* The Senate Progressive Caucus…

Following a subject matter hearing on progressive revenue initiatives in the Senate Revenue Committee Wednesday, members of the Illinois Senate Progressive Caucus called for continued action to modernize Illinois’ tax code.

“While wages remain stagnant and federal funding cuts threaten essential services, we cannot continue to uphold a system where working families carry the weight of generating revenue,” said State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago). “As life gets more expensive for everyday people, corporations and the ultra-wealthy are reaping the benefits of a system that asks too little of them. Working and middle-class Illinoisans are tired of footing the bill. It is time for the rich to pay their fair share.”

During the hearing, caucus members highlighted a series of proposals aimed at creating a more equitable tax structure, including measures to ensure the ultra-wealthy contribute more fairly, close corporate tax loopholes, modernize taxation of digital advertising and strengthen oversight of tax credits and deductions.

The hearing focused on four bills currently before the Senate:

· Senate Bill 3376 would apply Illinois’ personal income tax rate to the appreciation of assets for residents with a net worth of $1 billion or more.
· Senate Bill 3486 would strengthen corporate tax accountability by addressing how large, multinational corporations report income.
· Senate Bill 3353 would apply a 10% tax on a digital advertisers’ annual revenue if the revenue earned exceeds $150 million.
· Senate Bill 3796 would decouple Illinois from federal tax changes, end high-impact business credits and require a cost-benefit analysis of corporate tax incentives.

Caucus members emphasized that Illinois’ long-term economy stability depends on investing in working and middle-class families, maintaining access to essential public services and improving the overall quality of life. They argued that Illinois can no longer rely on tax loopholes and corporate carve-outs that have failed to deliver meaningful, long-term economic benefits for Illinois residents. […]

Members of Illinois Senate Progressive Caucus stressed the urgency of reforming Illinois’ regressive tax system, especially as families navigate a broader national affordability crisis. Through the remainder of the budget process, caucus members will continue advancing equitable revenue solutions aimed at delivering meaningful economic relief for Illinois families.

* WAND…

The Illinois Senate passed a bill Thursday to create new protections for students sexually assaulted by their peers.

The plan would require any student who commits sexual assault or attempted sexual assault at school, a school-sponsored event, or related activities to be expelled for at least one year.

Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) filed the bill last year after a 10-year-old Taylorville Jr. High student was sexually assaulted multiple times by a 14-year-old boy and had to see him return to school after the incident. […]

McClure gained strong bipartisan support for the plan over the past year, but some progressive Democrats opposed the idea. Sen. Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) argued current law protects students and provides due process for students accused of assaulting others.

“What we know about people who abuse is that they have been abused,” Villa said. “What happens to that child we’re sending home? We may send them to an alternative placement, but it’s not a requirement.”

* Sen. Rachel Ventura…

A new measure introduced by State Senator Rachel Ventura to establish the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board to investigate and advise on best practices for psilocybin treatments to help tackle treatment-resistant conditions such as PTSD passed the Senate Thursday.

“I remain committed to passing the CURE Act in its entirety and providing real change for individuals who have exhausted other treatment methods,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “This bill is an important first step in that effort and will provide legislators with essential research on the safety and efficacy of psychedelic use in therapeutic treatments.”

For the past several years, Ventura has championed Senate Bill 2184, also known as the CURE Act, which would establish a framework for the legal manufacture, delivery, use and possession of psilocybin, and make conforming changes to the state’s criminal laws. The measure would require a referral from a health care professional in order to begin the therapy. Prior to first exposure of psilocybin, an individual would undergo a prep session to gauge their conditions and previous treatments and methods they have tried. Post session integration meeting would ensure the individual has the resources and tools they need to work through the psilocybin experience.

The measure led by Ventura this year – Senate Bill 2772 – would implement a part of the CURE Act, establishing the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The board would advise on a training program, ethical standards and licensing requirements as it related to psilocybin. During a two-year program development period, the board would issue recommendations for health and safety regulations to agencies tasked with regulating psilocybin production and use. Ventura remains committed to passing the CURE Act in its entirety at a later date. […]

Senate Bill 2772 passed the Senate Thursday and now heads to the House for further consideration.

* Rep. La Shawn Ford…

State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, is partnering with local public health organizations, elected officials, and researchers from Brown University to highlight new research on the efficacy of overdose prevention sites (centers) in reducing preventable overdose deaths and improving public health outcomes.

“Although some of the most notorious open-air drug markets are on the West Side of Chicago, the problem does not stay local. That’s why a majority of West Side residents support overdose prevention sites, which are grounded in scientific evidence and help reduce harm,” said Ford. “Opioid abuse has devastated families in every region, and it’s up to us to take a smart, public-health-driven, and compassionate approach to tackling this issue.”

Ford, who is sponsoring House Bill 2929—legislation to authorize a state-sanctioned overdose prevention site pilot program in Illinois—is partnering with researchers from Brown University, a public health expert from Rush University, community leaders from the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force, and other local elected officials to highlight the need for overdose prevention sites at a press conference on May 11 at Rush University Medical Center.

The pilot program will be kick-started with an $18 million allocation from the Illinois Opioid Remediation Advisory Board, which manages a portion of the state’s opioid settlement funds from litigation against opioid manufacturers, with additional support and oversight provided by relevant state agencies.

“Simply put: these centers save lives—whether it’s through on-site medical staff reversing overdoses before they become fatal or a social worker connecting an individual to a service provider,” said Ford. “While they alone cannot cure someone of addiction, they save lives by meeting people where they are and treating them like patients instead of criminals.”

Rep. Ford’s press conference will be on Monday, from 2-3 pm at the Rush University Medical Center.

* Brownfield Ag…

Several Illinois ag groups are relieved that legislation calling for more than 24 hours notification before applying some agricultural chemicals has stalled in the General Assembly.

Corey Lacey, environmental policy manager with the Illinois Soybean Association, tells Brownfield, “It said that any time a pesticide application happened within 1,500 feet of a school, or park or trail, a notice would basically have to go out.”

Sarah Hastings, Champaign County farmer and board member with the Illinois Corn Growers Association, says applications are extremely weather dependent. […]

“We asked the Illinois Department of Agriculture, how many complaints have we had for somebody spraying? And there have been two inquiries or complaints filed in the last eight years.” She says, “They’re trying to invent a problem that doesn’t exist.”

* Sen. Mattie Hunter…

Disability insurance helps protect people from financial losses if an accident or illness renders them incapable of working and receiving regular income. However, disability insurance plans do not always treat mental health conditions the same as physical health conditions. To help those struggling with mental health conditions, State Senator Mattie Hunter passed a bill in the Senate that would ensure insurance providers properly disclose mental illness limitations for disability insurance purposes.

“Mental illness limitations for disability insurance purposes is discriminatory and unfairly limits the economic protection that disability insurance is intended to promise,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “Insurance providers need to be upfront with their customers about how their policy treats mental health disorders.”

Hunter’s bill would require private health insurers to disclose to consumers seeking a policy that includes whether the policy limits the duration of coverage for mental health or substance use disorders. The bill would also give consumers the right to request more information about the limitation and other coverage options that include unlimited duration, if available.

The Department of Insurance found that 68% of disability insurance plans offered in Illinois limit mental health and substance use disorder benefits.

Senate Bill 1327 passed the full Senate Thursday.

* More…

* WAND | IL Senate passes proposal banning loud ads on streaming apps: Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) said her plan could ban commercial volumes from being louder than the program you’re watching. This comes as the FCC preempts most state and local regulation of cable or broadcast TV, but streaming apps operate over the internet and fall outside that scope. “The problem is all too familiar and frustrating, especially for parents with young kids who need to nap during the day and individuals with hearing sensitivity,” Turner said.

* WAND | IL House committee passes bill requiring 988 info in public buildings, suicide prevention curriculum in health courses: The Illinois House Mental Health & Addiction Committee unanimously passed a bill Thursday to improve access to suicide prevention services. Sponsors said 988 information should be visible in county shelter care homes, daycares, public libraries, colleges, hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

* Journal Courier | Illinois lawmakers debate fixes to rising eviction rates, housing turmoil: By some accounts, more than 50,000 eviction filings are made each year in Illinois. Nearly half result in renters being forced out. Teri Ross, executive director of Illinois Legal Aid Online, said tenants are often unfamiliar with what defenses and resources are available to them and those in rural and suburban areas face unique challenges. […] Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed Building Up Illinois Developments plan would increase the amount of multiunit housing by easing zoning laws and legalizing “granny flats” to address the crisis.

* WHBF | Illinois jurors could get a pay increase: House Bill 4844 [which is stuck in the House] would require employers to pay workers regular wages while they serve on jury duty. Currently, jurors get $50 dollars a day for federal court, and it varies widely according to the county. Business groups argue this would be unfair to small business and the government should pay for workers’ public service.