancy. Senate Bill 1519 would also require officers to receive extra training to become a school resource officer, including how to deal with students with disabilities.

“I’m going to pick it up,” Ford told The Center Square. “I had one, but I’m going to advance the one that passed the Senate and we’ll do that when we go back in two weeks. We know that anytime young people have to deal with law enforcement as minors, as young people, it’s a pipeline to the criminal justice system.” […]

With SB 1519 passing out of the Senate Education Committee by an 8-2 vote, Ford said he is reminded of a resolution he recently proposed honoring Amara Harris “for her courage and perseverance to defend truth and fight for justice.”

* Sen. Steve Stadelman…

Following an Illinois Supreme Court decision that weakened protections for journalists, State Senator Steve Stadelman successfully passed a measure out of the Senate that protects the rights of Illinois residents and the press to freely express their view in the media.

“Protecting the right to share opinions – whether it’s an individual or a news outlet – is essential to democracy,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “Free speech, especially in the media, ensures transparency and accountability, which is why we needed to pass this legislation.”

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.

“The media shouldn’t have to face these lawsuits for simply doing their job,” said Stadelman. “This measure helps us ensure we are protecting freedom of the press.”

Senate Bill 1181 passed the Senate April 10.

* Rep. Patrick Sheehan…

State Representative Patrick Sheehan is excited to announce that HB1842, his bill to improve how municipalities handle code violations, has passed the Illinois House. This legislation updates the rules for administrative hearings, making the process clearer, faster, and more balanced for everyone involved.

“This bill is about empowering communities and building trust,” said Rep. Sheehan. “By simplifying the process for addressing code violations and ensuring fairness every step of the way, we’re helping municipalities focus on what matters most—serving their residents and improving their neighborhoods.”

Key provisions in HB1842 include:
- Giving hearing officers clear authority to handle code violations.
- Requiring hearing officers to complete formal training to ensure fair and consistent rulings.
- Setting reasonable limits on fines and penalties to protect individual rights.

HB1842 also introduces new safeguards to ensure hearings are conducted transparently and fairly. By streamlining enforcement, municipalities will be able to tackle violations faster all while maintaining trust in the system.

HB1842 will now move on to consideration in the Senate.

* WAND…

A bill led by Senate Republicans that would require schools to expel students if they’ve sexually assaulted another student is blocked from moving in the Illinois Senate.

The proposal originally came from a sexual assault case that happened in a school in Taylorville. […]

The plan received bipartisan support, but the proposal was never sent to a committee by Democratic leadership. […]

[Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield)] also said there is still a chance this plan could be passed later this year. For now, the bill stays in assignments, where it will most likely stay and die until session restarts next year.

* WCIA…

The Illinois General Assembly has six weeks left in its session, and soil and water conservation advocates are following several topics of discussion very closely.

This includes Senate Bill 2387, which could be a permanent fix to funding for local offices, according to Eliot Clay, state executive director of the Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

“What this bill would do is assess what we’re calling an AG impact fee on every acre of agricultural land that is taken out of production in Illinois. The fee would be $275 an acre,” Clay said. “After that fee is collected, it would be put into a fund underneath the Department of AG that would be earmarked specifically for operations for soil and water conservation districts moving forward.”

* WTVO…

A bill under consideration in the Illinois House may make it difficult for school districts to contract for supplemental bus drivers.

SB1799 has already cleared the Senate.

Under the new bill, if there is a chronic shortage of drivers and emergency supplemental bus services is required for more than 90 days, a contract would require union approval.

School officials fear it could mean no bus service for special education students.

The Palatine Elementary School District, for instance, claimed there are days when up to 20% of their regular bus drivers call in sick, despite recent pay hikes, bonuses, and benefits.

* Daily Herald…

Illinois House members last week unanimously passed a major change to rules on behind-the-wheel road tests for older drivers but the bill still lingers in the Senate.

The legislation raises the age for mandatory driving tests from 79 to 87 and also would allow family members to report unsafe drivers.

Previous reform attempts have withered in Springfield but Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who led the initiative, said he’s cautiously optimistic this time. […]

Giannoulias said he didn’t want to speak too soon, “but I feel we’re in a good place.” […]

State Sen. Ram Villivalam, who sponsored the Senate bill, said he was excited the legislation cleared the House. “I look forward to continuing to work with the secretary of state, AARP and a bipartisan group of colleagues to break down barriers for our seniors and ensure the safety of our residents,” the Chicago Democrat said Friday.

* Rep. Lisa Davis…

On Thursday, state Rep. Lisa Davis, D-Chicago, passed a measure through the House that will improve outcomes for all mothers and babies in the state of Illinois by providing doctors, doulas and other maternal healthcare providers with implicit bias training.
“Our healthcare professionals should listen to patients and do their best to assist them, but oftentimes patients, especially those from certain backgrounds, have serious needs ignored from a place of unconscious bias,” said Davis. “This bill raises the bar for our healthcare workforce and will produce better results for families and communities everywhere.”

Davis’ House Bill 2517 will direct the department that healthcare professionals report to develop and implement a directive that will ensure all maternal healthcare professionals receive training on implicit bias. The bill is intended to address longstanding disparities and outcomes for mothers of marginalized racial groups. For example, there is the Black Maternal Health Crisis. Black mothers are at a higher risk of death, stillbirth and other serious complications during pregnancy when compared to their white counterparts.

House Bill 2517 passed the House with bipartisan support and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

* Lake County News-Sun…

As an attorney with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, now state Sen. Darby Hills, R-Barrington Hills, spent a lot of her time involved with cases dealing with children.

So, within six weeks of replacing former state Sen. Damn McConchie, R-Hawthorn Woods, after he resigned in February, she introduced her first bill that would toughen laws against people committing sex crimes against children.

“Protecting children is my passion and my purpose,” Hills said. “A person who records or livestreams a minor for a sexually material purpose will be placed on the (sexual offender) registry.” […]

With her first bill moving from the Criminal Law Committee to the Senate floor earlier this month, Hills said she is adding co-sponsors — she has 12 so far, seven Republicans and five Democrats — and trying to get enough votes to pass it.