* Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet filed HB4175 yesterday…

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, effective December 31, 2029, no person shall manufacture or accept for sale a personal care product that contains nonbiodegradable plastic glitter. Specifies that, until December 31, 2030, a person may continue to accept for sale an existing stock of personal care products containing nonbiodegradable plastic glitter that was acquired and transported into the State before December 31, 2029. Defines “nonbiodegradable plastic glitter”. Effective January 1, 2028.

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently vetoed a bill that would’ve similarly banned personal care products with glitter. Newsom said in his veto message that the bill might also block biodegradable or natural alternatives. Rep. Du Buclet’s bill, though, clearly spells out what kind of glitter would be banned.

* Another bill introduced by Rep. Du Buclet would bar state and local governments from meddling in museum exhibits or programming…

Creates the Prohibition on State Interference in Museum Content Act. Sets forth the purpose of the Act. Defines “museum” as an institution or entity located in the State that: (1) is operated by the State, a local governmental unit, a non-profit corporation, a trust, an association, or an educational institution that receives State funds; (2) is operated primarily for educational, scientific, historic preservation, cultural, or aesthetic purposes; and (3) owns, borrows, cares for, exhibits, studies, archives, or catalogues property. Provides that “museum” includes, but is not limited to, any one or more of the following institutions or entities that receive State funds: historical societies; historic sites; landmarks; parks; archives; monuments; botanical gardens; arboreta; zoos; nature centers; planetaria; aquaria; libraries; technology centers; and art, history, science, and natural history museums. Provides that a State or local governmental unit shall not interfere in the creation or content of (i) exhibits and programming in museums or (ii) events in museums that are related to race, gender, or historical events. Provides that a museum shall base its exhibits and programming on credible scholarship and inclusive narratives. Provides that a museum shall prioritize partnerships between the museum and historians, educators, and cultural leaders regarding exhibits in the museum to ensure that the exhibits are balanced and fact-based. Effective January 1, 2027.

* WAND…

A group of Democratic state lawmakers are renewing their push for the Illinois Investment Policy Board to stop restricting state funds for companies boycotting Israel. The Illinois Coalition for Human Rights said a current state law is dangerous for citizens protesting the war in Gaza.

The Illinois Investment Policy Board can currently restrict public funding to any company if they believe the company is protesting Israel. Some lawmakers claim the 10-year-old law requires the state’s pension fund to stop investing in companies who stand up for Palestinian rights.

“This is a shame. This is a stain on our state’s history,” said Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Berwyn). “It’s something that ought to be repealed immediately. Immediately.”

Rashid told reporters in Springfield he is elated there is a ceasefire in Gaza, but he argues the absence of continued genocide is not lasting peace or justice. […]

He said the state of Illinois needs to “get out of the way” of advocates protesting for human rights. Rashid and Sen. Mike Porfirio (D-Burbank) filed this plan in February, but both versions of the bill have been blocked from receiving a hearing.

* Covers…

House Bill 4171 seeks to amend the Sports Wagering Act to clarify that only the Illinois legislature can license, regulate, or tax the state’s sports betting industry. This amendment follows the Chicago mayor’s proposal of a 10.25% local sports betting tax in his 2026 budget.

Rep. Dan Didech, who chairs the House Gaming Committee, said the intent of legalization in 2019 was not to allow cities to create separate frameworks. He warned that Chicago’s proposal could harm consumers and drive bettors toward illegal markets while reducing state tax revenue.

The bill explicitly restricts home rule powers, ensuring municipalities cannot impose or collect taxes or fees related to sports wagering. Although the Illinois 2025 Legislature adjourned on May 31, HB 4171 is expected to be taken up when the next session begins on Jan. 14.

The legislative proposal stems from growing tensions over a new plan by Chicago officials to introduce an additional city betting tax. According to a report by the Chicago Financial Future Task Force, residents would face a 50-cent charge per wager, stacked atop the state’s existing per-wager tax enacted on July 1 and implemented by most operators on Sept. 1.

Rep. Didech added a few new co-sponsors to his bill, including Republicans John Cabello and Jeff Keicher and Democrats Larry Walsh Jr. and Katie Stuart.

* Sen. Sara Feigenholtz…

Last week, [Sen. Sara Feigenholtz] fought to add this provision to Senate Bill 618, making permanent the safe pickup and delivery of mixed drinks in state law. Illinois now joins 20 other states that have made cocktails to-go permanent.

“My district boasts some of the most globally recognized restaurants and establishments in our state,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Special Committee on Tourism. “Cocktails to-go began as a lifeline, but the market is revealing good reason to make it permanent.”

Since the pandemic, trends show 28% of consumers are entertaining at home more. Although restaurants are recovering, having the choice to eat out or entertain at home adds another benefit, or tool, in the toolbox.

The proposal would permanently allow bars and restaurants in Illinois to continue selling cocktails and mixed drinks for delivery and curbside pickup, providing certainty and stability for these businesses. The existing law contains stringent container requirements, age verification, and other safeguards.

Senate Bill 618 passed the Senate in the first week of veto session and now heads to the House.

* The Alton Telegraph…

Republican lawmakers in the Illinois House are backing a bill that would make firearm identification cards valid for life.

House Bill 3139 would amend the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act and the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. In short, it would allow individuals to keep their firearm owner and concealed carry IDs for a lifetime rather than renewing them periodically.

According to the bill, if a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act expires during the term of a concealed carry license, both the card and the license would remain valid. The license holder would not have to renew the ID card during the license period.

“Unless the Illinois State Police has reason to believe the licensee is no longer eligible for the card, the agency may automatically renew the licensee’s Firearm Owner’s Identification Card and send a renewed card to the licensee,” the bill reads.

HB3139 was introduced in February and has not moved.