…Adding… The House has a parliamentary hold on the bill, but that’ll be removed whenever the chamber returns. Even so, the House and Senate still have a lot of work to do, so this might not happen until later this evening.
…Adding… The governor’s office has officially scheduled the bill-signing for 8 o’clock tonight, so I changed the headline.
*** UPDATE *** Here you go…
Standing alongside lawmakers and gun control activists, Governor Pritzker signed the Protect Illinois Communities Act banning the sale and distribution of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches in Illinois, effective immediately.
“For the past four years, my administration and my colleagues in the State Capitol have been battling the powerful forces of the NRA to enshrine the strongest and most effective gun violence legislation that we possibly can,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “I couldn’t be prouder to say that we got it done. And we will keep fighting — bill by bill, vote by vote, and protest by protest — to ensure that future generations only hear about massacres like Highland Park, Sandy Hook, and Uvalde in their textbooks.”
“Gun violence anywhere is a threat to wellbeing everywhere. In Illinois, lawmakers, advocates, and gun violence survivors stood together and worked for decisive, protective change,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “Thank you, Governor Pritzker, for your steadfast leadership on this issue. Illinois is proud to do the work and to pass one of the strongest pieces of legislation in the country to make communities safer. Gun violence is not our normal, and it never will be.”
“From ending the sale of assault rifles to stopping the tidal wave of guns flooding into Illinois from surrounding states, the Protect Illinois Communities Act is one of the strongest gun safety laws in the nation,” said House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. “This legislation is the culmination of months of negotiations between advocacy organizations, law enforcement, state leaders, and stakeholders from across the state. We know that gun violence is an epidemic and an overwhelming majority of Illinoisans agree that the time for common-sense reform is now. Delivering on this promise - the promise to remove these weapons of war from our parks, our schools, our movie theatres, churches, and communities throughout Illinois - will remain one of my proudest achievements as Speaker of the House.”
“I have spent my career working to protect people from the growing plague of gun violence that touches every corner of our state,” said Senate President Don Harmon. “This new law begins the pushback against weapons whose only intent is to eviscerate other human beings. I am proud to have worked on it and even prouder to see it signed into law.”
“Our state demanded firearm reform to reduce gun violence, and the legislature stepped up and delivered one of the strongest bills in the nation, one that can serve as a model for states,” said state Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) “I thank Gov. Pritzker, Senate President Harmon, Speaker Welch, and the countless survivors and family members who sat with us, shared their stories, and refused to give up until they got the change we all needed.”
“Illinois joins other states with the strongest assault weapons ban in the nation sending the message that lives are valued over guns,” said state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford (D-Chicago). “Doctors, victims, advocates, and survivors sent a strong message and the General Assembly and the Governor took action.”
“Today, Illinois took a stand against the senseless barrage of gun violence that has plagued our state for far too long. The Protect Illinois Communities Act will undoubtedly save many lives and lead to safer streets, schools, and communities at large,” said state Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-Batavia). “In honor of the lives lost and changed by gun violence, we must not grow complacent. Let today’s legislative action be the first of many as we work to end gun violence once and for all.”
“This moment is the result of the dedication and leadership of hundreds of survivors, advocates and organizations that lent their voice to this fight to help enact what is now one of the strongest pieces of gun safety legislation in the country,” said Protect Illinois Communities Chair and President Becky Carroll. “We are ever grateful to Governor JB Pritzker for his unwavering commitment to this issue, and signing the Protect Illinois Communities Act into law, and to Speaker Chris Welch, Senate President Don Harmon, and Representative Bob Morgan for their leadership on making this historic day possible. We were fortunate to join forces with leading organizations here at home and from across the country, including Brady, Everytown, Giffords, Gun Violence Prevention PAC, and others, to take real action on preventing gun violence in our communities and saving lives.”
“This lifesaving package will go a long way toward getting assault weapons and high-capacity magazines off the streets, keeping guns away from people in crisis through red flag laws, and holding illegal gun traffickers accountable for taking advantage of weak laws in neighboring states,” said Everytown President John Feinblatt. “This victory was made possible by Illinois Moms Demand Action volunteers, who were a vocal presence in Springfield. Everytown is grateful to Governor Pritzker, Representative Morgan, Speaker Welch, President Harmon and their colleagues for honoring the victims and survivors of gun violence with action.”
“Today, Illinois took a major step in better protecting families and communities, and ensuring that tragedies such as Highland Park never happen again,” said Brady President Kris Brown. “We have the power to prevent these uniquely American tragedies, and a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines is a critical step towards that future. Our movement will continue until the sale of assault weapons is banned everywhere in the U.S. With this new law, the people of Illinois have shown why they are a leader of gun safety laws. Brady thanks Governor Pritzker, Representative Morgan, Speaker Welch, President Harmon, the entire legislature, GPAC and Protect Illinois Communities, as well as the countless advocates and survivors who persisted in getting this passed.”
“On July 4 in Highland Park, a day of celebration turned into a nightmare after a shooter opened fire on parade watchers, killing seven people and injuring 48. Assault weapons are built to kill and injure quickly and efficiently,” said Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. “Our communities deserve safety and security. I applaud Illinois leaders Representative Bob Morgan, Speaker Chris Welch, President Don Harmon, and Governor J.B. Pritzker for having the courage to act to remove these weapons of war from our streets.”
House Bill 5471 also caps sales of high-capacity ammunition magazines, bans “switches” that convert legal handguns into assault weapons, and extends the ability of courts to prevent dangerous individuals from possessing a gun through firearm restraining orders.
The new law also requires existing owners of semi-automatic rifles to register their ownership, ensuring that law enforcement knows the location of these weapons of war and who to hold accountable if they fall into the wrong hands.
Governor Pritzker has also signed legislation to ban unserialized, privately made “ghost guns,” the first Midwestern state to do so (HB 4383). In 2021, Governor Pritzker signed legislation expanding background checks on all gun sales in Illinois and modernizing and strengthening the Firearm Owners Identification Card System (HB 562). Additionally, Governor Pritzker signed legislation (SB 337) to combat the scourge of illegal gun trafficking, making Illinois the 16th state to require gun dealers to be certified by the state after more than a decade of work. Governor Pritzker’s Reimagine Public Safety Act also established the first ever Office of Firearm Violence Prevention, providing a historic investment in community-based violence prevention for the communities most affected by firearm violence.
House Bill 5471 also codifies the Illinois State Police’s internet-based system for reporting stolen firearms and enhances security around certain gun transfers by requiring such exchanges taking place after July 1, 2023 to be filed with a federally licensed firearms dealer and extending the record-keeping time from 10 to 20 years.
* HB4664 now goes to the House for concurrence. The House passed a similar bill the other day which was sponsored by Rep. Kelly Cassidy, but there were some issues in the Senate. Things got worked out over the past few days and Rep. Cassidy and stakeholders were able to get to an agreement…
The bill essentially protects patients, doctors and parents who come to Illinois for care. More in a minute.
…Adding… This press release helps explain the bill…
After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, State Senator Laura Fine helped pass legislation to protect people who seek reproductive health care in Illinois. House Bill 4664 passed the Senate making reproductive health care procedures and medicine more accessible and secure, while also increasing support of reproductive health care providers.
“The right to make choices about your body and your health is fundamental,” Senator Fine (D-Glenview) said. “It is disheartening that this right is no longer protected on a federal level. However, in Illinois, this legislation will further protect this right so that no one will be criminalized for seeking or performing reproductive health care.”
Following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, House Bill 4664 would protect legal and practical access to abortion care in Illinois. With this legislation, people who use reproductive health care in Illinois would be protected from out-of-state subpoenas related to reproductive health care, and out-of-state patients would be eligible to file a counterclaim if a judgment is made against them in another state. Similarly, this bill would protect the licenses of health care professionals who are penalized for providing care that is illegal in another state but legal in Illinois. These protections shield people who utilize reproductive health care in Illinois, where the ability to use or refuse reproductive health care is a fundamental right.
Additionally, the Illinois Department of Public Health would provide grants to underserved areas and transportation hubs for reproductive health care training, ensuring these communities have access to safe and accessible care.
“Attacks on reproductive health care disproportionately impact our most marginalized communities,” Fine said. “Making reproductive health care more accessible will ensure individuals in these communities are able to make the best and safest decisions for their health.”
…Adding… From sponsoring Sen. Celina Villanueva’s closing remarks…
Don’t sit here and tell me that you have the moral high ground on your soap boxes over mine. You don’t get to decide what happens to my body. You don’t get to decide what happens to the bodies of a lot of different people from other states that are coming to this state seeking refuge. … We are protecting patients, providers and families here. Illinois is a refuge for people. And I will spend every last breath in my body ensuring that those protections exist for anybody that is coming here seeking to live their lives openly and freely and honestly. I ask for an aye vote.
Her remarks were made in response to claims that the legislation was immoral.
…Adding… Senate President Harmon…
Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement after the Senate passed a comprehensive bill protecting the rights of Illinoisans to receive reproductive and gender affirming health care:
“The Supreme Court sent a clear message when overturning Roe v. Wade that it is willing to ignore precedent and roll back previously granted rights.
“In Illinois, we trust women, and we will protect their right to make their own decisions about their health care and their bodies.
“The legislation passed today solidifies our state against current and future attacks from those looking to roll back the clock and reverse progress.”
*** UPDATE *** The bill passed the House 70-39.
…Adding… Personal PAC…
Personal PAC is thrilled the Illinois General Assembly passed HB4664 today. Illinois has taken another step forward to protect a women’s right to an abortion. The bill ensures that patients and providers have protection and continued access to reproductive healthcare.
* Equality Illinois Deputy Director Mony Ruiz-Velasco…
We are excited House Bill 4664 passed the General Assembly tonight and is on its way to the desk of Governor Pritzker. Illinois is making history as one of the first states to further protections for patients, providers, and families who access reproductive healthcare and gender-affirming healthcare.
LGBTQ+ communities across the country are under attack. Trans people in particular are in urgent need of protection and access to the health care they need and deserve, including abortion and gender-affirming care. This legislation ensures essential protections and access.
We applaud Senator Villanueva, Representative Cassidy, President Harmon, Speaker Welch, and Governor Pritzker for their leadership and perseverance to protect providers, patients, and families in Illinois and those who may come to our great state seeking reproductive healthcare and gender-affirming care and protection from anti-equality, anti-choice states. Thank you for ensuring that Illinois keeps moving forward.
We also appreciate our deep partnership with the providers who care for patients and families and who we advocated with for this important legislation, including Planned Parenthood Illinois Action and Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri. We are humbled to be in this ongoing fight with you to advance human rights and access to affirming healthcare.
* Jennifer Welch, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Illinois Action…
“Planned Parenthood Illinois Action applauds Representative Kelly Cassidy, Senator Celina Villanueva and the pro-choice champions in the Illinois General Assembly for passing a crucial piece of legislation that provides protections for providers and patients and improves access to reproductive and gender affirming health care, ensuring that our state remains a haven in the Midwest. This legislation is an important step in the work that needs to be done. Because of the ever shifting national landscape since Roe was overturned, attacks on bodily autonomy are increasing. Now more than ever we need to continue to fight for equitable access to essential reproductive health care like abortion and gender affirming care because all people should have the freedom to make medical decisions that are best for their bodies, their lives and their families.”
* Yamelsie Rodríguez, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri (PPSLRSWMO)…
We commend the General Assembly’s urgency and leadership to listen to providers and advocates and act on the public health crisis unfolding in this post-Roe era. PPSLRSWMO looks forward to Governor Pritzker signing the bill into law and operationalizing these bold new policies, which will bring urgent and necessary relief to the abortion care system in Illinois.
* Rep. Kelly Cassidy, lead sponsor of HB4664…
“In the face of grave threats to the rights to privacy, reproductive care and bodily autonomy of Americans everywhere, Illinois once again has stepped up. With this legislation, today, we are ensuring that Illinois will continue to serve the thousands of people traveling to our state every month to receive abortions and other reproductive and gender-affirming health care, which they can no longer access in their home states.
“I thank my colleagues on the Reproductive Rights and Dobbs Decision Working Group who worked with singular focus to craft this legislation, including Leader Greg Harris, Leader LaToya Greenwood, Representatives. Lakesia Collins, Terra Costa Howard, Margaret Croke, Dagmara Avelar, Anna Moeller and Ann Williams. I am grateful to Sen. Celina Villanueva, a fierce champion and relentless voice for reproductive justice in the Senate. And I salute Speaker Welch, Senate President Harmon, and Governor Pritzker for their continued commitment to lead us in the protection of reproductive and gender affirming health care in this state.
“Finally, we all owe a debt of gratitude to the heroic activists and providers across our state who have continued to show up in exceedingly difficult circumstances and provide needed care, all while simultaneously advocating for stronger protections and additional funding in Springfield.”
* Khadine Bennett, Advocacy and Intergovernmental Director at the ACLU of Illinois…
We applaud the members of the House and Senate for acting to reinforce protections for abortion and gender-affirming health care in Illinois. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, we see other states seeking not just to prevent people from accessing abortion in their own states, but also trying to reach beyond their borders with their dangerous abortion restrictions, to places like Illinois. And with hundreds of bills being considered across the country limiting gender-affirming health care, that care also is being threatened.
Illinois lawmakers have made clear that in this state, we trust people to make their own health care decisions with their health care providers, despite attacks from the Supreme Court; we cannot stand by and allow state legislatures elsewhere to create hurdles for patients and providers in Illinois.
The right to health care is an empty promise without meaningful access. House Bill 4664 enhances access for patients and protection for providers in Illinois. This is good policy.
We especially want to thank Senate President Harmon, House Speaker Welch, Representative Cassidy, Senator Villanueva, and the House Reproductive Health and Dobbs Decision Working Group and staff for all of their work, and commitment to getting this important legislation to the Governor’s desk.
A measure that would create a huge deal-closing fund to lure electric vehicle makers and other big manufacturers here cleared a major hurdle at midday and could be on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk by day’s end.
The action came when, on an 11-4 vote, the House Revenue & Finance Committee approved and sent to the House floor for final action in that chamber a bill that would give Pritzker the same kind of discretionary incentive pot that governors in states including Michigan, Ohio and Texas already have.
In Illinois’ case, lawmakers already have authorized putting $400 million into the fund, which is being created with an eye toward getting Stellantis to convert its Belvidere Jeep factory to EV production but could be used for non-EV projects. Other provisions of the bill would make it easier for companies to get tax breaks under the state’s existing Edge program without having to prove they’d get a better deal in another state.
“I think it looks good, very good,” said committee Chairman Rep. Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside, who expects to bring the bill to the House floor this afternoon. The final version then must be approved by the Senate, but knowledgeable sources said they expect that to occur.
*** UPDATE *** The bill passed the House 86-23. From the IMA…
The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) has issued the following statement after House passage of SB 2951, which builds on the state’s efforts to encourage in-state production of electric vehicles and related components:
“Manufacturers appreciate Gov. JB Pritzker’s commitment to creating an environment in Illinois to help attract the next generation of manufacturers and suppliers for electric vehicles, batteries, and semiconductors,” said Mark Denzler, President & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “This legislation makes Illinois more competitive with neighboring states by creating a closing fund that can be used to lure businesses, increasing incentives for retaining employees and expanding the program so small manufacturers can participate. We thank lawmakers for their support and look forward to growing this important sector.”
You wouldn’t know it by watching the news…or listening to the haters.
But on crime? Mayor Lightfoot’s got a plan. She’s putting more police on the streets and getting more guns off ‘em.
When it comes to new strategies, new technology – Lightfoot’s invested more than any mayor.
Those are facts. Anyone that says there are simple solutions is lying. We didn’t get here overnight, and we have a long way to go. But Lightfoot won’t quit until we’re the safest big city in America.
…Adding… Rep. Buckner…
The nearly 3 million people of Chicago who care about safety are the latest to receive the brunt of Lori Lightfoot’s highly defensive insults.
In Lightfoot’s latest TV ad meant to make the people of Chicago forget about her failure to deliver on her campaign promises, she calls those of us concerned about crime and violence, “haters.”
“While I was in Springfield helping to pass the assault weapons ban after having successfully banned ghost guns from our streets just a few months earlier, Mayor Lightfoot blasted the people of Chicago concerned about safety by calling them ‘haters’,” candidate for mayor Kam Buckner said. “The truth is Chicago had nearly 700 homicides last year, 2600 shootings, including six children who lost their lives to gun violence. Crime is up, the clearance rate is down and Chicagoans don’t feel safe. We don’t need a mayor hurling insults at the people of Chicago who deserve public safety. We need a Mayor with a plan to keep Chicago safe.”
Buckner’s Safer 77 public safety plan that balances safety and Justice, calls for investment in communities and violence prevention, filling police vacancies and reforming CPD. The plan also details preventative engagement for Chicago’s youth and improving Chicago’s clearance rates.
* ILGOP email…
Rich,
It’s a new year, which means new opportunities for Republicans in Illinois to take back the Land of Lincoln and make it STRONG. We need your help to finalize our plans and goals for the 2023 year.
Please take our quick 10-second survey NOW.
What issues should the ILGOP focus on in the new year?
Inflation
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Firing Pritzker
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Your response is very important to us, Rich. Take our survey before the link expires TONIGHT
Not sure how they can fire Pritzker since he was just reelected, but OK.
* Isabel’s roundup…
* Bloomberg | Illinois Justices Set for New Term With Historic Female Majority: Justices Mary O’Brien and Elizabeth Rochford were sworn in last month following narrow victories in the November elections. The court appointed Lisa Holder White in July to fill one vacancy and appointed Joy Cunningham in November to fill the seat of a second retiring justice. Cunningham was also sworn in in December.
* Tribune | NEH, NEA give more than $2 million in grants for humanities and art projects in Illinois: The NEA grants included research awards, grants for art projects and Challenge America grants, which aim to reach historically underserved communities. “Together, these grants show the NEA’s support nationwide for strengthening our arts and cultural ecosystems, providing equitable opportunities for arts participation and practice, and contributing to the health of our communities and our economy,” said NEA chair Maria Rosario Jackson.
* Journal Star | How a tiny park police department became a vital resource for policing the Illinois River: It could be said the future of the Fon du Lac Park Police Department began with the purchase of a 17-foot boat in the late 1990s. Since then, the small department of less than a dozen officers has bucked the statewide trend of park police departments going by the wayside. Instead, it has become a go-to resource for law enforcement on the Illinois River and beyond.
* Block Club | 5 Candidates Are Challenging Ald. Jim Gardiner To Represent Far Northwest Side’s 45th Ward: Gardiner, who is under federal criminal investigation, is seeking a second term. Challenging him are Ana Santoyo, a longtime activist and library page; organizer and historian Susanna Ernst; attorney Megan Mathias; Jefferson Park resident Marija Tomic; and business owner and community organizer James Suh.
* Crain’s | A congestion conundrum looms for Fulton Market: Developers last month formally proposed new projects in the once-gritty corridor totaling as many as 2,100 new apartments—including a 52-story high-rise—and nearly 1.4 million square feet of offices across two new, large buildings. Another that developer Related Midwest will present to planning officials this week would add a 41-story, 1 million-square-foot office tower to the mix.
* Fox 2 | Best BBQ in Illinois, according to the Food Network: Not everyone thinks of southern Illinois barbecue. Chicago tends to overwhelm lists of the best food in the state. The Food Network just picked a Murphysboro restaurant for their “50 States of Barbecue” list. The owner of 17th St BBQ has several Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest wins under his belt. Mike Mills also impressed Iron Chef Michael Symon with his ribs on Best Thing I Ever Ate. So, it is no wonder that food writer Sara Ventiera listed this restaurant as the best BBQ in Illinois
* WCIA | U of I Research Park helps boost Illinois to No. 10 in women-led startups: The U of I Research Park and EnterpriseWorks is at the forefront of providing women the tools they need to achieve. Director of External Engagement Laura Bleill said having organizations that support women on their entrepreneurial journey are crucial for success. “We do that through a variety of resources that includes educational workshops,” Bleill said. “Educational courses that teach things like customer discovery. As well as providing mentors.”
In other action on the last full scheduled day before a new General Assembly is sworn in, another bill that would grant private-sector workers statewide a minimum of five days a year of paid leave for illness or other personal reasons picked up considerable momentum. Chicago previously adopted a similar law for those who work in the city.
“We have a deal,” said state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria. The latest version is to be amended onto a pending bill, but it’s not immediately clear whether there is enough time to deal with it before tomorrow’s deadline.
They’ll have the time if they want to make the time. This is a House amendment on a Senate bill, so the two chambers can both vote on it today. Also, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford has picked up the chief sponsorship in her chamber.
The governor has supported the legislation since last year. This could have a huge impact on peoples’ lives.
…Adding… The bill will be heard at 3 o’clock today in House Exec.
…Adding… IRMA, IMA, Chicago Chamber are officially neutral on the bill. But I’m told they worked to get this accomplished.
…Adding… The bill was approved by the House Executive Committee 10-4-1. GOP Rep. Ryan Spain voted “Yes.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** The bill passed the House 78-30 and now goes to the Senate.
*** UPDATE 4 *** The bill passed the Senate 38-16 and will head to the governor.
…Adding… Sponsoring Rep. JG-B…
Today, Illinois State Representative and Deputy Majority Leader, Jehan Gordon-Booth, released the following statement on the Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 208, which will create paid leave laws across Illinois, and now heads to Governor Pritzker for signature:
“Today is a proud moment for our state as we celebrate creating paid leave laws across Illinois. Because of this legislation, more than 11 million hardworking Illinoisans will have access to paid leave at their place of employment that they once did not have. Our employees are not only the backbone of our economy, but the backbone of their families and our communities, and they all deserve paid time off.
I’m grateful to leaders in the business and labor communities who came together to make this historic legislation a reality, including the Illinois State AFL-CIO, SEIU, Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Illinois Manufacturers Association, AFSCME, UFCW, and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. Thank you to the advocates and organizations who have made their voices heard in this fight for years, especially those with the Shriver Center for Poverty Law and Women Employed.
This legislation will help make our state a more livable, desirable place for workers of all trades and industries, and sends a strong message that Illinois is a place that not only values the contributions of our employees at their place of work, but as they build a life for themselves and their families.”
SB208 creates paid leave laws across Illinois by requiring all employers to provide a minimum of 40 hours (or five days) of paid leave per year to be used for any reason. It also allows for unused paid leave to carry over annually, up to 40 hours.
[ *** End Of Updates *** ]
* Another day, another quote the local sheriff and nobody else news story…
The Illinois Senate passed legislation that could leave mentally ill inmates in county jails for longer periods.
Right now, the Illinois Department of Human Services is supposed to transfer inmates who are unfit to stand trial to a suitable psychiatric facility within 20 days. However, that hasn’t always been happening.
Instead of a 20-day deadline, DHS would have 60 days to transfer inmates.
According to Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell, DHS continually misses that 20-day deadline, leaving inmates in the county jail.
“Every day they’re in our custody, these inmates require a lot of mental health treatment. About a third of our jail, which is about 100 inmates, have serious mental health conditions. So, we have other inmates that need that mental health treatment, that now we’re taking away from them because these other ones require a lot of mental health treatment,” Campbell said.
From Jordan Abudayyeh…
The provisions in the legislation relating to DHS will help to move individuals faster from county jails into DHS secure treatment facilities – it does that in multiple ways and will ensure access to urgently needed mental health services, promote the safety of defendants, and the staff who serve them in county jails and State psychiatric hospitals. To claim that this legislation “harms” jail operations and individuals in jail custody completely ignores the language in this bill.
There are five parts of this comprehensive proposal and the Sheriff has singled out one part to spread misinformation while ignoring every one of its other provisions that help overcome the challenges he claims to care about fixing. This legislation does not extend an existing deadline. The 20-day period in the current statute is for DHS to provide notice of where an individual will be placed, not to transfer the individual.
For the first time, the legislation would insert a deadline into the law. That deadline would be 60 days. And if DHS cannot meet that deadline, it must provide evidence to explain its efforts to the Court every month. That is significantly more than required in the current law – and it will help every part of the criminal system to have transparency on DHS operations.
DHS has taken and is taking extraordinary steps to increase its ability to care for more individuals found unfit to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity. Here are just a few: IDHS is filling more positions to establish more capacity – at McFarland (25 new patient beds), at Elgin (44 new patient beds), with even more underway at Alton and Chicago-Reed Mental Health Centers. Unprecedented efforts to recruit Mental Health Techs and other key positions in the State Psychiatric Hospitals have worked - but there is more to do.
The number of referrals to DHS have significantly increased - by over 40% in 2022. In 2022, an unprecedented number of people were ordered by the criminal courts into DHS custody – 957. (This compares to 792 in 2021.) In the month of October alone, over 90 people were ordered into DHS custody: an all-time one-month high.
The problems experienced by Sangamon County can’t be separated from the larger mental health crisis across the State. Unless the court system as a whole – working with DHS and every other entity in the mental health community – addresses this crisis, DHS and Sangamon County and every other county will continue to have to deal with a crisis. This bill is a step that will help to address the crisis, but we need to work together to do more.
House Bill 2542 would amend several state statutes preventing Illinoisans from changing their names due to their inclusion on watchlists.
The bill would allow exceptions to the Sex Offender Registration Act, the Arsonist Registration Act and the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act for people who want to change their name.
The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, touted the measure as a victory for transgender rights when it passed the House last spring.
State Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, said this legislation is bad and is being quickly forced through during lame-duck session.
The bill passed the House in April [of 2021]. It’s not a last-minute thing. From the synopsis…
Amends the Arsonist Registration Act, the Sex Offender Registration Act, and the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act. Provides that a person required to register under the Act may change her or his name if the change is due to marriage, religious beliefs, status as a victim of trafficking or gender-related identity as defined by the Illinois Human Rights Act.
Text message from Rep. Cassidy…
It actually closes a loophole in all of them that requires when someone on a registry changes their name, they have to register in the new name. I got Republican votes specifically because of that.
*** UPDATE 1 *** The bill also passed the Senate and heads to the governor. From Sen. Peters…
State Senator Robert Peters supported a measure to allow justice-impacted individuals to legally change their names, which passed out of the Senate Tuesday.
“There are a million reasons why someone could have been impacted by the justice system, and sometimes you find their only crime was trying to survive,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Sometimes, people need a new identity for their safety, and for their ability to truly lead a good life. This legislation would be an aid in those scenarios.”
House Bill 2542 allows individuals on various criminal registries to file for a name change if the change is sought for the reasons of marriage, transgender identity, religious beliefs, or status as a victim of trafficking.
In particular, many transgender people and victims of human trafficking have crimes of survival in their backgrounds, and need to be able to change their names in order to move on with their lives.
“This legislation is important because it could save someone’s life, or help them move on from a past that wasn’t kind to them,” Peters said. “Further, this could help affirm someone’s chosen gender. It’s necessary that we allow people with justice-impacted backgrounds to change their name.”
House Bill 2542 now awaits consideration from the governor.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* Press release…
January is a time of renewal and recommitment for many. A group of legislators and advocates say it’s the right time to focus on cervical health.
State Rep. Anna Moeller and several female colleagues in the Legislature joined together Tuesday at a Statehouse news conference to discuss new legislation declaring January 2023 as Cervical Health Awareness Month in Illinois.
When the new 103rd General Assembly is sworn in Wednesday, they will officially file a House resolution calling for the special designation in January across the state.
The need for more attention to the issue is great. Cervical cancer affects 13,000 American women year, often in the prime of their lives, and 4,000 of them die. But with increased Pap testing and newer testing for human papillomavirus (HPV), the number of cases and deaths from cervical cancer has decreased significantly over the past 40 years.
HPV – one of the most common sexually transmitted viruses – now affects about 80 percent of men and women by age 45. It is a primary cause of cervical cancer, and early detection of cervical cancer is key to helping those affected survive and recover.
The disease hits minority and disadvantaged communities the hardest. The American Cancer Society reports Hispanic-Latina and Black women have the highest rates of cervical cancer cases.
There is hope, with proactive efforts. Legislators and advocates note proper HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment are formidable and effective tools in preventing the disease. COVID-19 pandemic changes dropped cervical cancer screenings by 11 percent, which raises concerns.
“We know cervical cancer can be devastating and deadly, but it doesn’t have to be,” said State Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin. “We hope to use this legislation to call on all Illinoisans with a cervix and for all of their loved ones to understand the serious risks, take the steps needed for prevention and treat every January as the right time to put your cervical health first.”
Advocates note with proper awareness and proactive health care, cervical cancer has little chance. The five-year survival rate is 92 percent when detected early.
* Press release…
Liquor delivery services would be expanded under a measure supported by State Senator Doris Turner that passed the Senate Monday.
“Our bars and restaurants are the backbone of our communities and bring a uniqueness to our neighborhoods,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We are continuously working to strengthen our local economies, and expanding liquor delivery services is a great way to do that.”
Senate Bill 1001 would eliminate state and local fees for liquor delivery throughout Illinois. Additionally, it brings parity for liquor delivery between home-rule and non-home rule municipalities to regulate liquor delivery.
The Turner-backed measure would also lower the licensing fees for wineries to $750 if renewed online and $900 for initial or non-online certification. Under a law passed in 2021, the fees were raised to $1,200 if renewed online and $1,500 for initial licenses and non-online.
“This expansion will benefit our bars, restaurants and wineries that bring tourists to our area and spur economic development across Central Illinois,” Turner said. “We are giving people the opportunity to support local from the comfort and safety of their own homes and stimulate our local economies – that’s a win-win for all.”
Illinois State Representative La Shawn K. Ford (D) appears to have prefiled the Illinois Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens Act (“Illinois CURE Act”) on December 5, 2022. The CURE Act currently stands to be introduced as House Bill 00001. The publically available “Bill Summary” for the IL CURE Act can be found here.
If passed, the Illinois CURE Act legalizes and regulates the provision of psilocybin and psilocybin services in Illinois. Further, the Bill Summary specifically provides that the Illinois Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) “shall begin receiving applications for the licensing of persons to manufacture or test psilocybin products, operate service centers, or facilitate psilocybin services.”
According to the Bill Summary, the Illinois CURE Act also does the following:
Establishes the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board to advise and make recommendations to the IDPH regarding the provision of psilocybin and psilocybin services;
-Expunges specified records concerning the possession of psilocybin and psilocin;
-Removes psilocybin and psilocin from the list of Schedule I controlled substances;
-Provides provisions concerning rulemaking, taxes, fees, zoning, labeling, and penalties;
-Preempts home rule powers;
-Creates the Psilocybin Control and Regulation Fund and the Illinois Psilocybin Fund and makes conforming changes in the State Finance Act;
-Requires the Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, and the Department of Revenue to perform specified duties; and
-Amends aspects of Illinois tax related to the legislation.
The Illinois General Assembly convenes its regular session on January 11, 2023. Further updates will be provided regarding the full text of the legislation when available.
* One of House Republican Leader Jim Durkin’s last legislative proposals is HR1035…
Urges the Illinois High School Association to take steps towards officially recognizing the game of cricket in Illinois.
*** UPDATE *** The bill will head to the governor…
That’s more “Yes” votes than last time.
…Adding… Press release…
Today, Protect Illinois Communities Chair and President Becky Carroll released the following statement on the House’s passage of the Protect Illinois Communities Act, sending it to Governor Pritzker for signature:
Thanks to the tireless efforts of the legislature and leadership in both chambers, including Speaker Welch, President Harmon, and original bill sponsor Representative Morgan, along with the voices of hundreds of survivors and advocates who bravely shared their stories, and the work of numerous organizations that worked to advance gun reform, Illinois is now poised to have one of the strongest gun safety bills in the country.
The Protect Illinois Communities Act will help save lives and reduce the trauma inflicted upon communities across our state. That’s something we can all be proud of, and we look forward to seeing Governor Pritzker sign this historic bill into law.
…Adding… Press release…
Statement of Mayor Nancy R. Rotering Regarding the Passage of the Protect Illinois Communities Act
Highland Park, Illinois – As we continue to mourn the horrific aftermath of last year’s mass shooting in Highland Park and the gun violence losses in so many other Illinois towns and cities, we applaud the sponsors of the assault weapons ban and all ILGA members who took action to save lives, making Illinois the 9th state to ban assault weapons.
Banning assault weapons has proven to be effective at curbing gun violence, as shown by the ten-year Federal Assault Weapons ban that expired in 2004. While we know that no town or county is an island and appreciate that this state-wide ban will make it that much harder for someone with horrible intentions to obtain a combat weapon, neither is a state. This important step taken by our IL legislators sends a clear message to other states and the Federal government that we need continued bold action to address mass shootings across our nation. We urge them to continue their work towards protecting all Americans’ rights to live free from fear of gun violence.
…Adding… Press release…
Following is a statement from State Rep. Bob Morgan in response to the Illinois House’s passage today of HB 5471, a sweeping gun reform bill that includes an assault weapons and high-capacity magazine ban:
“For decades, the residents of Illinois have demanded common sense gun reforms to reduce the ripple of firearm deaths, and this week, the legislature met the urgency of the moment.
“This firearm reform legislation is among the strongest in the nation, and can serve as a model for other states looking to protect their residents and end the carnage in their communities.
“I thank my colleagues on the Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group, Reps. Ford, Gong-Gershowitz, Harper, Barbara Hernandez, Hirschuaer, Hoffman, Smith, Stoneback, Willis, Yednock, and staffers Kat Bray, Fallon Sellers, Hank Strickler, John Webb. This bill simply would not have passed without the steadfast leadership of Speaker Welch, Senate President Harmon, and Governor Pritzker as we navigated this complex but vitally important issue.
“Above all, I am in awe of the countless victims and survivors and family members who sat with us, told us their stories, and refused to give up until they got the change we all needed. This victory is a testament to their strength and resilience in the face of unimaginable pain, and I am forever grateful to them.”
…Adding… Press release…
Following the passage of the assault weapons ban by both the House and Senate, Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement.
“For a long time now, I and many other leaders in the Illinois General Assembly have prioritized getting the most dangerous weapons off our state’s streets. Today, honoring the commitment we made, we passed one of the strongest assault weapons bans in the nation, one I will be proud to sign.
No Illinoisan, no matter their zip code, should have to go through life fearing their loved one could be the next in an ever-growing list of victims of mass shootings. However, for too long people have lived in fear of being gunned down in schools, while worshipping, at celebrations or in their own front yards. This legislation will stop the spread of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches and make our state a safer place for all. I look forward to signing this bill immediately, so we can stop the sale of these deadly weapons as soon as possible.
My deepest thanks to Speaker Welch and Senate President Harmon for championing this historic legislation, and to Representative Morgan for his leadership on this issue.”
…Adding… ISRA…
Dear Gov. Pritzker, President Harmon, and Speaker Welch,
Challenge accepted. The Illinois State Rifle Association will see the State of Illinois in court.
Best Regards,
Richard A Pearson
Executive Director
Illinois Rifle Association
The Illinois Senate on Monday passed an amended version of the assault-style weapons ban. The Protect Illinois Communities Act now heads to the Illinois House of Representatives for a concurrence vote Tuesday.
The matter was discussed on the Senate floor in a relatively short debate with several Republicans rising in opposition to House Bill 5471. The final tally at 6:15 p.m. was 34-20 with four Democrats, including state Sen. Doris Turner of Springfield, voting against it.
Senate President Don Harmon introduced five amendments to PICA filed under HB 5471. Harmon detailed what they would entail on the Senate floor Monday evening.
The bill would prevent the sale, manufacture, possession and purchase of assault-style weapons, assault weapon attachments, and .50 caliber cartridges in the state of Illinois. It would also keep standards set in earlier versions of the act, such as maintaining the age to get a Firearm Owner Identification Card at 18.
The vote came down after almost four full days of backroom discussions and debate. The clock had been ticking to pass the ban before current lawmakers leave office and newly-elected ones are sworn in Wednesday.
The bill must now go back to the Illinois House of Representatives for reconciliation, but this is really just a formality. The House passed its own version of the bill, called the Protect Our Communities Act, on Thursday night into Friday morning. […]
The bill would in addition expedite the implementation of universal background checks, but would not change the age range for Firearm Owners Identification cards.
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) introduced the bill in committee Monday morning. On Sunday, state House Speaker Emmanuel “Chris” Welch said the House would not accept a watered-down version of the bill.
During debate, Republican senators argued the legislation is unconstitutional and punishes legal abiding gun owners in the state.
“All of you that are thinking about voting for this today, you should resign,” state Sen. Neil Anderson, R-Moline said. “This is a blatant disregard for the United States Constitution.”
Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said the state should focus on enforcing the laws that already exist, instead of creating new ones.
“We’re going to make felons out of taxpayers. Why don’t we go after the bad guys, put hem being bars and actually keep them there?” Rose said. “Put the bad guys behind the bars, not the taxpayers, not the citizens.”
The breakthrough on the gun package came after dramatic testimony earlier in the day in the state Senate from Highland Park mother Ashbey Beasley, who was at the July 4th parade with her 6-year-old son, Beau.
She played a jolting phone recording of screams from another child who was trying to escape the chaos that ensued as a rooftop gunman sprayed the crowd with bullets. Neither Beasley nor her son were shot.
“What’s happening? What’s happening? What’s happening?” the boy screamed as senators sat stoically while Beasley played the recording of the boy’s shrieks in committee.
“This is what it sounds like when a child runs from an assault weapon. This is what happens when a child goes to a parade in our country. This is the sound of the loss of innocence,” Beasley told the panel in urging support for the gun ban.
If approved, Pritzker has said he would sign it into law.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot praised the progress on the bill.
“I haven’t read the bill, like I said the devil’s in the details, but at least in the broad strokes, I think this is significant and important progress,” Lightfoot said.
* More…
* Tribune | Gov. J.B. Pritzker sets out second term agenda as weapons ban bill heads for final vote: “Now, I’m a firm believer that government functions best when we look for compromise,” Pritzker said. “But I’m done with the NRA having its way when it comes to mass shootings. Why do we allow anyone to easily purchase a rapid-fire, high-capacity weapon that can kill dozens of unarmed people in under a minute?”
* Crain’s | Illinois Senate passes assault weapons ban after heated debate: “After continued negotiations between the leaders, stakeholders and advocates, we have reached a deal on one of the strongest assault weapons bans in the country,” senate President Don Harmon said in a statement. “Gun violence is an epidemic that is plaguing every corner of this state and the people of Illinois are demanding substantive action.”
…Adding… As mentioned in comments, it’ll still be lawful to possess those weapons on his private property, and at gun ranges and other places. So, he’s stoking angry violence for no good reason, which is basically his schtick. Maybe we should all just move on and celebrate. /s
