It’s just a bill
Friday, Jan 9, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Sen. Laura Fine…
In the wake of the unspeakable tragedy in Minneapolis, Minn., State Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) will file legislation barring anyone hired by Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Donald Trump from obtaining employment in state or local law enforcement positions in the State of Illinois. This proposed state law continues her efforts to hold Donald Trump accountable and rein in the lawlessness of federal immigration officials.
“ICE is out of control and Donald Trump must be held accountable as communities like ours and across the country are torn apart by fear and violence,” Senator Fine said. “These officers are complicit in the President’s authoritarian campaign and we must do everything in our power to stop it while preventing further violence and loss of life. In Congress, I’ll lead the effort to hold every single person accountable for their role in Donald Trump’s lawlessness, including federal law enforcement officials who target American citizens exercising their first amendment rights. Enough is enough.”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has hired more than 12,000 sworn ICE agents since Trump’s inauguration, more than doubling its ranks. Fine’s legislation makes anyone hired by ICE after January 20, 2025 ineligible from a state or local law enforcement position.
* CBS Chicago…
National leaders fighting for gun violence prevention joined advocates in Chicago to push for a first-of-its-kind law, making gun manufacturers pay for violence incurred by their weapons. […]
The RIFL Act was introduced in the Illinois House last February. While it didn’t get called for a vote last session, the RIFL Act gained support over the past year.
The legislation would require firearm manufacturers to be licensed in Illinois. Money collected from licensing fees would go into a victim fund for related expenses. […]
Opponents, including the National Rifle Association, call the RIFL Act unconstitutional. They say it is not fair to force the industry to “pre-confess” to crimes.
More on the bill from ABC Chicago…
Dr. Anthony Douglas’ experience as a trauma surgeon served as a policy framework for the legislation.
“I got exhausted with calling time of death on people that look like me,” said Douglas, a University of Chicago Medicine surgical resident. […]
“They’re making profit on pain, and we want to make sure that we hold them accountable. Take those fees and fund the things that prevent violence and keep community safe,” Democratic 13th District state Sen. Robert Peters said.
* HB4334 from Rep. Rick Ryan…
Amends the School Code. Removes language that requires, beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade to, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete 2 years of foreign language courses.
* HB4281, sponsored by Reps. Lisa Davis and Michael Crawford, would let any Cook County municipality with at least 25,000 residents use speed cameras in school zones and parks. Synopsis…
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the provision regarding automated speed enforcement systems in safety zones applies only to municipalities with a population of 25,000 (rather than 1,000,000) or more inhabitants in a county with a population of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants.
* Journal Courier…
The Illinois Township Code faces an amendment regarding meeting notices under a newly proposed bill.
Illinois House Bill 4266 says, “a township that has a website that the full-time staff of the township maintains shall also post on its website the notice and agenda of the annual and any special township meetings.” Additionally, notices and agendas must remain visible on the website until the meeting has concluded.
The bill was filed by Democratic Illinois State Rep. Daniel Didech, who represents the state’s 59th congressional district located north of Chicago between Arlington Heights and Waukegan.
Currently, the Illinois Township Code only calls for the notice of the annual township meeting or any other special meetings to be posted “written or printed notices in three of the most public places in the township at least 15 days before the meeting and, if there is an English language newspaper published in the township, by at least one publication in that newspaper before the meeting. The notice shall set forth the agenda for the meeting.”
* Rep. Curtis Tarver filed HB4262 earlier this week…
Creates the Civil Remedies for Nonconsensual Recording of Children Act. Creates a civil action for a child or the parent or legal guardian on behalf of a child if a person (1) makes a video record or transmits a live video of the child without the consent of the child’s parent or guardian in a restroom, tanning bed, tanning salon, locker room, changing room, or hotel residence; or (2) makes a video record or transmits a live video of a child without the consent of the child’s parent or guardian in a residence in which the child does not reside. Provides for exceptions. Provides that a child who proves by a preponderance of the evidence that a defendant violated the Act against the child is considered obviously and materially harmful to the child and is per se harmful and traumatic. Authorizes a prevailing plaintiff to recover: (1) the greater of: (A) economic and noneconomic damages proximately caused by the defendant’s violation of the Act, including but not limited to damages for emotional distress whether or not accompanied by other damages; or (B) statutory damages, not to exceed $10,000, against each defendant found liable under the Act; (2) punitive damages; and (3) reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. Provides that an action under the Act may not be brought no later than 2 years from the date the cause of action was discovered or should have been discovered with the exercise of reasonable diligence. Tolls the statute of limitation until the child becomes emancipated or attains the age of majority. Provides that if a State agency or unit of local government is required by law or ordinance to inspect a restroom, tanning bed, tanning salon, locker room, changing room, or hotel residence, the State agency or unit of local government must also inspect for hidden cameras. Provides that if a hidden camera is discovered, the owner or operator of the inspected location must post a public notice advising of the camera and the area it films. Provides that the notice must be in English and any other language that is spoken by a significant number of local residents in that area. Provides that the Act applies to causes of action accruing on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act.
* The Alton Telegraph…
A bill proposed in the Illinois state House would require children to complete kindergarten in order to proceed to the first grade in public schools.
Illinois House Bill 4253 was filed Thursday by Rep. Kevin Schmidt, a Republican from Millstadt. Schmidt represents the 114th House District, which includes several Metro East communities, including Millstadt, Mascoutah, Lebanon and O’Fallon, as well as parts of East St. Louis and Belleville.
“Beginning with the 2028-29 school year, any pupil enrolled in the public schools who is of compulsory school age but who has not yet attended kindergarten at a public, private or parochial school shall be required to satisfactorily complete kindergarten before advancing to first grade,” the bill states. The measure would amend the Compulsory Attendance Article of the School Code. […]
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 19 states and the District of Columbia require students to complete kindergarten to move forward in school.
* HB4318 from Rep. Charlie Meier…
Amends the State Designations Act. Designates Ski as the official State soda of the State of Illinois.
* More…
* Journal Courier | Illinois bill would update disability terms across state laws: House Bill 4284 would update a variety of terms, including “disabled person,” “a person who is handicapped,” and “physically or mentally handicapped,” replacing them with broader, person-first language. The bill would amend the Statute on Statutes and other acts. The measure was filed by Democratic state Rep. Justin Cochran, who represents the 55th House District near O’Hare International Airport on Chicago’s Northwest Side.
* Alton Telegraph | Illinois bill would require warning labels on non-vented natural gas appliances: A bill proposed by Democratic Illinois state Rep. Michael Crawford would prohibit a “non-externally vented natural gas appliance” from being sold or offered for sale without a properly placed warning label. The requirement would apply to appliances manufactured on or after Jan. 1, 2027. […] “The label required shall be attached to the gas appliance in a conspicuous location. The label must be in a type size no smaller than the largest type size used for other consumer information on the product,” the language of Illinois House Bill 4272 reads.
- Steve - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 10:27 am:
-barring anyone hired by Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Donald Trump from obtaining employment-
Will Fine’s bill pass the The Elrod-Branti Test in court?
- Frida's Boss - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 10:37 am:
What is Ski?
- ChicagoBars - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 10:41 am:
I’m with Frida’s Boss and when is the ILGA going to get a “RC Cola” caucus to right this (proposed) State soda injustice?
- cover - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 10:54 am:
= What is Ski? =
Does anyone living north of Interstate 64 know what Ski is? The only time I ever heard of it is in the song Dumas Walker.
- Jack in Chatham - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 10:56 am:
It appears Senator Laura Fine supports Collective Punishment without a Conviction nor even Charges being filed in a Court of Law by a Prosecutor.
- Think again - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 10:57 am:
= What is Ski? =
https://www.doublecolacompany.com/
- Demoralized - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 11:05 am:
==Senator Laura Fine supports Collective Punishment==
You mean like Donald Trump does? Turnabout is fair play.
- Adam - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 11:09 am:
Perhaps the General Assembly would have more time address priorities if there fewer performative bills introduced solely to grandstand. How many of the 1,000’s of bills introduced each year are more like the Ski Soda bill, rather than the Kindergarten attendance bill.
- Excitable Boy - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 11:10 am:
- Does anyone living north of Interstate 64 know what Ski is? -
Yes, but only because I have spent a great deal of time south of I-64.
- JS Mill - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 11:17 am:
=* HB4334 from Rep. Rick Ryan=
Removing the foreign language requirement for graduation is a STUNNING piece of intelligent legislation. He is a democrat so maybe this has a chance to pass.
Like many rural districts we lost or foreign language teacher and have not found a replacement. Online instruction for foreign language is a poor option. Speaking as a polyglot.
- Bob - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 11:17 am:
Sen. Fine knows the bill is unconstitutional, surely, but it makes a good campaign pop.
- Leatherneck - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 11:31 am:
=Does anyone living north of Interstate 64 know what Ski is=
I’ve seen Ski sold at Walmart in Taylorville and at the Shell in Raymond. I have seen it sold in glass bottles individually at whatever that Conn’s lunch place is called down at Vinegar Hill Mall south of the Complex.
- Charles Edward Cheese - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 11:32 am:
@Jack in Chatham
That’s such an interesting thought, hmm can you perhaps think of another individual or organization, perhaps some sort of paramilitary federal organization that believes and dispenses “…Punishment without a Conviction nor even Charges being filed in a Court of Law by a Prosecutor.” It would truly be terrible if one existed right? Seems we can all agree on that based on your comment.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 11:39 am:
===Does anyone living north of Interstate 64 know what Ski is?===
That’s their loss. I rarely support legislation, but I can totally get behind Charlie’s bill. It’s an Illinois gem and should be recognized, even if northerners don’t know what it is (yet).
Also, the Ski slushies at the Madison County Fair are TO DIE FOR on a hot day. (Use them as a mixer, if you catch the drift)
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 11:50 am:
Also Jack in Chatham…
So how do we know vaccines saved more than 154 million lives in the last 50 years? Thanks to antibiotics and palliative therapy, death and damage to major organs was pretty much eliminated by the time vaccines became more available for various diseases. Look up the numbers on Statistica. The effectiveness of vaccines is overblown and the health risks they present are hidden. I applaud Secretary of Health Kennedy in requiring Science based medicine.
- Frequent Commenter - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 11:57 am:
I understand Senator Fine’s need for a campaign press pop - but c’mon!! Current citizens who are already part of a law enforcement agency CANNOT work in Illinois, but she fully supports non-citizens to work in Law enforcement here in Illinois. If that optic does not demonstrate the philosophical divide between the Progressive left and the MAGA right, I am not sure what does.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 12:00 pm:
===Does anyone living north of Interstate 64 know what Ski is?===
You might also think of it this way: Charlie’s proposal will drive DeVore up a wall and force him to denounce the regionally beloved Ski.
- ChicagoVinny - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 12:01 pm:
Rene Nicole Good’s murderer is a ten year ICE vet, Sen Fine should ban any former ICE employee from law enforcement in IL. The whole agency is rotten and has been since its inception, it’s just amplified under Trump.
- DS - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 12:05 pm:
Northern Illinois would want an official state pop anyway.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 12:06 pm:
I put Ski right up there with Peach Nehi for most underrated sodas ever.
- SKI - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 12:11 pm:
Fully in support of HB4318. It’s not the first time Rep Meier has tried to get this designation. I hope this time it is successful.
If you’re around the Capitol and don’t know what Ski is, just check in with Rep Meier. He has a fridge loaded with the stuff.
- Norseman - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 12:22 pm:
Not arguing for a foreign language requirement, just noting the importance placed on foreign language in other countries. I was pleasantly pleased when I visited my Scandinavian homelands and never met someone who didn’t speak English. Similar experiences in other European countries. France was the worst, but not and an overwhelming problem.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 12:24 pm:
===Peach Nehi===
Oh, man. I haven’t had one of those in eons.
- Leatherneck - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 12:31 pm:
=I’m with Frida’s Boss and when is the ILGA going to get a “RC Cola” caucus to right this (proposed) State soda injustice?=
How about those who prefer Store-Brand or Generic Soda? Meijer used to have a Diet Cola that I would take any and every day over Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi, or other stores’ store brand diet colas.
- Liz - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 1:06 pm:
The requirement to “pass” kindergarten to be enrolled in first grade is presumably intended to ensure parents who want to “red-shirt” their kids and have their plans foiled by dastardly schools who look at their age and place them into first grade, are able to succeed in redshirting after all. Considering that redshirting benefits individual kids (gives them advantages at sports in particular, but also academics) but disadvantages similarly-aged kids whose parents don’t redshirt, I’m disappointed to see this bill.
- Tom - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 1:06 pm:
=That’s their loss. I rarely support legislation, but I can totally get behind Charlie’s bill. It’s an Illinois gem and should be recognized, even if northerners don’t know what it is (yet).=
Fun Fact: Ski is not made in Illinois. It’s made in Tennessee.
- Candy Dogood - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 1:31 pm:
===Amends the State Designations Act. Designates Ski as the official State soda of the State of Illinois. ===
This should be DOA given Rep Meier’s recent official statements, regardless of what anyone thinks of the pop in question.
===This proposed state law continues her efforts to hold Donald Trump accountable and rein in the lawlessness of federal immigration officials. ===
Laura Fine’s campaign clearly isn’t going well which is why this legislation is being introduced, but I don’t think Donald Trump is “held accountable” by refusing to hire someone that was hired by a federal agency during his Presidency.
Someone that thinks this counts as accountability probably shouldn’t be involved in congressional investigations.
There were better ways to use her existing and ability to introduce legislation to create a press hit for her congressional campaign.
- Consider this - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 1:32 pm:
Ski soda……as well as Green Rivers made at the lunch counter of a dime or novelty store. Takes you back to what seems to be, in memory anyway, much simpler times.
- JS Mill - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 1:44 pm:
=Not arguing for a foreign language requirement, just noting the importance placed on foreign language in other countries.=
Agreed. I speak 5 languages, three fluently if you count English. My kids are bi-lingual as is my wife. Very important in our house.
My issue with the requirement is one of accessibility for many districts (at least at any level of quality)as the teachers just are not out there. My other concern is how all of the requirements have impacted students ability to have some choice in curriculum. We talk about CTE and other initiatives, but then limit options by legislating more and more requirements that crowd out important experiences for k-12 students.
- btowntruthfromforgottonia - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 1:46 pm:
Get what Laura is filing but don’t think it’ll pass Constitutional muster.
- Demoralized - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 1:49 pm:
==that crowd out important experiences for k-12 students==
Americans are arrogant when it comes to foreign languages. English is it for us and we expect everyone to speak it. I know people who grew up in other countries and they all know at least two languages and sometimes more. I get your point, but I would argue that learning a foreign language should be part of those “important” experiences.
- Sabrina Carp Hunter - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 2:13 pm:
Im my opinion, banning ice agent’s isn’t collective punishment. ICE provided subpar training an encourages employees to break the law. It’s no different than blacklisting graduates of a degree mill.
Also it’s worth noting that if ICE cooperated with state murder investigations instead of shielding their agents there would be much less of a risk of hiring a criminal who was never held accountable and current laws against hiring officers with a criminal record or a history of misconduct would cover ice officers too.
This proposed law is a response to negligence from DHS.
- The Dude Abides - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 2:26 pm:
=Green Rivers made at the lunch counter of a dime or novelty store. Takes you back to what seems to be, in memory anyway, much simpler times.=
When it’s open, the Park n Chill at Washington Park in Springfield carries Green Rivers. Anyone in the area who hasn’t been to it, you’re missing out on a hidden gem.
Back when it was still a hardware store, the Noonan’s True Value on N Grand had a fridge full of specialty sodas, including Ski. Stuff is divine.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 2:29 pm:
===Green Rivers made at the lunch counter ===
I can’t remember the name, but there is (or was) a restaurant in Clinton that serves fresh Green Rivers. Such a great spot.
- Liz - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 2:48 pm:
Re: foreign languages, I’ve always said that students across the globe study their native language as well as the global lingua franca. It just so happens that in the US, we achieve this with a single language, for everyone whose native language is English already. That means there is no obvious default “second language” and foreign language instruction often turns into a politically-charged question of whether a given immigrant group has enough political power to ensure that its language is taught in public schools to preserve culture vs needing a “Saturday school” organized by parents - e.g., Spanish vs Polish.
- JS Mill - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 2:56 pm:
=I get your point, but I would argue that learning a foreign language should be part of those “important” experiences.=
There is no denying that Americans are woefully behind the rest of the world when it comes to speaking multiple languages. I would like to see that change.
I wish we could overhaul high school graduation requirements as a whole. Requiring something that more and more districts simply cannot provide with fidelity is my primary concern.
I don’t dispute your point on the “important experiences”.
- Candy Dogood - Friday, Jan 9, 26 @ 4:03 pm:
=== that serves fresh Green Rivers. ===
Lagomarcino’s in Moline also serves up a refreshing Green River.