* Crain’s…

A bill that would restrict landlords’ ability to charge move-in fees, background check fees and late fees is working its way through the Illinois Legislature.

The legislation’s sponsors argue that the fees some building owners charge go well beyond the cost of turning over units and create additional hurdles for renters in an already challenging market, while those in the real estate industry say the bill would limit how housing providers can protect themselves from bad tenants and cause them to pass the costs on in the form of higher rents.

In its current form, HB 3564 would ban move-in and application fees, cap fees for background checks at $20 and limit late fees to a small percentage of the monthly rent (i.e., $10 for the first $1,000 and 5% of any amount exceeding that). The bill is scheduled to go before a Senate committee on May 14. […]

Michael Glasser, president of the Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance, said many landlords in Chicago are charging these fees in lieu of taking a security deposit. Chicago’s Residential Landlord & Tenant Ordinance has stringent requirements for handling security deposits and severe legal penalties for violating them, so many building owners and managers in the city opt to charge a smaller, nonrefundable fee to go toward covering any damage rather than opening themselves up to that risk, Glasser said. He’s advocated for reforming the ordinance instead.

* Sen. Mark Walker…

The whole digital assets industry, commonly called “crypto,” is booming in Illinois and in our country. […]

In Illinois, we need a balance between fostering innovation and growth in high-tech industries, and protecting consumers from fraud and abuse.

The Illinois Digital Assets and Consumer Protection Act (DACPA) is designed to do both. The act would require digital asset businesses to register, have measures to address cybersecurity risks and establish consumer protections, including disclosures. […]

An essential part of this bill is that it exempts companies who use block chain for managing goods and inventory, peer-to-peer transactions, digital contracts, artists selling NFTs, and developers of supportive and innovative software. It also exempts those already subject to regulation by other relevant government agencies such as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In fact, the intent of the bill is to foster an environment where innovators and entrepreneurs can grow into broader markets and achieve their goals. […]

It’s time for some crypto-bros to put on their big boy pants.

* SEIU Healthcare Illinois…

As Illinois faces an urgent crisis where seniors can’t get the care they need and workers can’t afford to stay in the industry, a grassroots coalition will hold a lobby day and rally on Wednesday, May 14 to call on legislators to support SB 0120 and HB 1330, legislation that would raise wages for home care workers and help address the workforce shortage that is resulting in care gaps for seniors.

During the day of action, seniors and care workers with SEIU Healthcare Illinois will lobby and rally at the Illinois Capitol to send a clear message to Illinois lawmakers: Care Can’t Wait.

The Care Can’t Wait campaign, driven by workers, advocates, care recipients and their families, is fighting to ensure seniors can access quality, affordable and dignified care in the setting of their choice. The coalition is demanding the state legislature increase the wage floor for home care workers serving seniors in the Community Care Program from $18/hr to $20/hr in 2026 via a Department on Aging rate increase in the budget. Home care workers are leaving the industry in droves – at a rate 50% higher than the average occupation – because they can’t afford to stay. Over 20,000 seniors in Illinois who need home care services are not receiving care – which means they can’t age with dignity in their homes. Raising wages is critical to making sure experienced home care workers can stay in the industry and provide the quality care so many seniors and people with disabilities depend on across Illinois.

Given forecasts of declining state revenues, advocates and elected allies are demanding that major corporations and the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share in taxes to ensure that Illinois has the resources for the investments that seniors and working families need.

With the May 31 deadline for state budget approval quickly approaching, the clock is ticking for care workers and the seniors they serve. For home care workers, a modest $2 an hour increase would ensure they have the support they need to make ends meet and stay in the industry.

* Subscribers know more. Center Square…

In a state that has been striving to get more electric vehicles on the roads, an Illinois lawmaker wants to place restrictions on how consumers can buy an EV.

State Sen. Ram Villivallam’s Senate Bill 1939 would prevent future independent EV manufacturers from selling cars except through auto dealer networks.

“We want to continue to support our auto dealers to do the work that they’re doing and do it even more, especially at a time where Tesla is doing terrible,” said Villivallam, D-Chicago.

Tesla and Rivian currently sell their vehicles directly to the customer. They would not be affected by the legislation.

* Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton…

To further protect children in state care from being placed in dangerous home environments, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton advanced legislation that would expand the list of individuals prohibited from taking on the care of a child in foster or adoptive capacities.

“Children under state care have already endured hardship, including the loss of their familiar living situation,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “This legislation aims to close dangerous loopholes to ensure their placements are as safe and stable as possible.”

House Bill 871 would prohibit the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services from placing a child in a foster or adoptive home with an individual who has a record of human or sex trafficking.

Current law already prevents placements with individuals convicted of certain violent felonies, but the law’s application varies depending on the type of placement and who in the household has the conviction. Glowiak Hilton’s bill would close any gaps in interpretation by making it clear that human and sex trafficking convictions disqualify someone from receiving final placement approval, regardless of the placement type. […]

House Bill 871 passed the Senate Child Welfare Committee on Tuesday.

* Sen. Dave Koehler…

State Senator Dave Koehler is leading legislation to ease the financial burden on student teachers and provide incentives for experienced educators to mentor Illinois’ next generation of teachers.

“Our state needs talented, dedicated teachers and that starts with removing some of the financial hurdles students face when pursuing an education degree,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “This program will help aspiring teachers afford the costs of student teaching while rewarding experienced educators who guide them along the way.”

House Bill 1375 would establish a stipend program through the Illinois Board of Higher Education, offering student teachers stipends of up to $10,000 per semester for a maximum of two consecutive semesters. The program also would include stipends of $2,000 per semester for cooperating teachers who mentor student teachers, which are also limited to two consecutive semesters each year.

The program is set to reduce the financial strain on education majors during the critical student-teaching phase and incentivize experienced educators to continue mentoring. […]

House Bill 1375 was heard today in the Senate Appropriations – Education Committee and awaits further consideration.

* WAND…

A plan to help guide the use of artificial intelligence in schools is moving forward during the final weeks of session.

The Illinois State Board of Education would be tasked with creating the first framework for evaluating and implementing AI technology for teachers and students.

Statewide guidance for school districts and educators could include explanation of basic AI concepts and specific ways it can be used to inform teaching or learning while preserving human relationships. […]

Senate Bill 1920 also requires the guidance to touch upon impacts of artificial intelligence on student data privacy and best practices for developing student literacy with AI. The State Board of Education would develop and publish the guidance by July 1, 2026 and provide continuous updates as it deems necessary. […]

Senate Bill 1920 could also update the state’s internet safety education curriculum by recommending instruction on safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence, similar to social media websites, chat rooms, e-mail, and instant messaging.

* WIFR…

Illinois Representative Maurice West (D-67) steps into the Rock River Valley Blood Center on Monday to discuss his bill (HB 1179) and raise awareness on the importance of passing such bills to “save lives.”

“This will give another incentive to community members to donate blood because it’s needed. It’s very much needed across the board,” Rep. West said.

The bill states that, if passed, it would create an incentive that would provide a $250 tax credit for those who donate their blood four times or more per taxable year.

To be eligible for the tax credit, donors would have to donate their blood to one of the non-profit blood donation centers in Illinois, including the Rock River Valley Blood Center, the Red Cross, Versiti, Vitalant, and Impact Life Blood Services.

HB1179 did not advance before House deadlines.

* Sen. Julie Morrison…

Today, children have internet access at every turn — from tablets to phones and other smart devices — putting them at greater risk of exploitation. To help protect children from this growing threat, State Senator Julie Morrison is working with the Illinois State Police to expand their authority to investigate and put an end to these internet crimes.

“Online predators don’t limit themselves based on county lines, so neither should our police investigations,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This legislation removes barriers to allow state police to act quickly and effectively when children are targeted online.”

House Bill 2586 would give ISP’s Division of Criminal Investigation broader jurisdiction to pursue online child exploitation cases and work alongside local task forces across the state. The legislation aims to improve response times, close jurisdictional gaps and strengthen coordination between agencies working to protect children from digital threats. These changes would bring Illinois in line with Alicia’s Law, a national initiative that empowers specialized law enforcement units to track and prosecute predators who target children online.

In addition to expanding protections for children, the bill includes several technical changes to update ISP’s procedures related to task force liability coverage, the security of criminal justice systems and the handling of commercial vehicle safety checks. […]

House Bill 2586 passed the Senate Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday.