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* NBC Chicago…
Supports of the long-debated South Suburban Airport notched a legislative victory this week, as the General Assembly passed a bill that would require the Illinois Department of Transportation to take steps toward developing the facility.
The airport, which would be located in Peotone, some 40 miles south of Chicago, would serve commercial and cargo planes, according to lawmakers, and has been the subject of heated debate for decades.
The new legislation, sponsored by State Sens. Napoleon Harris III, Michael E. Hastings and Patrick Joyce in the Senate, passed by a 33-20 vote on Wednesday.
The bill’s language requires the Department of Transportation to enter into public-private agreements and to establish a prequalification process for vendors to participate in the development, financing, construction, management and operation of the new airport.
* WQAD…
Under current Illinois law, schools can decide whether or not to accept credits towards majors or electives. If accepted as electives, students find themselves retaking classes to meet their university’s requirements. […]
Back in February, Senate Bill 2288 was introduced to the state of Illinois. The bill aims to help Illinois community college students by assuring class credits related to their major will be transferable to all public colleges and universities in the state.
“If you take a class as a major level, it will count as a major level at any 4-year public institution in Illinois,” Castree said. “I think ultimately it helps 4-year universities and it’ll be nice to see 2-year schools work alongside them to ensure transferring students do well at their next journey.”
The bill has been passed by the state house and senate. Once signed by Governor JB Pritzker, it will go into effect next year.
* Brenden Moore…
The Illinois House votes 81-31 to pass @StateRepWEST's bill mandating that public elementary + high schools include a unit on Native American history. It initially passed the House in March but was amended in the Senate, so it had to come back. It now heads to to governor's desk.
— Brenden Moore (@brendenmoore13) May 17, 2023
* Sen. Laura Fine…
A new initiative from State Senator Laura Fine will require the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to maintain a database on the safety of consumer products, making safety information much more accessible to protect Illinois children. […]
Currently, families and caregivers do not have a clear resource to check if a product or toy is safe for their child to use, or if there were any recalls of the product. DCFS is currently only required by state law to contact childcare facilities without internet access about relevant product recalls. Those facilities with internet access must research recalls through their own means.
House Bill 3363 requires DCFS to establish and maintain a public database on their website on the safety of consumer products regulated by the department. Additionally, the bill changes the definition of children’s products to include products intended for the use of a child under age 12. This puts DCFS in compliance with the federal Consumer Product Safety Act.
* Chicago Tribune…
Illinois could be on a path toward getting a new state flag after lawmakers sent Gov. J.B. Pritzker a bill that would establish a commission to decide if the emblem needs a makeover and, if so, what it should look like.
The bill establishes the Illinois Flag Commission, which will have the responsibility of not only recommending if a new flag is needed but also submitting up to 10 possible redesigns.
During the House floor debate, Democratic Rep. Kam Buckner of Chicago emphasized that the commission will consider the cost of replacing existing state flags when making its recommendation. […]
The bill was passed by the House by a 72-40 vote, after being approved by the Senate in March in a 39-16 vote. It now awaits the governor’s signature. His office on Wednesday offered no hint on where he stands.
* WICS…
A State Senator is trying to lower the annual fee for fishing licenses to $5 for Illinois residents who have not purchased a license in 10 or more years.
In Illinois, fishing licenses are currently $15. Non-residents would pay $10.
“Growing up near a river in Illinois, one of my favorite memories is fishing with my family in the summer,” said State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Over the past few years, we have grown a greater appreciation for the outdoors, and I want to make sure people have easy access to grow that appreciation and love even more.”
House Bill 2317 passed the Senate Wednesday.
* Sen. Doris Turner…
To promote community gardening, State Senator Doris Turner championed a measure that would provide incentives for affordable housing projects that incorporate urban and suburban gardening.
“Gardening can help households cut down on food costs,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Providing affordable housing units an incentive to garden allows residents to have access to nutritional foods right outside their doors.”
House Bill 3892 would allow the Illinois Housing Development Authority to develop a program that provides incentives for affordable housing projects that incorporate urban and suburban gardening.
Turner’s measure would require IHDA to consult with the University of Illinois on the program, work with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to facilitate the distribution of produce from the garden, and provide all necessary tools for the garden. […]
House Bill 3892 passed the Senate and now heads to the governor’s desk.
posted by Isabel Miller
Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 11:06 am
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As to the bill requiring DCFS to maintain a database on the safety of consumer products, IDPH has a searchable one already. Why are they asking the department to duplicate what is already available? https://srs.dph.illinois.gov/webapp/SRSApp/pages/index.jsp
Comment by Atti's Lady Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 11:34 am
As long as it doesn’t take funds away from other nature projects, I like the idea of the reduction in the cost of first time fishing licenses. Also the community gardening proposal. Getting people out into nature and off their danged phones and computers is a good thing.
Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 11:37 am
If the South Suburban Airport is ever built, a highway should directly connect this location to I65.
This new roadway would alleviate some of the traffic and congestion on the Borman Expressway (Interstate 94).
To avoid excessive traffic on the Dan Ryan Expressway (I90, I94), the Chicago Skyway is an alternative at the cost of $6.60 each way for vehicles with two axles.
The choice for drivers: pay a toll or sit in traffic. We pay.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 11:43 am
In addition to the 3rd airport, they should build the I-57 to I-65 by-pass. That was going to be a project with federal matching funds, also was going to be a tollway, which is paid for by tolls. It would help alleviate some of the traffic bottlenecks, and also would significantly reduce the Illinois carbon footprint by trucks using the shorter route. Get it done.
Comment by DuPage Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 11:53 am
Atti’s Lady, they pass these duplicative laws because nobody objected. DCFS should have because of needless cost, but probably didn’t to avoid offending a Dem legislator. I’m embarrassed that I forgot the IDPH site (which probably argues against making another underutilized site), but anyone googling safety information would find plenty. These are the types of bills that frustrated me throughout my involvement with the GA.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 11:56 am
IRT SB 2288, my opinion, based on years in the community college trenches, is that any class a student takes as dual credit while still in high school should not count as fulfilling a requirement for a major.
Comment by G'Kar Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 11:58 am
DCFS has plenty on its plate already.
Comment by Big Dipper Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 12:20 pm
Can’t wait to read tbe audit of Doris Turner’s community garden program in a few years. What an inappropriate use of government funds and resources.
Comment by Dave T Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 12:48 pm
=== What an inappropriate use===
Oh, please.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 12:49 pm
“any class a student takes as dual credit while still in high school should not count as fulfilling a requirement for a major”
Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of dual credit? If the student is taking dual credit courses applicable to a major, then they should count as fulfilling a requirement towards that major. If they are taking general education dual credit courses, then it makes sense for it not to count towards a major. The bottom line is that dual credit programs should allow students to “get ahead” time-wise and should not create a situation where they need to duplicate coursework once fully in higher education.
Comment by Too Close Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 1:17 pm
–Supports of the long-debated South Suburban Airport notched a legislative victory this week–
In a dark corner of a county board room, Will County board chair Judy Ogalla is holding a candlelight ritual wishing for the injury of supporters of the suburban airport.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 1:29 pm
Go back and watch Sen. Joyce’s floor speech on Peotone airport. Then look over his shoulder. Sen. Hastings winking at the camera. Who is he winking at? Who does he think he is? Why is he still here? He hasn’t changed. Still sending people messages? Great. Thanks President Harmon for continuing to allow this guy to lurk.
Comment by Julius Jr Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 1:36 pm
=is that any class a student takes as dual credit while still in high school should not count as fulfilling a requirement for a major.=
These are the same classes as the college courses since they use the college curricula and syllabus. So if they did what you say, colleges, especially CC’s, would lose a major revenue source because kids would not take the classes.
Bad idea.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 1:54 pm
–colleges, especially CC’s, would lose a major revenue source because kids would not take the classes.–
Here’s the crux of the issue. And it is so depressing that it exists.
Is education designed to serve the students, or the institution?
Students who are able to excel in a certain field should not face any obstacles to their education. They should not be ‘held back’ because their peers do not progress as quickly as they do, and they absolutely should not be held back because it would harm the revenue generation of a supposed educational institution. Giving resistance to a gifted student, almost always causes them to become bored and lose interest in education.
I don’t worry too much now though. Education is going to be one of the field that is completely destroyed by AGI. It’s going to do to educational institutions, what the internet did to travel agents in the 90s. The day can not come soon enough.
AGI is not going to take your job. Someone who knows how to use AGI to do your job, is going to take your job.
bye-bye.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 2:09 pm
“The bill aims to help Illinois community college students by assuring class credits related to their major will be transferable to all public colleges and universities in the state.”
So acknowledging not seen the language, but this is a bad idea. Community colleges, by definition, offer lower-level coursework (100-200 level courses). Their programs are not necessarily accredited by some of the same entities involved at 4-year colleges.
But by reading this, a student can take biochemistry at the community college. Then, when they get to University of the State of Illinois, the law says we have to accept it at face value. Even though everyone teaches biochemistry as an upper-level 300/400-level course. But sure, it’s exactly the same.
I’m not saying that it shouldn’t count towards graduation, but not all courses are equal just because the title says so, especially as the major progresses.
And can we stop hurrying everyone through college, on the belief that it is ONLY about the courses they can click off. There is a benefit to being allowed to “sit” in the educational institution and learn, not just memorize.
Because what they heck are you all gonna go with 20-year olds with bachelor degrees and no experience who expect to be promoted in 2 years because they’ve put in two years. You’ll complain about what colleges are putting out, but at this point, you have a super-high-school graduate, not a college-educated one.
Comment by IllinoisCitizen Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 2:24 pm
What’s wrong with the current state flag? If it ain’t broke …
Now the treacly Illinois state song, featuring a Civil War reference, might be open for an upgrade:
“By thy rivers gently flowing Illinois, Illinois.
O’er thy prairies verdant growing, Illinois, Illinois,
Comes an echo on the breeze.
Rustling through the leafy trees, and its mellow tones are these, Illinois, Illinois,
and its mellow tones are these, Illinois.”
Comment by jackmac Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 2:47 pm
===Can’t wait to read tbe audit of Doris Turner’s community garden program in a few years.===
By partnering with the U of I, I anticipate that there may be a lot of volunteer hours by Master Gardeners in the areas where these community gardens are created. And, also a lot of NEW Master Gardeners trained. Cooking classes, marketing, and many other skills are taught when folks are trained in the arts of growing food. Tools and equipment might be donated by local businesses. Local schools from K to adult may get involved. If the concept comes off right, its a great investment for Illinois (banned punctuation).
Comment by Anon221 Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 3:02 pm
@- G’Kar - Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 11:58 am:
IRT SB 2288, my opinion, based on years in the community college trenches, is that any class a student takes as dual credit while still in high school should not count as fulfilling a requirement for a major.
My observation was that high school students who would take classes at the community college along with the regular community college students earned the college credit the same as everyone else. Usually they would get credit from the high school for a similar credit from a less advanced class of the same subject. Forcing students to repeat classes they already took only serves to increase the tuition dollars the student has to pay, often with a crushing student loan debt.
Comment by DuPage Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 3:20 pm
With all due respect to Too Close, JS Mill, DuPage, and others, my years in the trenches showed me that many dual credit classes at the high school, often taught by high school instructors, simply do not have the rigor of those courses taught on campus. Likewise, while I agree that there are high school students who are college ready, too often I’ve seen high schools allow students who simply are not college ready take dual credit courses. Let the high school students be high school students.
Comment by G'Kar Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 7:24 pm
===“I think ultimately it helps 4-year universities and it’ll be nice to see 2-year schools work alongside them to ensure transferring students do well at their next journey.” ===
I would personally not support this bill. I understand the intent behind the bill, but to put it simply a degree granting university should be able to decide whether or not a credit granted at another educational institution applies. We should not pretend that every course a community college offers is at the same equivalency as the similar course at an institution that grants a bachelors degree.
For students studying in highly technical fields I have witnessed universities make the determination that courses at other educational institutions do not adequately prepare students to thrive in their chosen course of study at the bachelors granting university and have seem universities utilize proficiency exams to determine what math courses, et al, they will be able to receive credit for.
Calculus isn’t just a course you take to punch a ticket like a general humanity elective requirement. It is the keystone to the ability to perform a significant amount of other academic work.
A proficiency exam would be a helpful manner of determining whether or not a student should receive full credit for a scientific and technical courses, along with courses that build on existing knowledge like foreign language.
I hope this law doesn’t literally set kids up for failure by placing them in more advance courses than what they are prepared to perform well in.
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, May 18, 23 @ 9:57 pm