* The Illinois Education Association…

The Illinois Education Association (IEA) is working to pass Senate Bill 2914 this session, a bill that would put an end to a long-time practice of school administrators keeping accusations that have been proven false in an educator’s employment record.

IEA seeks safe public schools for every student and every school employee and supports accountability for misconduct. This bill includes a right to challenge issuance of the warning, or allegations in the warning, to the school board and allows the facts to be reviewed by a non-biased third party, if necessary.

School management associations, including the Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators, Large Unit District Association, Illinois Principals Association and others have launched a disinformation campaign against the bill.

“Think about this: School management is fighting to keep false accusations against educators in their permanent employment record. No wonder we have a teacher shortage. No teacher deserves their career and reputation taken from them based on unsubstantiated, faulty claims,” said IEA President Karl Goeke.

The bill does the following:

- Seeks to ensure that when a Notice to Remedy is used, the allegations included in the warning are factual and substantiated. It does NOT change current practice in issuing a warning or limiting management’s decision-making authority on addressing misconduct.
- Keeps students safe. These warnings are issued for behavior that is considered “remedial,” and are not intended as an avenue to address misconduct that impacts student safety. If misconduct rises to the level of student safety, it is NOT impacted by this bill.
- Allows a non-biased third party to assess the allegation to prevent frivolous cases and hold everyone accountable. Arbitration is not the goal, but is necessary when a warning cannot be supported by fact. The cost of the arbitrator will be split between the union and the district and NOT on the district alone. […]

The bill passed out of a House committee last week on a 7-2 vote. It is awaiting a vote on the House floor.

* Press release…

During a press conference Wednesday, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus will outline their proposal to enhance AI protections as it relates to mental health help, identity security, price-gouging safeguards and much more.

WHO: State Senators Bill Cunningham, Mary Edly-Allen, Laura Ellman, Graciela Guzmán, Rob Martwick, Laura Murphy, Steve Stadelman, Rachel Ventura and Karina Villa

WHAT: Press conference on legislation to protect against harmful AI outcomes

WHEN: Wednesday, May 13 at 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Blue Room, Illinois State Capitol and live on BlueRoomStream.com

* Sen. Linda Holmes…

State Senator Linda Holmes continues to lead measures to restrict species from owners of traveling animal acts by adding more specific breeds to the list of wildlife banned for this use. […]

House Bill 4255 would add specific breeds to the offense of unlawful use of animals in traveling acts to include cougars, jaguars, leopards, lions, tigers, non-human primates, bears, and all elephants, not just endangered species. It also adds any hybrids of these animals. Anyone knowingly using a covered animal would be committing a Class A misdemeanor.

According to Humane World for Animals (formerly known as the Humane Society), big cats, non-human primates, bears, and other wild animals used in traveling acts and circuses are caged. Some operators charge premiums to feed, pet, hold, play with or ride the animals, and dangerous animal incidents are increasingly reported across the United States.

Animals used for public handling are typically pulled from their mothers shortly after birth to be hand-raised, a practice that denies newborns critical maternal care. Baby animals with weak immune systems are subjected to stress, neglect, and mistreatment associated with public handling.

“Wild creatures aren’t on this planet for our handling and amusement,” Holmes said. “These out-of-state exhibitors are solely to blame for this exploitation and harm. As county fair and festival season is coming, we hope Illinois families will no longer be exposed to this cruelty.”

House Bill 4255 passed in the Senate Criminal Law Committee Wednesday. It now heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

* Rep. Kimberly DuBuclet…

State Rep. Kimberly DuBuclet has introduced House Bill 5759 to establish the Illinois Baby Bond Trust Fund, a long-term economic mobility initiative designed to address persistent wealth disparities and strengthen financial opportunity for children born into low-income households.

Under the proposal, children born in Illinois through the Medicaid program after July 1, 2024, would receive a state-administered trust account seeded with $5,000 and managed by the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office. Eligible participants would gain access to the matured account upon turning 18 and maintaining Illinois residency, with funds intended to support asset-building opportunities such as higher education, workforce training, homeownership, or small business development.

The legislation is grounded in the understanding that economic inequality is driven not only by income disparities, but also by unequal access to capital, assets, and long-term wealth accumulation. HB 5759 seeks to create an early financial foundation for children born into economically vulnerable households while advancing a preventative, asset-based approach to economic development.

“We cannot talk seriously about economic mobility without addressing the structural barriers that prevent families from building long-term financial stability,” said Rep. DuBuclet. “This legislation recognizes that wealth creation often begins with access to capital and opportunity. By investing early in children and families, we can help create stronger pathways into the middle class and reduce long-term economic inequities.”

Supporters of the proposal point to growing national research suggesting that early-childhood asset investments can produce measurable long-term public benefits, including improved educational attainment, increased workforce participation, higher rates of homeownership, and reduced reliance on public assistance programs later in life.

The legislation also reflects a broader national policy conversation around Baby Bonds and public wealth-building strategies aimed at narrowing racial and generational wealth gaps. HB 5759 is modeled in part after Connecticut’s Baby Bonds program and would position Illinois among the first states in the nation pursuing a statewide trust fund initiative of this scale.

“This is not simply a social program—it is a long-term economic strategy,” DuBuclet said. “If Illinois wants to strengthen its future workforce, expand economic participation, and build a more resilient economy, we must be willing to invest in young people early and intentionally.”

The Illinois Baby Bond Trust Fund would be administered through the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, with implementation and oversight responsibilities established through state rulemaking processes.

Rep. DuBuclet introduced HB5759 late last month, but it has not yet been assigned to a committee.

* WAND…

The Illinois Senate Education Committee unanimously approved a plan Tuesday to help schools alert first responders to emergencies faster. […]

This bill requires public and private schools to consider using a mobile panic alert system for emergency and crisis response. Sponsors said the Illinois State Police will work with the State Board of Education and Emergency Management Agency to develop rules for the panic alert system.

“We are moving to limit the use of cell phones in schools,” said Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Crest Hill). “I think this is a measure to help schools and districts consider ways that parents can feel safe to have their kids in school.”

House Bill 5107 now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. It received unanimous support in the House last month.

* Press release…

Illinois Senate GOP to Discuss Proposals Focused on Property Tax Relief and Transparency

WHO: State Senator Sally Turner (R-Beason)
State Senator Chris Balkema (R-Channahon)
State Senator Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry)

WHAT: Illinois Senate GOP press conference to discuss Proposals aimed at improving Illinois’ property tax system by creating greater consistency in assessments for wind and solar energy projects, reducing unnecessary paperwork for senior citizens receiving homestead exemptions, creating a new property tax exemption for qualifying senior citizens, and modernizing how property assessment information is made available to the public.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Illinois Capitol Blue Room

* WAND…

[HB4948] would require drivers who commit two offenses within a year to install the speed limiting device in their vehicle. This comes as sponsors said 75% of people with suspended licenses continue to drive. […]

House Bill 4948 passed unanimously out of the Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday and now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration.

“Our current methods are not working,” said Rudy Faust with Families for Safe Streets. “The intelligent speed assistance program is a practical and equitable step towards saving lives of both drivers and vulnerable road users without limiting mobility.”

This plan previously passed out of the House on a 77-24 vote with on representative voting present.

* More…

* WAND | IL Senate committee approves plan requiring court date reminder texts for people on pretrial release: The bill would require pretrial service agencies to send two reminder text messages to people on pretrial release before their required court dates. It also states that pretrial services agencies must keep a copy of the message and a delivery receipt within their records. Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) said research shows texts are very effective in helping people make their court dates.

* Sun-Times | State lawmakers want to rein in artificial intelligence: Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview, is pushing for AI models to be defined as “products,” leaving them liable for any damage they cause a user — in the same way sickness from contaminated food or a car crash from faulty design falls on the shoulders of their producers. “If there were warning signs for suicidal ideation or psychosis, a human being might refer that person to a professional who could help,” Gong-Gershowitz said. “By contrast, what we’re seeing with AI chatbots is that they are predisposed to validating everything that a human being says, even if it is wrong or dangerous.”

* WVIK | Illinois lawmakers weighing proposal expanding housing and support services for people leaving prison: The Home for Good Act, HB0624, would create a statewide reentry housing and services program aimed at reducing homelessness among formerly incarcerated people and lowering recidivism by connecting returning residents to support services. The bill passed the House on April 17 by a vote of 63 to 34. […] SB4162 has been assigned to the Appropriations committee and awaits the Senate’s vote, with a committee deadline of Friday, May 15.

* Fox Chicago | Video: Illinois lawmaker on megaproject bill, AI regulation: State Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) spoke with us about a number of key issues in Springfield, including the status of the megaprojects bill key to a new Bears stadium and another bill to put more regulations on AI models.