* Tribune…

With utility rates rising across Illinois, consumer groups are backing proposed legislation to wring $40 million per year in hidden expenses out of customer bills.

The Utility Transparency Act, sponsored by state Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton and Rep. Theresa Mah, is seeking to prohibit investor-owned utilities such as ComEd and Peoples Gas from charging customers for everything from trade association memberships and shareholder insurance protection to advertising.

Illinois utilities are even able to charge customers for outside legal services and expert witnesses used to push for rate hikes at the Illinois Commerce Commission. […]

Under current Illinois law, utilities are able to pass along certain costs that consumer groups have long argued do not directly benefit customers. The proposed legislation would shift those costs, which are buried in delivery charges on monthly customer bills, to company shareholders.

* This one is interesting, House Bill HB2996 from Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid…

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that wireless telecommunication towers that are not otherwise exempt under a specific provision of the Code are subject to local property taxes and shall be valued according to policies adopted by the chief county assessment officer. Effective immediately.

Rich checked in with the sponsor to see if any cell towers are actually exempt from property taxes. From Rep. Rashid…

Yes, some counties (like Kane) assess them, others (like Cook) do not. It’s not exactly an exemption, but functionally it is. Whether a county assessed them in 1970 became frozen in place (statutory). It would be better policy to standardize this across the state, and it would add new properties to the base, lowering everyone’s property taxes, both homeowner and commercial.

* Capitol News Illinois…

Illinois lawmakers are fielding multiple requests for state funding this year from education advocacy groups that either have, or fear that they soon will, see cuts in their federal funding.

A House committee that oversees the state’s K-12 education budget held hearings Tuesday on two such requests.

House Bill 4521, sponsored by Rep. Laura Faver Dias, D-Grayslake, calls for $5 million in funding for services that target homeless students.

“The state has historically received $5 million in federal funding through the McKinney Vento Act,” Dias said, referring to a federal program under the U.S. Department of Education, which President Donald Trump has proposed eliminating. “However, there is now a possibility of uncertainty, given the current federal dynamics. Additionally, these funds are much more restricted in their use and do not provide the flexibility that is required to fully support a homeless student.”

* Vandalia Radio…

A newly introduced bill in the Illinois Senate would add new child-safety education, warning labels and storage requirements for cannabis products, prompting cautious support, and questions, from the state’s cannabis industry.

Senate Bill 2866, sponsored by Sen. Michael Hastings would expand child-safety requirements for cannabis dispensaries.

Tiffany Ingram, executive director of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, said the industry supports protecting children but wants clarity on how the proposal would be implemented and what issue it is intended to address. […]

While the bill focuses on regulated cannabis, Ingram said many incidents involving children and cannabis exposure stem from unregulated intoxicating hemp products, such as delta-8 THC.

* WIFR…

State Sen. Steve Stadelman introduced legislation Wednesday designed to eliminate gaps in protection for survivors of domestic violence and stalking.

Senate Bill 3044 would ensure an emergency order of protection remains in effect until a final order of protection is served. Under current law, once a judge grants a final order, the emergency order initially granted is no longer in effect.

Stadelman said the legislation is intended to address vulnerabilities created by paperwork timing and procedural gaps in the existing process.

“This bill will mean protection for victims of abuse,” Stadelman said. “Remains fully enforceable and protects survivors from dangerous loopholes and paperwork timing. The intention is clear — domestic violence victims deserve protection all the way through the process.”

* More…

* WIFR | Illinois lawmaker proposes bill to cut sales taxes during back-to-school seasons: House Bill 4344 would create an annual holiday period for sales taxes on clothing, school supplies, diapers, wipes and hygiene products from January 1-7 and August 1-7. “A sales tax holiday is simple, we lower costs and put money back in people’s pockets,” said Vella. “This is about recognizing reality. January and August are expensive months for families. By lifting the sales tax on essential items we’re making everyday necessities more affordable.”

* WAND | IL House committee approves bill improving special ed transition plan: A bill moving in Springfield could ensure the state has as efficient process to tell special education students about the federal work incentives planning and assistance program. Sponsors and advocates say it’s important for students and families to know what their future work life can be. Experts told the House Education Policy Committee Wednesday that there is often misinformation about how the wages people with disabilities earn could impact their social security income.

* Press release | Joyce looking to expand hunting industry in Illinois: Senate Bill 2756 would increase the max capacity of centerfire rifles from one to three rounds. This would put Illinois on par with all other states, as Illinois is the only state that institutes a single-shot limit on centerfire rifle capacity. Joyce led previous legislation that formally legalized the use of single shot centerfire rifles for deer hunting season. Since its introduction, centerfire rifle use among youth hunters has jumped to just over 50 percent.

* WAND | Home for Good: IL bill could expand housing, support services for people returning from prison: The legislation also calls for reentry housing development to minimize the possibility of landlord discrimination. It would create a Home for Good Institute to provide training and technical assistance to community-based organizations helping with reentry housing as well. Sponsors and advocates told reporters in Springfield Wednesday that the program would cost $50 million. The Illinois Justice Project found that every $1 invested in funding Home for Good will result in $5 in public savings and economic activity over the next three years. Advocates project a cost benefit of $477 million within the first few years of implementation.

* ABC Chicago | As Pritzker proposes school cell phone ban, some Illinois schools already have limits in place: “The biggest frustration from teachers in the past couple years has been the cell phone,” Hinsdale Central High School Assistant Principal Ryan Maita said. […] While Hinsdale’s policy carves out time for cell phone use, Gov. Pritzker’s state-wide proposal bans them for the entire school day. Though, there are exceptions, most notably during lunchtime and when approved by a doctor that a student needs the phone to manage their health. “We had parents who were nervous about an all-out ban because they want to get in contact with their students. They feel there might be times they need to speak with their child,” Burritt said.

* Post-Tribune | Amendment guts gratuity bill inspired by former Portage Mayor: An Indiana state bill addressing gratuities that was drafted in response to the bribery case against former Portage Mayor James Snyder was amended and approved in the Senate to remove all language pertaining to gratuities. The bill’s author — State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville — said he will work in the final days of session to undo the amendment.