* Rep. Kam Buckner…

Rep. Kam Buckner, Anjanette Young, attorneys, advocates, and community leaders will present at the House Judiciary - Criminal committee hearing on HB 1611, legislation to prohibit no-knock warrants in Illinois.

HB 1611 is named in honor of Anjanette Young, whose case brought national attention to the danger, trauma, and constitutional harm caused by no-knock raids. Speakers will discuss the need to end the use of no-knock warrants and to ensure stronger protections for Illinois residents. […]

“House Bill 1611 remains a top priority for me—not only because of the trauma I continue to carry, but because of the countless families I’ve stood beside in their fight for justice,” said Anjanette Young. “I’ve sat through court proceedings and witnessed firsthand testimony that reflects a troubling lack of care and accountability in how officers engage with children and families. This bill is about ensuring accountability, protecting our communities, and affirming that justice is a fundamental right.”

“What happened to Anjanette Young was terrifying, humiliating, and wrong. No-knock warrants create chaos, put lives at risk, and too often leave innocent people to bear the trauma of government failure,” said Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago). “HB 1611 is about making sure Illinois says clearly that this practice has no place in a system that claims to value safety, dignity, and constitutional rights.”

* WIFR…

State Representative Maurice West (D-Rockford) leads HB4949, or the Family Justice Centers Act, in the Illinois General Assembly.

“I‘m honored to be the sponsor of this bill to ensure that the programs and the resources and the impact that we’re seeing in the Rockford area could be the programs and the resources and the impact we see throughout the state.”

West says he’s developing the bill “in lockstep” with the City of Rockford. If passed, the legislation sets guidelines and requirements for Illinois’ future family justice centers: survivor consent, confidentiality policies, privacy protections, law enforcement and community provider collaboration, operating agreements, training standards and more. […]

As of March 31, HB4949 awaits a second reading in the restorative justice and public safety committee. West says he’ll use this time to “iron out some details” with advocacy groups to prepare for an amendment and later vote.

* KHQA…

Community integrated living arrangements (CILAs) are group homes where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live together with staffers on-site to help out.

Some cities across Illinois have zoning laws that can bar CILAs, by restricting homes to certain number of residents, or limiting how many CILAs can be in one area.

House bill 1843 would ban local zoning boards from creating such restrictions. Supporters say it’ll end discriminatory practices and allow these adults to be treated like anyone else trying to live in their own home, even if it’s through a care agency. […]

Senator Jil Tracy is actually backing this bill as co-sponsor — citing her brother who has a developmental disability as her inspiration — said it’s important that towns aren’t afraid to have group homes next door because the need is there.

HB 1843 passed in the Illinois House, now it’s off to the state senate.

* E&E News…

Illinois lawmakers failed this year to advance a bill that would have forced fossil fuel companies to pay for climate resilience after a coalition of business and labor groups lined up against it.

The setback means Illinois won’t soon follow in the footsteps of Vermont and New York, who in recent years have passed similar measures into law. The bill didn’t even get a hearing in the Democratic-controlled Statehouse, despite being sponsored by state House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel (D).

“Big bills like this usually take more than one year,” Gabel said in an interview. “We kind of felt like, let’s put it out there this year and see who files in opposition? How involved is labor wanting to get? We just want to let people know and start thinking about it, and think about how much it could help us.”

The so-called Climate Change Superfund bill would have required major fossil fuel producers and oil refiners to pay into a state fund for climate adaptation. The money would have been used to fund projects such as flood protection infrastructure or the installation of air conditioners in schools.

* IPM Newsroom…

State Sen. Paul Faraci (D-Champaign) is sponsoring Senate Bill 3008, which would require the state to provide information about financial independence resources for people receiving disability services.

The bill focuses on the Senator Scott Bennett ABLE Program. Named after the late state senator from Champaign who championed the original legislation, ABLE accounts allow people with disabilities to save and invest up to $100,000 for qualified expenses — such as transportation, education and assistive technology — without losing eligibility for state benefits. […]

Faraci said his bill aims to follow in the “footsteps” of Bennett’s advocacy by ensuring financial empowerment starts at the moment of enrollment rather than forcing residents to find resources on their own. […]

Senate Bill 3008 has cleared two readings and is currently on the order of its third and final reading in the Illinois Senate. If passed, it will move to the House for further consideration.

* SB1938 has not advanced out of committee. WTVO…

Illinois lawmakers are considering charging drivers a per-mile driven tax rather than a tax on gasoline.

The legislation, an amendment to Senate Bill 1938, would create the Illinois Road Usage Charge Act, launching a statewide pilot program that charges drivers based on how many miles they travel rather than how much gasoline they buy.

Under the proposal, the Illinois Department of Transportation would launch a voluntary road usage charge pilot program by January 1, 2026. At least 1,000 vehicles statewide would participate, including passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and electric vehicles. […]

Within 18 months of launching the pilot, the state would submit a report to the General Assembly evaluating whether a permanent mileage‑based fee could replace the gas tax.

* WTVO…

Illinois lawmakers are considering new safeguards for artificial intelligence programs designed to simulate human relationships, under a bill that would require those systems to detect signs of self-harm and repeatedly remind users they are not interacting with a real person.

Senate Bill 3384, sponsored by Sen. Laura Ellman, would create the Artificial Intelligence Companion Model Safety Act, setting statewide rules for AI “companions,” programs designed to build ongoing, personalized relationships with users through conversation and emotional engagement.

Under the proposal, companies would be prohibited from operating or offering an AI companion in Illinois unless it includes a protocol to make “reasonable efforts” to detect suicidal thoughts or expressions of self-harm. If such language is detected, the AI must refer users to crisis resources such as the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, crisis text lines, or other appropriate services. […]

The bill specifically excludes traditional customer service chatbots, internal workplace tools, and AI systems primarily used for research, efficiency, or technical assistance.

* WAND…

A bill moving in the Illinois House could ensure people in the Department of Corrections are not charged unreasonable fees for sending mail. The plan also requires more transparency surrounding the IDOC mail scanning process.

Rep. Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan) said it is important that families can stay connected with their loved ones, and the state should not make the process harder. Her plan would ensure committed people and their correspondents are not charged any fee, surcharge, or cost for mail or scanning services that exceed the standard postage rate. […]

The House Judiciary Criminal Committee appreciates the intent of the bill, but some Democrats are concerned about the mail scanning process.

“Everywhere that they’ve done this, contraband is still coming into these facilities,” said Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago). “This is not the answer. This is some company making money on the backs of the people that we are incarcerating, and it is not okay.” […]

This plan passed unanimously out of the House Judiciary Criminal Committee last week. House Bill 4235 could receive a vote on the House floor as soon as Tuesday. The deadline to pass House bills out of the chamber is April 17.

* Center Square…

A proposed Illinois bill aimed at addressing firefighter shortages by lowering the minimum hiring age has stalled in the legislature after failing to be called before a key deadline.

State Rep. Jed Davis, R-Yorkville, is behind House Bill 1098, which would amend the state’s municipal code and Fire Protection District Act to allow individuals as young as 18 to serve as full-time firefighters. […]

Davis argues that 18-year-olds are already entrusted with high-responsibility roles, including military service, making the current restriction inconsistent. […]

“Last session it was in the Police and Fire Committee, and I had the chairman’s word saying, ‘Hey, we’ll call your bill if you get agreement with the union,’” Davis said. “I got agreement with the union, we filed an amendment, and he said, ‘Good job, we’re calling your bill tomorrow.’ Then about eight hours before, I got notice they pulled it.”

* More…

* WAND | Illinois bill could bring new hotel to Downtown Springfield: State Senator Doris Turner has several bills that would help revitalize Downtown Springfield. Senate Bill 3499 is one of them and would establish the Capital Area Tourism Authority. “It’s a political division and unit of local government, allowing the authority to exercise certain economic development powers,” Turner said. “The legislation aims to promote business, industry, commerce and tourism throughout Springfield.” The authority would include five members appointed by the Sangamon County Board, the Springfield City Council and the Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority.

* WGN | Proposed law would require gun makers to make firearms switch-proof: The bill would require gun manufacturers to redesign their weapons so they can’t be modified to accommodate “switches.” Pistol automatic fire conversion switches, also known as “Glock switches,” are devices that can convert standard semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic firearms. […] The legislation is still making its way through committees in both chambers at the state house.

* QC News | Illinois child torture bill advances: A bill in Illinois would provide new criminal penalties for people convicted of torturing children. Child abuse is a crime in every state, but 14 states, including Illinois, have no laws specifying child torture. House Bill 5562 defines torture as degrading or abusive treatment for extended periods of time. Supporters say offenders can traumatize children in ways that don’t leave physical injuries without any consequences unless the provision is adopted. Child torture would become a Class X felony if adopted. A conviction would carry a mandatory sentence of 6-30 years in prison.

* Fox Illinois | Proposed Illinois bill could ban wild animals in circuses: The Traveling Animal Acts bill would ban circuses traveling through Illinois from featuring specific wild animals, including big cats like lions and tigers, bears, and primates. Lawmakers say the effort is focused on animal welfare. “We do recognize that these are species that have very particular needs that should be handled in a way that respects their biological needs for safety,” said State Representative Kelly Cassidy.

* Daily Herald | Why Elgin is giving state a chance to pass legislation before addressing e-bike, scooter laws: Elgin officials are waiting until the state’s spring legislation session is over to see if any proposed regulations regarding e-bikes and other micromobility devices pass before suggesting their own citywide ordinance. […] If the state fails to pass regulations, the city could model its ordinance on statutes recently passed in Rolling Meadows, St. Charles and Lombard. Jungo added that if state legislation is approved, the city could still add more restrictions.