* Capitol News Illinois…
Two Democratic leaders in the Illinois Senate openly expressed their disagreement this week about Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposal to allow community colleges to offer four-year bachelor’s degree programs in certain high-demand employment fields.
The exchange between Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, of Westchester, and Sen. Cristina Castro, of Elgin, who chairs the powerful Senate Executive Committee, took place during a hearing on an unrelated bill that would overhaul the way Illinois funds public universities. But it offered a public view of the reasons why the baccalaureate proposal, which Pritzker touted in his budget address in February, has so far failed to advance in the General Assembly.
Both the university funding proposal (Senate Bill 13 and House Bill 1581) and the community college proposal (HB 3717 and SB 2482) are intended to stem the spiraling cost to students and their families of obtaining a four-year college degree. […]
The university funding plan, sponsored by Lightford, was the subject of a Senate committee hearing Wednesday. The bill allowing community colleges to offer four-year baccalaureate degrees did not advance out of a House committee before a March 21 deadline. [..]
“If we’re thinking about students’ basic needs, we also need to be thinking about the students that don’t necessarily go to the four-year schools,” Castro said to the panel. “If students are really the focus, why are you guys opposed to the (four)-year baccalaureate degrees?”
“I’d like to answer your question, madam chair, because I believe it has zero to do with what we’re trying to accomplish here,” Lightford replied.
She said the university funding proposal was the product of four years of negotiations that were intended to address a specific set of issues facing universities – namely, the adequacy and equity of their funding systems. The community college proposal, she argued, would draw students away from universities that are already struggling to maintain enrollment levels.
* Center Square…
The Illinois House Energy and Environment Committee has advanced legislation to study the potential movement of populations due to climate issues. […]
State Rep. Blaine Wilhour, R-Beecher City, questioned [Rep. Will Guzzardi] about the proposed group.
“Is this task force going to study the outmigration as a result of some of our climate policies in this state, specifically the outmigration of good union jobs?” Wilhour asked.
“The task force is going to project, to the best of the ability of those who work on it, the possible migration trends that will result from climate change, not necessarily our state’s policies per se, but climate and weather changes as a whole,” Guzzardi answered.
Sen. Mary Edly-Allen…
Recording artists could soon have more protections from artificial intelligence (AI) replicating their voice or work under legislation from State Senator Mary Edly-Allen and State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz.
“We need strong regulations and protections in place to safeguard artists when people try to steal their work and pass it off as their own using artificial intelligence,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “This bill was made to clarify existing law using language approved by both the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Motion Picture Association (MPA).”
As an emerging technological platform, there were no restrictions on AI models replicating a music artist’s voice before the passage of the Digital Voice and Likeness Protection Act last year. Without regulations, some organizations and even music studios have sought to establish a monopoly of control over their artists’ voices and melodies for AI projects.
To give artists more agency of how their voice or melody may be replicated by AI, Illinois’ Digital Voice and Likeness Protection Act requires artists to have legal representation or support from a collective bargaining agreement when negotiating an AI project involving their art, and how they will be compensated for the AI replica. This prevents music studios from profiting off an artist’s likeness or voice by using AI to replicate them without the consent of the artist or without fair compensation.
House Bill 3178 updates the Digital Voice and Likeness Protection Act by clarifying terms of acceptable use and when digital replica agreements are unenforceable. This bill also would limit the act’s impact to only digital replica provisions. […]
House Bill 3178 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
* Sen. Erica Harriss…
So far, I have filed to carry several House Bills. House Bill 57 gives residents in care facilities the right to name someone they trust, such as a family member or friend, as an essential support person. That person would be guaranteed access to the resident to assist with both daily needs and emotional support. House Bill 1120 removes the outdated requirement to include your blood type on your driver’s license. House Bill 2139 modernizes the America’s Central Port statute to allow local port operations to run more efficiently. House Bill 2863 increases transparency and public notification whenever large utility companies acquire smaller water or sewer utilities. The goal of this bill is to ultimately save consumers money. […]
A bill coming over from the House that I have publicly opposed is House Bill 1237, known as the School Mascot Ban bill. Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to attend a “Save Our Mascot” rally at Kahok Stadium in Collinsville. Community members, students, and educators from the Collinsville, Granite, and Mascoutah school districts gathered for a peaceful protest opposing this legislation. If passed, this bill would require school boards to prohibit the use of names, logos, or mascots that reference Native American tribes, historical Native American persons or groups, or terms such as “Redskins,” “Braves,” “Chiefs,” “Chieftains,” “Tribe,” “Indians,” or any similar terms. The bill would also prohibit mascots depicting Native Americans, feathered headdresses, tomahawks, arrowheads, or any similar imagery associated with Native American heritage.
Under the legislation, schools that wish to retain their current name or mascot would need to receive written consent from a federally recognized tribe, which must be renewed every five years and could be revoked at any time. […]
It will take a significant effort to stop this bill. That is why I have launched a petition that allows you to formally oppose the legislation and stay informed through my office about any updates. Residents across our state will also have the opportunity to fill out a witness slip once this bill is assigned to a Senate committee.
* Farm Week…
Farmers who frequently face crop damage from nuisance deer are even closer to relief.
The Illinois Senate voted 51-0 Thursday afternoon to pass Senate Bill 710. […]
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) would be directed to implement rules for its Deer Removal Permit (DRP) procedures and criteria. This includes implementing a timeline for an IDNR biologist to respond to a DRP request, ensuring farmers can deal with a deer nuisance issue promptly. IDNR would need to have information about Deer Removal Permits, including relevant information, criteria and directions for applying, on their website.
This legislation would also create two new provisions for nuisance permitting, enabling landowners who request a DRP and fulfill 50% of the permit to qualify for the automatic issuance of additional antlerless permits during the regular hunting season. If landowners fulfills 80% of the permit, they will be eligible for the automatic issuance of an additional nuisance permit. This will be valid for five deer and can be used between June 1 and Sept. 15 of the following calendar year.
Additionally, the legislation would allow anyone to destroy deer on behalf of a landowner with a DRP as long as that person meets the requirements to hunt in Illinois.
* Sen. Mike Simmons…
To provide the safest conditions possible for cyclists, State Senator Mike Simmons is moving legislation to update warning sign requirements on bike trails where there are known hazards.
“When someone chooses to ride their bike or walk as an alternative to motor transportation, or simply wants to get some exercise, they should know they are safe and protected,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Better signage around pathway hazards or emergencies is a simple way to keep everyone safe.”
Under Simmons’ legislation, House Bill 2675, local government and municipality-owned bicycle trails must contain signage or other warning markers alerting cyclists to known emergencies or hazards. If a highway crossing is already controlled by a stop light or stop sign, additional crossing signage for cyclists would not be required.
“These clear and simple changes will provide greater mobility and safer routes for bicyclists,” said Simmons. “With this bill we are aiming to prevent accidents and promote safety.”
House Bill 2675 passed the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday.
* Sen. Michael Hastings…
State Senator Michael E. Hastings advanced a measure to ensure anyone practicing as a veterinary technician is licensed and trained from an accredited program. […]
House Bill 3360 would require anyone referring to themselves as a veterinary technician to be licensed with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The bill would ensure that veterinary technicians have graduated from an accredited program and passed the exam required for the license. The bill would also require vet techs to visibly display their license in their office.
Hastings took on the bill in response to members of the Certified Veterinary Technicians calling for the state to align themselves with the administrative rules for Certified Veterinary Technicians. House Bill 3360 has also gained the support from the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, Lavitt Animal Hospital, Mulford Animal Hospital, New Hope Veterinary Clinic, DeVries Animal Hospital and County View Veterinary Service. […]
House Bill 3360 passed the Senate Licensed Activities Committee with bipartisan support on Wednesday.
- TheInvisibleMan - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 10:00 am:
– The community college proposal, she argued, would draw students away from universities that are already struggling to maintain enrollment levels.–
Protectionism comes in many forms.
If the only thing preventing somebody from choosing this educational path for themselves, is the option being available - the problem is not with the proposal.
The problem is with the existing institution not providing a better option.
I have yet to hear a single valid reason why this proposal is bad in any way, for people who want to improve themselves. This opposition bothers me in a lot of ways.
Part of the ‘deal’ of globalization as it was presented 25 years ago, was the countries shifting away from manufacturing would need to re-train their workforce for the jobs of a globalized world. Yet we still have some Democratic office holders who are trying to put roadblock in front of that process to allow that education and retraining at the local level.
Then we wonder why republicans are able to tap into the anger of the people who feel like they’ve been left behind.
- City Zen - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 10:21 am:
==draw students away from universities that are already struggling to maintain enrollment levels.==
Why should the state care if an Illinois resident is enrolled at either NIU or Kishwaukee College? Would they rather have neither?
If the university system is afraid community colleges are cannbalizing their enrollment, then they’ve got bigger problems.
- Chicagonk - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 10:21 am:
If they are really trying to push four-year community colleges offering BAs, then there should be a study on the impact of doing so. What is the cost? How does it impact other four-year institutions?
- Demoralized - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 10:22 am:
==The problem is with the existing institution not providing a better option.==
This. If your argument is that we shouldn’t do this because you’ll take students away from us then you need to have a good long look in the mirror at yourself and ask yourself why a student might choose a Community College over your university. I can see cost being a factor. If so then you’re too expensive. Maybe it’s location. The Community College is located more conveniently to many people. You’re against it because you want to force a student to choose you when evidently you don’t offer what they want. You aren’t pro-student. You’re pro save your own rear end.
- Blue Dog - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 10:28 am:
…already struggling to maintain enrollment levels. just maybe we have too many 4 yr universities. but if it’s in name of equity, by all means deny a cheaper alternative.
- Suburban Mom - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 10:33 am:
The demographic cliff is already in progress for college admissions and the sooner politicians accept hard choices are coming, the better. Not all of our universities are going to survive. A proactive plan that best serves the students and the state and builds in flexibility to provide more opportunities for more people is better than a slow, reactive retrenching and enrollments continue to drop.
- Mike in Riverton - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:24 am:
Illinois has too many White-tailed Deer. We need a plan to cull the Deer population. Illinois only has so many Deer due to them nibbling on soybeans beginning in May, June and July, and living corn fields in July, August, September and October. Illinois probably has three to five times more Deer than proper habitat depending upon which set of Estimates used.
- Pot calling kettle - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:02 pm:
==The demographic cliff is already in progress for college admissions and the sooner politicians accept hard choices are coming, the better. Not all of our universities are going to survive. ==
True, but Illinois is also an outlier in the net out-migration of graduating HS seniors. If we increase funding for universities and lower costs for students, that could be reversed and repopulate our underutilized universities. As other states restrict what can be taught and researched in higher ed, we have an opportunity to flip things and have a net in-migration of the HS grads.
Both bills have merit and should not be seen in opposition. One helps local students and addresses local demand in certain subject areas while the other will help maintain broad offerings at our universities and help keep students in Illinois.
- tea_and_honey - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:02 pm:
The biggest question I have about the community college proposal is if the current benefit to students is the lower cost at the CC how will they upscale their offerings to include the additional two years of upper level instruction without increasing costs?
If there is a solid plan in place to prevent the students not interested in a 4 year degree from paying the additional overhead costs needed to cover these programs then I see no down side to the proposal.
- HSI - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:11 pm:
Farmers talk out of both sides of their mouths. They want more deer killed but they either don’t want to allow hunting (and as a landowner I understand this) or they would prefer to lease hunting rights out to trophy hunters that only want to harvest a big buck.
For some reason they happily ignore the fact that it is hordes of Raccoons that are pulling down the corn stalks. It isn’t deer most of the time.
- Retired School Board Member - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:38 pm:
I have attended community college, a University and grad school. I am a huge fan of the community college approach. That being said, while I had some great adjuncts at the community college level, I also had some horrible ones too. It’s one thing to have these adjuncts teaching 100 and 200 level courses. Its entirely another to have them teaching upper level content.
There will be those who point to the number of adjuncts that are already teaching in the 200 and 300 level and even in grad school. Take it from me, they are not the same folks teaching in community colleges.
It seems to me that this move would raise the costs of community college credit hours, thereby increasing the likelihood of students needing to take on debt (as opposed to being able to attend with just their Pell or MAP grants).
In my opinion, our community colleges do what they do well. Let’s not risk breaking what works well for so many students.
- Jibba - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 1:16 pm:
Wilhour might be surprised to find that inmigration from climate change refugees might be more larger than outmigration.
As to community colleges offering 4 year degrees, I am definitely for it if costs can be kept down. The inflexibility of 4 year colleges in holding to a traditional residential college experience is part of the problem, as well as costs related to maintaining a faculty that is capable of supporting research and a graduate school. A different model might be started by one of the directional universities, such as reducing costs by not offering degrees beyond the bachelor, offering flexible scheduling such as block classes offered on weekends or nights, etc. Tailoring education to the time that modern citizens have available is necessary, since fewer can afford loans and time allotted to a residential degree. If the 4 years are not willing to do it, then let the community colleges do it.
- Seventh Floor - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 2:47 pm:
Re: House Bill 3360
Vet techs barely make above minimum wage… I hope that was considered in adding these requirements.
- Phineas - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 5:21 pm:
Re Vet techs. Licensing like this has been proven time and time w
again to increase income inequality.
https://www.nber.org/papers/w33732
- east central - Monday, May 5, 25 @ 6:22 pm:
Don’t 4-year college programs have additional accreditation requirements? Has the cost of this transition for a CC been evaluated?