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* I’ve been telling subscribers about this bill for a couple weeks or so…
A bill passed the House that would amend the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act to allow Chicago Public Schools principals to unionize.
House Bill 3496 passed through the [Senate] Executive Committee by way of a 9 to 5 vote and has been scheduled for a second reading. […]
The bill would amend a state labor law that prohibits any person in a managerial position from joining a union. President of the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association Troy LaRaviere said passage of the bill was important because policymakers usually miss things principals will see at the bargaining table.
“When school district officials create policies they often can not see unintended negative consequences that Principals could see if they were at the table. In Chicago however, Principals are not at that table,” LaRaviere said.
Mayor Lightfoot isn’t having a great session so far.
* Excerpt from tweet thread…
For the past 20 years @CPMsofIL and Illinois friends and families of/for midwifery have diligently, every session, filed a bill, and worked for support needed to pass. In 2007, the bill passed in the senate. In 2011, it failed in the house 2/x
— Illinois Friends of Midwives (@IL4Midwives) May 25, 2021
And now we are in the Senate. We have passed our committee, but due to a single, non-healthcare or consumer "stakeholder", it appears the Senate lacks the will to complete the task that is so overwhelmingly supported by legislators and stakeholders. 8/x
— Illinois Friends of Midwives (@IL4Midwives) May 25, 2021
I asked about the recalcitrant stakeholder and the group claims it’s the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.
* Almost a law…
Today, the Illinois Senate voted to approve House Bill 1063, which would end criminal penalties against people living with HIV (PLWH). Under current law, PLWH face the threat of arrest, prosecution, and incarceration even if they do not transmit HIV to another person. Additionally, PLWH may face longer sentences simply because of their HIV status.
“We are thrilled the Illinois Senate took decisive action and voted to end criminal penalties against people living with HIV in Illinois. Thank you to lead sponsor Senator Robert Peters for his steadfast dedication and leadership to this important issue.
HB 1063 has now passed both chambers with bipartisan support, and now it is time for Governor Pritzker to sign this bill and repeal this outdated and dangerous law. The truth is HIV criminalization never improved safety or public health in Illinois - instead, it has only caused suffering to people living with HIV, their families, and their communities. It has promoted stigma and discrimination, and it has discouraged testing, treatment, and disclosure for decades.
We urge Governor Pritzker to sign HB 1063 into law as soon as he can.”
* Wirepoints on the proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting “right to work” laws and ordinances…
State lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are preparing to enshrine the extensive power of Illinois unions into the state constitution.
The Illinois Senate has passed, and the House is preparing to vote on, a resolution for a constitutional amendment creating a new “fundamental right to organize and to bargain collectively” for matters that include workers’ “economic welfare.” The resolution further prohibits the state and local governments from passing any law that “interferes with, negates, or diminishes the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively.” The recent Senate vote was bipartisan, with 11 of the Senate’s 18 Republicans voting for the resolution. No Senate Democrats opposed the measure.
If the House passes the resolution – and voters approve the amendment in November 2022 – essential labor reforms Illinois needs will be blocked. With both pensions and labor union powers protected by the state constitution, it’s unlikely the state can be turned around without falling into some form of chaos first.
I see they haven’t lost their deft touch for understatement. /s
…Adding… Press release…
As Asian American History Month comes to a close, the Illinois State Senate unanimously passed the Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History Act (TEAACH Act), which will require K-12 public schools across the state to include Asian American history in all curriculum. The bill, which passed the Illinois State House in April, will now go to Governor Pritzker to be signed into law, paving the way for Illinois to become the first state in the nation to prioritize Asian American history in such a way.
“Illinois is making Asian American history by recognizing Asian American history,” said Asian American Caucus Co-Chair and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Josina Morita. “Over the last year, we’ve seen a startling rise in anti-Asian hate, making the importance of learning Asian American history even more crucial. With the passage of this legislation, our next generation of Illinoisans will have a better understanding of the Asian American community, helping us become a more equitable and inclusive state where all students can thrive.”
Introduced by State Senator Ram Villivalam and State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, the TEAACH Act will paint a more complete picture of the state’s shared history by amending Illinois School Code to include an Asian American History Curriculum in every public school in Illinois.
“In unanimously passing the TEAACH Act today, the State Senate sent a strong message across this state that Asian American history is valued in Illinois,” said State Senator Ram Villivalam. “Future generations will learn about our Asian American history, and Illinois will be a better, safer state because of it.”
The TEAACH Act will ensure that crucial stories and lessons are elevated, and also pairs the five-hour PBS film series and K-12 curricula, compliant with Common Core and National Standards, designed to be easily adopted into lesson plans and curricula.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Illinois’ retail cannabis industry would diversify under a bill passed today by state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, that aims to correct a flawed license lottery system that has prevented minority residents from being able to open businesses.
“Like the War on Drugs, the rollout of cannabis licenses has disproportionately impacted communities of color,” Ford said. “We now have an opportunity to correct the missteps of the original lottery process by refocusing on the intent of the legalization bill. Instead of allowing the wealthy few to maintain control of this new industry, let’s give people in areas that have been left behind a real opportunity to start a local business that is owned and operated by members of the community.”
“Today’s vote puts us on a more equitable path forward, and I want to thank Representative Ford and everyone involved for their hard work to implement a fair process open to every community,” said Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. “It’s important that the legislature monitors the progress of this industry in Illinois, and continue to be prepared to act as necessary.”
Under Ford’s House Bill 1443, 110 new cannabis licenses would be awarded through two lotteries targeted toward Black, Hispanic and other minority residents of disproportionately impacted areas. As part of the qualifying criteria, one of the lotteries would prioritize those previously arrested or convicted of previous cannabis-related offenses. The new licenses would be in addition to a batch of 75 licenses intended to have been released in 2020 that have been delayed due to litigation and issues with the selection process’ scoring system.
Along with guiding the new selection process, Ford’s bill helps to clean up the state’s cannabis legalization law by expanding diversity on the state’s Restore, Reinvest and Renew (R3) oversight board and increasing medical cannabis purchase access for patients, among other fixes to rollout concerns.
“As expected, the cannabis industry has been and will continue to be very lucrative,” Ford said. “It’s important as we continue to distribute licenses that we keep track of ownership data and ensure nobody is left behind. I’m hopeful that this proposal will put us on a more equitable path this year.”
House Bill 1443 now heads to the Senate for consideration.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 12:28 pm
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Previous Post: 808 new confirmed and probable cases; 17 additional deaths; 1,419 hospitalized; 350 in ICU; 2.1 percent average case positivity rate; 2.7 percent average test positivity rate; 79,485 average daily doses; 49 percent fully vaxed
Next Post: Supreme Court remap plan unveiled
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=== With both pensions and labor union powers protected by the state constitution, it’s unlikely the state can be turned around without falling into some form of chaos first.===
Dogs and cats living together kinda chaos?
Never has Wirepoints been more irrelevant than when it delves into labor issues and the need to keep labor down.
It’s almost them spoofing themselves, then you read their comments and those comments are sadder than Wirepoints’ own take.
But… chaos. To the simple minded, that says “everything”, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 12:39 pm
“with 11 of the Senate’s 18 Republicans voting for the resolution”
This was great. If this passes in the GA, there should be a party and lots of praise for Republicans, as they would be the “lost sheep” returning to the flock. One way for Republicans to try to gain voters is to support unions.
If this passes, pro-union GOP GA members should help with the campaign, and hopefully that will help. Can’t wait to see the usual suspects opposing this, the low wage state pushing IPI, Trib editorial board, Griffin, etc.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 12:52 pm
=== The recent Senate vote was bipartisan, with 11 of the Senate’s 18 Republicans voting for the resolution. No Senate Democrats opposed the measure.===
The Senate REPUBLICANS are stepping out of the “Raunerite” moniker… and realizing labor and the GOP in Illinois worked together… to a benefit for all.
Congratulations to ALL those working to get the SGOP members, and labor working hard with their allies and lobsters to get these GOP numbers.
Great to see. I feel hope.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 12:56 pm
= The recent Senate vote was bipartisan, with 11 of the Senate’s 18 Republicans voting for the resolution. =
Right on cue, Illinois Review is calling for Leader McConchie to step aside:
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2021/05/ir-editorial-time-for-il-gop-senator-dan-mcconchie-to-resign.html
Comment by cover Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 1:24 pm
Not to play into the PR, but I don’t think the the bill “end[s] criminal penalties against people living with HIV (PLWH)”. It eliminates the rarely charged offense of criminal transmission of HIV, which requires someone to knowingly transmit HIV to a third person. If, as the release states, the bill immunizes persons suffering from HIV from all criminal statutes, then that is a different kettle of fish.
Comment by Just Another Anon Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 1:32 pm
Part of dealing with the problem of police-sponsored violence is to reign in some of the outrageous protections in the police union contract. This may take state legislation, since givebacks in a contract negotiation on these topics is likely impossible. Won’t this amendment limit the ability to do this?
Comment by Rasselas Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 1:36 pm
Great move by the 11 GOP Senators to vote for this Constitutional Amendment! They are clearly trying to move forward. That was an impressive roll call. Congrats.
Comment by Fan Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 2:15 pm
Who would have guessed the Illinois Trial Lawyers can block virtually any legislation through their total control of the Illinois Democratic Party?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, May 25, 21 @ 2:54 pm