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* Rep. Kam Buckner introduced HB4252 on Monday…
Creates the Student-Athlete Bill of Rights Act. Sets forth specific rights for students and student-athletes at postsecondary educational institutions. Provides that a postsecondary educational institution shall prepare and post a notice detailing specified rights that student-athletes have under federal law and where a complaint may be filed for a violation. Provides that a postsecondary educational institution may not intentionally retaliate against a student-athlete for (1) making or filing a complaint, in good faith, about a violation of a student-athlete’s rights granted under any applicable statute, rule, or policy; (2) testifying or otherwise assisting in an investigation into a violation of a student-athlete’s rights granted under any applicable statute, rule, or policy; or (3) opposing any practices that the student-athlete, in good faith, believes are a violation of a student-athlete’s rights granted under any applicable statute, rule, or policy. Provides that each postsecondary educational institution offering athletic programs for student-athletes shall hire or appoint an ombudsperson, independent of the athletic department, who may be an employee, to provide specified support to student-athletes. Creates the Commission on College Athletics to pursue research and recommendations and monitor athletic programs at postsecondary educational institutions. Sets forth other duties of the Commission and the membership of the Commission. Requires the Board of Higher Education to provide administrative and other support to the Commission and adopt rules.
* Here’s another bill from Leader Buckner…
Creates the Higher Education Violation Reporting Act. Provides that each public and private institution of higher education shall maintain a report publicly reporting actual findings of violations by any student organization, athletic team, or living group of the institution’s code of conduct or anti-hazing policy or State or federal laws relating to hazing or alcohol, drugs, sexual assault, or physical assault. Provides that an institution of higher education shall provide hazing prevention education to employees. Provides that if an employee or volunteer at an institution of higher education has reasonable cause to believe that hazing has occurred, the employee or volunteer shall report the incident. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. In provisions concerning hazing, provides that a person commits hazing when he or she knowingly requires the performance of any act by a student or other person in a school, college, university, or other educational institution of this State for the purpose of induction or admission into or maintenance of membership in (instead of only for the purpose of induction or admission into) any group, organization, or society associated or connected with that institution if the act meets certain requirements; makes changes to the requirements. Provides that an act may be considered hazing regardless of whether the student or other person is willing to participate in the act. Effective July 1, 2024.
* Sen. Natalie Toro…
To ensure employees are not treated differently in the workplace or passed over in the hiring process due to their caregiver role, State Senator Natalie Toro is working to amend the Human Rights Act to protect people with family responsibilities from discrimination.
“Just because a person has external obligations to support their family does not mean they aren’t capable of successfully doing these jobs,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “Assuming differently without any demonstrated proof that their performance has changed is discrimination and should be banned by state laws.”
Currently, there are no laws protecting employees who are also caregivers from differential treatment, including offering lower wages, preventing advancement opportunities, or even terminating employment. These actions are often the result of employers’ biased assumptions that any employee who has family obligations outside of work must be unreliable, uncommitted and less valuable, regardless of actual job performance. This often disproportionately impacts pregnant people, working mothers, people of color and low-wage earners who are already financially vulnerable.
To better protect caregivers, Senate Bill 2616 would make it a civil rights violation for employers to retaliate against a person who speaks out about discriminatory actions they believe to be based on their family responsibilities. The measure would also expand the definition of harassment to include protections for people with family responsibilities.
“No one should be treated differently at work after they have a child or step up as a caregiver for family members,” said Toro. “This law will ensure that workers’ livelihoods are protected as they navigate the responsibilities within their lives.”
Senate Bill 2616 awaits discussion in the spring legislative session.
* HB4257 from Rep. Anna Moeller…
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Establishes procedures for serving a search warrant upon foreign corporations that are electronic communication services and remote computing services allowing a search for records that are in the actual or constructive possession of a foreign corporation that provides electronic communication services or remote computing services to the general public, if those records would reveal: (1) the identity of the customers using those services; (2) data stored by, or on behalf of, the customer; (3) the customer’s usage of those services; (4) the recipient or destination of communications sent to or from those customers; or (5) the content of those communications. Provides that, when properly served with a search warrant issued by an Illinois court, a foreign corporation subject to this provision shall provide to the applicant all records sought pursuant to that warrant within 8 business days of receipt, including those records maintained or located outside the State. Provides that a foreign corporation seeking to quash the warrant must seek relief from the court that issued the warrant within the time required for production of records. Provides that the issuing court shall hear and decide that motion no later than 8 days after the motion is filed. Provides that no cause of action shall lie against any foreign or Illinois corporation subject to this Section, its officers, employees, agents, or other specified persons for providing records, information, facilities, or assistance in accordance with the terms of a warrant issued pursuant to this provision. Provides that this provision does not apply to corporations that do not provide electronic communication services or remote computing services to the general public.
* Rep. Amy Elik’s HB4255…
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the use of red, blue, and white oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights on tow trucks.
posted by Isabel Miller
Thursday, Dec 7, 23 @ 12:27 pm
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>>>> HB4257 from Rep. Anna Moeller…
What’s the rationale or need?
Are people using VPNs and hiding their trail from the government?
Storing encrypted records?
Just asking.
Comment by We've never had one before Thursday, Dec 7, 23 @ 12:58 pm
Why do we need red white and blue flashing lights on a tow truck.. Yellow has been the traditional color. If we allow the other colors drivers are going to expect to see a fire or police vehicle. I would be interested to hear what the fire and police think about this! Can not see this being a help.
Comment by Dupage Dem Thursday, Dec 7, 23 @ 12:59 pm
Not my rep, but I continue to be a fan of Buckner.
Comment by Homebody Thursday, Dec 7, 23 @ 1:00 pm
HB4257 - I’m confused as to what the state of Illinois could do to a foreign business if that business doesn’t wish to comply?
Comment by Seats Thursday, Dec 7, 23 @ 1:13 pm
Homebody: I’m coming around on Buckner but still holding some ill will towards trying to take the option away from parents to have kids start kindergarten at 6 instead of 5. With premature children born in the late spring I felt much more comfortable sending my kid at 6, and wasn’t a fan of the attempt to take that parental option away.
Comment by Seats Thursday, Dec 7, 23 @ 1:15 pm
Dupage Dem—
While I understand the reasoning behind this I don’t agree with it. This is already the law in some other States, including MO. The fact is that idiots will not slow down for tow trucks and/or IDOT, construction or any other amber warning lights. The red-blue is the only combination that way too many will slow down for since they know amber lights can’t write them a ticket. And even then there are still idiots who will not slow down for them. I have been on the side of the road many night with just red white and amber lights and have seen the problem.
My issue with it is, there should be some distinction between Emergency Vehicles and tow trucks. People are just programmed that they won’t slow down unless they could get a ticket for not slowing.
Comment by SOIL M Thursday, Dec 7, 23 @ 1:21 pm
“What’s the rationale or need?”
Might just be catching up with other states. California has had this exact law(Section 1524.2) for almost a quarter of a century now. The text might as well have been lifted word for word from that CA statute, and just replacing ‘California’, with ‘Illinois’. And also replacing five days, with eight days.
As more data centers continue to be built in IL, this seems prudent.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, Dec 7, 23 @ 1:36 pm
Fine. The first two are nice attempts to do the right thing. But there are already folks who are supposed to be doing the work described as the ombuds (and I don’t want to have to support another job position at places that are already understaffed). The reporting act is also problematic (at least in the summary): ANY code of conduct violation? If the College Republicans get too loud on the quad and get a noise violation, you want a report? Again, I get the idea, but compliance with these things are a nightmare, and it’s hard enough to get colleges to report the things that really matter. Passing another law in this case doesn’t seem to really accomplish anything except saying “it’s bad, don’t do it, and we’ll tell you how to report that you are doing it.” It doesn’t do anything to stop it.
Comment by IllinoisCitizen Thursday, Dec 7, 23 @ 2:06 pm
Hoping that the Higher Eduction Reporting Violation Act is retroactive.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Dec 7, 23 @ 2:30 pm
It will be interesting to see how Rep. Buckner’s bills flesh out as they go through committees. In principle (and on first incomplete viewing) they seem reasonable.
I did note one area that needs more development from my perspective:
“In provisions concerning hazing, provides that a person commits hazing when he or she knowingly requires the performance of any act … if the act meets certain requirements.”
As to the former bill, the “shall hire or appoint an ombudsperson, independent of the athletic department” clause is also interesting. Currently, universities often have a faculty member serving as an NCAA Rep. who assesses academic issues that arise. However, these “independent” people are often directly tied to the athletic department, and seem more likely to serve the interests of the AD than the student-athletes (from my personal assessment).
That said, these proposals seem helpful a priori.
Comment by H-W Thursday, Dec 7, 23 @ 2:40 pm
Flashing red white and blues will cause problems. If I see that in my rearview mirror, I would think I have to pull over. Do we really want people pulling over to the side to let a tow truck go through?
Comment by Frida's boss Thursday, Dec 7, 23 @ 2:44 pm
HB4255- so tow trucks that already drive recklessly and often blow red lights while rushing to be first to an accident will be able to use blue lights? Please reconsider this, Rep. Moeller.
Comment by Chito Thursday, Dec 7, 23 @ 2:48 pm
@Chito, HB4255 is Rep. Elik’s bill. Regardless, I’m still very confused about how anyone could think this is a good idea.
Comment by That Guy Thursday, Dec 7, 23 @ 4:37 pm
@- Dupage Dem - Thursday, Dec 7, 23 @ 12:59 pm:
Why do we need red white and blue flashing lights on a tow truck.. Yellow has been the traditional color. If we allow the other colors drivers are going to expect to see a fire or police vehicle. I would be interested to hear what the fire and police think about this! Can not see this being a help.
Other adjacent states have different laws, Wisconsin REQUIRES tow trucks to have a rotating red light. So, in a border area tow a tow truck can end up violating the law and get a large fine. This change does not REQUIRE a tow truck to have these lights, it merely allows them. This change in the law is long, long overdue.
Comment by DuPage Thursday, Dec 7, 23 @ 6:34 pm