* Mark Maxwell at KSDK…

Illinois lawmakers are debating legislation that could seal the criminal records of up to 3 million residents who have served their sentences for non-violent offenses, potentially removing a significant barrier to employment and housing.

The proposal, spearheaded by Assistant Majority Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria), aims to address what supporters call a double punishment: the formal sentence followed by lifelong economic exclusion.

“We believe that job opportunities, housing opportunities should not be held hostage to a prior offense,” Gordon-Booth said. “It’s about helping people to move their lives forward.”

The legislation, expected to be formally unveiled on Mother’s Day, has garnered support from an unusual coalition that includes prosecutors, police and employers. The measure comes as Illinois faces a workforce shortage of 277,000 unfilled jobs.

* John Cullerton and Jason Barickman…

Having both served in the state legislature — albeit on opposite sides of the aisle and from different parts of Illinois — we share a belief in the power of education to lift individuals, communities and the state as a whole. We worked together to help pass the evidence-based funding, or EBF, formula that transformed the way in which we fund our school districts, and we have seen how that fundamental reform has reshaped the K-12 landscape.

Thanks to additional General Assembly funding, districts have added badly needed positions and programs to support student learning and well-being. Because of EBF, districts have funding predictability, allowing them to plan for the future in ways that are good for students. The new formula and steadfast investment allowed Illinois to withstand the impact of COVID-19 better than the nation as a whole and to rebound with more energy. Today, Illinois is one of the top-performing states in the nation for student academic growth.

It is time to bring that same transformational effort to our public universities. Over the past 20 years, the value of a college degree has grown. Yet, during that same period, Illinois has slashed its support for public universities from roughly 15% of its revenue (matching the national average) to a mere 2%. New research from the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability finds that inflation-adjusted spending has fallen 42% since fiscal year 2000, while tuition has more than doubled. This has placed a considerable burden on low- and middle-income families, making it increasingly difficult for students to afford a higher education degree, the report says. […]

The good news is there is legislation on the table that would not only address this issue, but also do so in a way as powerful and transformational as EBF. Two bills — Senate Bill 13 filed by Sen. Kimberly Lightford and House Bill 1581 by Rep. Carol Ammons — take the best of EBF and adjust and apply core principles to the complex world of four-year colleges. Working with experts, stakeholders and university leaders, they have crafted a first-ever formula for Illinois’ public universities. Better still, the proposed formula considers the resources institutions need to fulfill their mission, run effective programs, and meet the needs of students from different regions, economic and academic backgrounds, while also taking into account the resources each university can bring to bear.

* Economic Security Illinois Action Director of Policy and Advocacy Erion Malasi…

As the Illinois State Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously advanced critical legislation to curb junk fees and lower costs for working families, Erion Malasi, Economic Security Illinois Action Director of Policy and Advocacy, released the following statement:

“Economic Security Illinois Action is thrilled to see critical legislation move forward that will curb hidden junk fees and protect Illinoisans. This legislation captures months of hard work with dozens of stakeholders to ensure consumers get a fair shot while businesses can continue to operate in familiar ways. We’re grateful to the Senate Judiciary Committee for advancing this bill and urge the full Senate to take action on legislation that will help lower costs for working families.”

* WAND…

The Illinois House Education Policy Committee unanimously approved a bill Wednesday to require seat belts for all new Illinois school buses.

This legislation could mandate that any school buses manufactured in Illinois have three point seat belts starting in 2031.

Sponsors said this change is solely about student safety, as Democrats and Republicans want children to come and go from school safely. […]

Senate Bill 191 now heads to the House floor for further consideration. The measure passed out of the Senate on a 39-13 vote last week.

* Electrification Coalition Senior Communications Associate Liam Condon…

When I want to purchase something, I go to the company’s website or brick-and-mortar store and buy it. That’s how commerce works. But Senate Bill 1939, which is expected to go before Illinois legislators Wednesday, would make it illegal to buy many electric vehicles in this manner.

Gov. JB Pritzker and many state lawmakers have been effective leaders in the push to modernize transportation. They have brought thousands of well-paying jobs to Illinois, from manufacturing electric trucks in Normal and batteries in Manteno to producing copper for EV batteries and installing and maintaining the state’s rapidly expanding network of 4,400 public charging ports. If they want to guarantee Illinoisans are in the driver’s seat building our electric future, they must vote down the proposed bill.

This legislation would block direct sales from EV manufacturers who have received substantial financial investments from legacy automakers —known as “common entities.” This would prevent independent EV manufacturers from selling cars except through dealer networks with which they have no relationship. If legislators capitulate to large dealership groups by enacting this bill into law, progress toward a secure and prosperous electric transportation future will be stifled. […]

The stated goal of anti-consumer legislation like SB 1939 is to protect the viability of franchise dealerships. While it is true that a healthy dealership sector is important to ensuring consumer choice, the idea that direct sales harm dealerships isn’t true. Data from the National Automobile Dealers Association indicates that franchise dealerships have actually benefited from additional market competition, doing better in states with freedom-to-buy laws than in states that restrict direct sales.

* Sen. Karina Villa…

To meet the needs of defendants who have been determined to be unfit for trial languishing in county jails, State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure Tuesday.

“As is, our justice system is unable to care for every individual living with mental health conditions who is unfit for trial which leads to people being sent to jail rather than receiving the treatment they need to undergo fair court proceedings,” said Villa (D-West Chicago).“Modeling best practices within the criminal justice system and focusing on effective rehabilitation efforts will result in better mental health outcomes for impacted individuals.”

House Bill 3572 would clarify standards to determine whether someone unfit to stand trial should be diverted to outpatient state mental health treatment programs.

Additionally, the bill lays out a process for reducing the maximum time in custody of an individual placed in inpatient treatment by earning credit for good behavior. The goal is to ensure individuals who are unfit for trial do not spend more time in confinement than fit people who were convicted of similar offenses.

According to the Cook County Public Defender, on any given day, approximately 190 people in county jails are awaiting admission to the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Forensic Treatment Program, and another 100+ people are awaiting evaluation. […]

House Bill 3572 passed the Senate Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday.

Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel…

State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a measure out of committee that would allow individuals trafficked or exploited as minors more time to bring forth charges.

“The victims of crimes like these can take time to come forward because of trauma or other hardships,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Eliminating the time restriction would help ensure survivors can tell their story when they feel ready, not when the law says so.”

House Bill 2602 would extend the time limit for filing criminal charges in cases of forced labor, trafficking or related offenses by allowing charges to be brought at any time if the victim was under 18 years old when the crime occurred. […]

House Bill 2602 passed the Senate Criminal Law Committee Tuesday.

* WAND…

The Illinois House Education Policy Committee approved a bill Wednesday to allow agriculture courses to satisfy vocational education requirements for high school students.

Rep. Mary Gill (D-Chicago) and Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) said students should be able to use their agricultural studies to fulfill graduation requirements.

Their bill clarifies that agriculture education, business or any other ag-related course would meet the vocational requirement starting next school year. […]

The measure passed unanimously out of the House Education Policy Committee and now moves to the House floor for further consideration. Senate Bill 1605 previously gained unanimous support in the Senate.

* Sen. Robert Peters…

In an effort to underline the mission of the Department of Children and Family Services as a support-based agency for vulnerable families, State Senator Robert Peters is spearheading legislation that would remove DCFS’ authority to establish its own peace officer unit.

“Families interacting with DCFS are often in crisis, and the last thing they need is to be treated like suspects,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “This measure ensures DCFS is here to help, not to police, restoring clarity and compassion.”

Peters’ measure would remove the department’s statutory authority to appoint personnel to act as peace officers in counties with more than 500,000 people. Instead, it would reaffirm that any law enforcement needs involving DCFS would be handled by local or state police.

For families already navigating difficult situations, the bill would offer peace of mind and clarity, reinforce trust between communities and DCFS, and reduce chances of escalation. […]

House Bill 1715 passed the Senate Child Welfare Committee Tuesday.

* WAND…

Doula services can be used in Illinois, but a Democratic plan would hope to expand access to doulas to support pregnant people.

The proposal would require hospitals to have a written policy on doulas and allow any patient to bring a Medicaid certified doula of their choosing to the hospital. […]

“This bill ensures patient care receives doula services and lifts the barrier of care to codifying states authority to issue standard recommendation,” [Sponsor Rep. Yolanda Morris said.]

This legislation passed the House human services committee unanimously. It will now head to the House floor, where lawmakers could talk about it in the coming weeks.