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* Rep. Bob Rita’s HB4222…
Amends the Video Gaming Act. Provides that each licensed establishment, licensed fraternal establishment, licensed veterans establishment, licensed truck stop establishment, or licensed large truck stop establishment shall notify the Illinois Gaming Board in writing prior to a proposed sale or transfer of the licensed establishment, licensed fraternal establishment, licensed veterans establishment, licensed truck stop establishment, or licensed large truck stop establishment. Sets forth provisions concerning the change of ownership of a licensed establishment. Provides for conditional licenses for licensed establishments. Provides that a licensed terminal operator shall be excused from any surveillance obligation imposed upon a licensed terminal operator if the failure of the terminal operator to comply with the surveillance obligation is caused by specified circumstances. Effective immediately.
* SB2638 from Sen. Julie Morrison…
Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that moneys collected by a municipality from hotel use taxes may be expended to contribute to fund actuarial liabilities of the municipality’s pension fund established under Article 3, 4, 5, or 6 of the Illinois Pension Code or Article 7 of the Illinois Pension Code with regard to sheriff’s law enforcement employees if the municipality has not established a pension fund under Article 3, 4, 5, or 6 of the Illinois Pension Code.
* Press release…
Continuing his advocacy for immigrant employees following the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 1515 earlier this summer, State Senator Javier Cervantes brought forth a new plan that would protect marginalized workers and give employees time to correct employment verification document discrepancies before an enforcement action is taken against them.
“Throughout my years working alongside labor and health care organizations, I have seen employees hurt by this process,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “In working with the governor’s office and advocacy groups, we are confident we have come up with a plan that will protect employees and work for everyone involved in the verification process.”
Currently, federal immigration law requires employers to verify the legal work status of their employees through the E-Verify system. E-Verify compares information from an employee’s I-9 Form to records available to the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm eligibility. If discrepancies are found, immigrant workers have the possibility of receiving a “no match” letter for a variety of reasons, including instances where the individual changed their name due to marriage. Many employers terminate employees who receive this notice, even though they could be legally working in the United States.
Senate Bill 508 would prevent employers from imposing work authorization verification requirements that are greater than those required by federal law and give employees time to correct documentation discrepancies. The new legislation would require employers, upon finding a discrepancy in verification information, to notify the employee that the federal or State agency has notified the employer and the time period the employee has to contest the information. The employee would be given an explanation of the discrepancy and retain the right to have a representative present for meetings related to employment verification. Employers would be barred from taking any adverse action against the employee based on the notification. […]
Senate Bill 508 passed the Senate Floor on Tuesday and heads to the House for further consideration.
* HB4223 from Rep. Michael Marron…
Creates the 5-day Budget Review Act. Prohibits a hearing or vote on any appropriation bill or revenue bill for at least 5 days after the bill is made publicly available. Provides that a vote on an amendment to an appropriation bill or a revenue bill is not in order unless that amendment is made publicly available at least 48 hours prior to the vote. Provides that these temporal limitations may be waived by an affirmative two-thirds vote of the full committee or house considering the legislation. Effective immediately.
* Effingham Radio…
The Illinois Legislative Prayer Caucus (ILPC) is spearheading a drive to reestablish a prayer room in the Illinois State Capitol. The ILPC is for legislators only and operates under the umbrella of the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation (CPCF). The CPCF connects legislators within states and across the nation in prayer and action. Members of the ILPC believe that through trust in God, humble prayer and strategic action, the religious liberties of all Americans will be protected.
When a prayer room was established in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, it took one year from start to finish beginning in 1954 then opening in 1955. However, in Illinois, it took a 15-year effort to have a nondenominational chapel, or prayer room as it is known, established in the Illinois Capitol. The process in Illinois began in 1982 and in November 1997, the prayer room was opened and dedicated.
During a 2009-2013 renovation of the West Wing, the prayer room in the Capitol was remodeled and converted into a House committee room.
In this final week of the Fall Veto Session, Rep. Brad Halbrook, Chairman of the ILPC, has filed a Resolution (HR 495) to reestablish the prayer room during the current, ongoing renovations of the North Wing of the Capitol building.
As Rep. Halbrook has stated, “Prayer was a vital part of the founding fathers’ lives as they sought the direction, protection & wisdom of God. Our great need of God’s help today is no different than our forefathers’ need when they created this nation. This is why it only makes sense to have a prayer chapel designated for our Illinois State Capitol.”
* WCMY…
Illinois Senate Deputy Minority Leader Sue Rezin provided a status update on her efforts to end the state’s moratorium on building new nuclear reactors:
“As a result of ongoing negotiations with the support of the Senate President, his team, and other stakeholders, we are in the process of finalizing the language for legislation that I believe will be voted on in the Senate this week.
“The new legislation will have similar language to Senate Bill 2591, which I filed last month. It is my hope that this new bill will address the concerns of the Governor by including a very specific and intentional definition of what constitutes new nuclear within our state. Furthermore, it will include state-level oversight in addition to the already stringent oversight laid out by the federal government.
“Nuclear energy runs 24/7, 365 days a year, rain or shine. Nuclear is the clean and affordable energy that is necessary to help power Illinois and America’s future. The federal regulatory permitting process takes six to eight years, so we must act quickly to ensure that our state has the opportunity to take advantage of the amazing advancements in new nuclear technology that have occurred over the past couple of decades. The longer we wait to end this moratorium, Illinois falls further behind the rest of the nation.”
* Rep. Dan Caulkins introduced HB4220 yesterday…
Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to provide certain written summaries and verbal notifications to parents, guardians, or other persons having legal custody of a child who are under investigation for child abuse or neglect. Provides that, after initiating an abuse or neglect investigation, the Department shall provide the investigated person with a written summary of the following information: (1) the known allegations and factual claims the Department is investigating; (2) the Department’s procedures for conducting an investigation of alleged child abuse or neglect; (3) the person’s right to file a complaint with the Department or request a review of the Department’s investigative findings; (4) the person’s right to review all records of the Department’s investigation within 24 hours of making the request unless such review would undermine an ongoing criminal investigation or jeopardize the child’s safety; and other matters. Requires the Department to provide a verbal notification of the person’s right to: (i) not speak with any agent of the Department without an attorney present; (ii) record any interaction or interview the person has with a child protective investigator or any other agent of the Department with the understanding that upon court order the person may be required to disclose the recording to the Department, a law enforcement agency, or another party; (iii) refuse to allow a child protective investigator to enter the home or interview the child without a court order; and other matters. Provides that the Department shall provide a verbal notification to the child of the child’s right to have an adult the child is comfortable with present during any investigatory interview with the Department. Provides that the child protective investigator assigned to investigate the report of abuse or neglect shall document in the case record that the investigator provided the written summaries and verbal notifications. Provides that if a parent, guardian, or legal custodian under investigation for child abuse or neglect does not receive the written summaries and verbal notifications, any information obtained from such person is not admissible as evidence against the person in any civil proceeding.
* SB2637 from Sen. Willie Preston is on First Reading…
Amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, a person or entity shall not manufacture, sell, deliver, distribute, hold, or offer for sale a food product for human consumption that contains brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, or red dye 3. Provides that a person or entity that violates the prohibition shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for a first violation and not to exceed $10,000 for each subsequent violation. Makes a conforming change.
* Rep. Ryan Spain’s HB4216 is on First Reading…
Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Law Enforcement Training Standards Board shall approve a course for school safety officers (a retired law enforcement officer who has been hired by a school district to perform security services). Sets forth training and certification requirements, including firearm certification. Provides that an applicant for employment as a school safety officer must authorize an investigation to determine if the applicant has been convicted of any criminal offense that disqualifies the person as a school safety officer. Amends the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act. Exempts school safety officers from the Act if a school board does not require officer-worn body cameras. Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2025, a school may employ a school safety officer. Requires a school safety officer applicant to provide the school district a certificate of completion or approved waiver issued by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board. Provides that a school safety officer shall wear a uniform that clearly identifies the officer as a school safety officer. Provides that a school safety officer may detain a person when the officer has reasonable suspicion to believe that an offense, other than an ordinance violation, is being committed. Provides that a school safety officer may carry a firearm as long as the officer is certified under specified provisions of the Illinois Police Training Act. Adds references to school safety officers throughout the Code. Effective immediately.
* Sen. Celina Villanueva’s SB2633…
Amends the Firearms Restraining Order Act to include in the definition of “petitioner” an intimate partner. Amends the Protective Orders Article of the Code of Criminal Procedures of 1963 and the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Provides that, if the petitioner seeks a court order prohibiting the respondent from possessing firearms, firearm ammunition, and firearm parts that could be assembled to make an operable firearm, the court shall immediately issue a search warrant directing seizure of firearms at the time an ex parte or final order of protection is issued, if the court finds, based on the facts presented that: (1) probable cause exists that the respondent possesses firearms, ammunition, or firearm parts that could be assembled to make an operable firearm; (2) probable cause exists to believe that the respondent poses a danger of causing personal injury to the petitioner or child by having in the respondent, custody or control, or by purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm, ammunition, or firearm parts that could be assembled to make an operable firearm and that the danger is imminent and present; and probable cause exists that firearms, ammunition, or firearm parts that could be assembled to make an operable firearm are located at the residence, vehicle, or other property of the respondent.
* HB4217 from Rep. Joe Sosnowski is in Rules…
Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Deletes provisions requiring an applicant or holder of a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card to be a resident of the State of Illinois. Provides that a person who is not a resident of the State may apply for a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card if the applicant complies with the provisions of the Act. Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall, by rule, allow for non-resident license applications from any state or territory of the United States if the applicant complies with the provisions of the Act (rather than from any state or territory of the United States with laws related to firearm ownership, possession, and carrying, that are substantially similar to the requirements to obtain a license under the Act).
* HB4219…
Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning fentanyl education, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, provides that in at least one unit in the State-required health courses for grades 6 through 8 a school district shall provide instruction, study, and discussion on the dangers of fentanyl.
* SB2635 from Sen. Cristina Castro…
Amends the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. Provides that the definition of “employee” does not include: (1) an employee who is employed by an institution of higher education (i) for less than 2 consecutive calendar quarters during a calendar year and who does not have a reasonable expectation that he or she will be rehired by the same employer of the same service in a subsequent calendar year or (ii) as a temporary appointment as described in the State Universities Civil Service Act; (2) higher education faculty and instructors who have teaching, research, and extension faculty contracts or appointments of less than 12 consecutive months of the year; or (3) an employee employed by a public community college or other public institution of higher education in the State of Illinois whose position is covered by a bona fide collective bargaining agreement. Provides that the definition of “employer” does not include laboratory schools as defined in the School Code. Makes conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2024.
posted by Isabel Miller
Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 12:54 pm
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Prayer rooms?…hasn’t religion done enough?
The writers of the Constitution were mainly Deists…unconcerned with organized religion…except to keep it out of government.
Comment by Dotnonymous x Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 1:07 pm
The most potent radioactive wastes may need to be monitored for one million years.
Current operators use 10,000 or 100,00 years…in Man’s most arrogant experiment.
Comment by Dotnonymous x Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 1:15 pm
I wonder what Rep. Halbrook would think if a Muslim took their prayer mat into that room to do their daily prayers?
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 1:25 pm
Faith has a place in Government. But Illinois is anti faith. So something as simple as a prayer room won’t happen.
Comment by Gravy Man Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 1:26 pm
=== Amends the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. Provides that the definition of “employee” does not include: ===
(1) an adjunct faculty member or other term contract employees of universities;
(2) faculty and instructors who are hired on 9-month contracts (virtually all of us in tenurable positions); or
(3) a union member of a public community college or university.
So term contracts, 9-month contracts and union contracts disqualify citizens in higher education from being treated as employees. I hope I am reading that wrong.
Comment by H-W Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 1:28 pm
Demoralized - I’ll do you one better - a wiccan pentagram.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 1:31 pm
From Caukins
=== Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to provide verbal notifications to persons having legal custody of a child who are under investigation for child abuse or neglect. ===
Giving verbal notification to a potential abuser of a child (or dependent, or woman, or other social minority) that they are under investigation for potential abuse before they are investigated, is a sure way to make sure actual abusers will coach the abused.
Comment by H-W Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 1:46 pm
Gravy Man, if you are a person of real faith, then every room is a prayer room. What Caulkins is proposing is intended to signal virtue to others, and he needs no help with that.
Each legislative chamber is a prayer at the beginning of each legislative day. And I know from experience as a lobbyists, that every hearing room in the Capitol complex is also a prayer room, especially on deadline week.
Caulkins and others don’t need any help broadcasting their faith.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 1:54 pm
“under the umbrella of the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation (CPCF)”
Their “project Blitz” timeline is progressing almost exactly as it has been laid out by the CPCF back in 2018, before they decided they didn’t want to publicly publish their playbooks anymore.
None of this is surprising.
Don’t take the bait, that’s also part of the point of why something so seemingly insignificant is being done - to then claim persecution and use the gained sympathy to push for what otherwise would face much more resistance.
https://www.blitzwatch.org/
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 1:54 pm
I think the self-appointed lobbyist for atheists passed away a few years ago. He testified in so many committees over the years. I may have rolled my eyes at some of his long-winded impassioned speeches during a time crunched committee, but as a supporter of the separation of church and state, I now realize I miss his voice at the Capitol.
Comment by Ugh Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 1:55 pm
I wish Caulkins would just fade away…without further harm.
Comment by Dotnonymous x Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 1:56 pm
I did not know they had a chapel or prayer room before. I guess it did not do any harm so I really don’t mind if they have a place. I just don’t know why they can’t pray in their office, home, church or car. It sounds more like look at me
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 2:03 pm
To the Apostles of Mensa Caucus of the Eastern Bloc I say into you… Matthew 6:5-8
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
They must be like those “Old Testament Christians”, haven’t gotten to the Gospels yet.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 2:04 pm
RE: OW @ 2:04pm
Nice strawman, but here is a bucket of cold water for you. They literally want a private room, not in public, not on a street corner, to pray. They literally want to go into a room, close the door, and pray.
I see your words, but for some reason, all I hear from you is “Lord, Lord”. Odd.
Comment by Former ILSIP Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 2:37 pm
The prayer room was the best room to have a meeting in, or just chill in.
It had comfortable couches and was rarely used for prayer.
Comment by SaulGoodman Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 2:45 pm
=== but here is a bucket of cold water for you. They literally want a private room, not in public, not on a street corner, to pray. They literally want to go into a room, close the door, and pray.===
LOL
That’s adorable to really not understanding Matthew.
What… they gonna go in a labeled room, in front of everyone… close the door… come out… from the labeled room…
I mean… Matthew 6:5
“ And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others.”
It’s a public building, in front of all…
=== I see your words, but for some reason, all I hear from you is “Lord, Lord”. Odd.===
Hypocrisy to the gospels hits like that. Textbook even.
You hear the words… but the lesson are lost on ya.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 3:04 pm
When I did my Clinical Pastoral Education rotations, many years ago, the chaplains taught me everyone needs two rooms they can go to:
1) A prayer room.
2) A cussin’ room.
I learned so much from them. I spend time in each, but they don’t physically exist.
Comment by Stix Hix Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 3:13 pm
=== as was the tradition in prior years, and in multiple other statehouses, and in our own US Capitol.===
… and they can’t be hypocritical too?
I mean, many founding fathers owned slaves… so, I stand by my words, thanks.
See, here’s where the adorable really hits home.
=== Would having a prayer room be acceptable to you if there was a back entrance so no non-members could see it or access it, in the manner of the cloakroom? Would it be acceptable if it is not labeled? What conditions would gain your approval?===
Matthew addresses what God wants.
What man (or in this case, me) wants praying for its sake, but… approval… even by me?
===But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.===
… and the only way to get that is a labeled room in a public building?
That’s an odd ask, considering Grace is found when hearts are open… labeled rooms in public buildings aren’t necessary for that.
In short, getting approval for possible religious hypocrisy because others lived in ways of some hypocrisy… as long as I approve of whatever room… even if God is the one who needs to feel the worth…
=== playact the 8th son of Sceva===
Are you comparing me to a son of a Jewish priest?
Yikes. That’s a tell.
Whew.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 4:00 pm
@Illinois Senate Deputy Minority Leader Sue Rezin;
===Nuclear energy runs 24/7, 365 days a year…===
Wind + solar + battery farms can do the same thing. Also, electric transmission lines can bring in plenty of power from wind farms in the states to the west of Illinois, without any radioactive waste to deal with.
Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 4:03 pm
I believe the non-establishment clause is a lynchpin of our republic. It requires not only the separation of state and church, but also the equal treatment of all religions under law. If the ILPC wants a prayer room, let them have it *provided* it has no denominational or sectarian identity, design, decoration, or contents. Let it be a plain, unadorned room where legislators of any faith might go to pray or reflect. But Rep. Halbrook has already given the game away with his references to a specifically Christian god. So no.
Comment by Flapdoodle Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 4:18 pm
RE: OW @4:00PM
We’re not talking about Matthew, but rather you. You made the claim that this was for show. I offered options to ensure privacy and limit showboating by Pharasitical hypocrites and you ignored them save to build yet another strawman. I won’t attest to the salvic power of the Almighty in the lives of any members save for my own gratitude in the face of my transgressions. I trust you to do the same. Finally, you’re being compared to the foolish playactors of spiritual authority that the sons of Sceva were proven to be. Nice try at making more of it, though.
Don’t worry, I wouldn’t be surprised if this comment was tossed like my last one. You can have your amen corner, Mr. Miller, but don’t pretend that it’s anything else.
Comment by Former ILSIP Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 4:25 pm
=== We’re not talking about Matthew, but rather you. You made the claim that this was for show.===
Welp, if they decided to pray as described by Matthew… then it is for show. You don’t like that. It’s all that Matthew warns… in public, to be seen… for them, virtue signaling…
=== I offered options to ensure privacy and limit showboating by Pharasitical hypocrites and you ignored them save to build yet another strawman.===
No. Your utter ignorance and hypocrisy is in plain sight as Matthew, again, describes “the room”, and it’s not a room in a Capitol. Good try. Like you said, you can’t see your hypocrisy.
=== I trust you to do the same.===
I’m warned to watch for hypocrites. This is textbook.
=== sons of Sceva===
Odd choice, Jewish hypocrisy. A whole Bible, and yet…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 8, 23 @ 4:32 pm