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It’s almost a law

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Illinois

* AP…

The firearms industry, including gun sellers, could be sued for alleged violations of Illinois law including marketing to young people under legislation Illinois state senators approved Thursday.

The House previously approved the bill and it now goes to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, also a Democrat, who said that he will sign it. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, a Democrat, spearheaded the proposal.

“Gun violence is a public health epidemic, and those who encourage unlawful use of a firearm or target sales of firearms to minors worsen the scourge of gun violence in our communities,” Pritzker said in a statement. “This legislation finally protects Illinoisans from predatory actions by the firearms industry.”

Republican lawmakers objected to the proposal during Thursday’s Senate vote, saying it was too broad and would lead to court challenges.

* WAND…

Illinois lawmakers have approved a bill requiring public schools to allow students to celebrate their cultural, ethnic, or religious identity during graduation ceremonies.

Sponsors and advocates say Native American students are often given eagle feathers and other tribal regalia to show pride and gratitude for their academic achievement.

Lawmakers filed this proposal following an incident last year when a Native student was told he couldn’t wear an eagle feather and Native beads with his cap and gown. Nimkii Curley was forced to watch his classmates graduate while he sat in the bleachers. […]

Senate Bill 1446 passed out of the House on a 104-7 vote and now heads to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk for his signature of approval.

* NBC Chicago…

Legislation that would make school meals free for all students in Illinois has passed both the House and the Senate, paving the way for the bill’s likely passage.

The “Healthy School Meals For All” legislation would provide state funding to Illinois schools to improve their offerings of healthy meals, while maximizing use of an existing federal program.

Advocates say the expansion of free meals for all students both combats hunger and helps reduce the stigma students often face when qualifying for free or reduced lunch programs.

Minnesota, Colorado, Maine, New Mexico and California have all passed similar legislation since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure free school meals for all students.

* The Center Square…

A measure that is one step away from the governor’s desk would allow certain immigrants to become police officers in the state of Illinois. […]

Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, supports the bill and said during debate that history shows people from different backgrounds have been law enforcement officers for a long time. […]

The Fraternal Order of Police has been in support of the legislation being enacted, which Harmon said is nothing new. […]

The Senate amended the bill so it must return to the House before it can be sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker for approval.

* Daily Herald…

The Illinois Senate on Thursday passed an amended version of a bill that would allow businesses and public institutions to provide multioccupant all-gender bathrooms if they so choose.

House Bill 1286 would change current state law, under which single-occupancy bathrooms are automatically designated for all genders, but multioccupancy bathrooms must be designated as male or female.

While the measure had already passed the House on March 23, the amended version heads back to the chamber for consideration before it can be sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Justin Sia, a Chicago attorney, testified in committee this week that he came up with the idea for the bill while in law school at Loyola University. He described it as “a pro-family, pro-business and pro-safety bill that permits, not mandates, public and private entities to install gender inclusive, multi-stall restrooms.”

posted by Isabel Miller
Friday, May 19, 23 @ 8:53 am

Comments

“…requiring public schools to allow students to celebrate their cultural, ethnic, or religious identity during graduation ceremonies.”
I can’t see this having any negative side…
What do you mean, you worship something I don’t?

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:25 am
Did anyone from the Eastern Bloc say why they voted against SB 1446?

Comment by someonehastosayit Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:27 am
@someonehastosayit: I’m glad you posted first. Somehow, this story really got me. I mean:

Lawmakers filed this proposal following an incident last year when a Native student was told he couldn’t wear an eagle feather and Native beads with his cap and gown. Nimkii Curley was forced to watch his classmates graduate while he sat in the bleachers. […]

Senate Bill 1446 passed out of the House on a 104-7 vote and now heads to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk for his signature of approval.

Those seven votes: Caulkins, Jed Davis, Halbrook, Hauter, Miller, Niemerg, Wilhour.

Obviously staff read CapitolFax often, and many in the legislature do, too. So I ask you directly: what on Earth has happened to your brains?

Comment by The Truth Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:31 am
=Did anyone from the Eastern Bloc say why they voted against SB 1446?=

I’ll take this one Jimmy…because they are idiots.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:35 am
Perhaps the no votes believe that a graduation ceremony is a place for reverence for the specific occasion, and not a place for “worship” or practice of a person’s faith.

Comment by Chicago Republican Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:35 am
===not a place for “worship” or practice of a person’s faith.===

We had a minister at my HS graduation. Also, some friends of mine wore their cross necklaces.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:38 am
Guys, it isn’t a secret who the Eastern Bloc folks are. The Venn diagram of the far right and white nationalists is looking more and more like a circle every day.

Is it true about every Republican? No, of course not (though failure to denounce it, and getting all offended when Biden says white supremacy is a problem definitely hurts that defense), but among a specific subset of the GOP? Yes, obviously.

Comment by Homebody Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:38 am
“reverence for a specific occasion. ”

So, the seven no votes have condemned actions of January 6th?

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:41 am
Perhaps the no votes believe that a graduation ceremony is a place for reverence for the specific occasion, and not a place for “worship” or practice of a person’s faith.

If you’re telling me those seven would vote to make a high school grad sit on the bleachers because she wore a cross necklace, you’re reaching like Stretch Armstrong on a hot day.

Comment by The Truth Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:42 am
It’s always interesting that intolerance is predicated on religious acceptance of what one feels is the only acceptance.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:43 am
The term “reverence” is adorable in the context of the void screaming too. Huge “in-law uncle” vibes.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:45 am
=Perhaps the no votes believe that a graduation ceremony is a place for reverence for the specific occasion, and not a place for “worship” or practice of a person’s faith.=

Having presided over more than 20 graduations I can tell you that statement is a laugher. Parents and friends regularly shout out during graduation, kids bring noisemakers I cannot even list all of the disruptors during these “reverent” ceremonies. And I am talking small district downstate “traditional” districts. Reverence for the ceremony dies in the 1960’s if there ever was any. Try again.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:46 am
Perhaps the no votes believe that a graduation ceremony is a place for reverence for the specific occasion, and not a place for “worship” or practice of a person’s faith.

== We had a minister at my HS graduation. Also, some friends of mine wore their cross necklaces. ==

Back at the Dawn of the Internet, the graduation from my community college in Illinois included a minister whose opening invocation began with a booming “HOLY! HOLY! HOLY!” and his closing included pleading for Jesus to watch over all of us sinners.

Oy vey.

Comment by Leap Day William Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:51 am
I’d also put this in a different context…

The goal of the Eastern Bloc is only to be relevant to the old, angry, rural, white voters that are their constituents and there’s no desire to govern this state, to make decisions for a better Illinois, or even fund and pay for things their own constituents NEED.

They exist to hope their trolling is noticed by, which is more than a few, the worst elements that Trump made to feel “special”

As long as they keep losing, “claim” they are winning, and are both marginalized AND dragging down the ILGOP to depths of super-minority status for years, I applaud each and every time they vote like this, while then forgetting them knowing they are irrelevant.

The fact the ILGOP and the ILGA GOP “need” them while loathing them due to stunted growth is just the bonus this state needs.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:53 am
As someone who went to school in Rep. Niemerg’s district, I wonder why he hasn’t had issue with the student led Christian prayers at our graduation ceremonies?

Oh yeah, it’s because he, like most of the Bloc, are Christian nationalists.

Comment by Shibboleth Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:58 am
To augment what OW said, this is attention seeking behavior on the part of the Eastern Bloc. Nothing more, nothing less.

Comment by Pundent Friday, May 19, 23 @ 10:10 am
=The goal of the Eastern Bloc is only to be relevant to the old, angry, rural, white voters that are their constituents and there’s no desire to govern this state, to make decisions for a better Illinois, or even fund and pay for things their own constituents NEED.=

Restaurant quality.

It is a sweet gig that pays nicely and has cool perks and all they have to do is be a troll to keep it.

When I retire, and start collecting my TRS pension, I am going to run for state rep and my whole campaign will be out complaining my competition.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, May 19, 23 @ 10:16 am
== Perhaps the no votes believe that a graduation ceremony is a place for reverence for the specific occasion, and not a place for “worship” or practice of a person’s faith.==

Aren’t republicans passing laws to display the 10 commandments and pray in schools? If it’s cool to practice your faith daily in school, why stop it for graduation ceremonies?

Comment by Henry Francis Friday, May 19, 23 @ 10:18 am
I’m please to report my Senator, Sally Turner (R) voted in favor. To the east, Chapin Rose (R) against. He is just so whiny, outraged and pathetic. All the time.

The seven house votes, well no surprise there. Hateful and spiteful people. Yes, crazy as it seems, in retrospect, Bill Mitchell was a choirboy in comparison.

Comment by Stix Hix Friday, May 19, 23 @ 10:30 am
(Tips cap to - JS Mill -)

- Prudent -, yep, to be relevant is the context, their relevancy is only predicated that it’s embraced by the “right” folks.

The oxygen to them is toxic to the air, as they duck out the good oxygen found in governing, and serving a greater good, this state.

I’m still not sure if it’s *all* an act or part of a grift or they wholly are all they vote, I think that scale slides as the vitriol is measured for the embrace they get.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 19, 23 @ 10:31 am
The only path to constructive change of which I am aware is for these Eastern Bloc jokers to have election opponents who will point out this ridiculousness. In the modern media world, the Eastern Bloc guys function without oversight. An election opponent could at least start to do the job news reporters used to do. The opponent likely won’t win election right away but maybe it’s a start at chipping away on the stranglehold of ignorance.

Comment by someonehastosayit Friday, May 19, 23 @ 10:54 am
=…requiring public schools to allow students to celebrate their cultural, ethnic, or religious identity during graduation ceremonies=

As long as everyone can do it, then fine.

Comment by unafraid Friday, May 19, 23 @ 10:58 am
They are probably objecting to the multicolor stoles that some students wear here to represent their African heritage and other forms by “those people”

Comment by DTownResident Friday, May 19, 23 @ 11:02 am
==Perhaps the no votes believe that a graduation ceremony is a place for reverence for the specific occasion, and not a place for “worship” or practice of a person’s faith.==

Right, right. I’m sure that’s exactly why the Eastern Bloc contingent voted no. Because it’s well known how much they oppose public practice of religious belief.

Comment by fs Friday, May 19, 23 @ 11:13 am
===graduation ceremony is a place for reverence for the specific occasion ===

Hogwash. Graduation is to be celebrated. It is a joyous time for graduates and their families.

I have worked at several different universities, including Millikin University, Western Illinois University, and an HBCU (Xavier of Louisiana).

I also teach race relations and have done so for 35 years.

White people seem to prefer silence. Black folk and Latinos and people from abroad clearly prefer celebration of a major life event.

In the past 35 years, I have noticed more and more white people celebrating loudly when their children, siblings and friends graduate.

Times are changing. But the remaining pattern tends to mirror the differences between conservatism (maintaining the past as the status quo), and liberalism (liberation from old ways of being).

Having sat through literally dozens and dozens of graduations, including six for my children, I prefer the Xavier experience. It was expected that people would worship with joy, rather that worship in silence.

As to regalia, I must confess we have crossed that bridge a bit far. Last weekend, every student had a homemade sash. White folks wore fraternity letters and such, while most people of color wore more traditional sashes associated with ethnicity. And then there are the personally decorated caps.

I remember when the only sashes were honor societies. But whatever. Graduation is not about joining the choir. It is about joining the adult world. It should be celebrated, loudly. White folks seem to be getting that today.

Comment by H-W Friday, May 19, 23 @ 11:22 am
DTownResident @11:02 is spot on. It is a clear example of what Eduardo Bonilla-Silva calls colorblind racism in his book, Racism Without Racists.

Comment by H-W Friday, May 19, 23 @ 11:40 am
“A measure that is one step away from the governor’s desk would allow certain immigrants to become police officers in the state of Illinois.”

This is insane and unsafe. Looks like “Americans” these days have forgotten that foreign troops (Hessians) on our soil were one of the causes of the Revolutionary War. Sad to see a once great country degenerate to third world levels of government.

Comment by Payback Friday, May 19, 23 @ 11:45 am
SB 1446 provides that a school uniform or dress code policy adopted by a school board or local school council shall not prohibit the right of a student to wear or accessorize the student’s graduation attire with items associated with the student’s cultural, ethnic, or religious identity or any other protected characteristic or category identified in the Illinois Human Rights Act.

Gender identity is protected under ILHRA. I’m betting the prospect of rainbow graduation attire contributed to the no votes.

Comment by Lagertha's Shield Friday, May 19, 23 @ 12:04 pm
Hessians on OUR soil? You are a Native American?

Comment by Blooms of Spring Friday, May 19, 23 @ 12:06 pm
“Immigrant” is a general term that includes legal and illegal. Persons who came into the U.S. legally should be allowed to be police officers if they show they are applying to become U.S. citizens. Persons who are deliberately here illegally should not be hired to be police.

Comment by DuPage Friday, May 19, 23 @ 12:11 pm
“Did anyone from the Eastern Bloc say why they voted against SB 1446?”

They’ve left themselves no other choice.

The Eastern Bloc will not vote for Democratic legislation that would help their constituents and they cannot pass any legislation themselves, but they can cast votes that assure their constituents that they still hate the right people.

Because they’ve disavowed the government’s ability to actually help its citizens, their only lane for appeasing their unhappy constituents is through culture war bigotry.

– MrJM

Comment by MisterJayEm Friday, May 19, 23 @ 12:37 pm
Looks like “Americans” these days have forgotten that foreign troops (Hessians) on our soil were one of the causes of the Revolutionary War. Sad to see a once great country degenerate to third world levels of government.

I can’t tell if this is satire or genuine insanity.

Comment by The Truth Friday, May 19, 23 @ 1:58 pm