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* This is a big win for everyone…
Illinois senators have overwhelmingly endorsed an automatic-voter registration plan two years in the making.
The measure would automatically register qualified voters when they visit Secretary of State’s offices and a handful of other state agencies unless they decide to opt out. It moves to the House after a 48-0 vote in the Senate on Friday. Democratic state Sen. Andy Manar of Bunker Hill is sponsoring the measure. He says it would streamline voter registration and bolster participation.
A previous version passed both chambers last fall but Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed it over concerns it didn’t do enough to prevent voter fraud. Manar says this version addresses nearly all of the governor’s concerns.
The value of compromise.
* This bill is actually supported by the Illinois Restaurant Association…
When 14-year-old Susan Tatelli goes out to eat with her family, they usually stick to a handful of tried-and-true places – not for lack of wanting to explore but because Tatelli, who has a peanut allergy, knows she’ll be safe at the usual spots.
“You really have to grill the restaurant staff, and a lot of times you have to ask to talk to the chef to make sure there wasn’t going to be any cross-contamination issues,” she said. “There weren’t a lot of places I ever went out to eat. We had a short list of restaurants we knew were good with my allergies.”
On one occasion Tatelli said her family was told not to eat in a restaurant because they couldn’t “accommodate” her allergies. “We just left,” she said.
Proposed legislation requiring restaurants to provide food allergen training could make the dining experience more palatable to people who have food allergies, like Tatelli.
The bill would require restaurants to have managers undergo accredited food allergen awareness and safety training within 30 days of being hired (recertification would be required every three years). Restaurants would also be required to have at least one manager who’s received that training on site at all times while the restaurant is open.
* Tribune…
Illinois customers stubbornly hanging on to your old landline telephone service, AT&T has a new plan for you: Switch to a modern alternative or face disconnection.
With traditional landline service dwindling to less than 10 percent of Illinois households in its territory, AT&T is pushing legislation in Springfield that, pending Federal Communications Commission approval, would allow it to unplug the aging voice-only network and focus on the wireless and internet-based phone offerings that have supplanted it.
“We’re investing in a technology that consumers have said they don’t want anymore and wasting precious hundreds of millions of dollars that could be going to the new technologies that would do a better job of serving customers,” said Paul La Schiazza, AT&T Illinois president.
AT&T has 1.2 million traditional landline customers in the state — 474,000 residential and 725,000 business — and is losing about 5,000 each week, La Schiazza said.
* Also from the Tribune…
Senate Democrats pushed through a measure Thursday that would prevent state and local police from making arrests due to a person’s citizenship status, an effort supporters say is designed to build trust between law enforcement and communities living in fear following the immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump.
The bill would prohibit police from searching, arresting or detaining a person because of their immigration status absent a federal criminal warrant. It also would create so-called safe zones in state-funded schools, health care centers and secretary of state facilities, and block state and local law enforcement agencies from creating registries based on race, religion and national origin.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 5, 17 @ 1:28 pm
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AT&T digital home phone service leaves a lot to be desired. Most serious problem is backup during power outages - you need to buy an extra battery and it only gives you a limited number of hours. Quality is mediocre, at least on some of the homes I’ve called (choppy, bad duplexing). I think there’s enough elderly/luddites still relying on landlines that this is premature - give it another decade and then I’ll be more sympathetic.
Comment by lake county democrat Friday, May 5, 17 @ 1:50 pm
Wait a second… what is this I’m feeling…. is it pride in our state’s General Assembly????
Comment by Annyong Friday, May 5, 17 @ 2:09 pm
Yeah, AT&T. I’m one who’s going to be stubbornly hanging on to my landline and contacting the FCC and my state legislators. A person can be tech savvy and have other communications devices that reflect the 21st century. But there’s nothing like the landline for emergencies and as a primary for security systems. The AT&T PR will be out in full force. Don’t be fooled.
Comment by Responsa Friday, May 5, 17 @ 2:14 pm
Rural areas have spotty service. I spend time in western illinois and can’t use my ATT cell phone. When ATT has complete and good quality coverage, I will give up the landline.
Comment by NoGifts Friday, May 5, 17 @ 2:16 pm
I have Comcast Xfinity w/ landline service. I so seldom receive phone calls that it doesn’t make sense to pay for a cell & home phone. I’m keeping the land line indefinitely which at my age could be 50 more years.
Comment by Landline lover Friday, May 5, 17 @ 2:26 pm
Totally agree with the restaurant bill. My niece has a peanut allergy. Fortunately, her allergy is not severe enough to cause a fatal reaction, but her parents are on constant alert for possible food contamination with peanut products.
Comment by Huh? Friday, May 5, 17 @ 2:29 pm
My land line is the only reliable communication method I have. I live in the country and have spotty cell service within my home. Depending on where you are standing, you can be talking to someone on a cell phone and move 2 inches and be disconnected. I can’t get VOIP if I wanted it because I don’t live where I can get internet except with satellite. Until internet is available everywhere or satellite is reasonably priced, I need my landline.
I live in central Illinois - not the wilds of Alaska.
Comment by Anonime Friday, May 5, 17 @ 2:39 pm
AT&T is a public utility and that means serving the public. At least until there is a more reliable alternative for emergency situations for government & citizens alike this bill should not pass.
Comment by MyTwoCents Friday, May 5, 17 @ 2:49 pm
Cancelled our landline earlier this week…
Comment by Pawn Friday, May 5, 17 @ 3:44 pm