* Subscribers know much more. Center Square…

A controversial abortion proposal from State Sen. Neil Anderson, R-Andalusia, is drawing sharp reactions across Illinois, exposing divisions among Republicans and advocacy groups over how far the state’s pro-life movement should go.

Anderson’s bill, SB3572, would treat harm to or the death of an unborn child the same as that of a born person under Illinois homicide and assault laws, applying the same criminal standards and potentially allowing murder charges, at a prosecutor’s discretion.

The Illinois Family Institute supports the bill, with executive director David Smith saying it reflects the belief that life begins at conception and deserves full legal protection. […]

Some Republicans don’t agree. Former Republican attorney general candidate Tom DeVore publicly criticized the bill, calling it extreme and warning it could damage broader pro-life efforts.

Another bill from Sen. Anderson, SB 3892, would reinstate the death penalty for first-degree murder and other offenses. Combined with his abortion legislation, the proposals could subject women who receive abortions, as well as those who assist or perform them, to capital punishment. Sen. Anderson is the sole sponsor of both bills.

…Adding… Sen. Seth Lewis (R-Bartlett)…

“Every legislator has the right to file legislation they believe aligns with the priorities in their districts, but as a lawmaker, I have a responsibility to evaluate bills and support the positions of my constituents. I have read the full text of Senate Bill 3572, and believe the penalties offered in this bill are too extreme. They do not provide adequate protections, guardrails, and empathy for victims and women making one of the most difficult choices of their lives.”

* CBS Chicago…

Action in Springfield this week could jumpstart the seemingly stalled negotiations between the Chicago Bears and Illinois state lawmakers on a deal to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights.

Legislation that would allow the Bears — or developers of any other Illinois project costing at least $500 million — to negotiate their property taxes with local governments is set for its first public hearing on Thursday, just as competition from Indiana heats up.

The hearing on House Bill 2789, which the Bears have said is vital to their plans to build in Arlington Heights, comes three years after the team bought the 326-acre site of the former Arlington Park racetrack for $197 million.

Known as the Mega Project Assessment Freeze and Payment Law, the legislation would essentially allow the Bears to work with local governments to lock in how much the team would pay in property taxes for the site for years to come.

More from the Daily Herald…

[T]alks are happening now almost daily, according to Rep. Mary Beth Canty, the Arlington Heights Democrat who is sponsor of the Bears-backed legislation.

“You are definitely seeing positive signs of movement,” said Canty, whose 54th District includes the 326-acre shuttered racecourse property. “You’re seeing people that are moving with a purpose. They are moving quickly, but still in a way that is smart and methodical.” […]

Canty said Thursday seems “soon” for a vote at the committee level, considering the still-ongoing negotiations taking place behind the scenes. But public discussion by legislators and testimony from witnesses is likely, and more committee hearings can be scheduled, she added.

Canty said she would be surprised if the Bears stadium isn’t a topic during the governor’s address Wednesday.

Rep. Canty said this morning she has not yet spoken with committee chair Rep. Curtis Tarver about calling the bill, but said they are expected to connect in person today. Rep. Tarver did not respond to a request for comment.

* WTVO…

Illinois lawmakers are considering a major change to the state’s drunk driving laws, one that would make the threshold for impairment one of the strictest in the nation.

House Bill 4333 would lower the legal blood-alcohol limit for a DUI from 0.08 to 0.05, and would govern driving, boating, snowmobiling, and even workplace injury claims.

Utah is currently the only other state with a 0.05 limit.

The proposal, filed by Rep. Daniel Didech (D-59th), updates the Illinois Vehicle Code by replacing every “0.08” reference with “0.05,” effectively creating a single standard for nearly all motor-vehicle offenses.

* Sun-Times…

Sweeping voting rights legislation emerged Thursday to strengthen the hands of Illinois judges to take control of disputes over redistricting and give expanded safeguards to non-English speaking voters.

The bill sponsored by state Sen. Graciela Guzman, D-Chicago, would codify much of the federal Voting Rights Act into state law as insurance in case that law is repealed by Republicans in Congress. If passed, the changes to state law would take effect July 1 ahead of November’s general election.

“The last year has made one thing remarkably clear: Democracy does not run on autopilot,” she said. “It only survives if people are willing to protect it, and at the center of that responsibility is a fundamental right to vote.”

The bill would specifically grant judges the ability to redraw racially imbalanced legislative maps and require that non-English-speaking voters receive translated ballots, access to bilingual poll workers, or over-the-phone non-English assistance, among other things.

* Sen. Kimberly Lightford…

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford and State Representative Carol Ammons will be joined by a number of higher education leaders at a press conference Tuesday to discuss their plan to transform how Illinois funds its higher education system.

WHO: Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford, State Senator Mike Halpin, State Representatives Carol Ammons and Norma Hernandez, as well as Southern Illinois University President Daniel Mahony, and a representative from Advance Illinois, the Partnership for College Completion Student Board, and a student from Eastern Illinois University

WHAT: Press conference to call for the passage of the Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Formula

WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Illinois State Capitol, 2nd Floor Grand Staircase.

* Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants…

Current laws are preventing PAs (physician assistants/associates) from practicing to the full extent of their education, training, and experience – at a time when more than 3.5 million Illinois residents live in areas with significant provider shortages.

Modernized PA practice laws will help Illinois meet growing patient demands while maintaining high standards of safety and quality.

And Illinois’ patients agree: 90% believe that PAs should be allowed to provide care to the fullest extent of their education, training, and experience.

On Tuesday, February 17, Senator Cervantes, healthcare providers, students, patients, and the Illinois Academy of Physician Associates (IAPA) will host a press conference at the State Capitol to call on lawmakers to address Illinois’ healthcare shortage crisis through SB 3421, which would remove outdated PA practice barriers to improve healthcare access.

This is a unique opportunity for legislators and media to hear directly from the bill sponsor, practicing providers, future clinicians, and real patients about the importance of SB 3421, the role of PAs in improving healthcare delivery in the state, and the critical need to increase healthcare access for Illinois’ patients.

What: Press conference urging support for legislation to modernize PA practice laws

When: Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.

Where: State Capitol Blue Room, 401 S. 2nd St., Springfield, IL 62701

* More…

* WCIA | Clean Jobs Coalition presents new legislation aimed at regulating Illinois data centers: The Clean Jobs Coalition presented new legislation this week aimed at regulating data centers in Illinois, according to Andrew Rehn, director of Climate Policy at Prairie Rivers Network in Champaign. Rehn said the goal of the POWER Act is minimizing the impact of data centers on utility costs for consumers. It will require data centers to pay for their own electrical infrastructure, according to Rehn.

* Center Square | IL lawmaker intros bill to regulate third-party lawsuit investing: Amid a growing push nationwide for new laws to regulate the booming business of third-party lawsuit investing, a state lawmaker has introduced legislation in Springfield in a bid to bring greater transparency to the practice in Illinois, as well. State Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, filed HB5244 in the Illinois state House of Representatives.

* Center Square | Illinois senator offers 401(k)-style option to escape $145 billion pension crisis: An Illinois state senator is pushing a sweeping but voluntary change to the state’s pension system that would allow public employees, including teachers, to opt out of traditional pensions in favor of a market-based retirement plan similar to a 401(k). Bill sponsor state Sen. Chris Balkema, R-Channahon, described the proposal as an expansion of an option that already exists for university professors in Illinois, who currently have access to market-based retirement plans.