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Amends the Reimagine Public Safety Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention shall create a firearm and firearm ammunition buyback program. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention shall purchase operable firearms and receive firearm ammunition from the owners of those firearms and firearm ammunition who wish to sell the firearms and transfer the firearm ammunition to the State. Provides that only Illinois residents are eligible to participate in the firearm and firearm ammunition buyback program. Provides that an Illinois resident who sells an operable firearm to the State at the buyback program shall receive $100 per firearm sold. Provides that permanently inoperable or antique firearms are ineligible for the buyback program, except these firearms may be transferred to the Office through the program without compensation. Provides that a person who transfers ammunition, inoperable firearms, or antique firearms to the State at the buyback program shall receive no compensation for transferring ammunition, inoperable firearms, or antique firearms to the State at the buyback program. Provides that firearms and firearm ammunition purchased at the buyback program shall be delivered to the Illinois State Police who may: (1) destroy the firearms; (2) use the firearms for training or other Illinois State Police purposes; or (3) transfer the firearms and firearm ammunition to municipal and county law enforcement agencies for their use. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall adopt rules to implement the program. Effective immediately.

* HB4706 from Rep. Jenn Ladisch Douglass…

Amends the Substance Use Disorder Act and the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that substance abuse programs and mental health or developmental disabilities facilities operating in the State shall provide verbal notice to the personal representative of the patient within 24 hours after the death of a patient and shall provide written notice to the personal representative of the patient within 5 days after the death of a patient. Effective immediately.

* WAND…

A new plan in Springfield could cap the monthly out-of-pocket cost for inhalers. People struggling with asthma and other lung diseases could pay just $25 for one prescription inhaler per month.

Rep. Laura Faver Dias (D-Grayslake) knows firsthand about the rising cost of inhalers as one of her sons has severe asthma. The suburban Democrat said her son uses a maintenance inhaler twice a day and needs Albuterol in case of emergencies. At one point, Faver Dias was paying $180 per month for a maintenance inhaler. […]

The bill could cap the monthly cost of prescription inhalers at $25. People needing multiple inhalers per month would only pay $50. This change will not prevent health plans that already allow people to pay much lower co-pays. […]

The proposal will not apply to inhalers available over the counter without a prescription. If signed into law, the price cap would take effect on January 1, 2025.

* Rep. Janet Yang Rohr filed HB4708 today…

Amends the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. Provides that the public right to access and use navigable waters includes all rights recognized by State or federal law, including the rights set forth in the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 and the federal navigational servitude, and all rights arising under the public trust doctrine, which shall be understood and applied in a manner consistent with the spirit of the Act to maximize the full and free enjoyment of State waters by the public. Provides that any segment of a lake, river, or stream that is capable of supporting use by commercial or recreational watercraft for a substantial part of the year, or that is actually so used, shall be deemed navigable, and shall be open to public access and use, unless the contrary is proven in litigation by a preponderance of the evidence. Provides that public uses in such waters shall include boating, tubing, fishing, swimming, and wading. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to protect such public uses against interference or encroachment as provided in the Act. Provides that no action or inaction by the Department of Natural Resources shall create a presumption, in any civil or criminal litigation, against the navigability of any waterway segment. Provides that the public right to access and use navigable waters shall be subject to specified protections and limitations, a violation of which shall be punished as otherwise provided by law, and, if likely to continue, enjoined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Provides that nothing in the Act shall limit the right of any person to challenge the legality of alleged interference with the public right to access or use navigable waters in any appropriate civil or criminal litigation.

* HB4709 from Rep. Maura Hirschauer…

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the county board or board of election commissioners may use public school buildings as polling places only if a school board or a local school council approves the use of that school. Provides that, if the county board or board of election commissioners uses all convenient and available public buildings and determines that a public school building is needed as a polling place, it shall send a written request to use the public school building to the school board or local school council. Sets forth provisions concerning the contents of the request and the response to the request. Amends the School Code. Provides that each school board or local school council shall have the power to approve or deny, in accordance with the school board or local school council’s rules and policies, any request of a county board or board of election commissioners to use a school building as a polling place. Makes corresponding changes. Effective immediately.

* Rep. Tim Ozinga filed HB4690 yesterday…

Creates the Communication and Actions in Public Schools Act. Provides that no communication by a public school entity, official representative thereof, professional employee, or guest school speaker may compel a person to adopt, affirm, adhere to, or profess an idea that violates Title IV or Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 or adopt, affirm, adhere to, or profess specified concepts. Provides that nothing in those provisions may be construed to prohibit the discussion of ideas and history of the described concepts or may be construed to prohibit the discussion of public policy issues of the day or ideas that individuals may find unwelcome, disagreeable, or offensive. Sets forth provisions concerning a refusal to engage in any of the specified concepts. Provides that no public school entity may use funds from any source to engage in any of the specified concepts. Provides that the State Board of Education shall develop and make available to professional employees technical assistance, guidance, and professional development in accordance with specified provisions. Sets forth requirements for contractors with a public school entity. Provides that a parent, student, professional employee, or other person interacting with a public school entity may file a complaint with the school board of the school district alleging a violation of the Act by a professional employee or contractor. Sets forth other enforcement provisions. Provides that the State Board shall develop a policy on how a complaint may be filed. Provides that the policy shall be made available on the State Board’s Internet website. Provides that the State Board may adopt rules to implement the Act.

* Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid…..

Voters would be better protected from digitally manipulated political ads under a new bill introduced by state Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, D-Bridgeview, tackling the dangerous proliferation of deepfakes in campaign advertising.

“We must ensure that all of Illinois’ voters can exercise their fundamental right to vote without impediment from deceptive, deepfake-powered disinformation,” said Rashid. “It is absolutely unacceptable that political deepfakes are currently allowed in our elections. To maintain and ensure the integrity of current and future elections, I am committed to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation.” […]

Rashid’s House Bill 4644, also known as the Illinois Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act, addresses emerging deepfake threats head on by requiring political messages to include clear disclosures of AI use. The legislation would bolster transparency regarding generative AI content in elections and bring an end to the current free-for-all on the use of deepfakes in the state.

* Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin filed HB4704…

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Transportation Division of the Illinois Commerce Commission shall establish a statewide database in which any licensed tow operator may enter information regarding vehicles towed for safety or relocation purposes. Provides that the database shall allow each tow operator to have its own login in order to facilitate the entry of information via a mobile device; may integrate with existing law enforcement databases; may have a vehicle identification number validation feature to permit only valid vehicle identification numbers to be submitted to the database; shall include the name of the tow company that took possession of the vehicle; and shall be available to the public. Provides that, within one hour after a vehicle is relocated, a commercial or safety relocator shall notify the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction in the area from which the vehicle was relocated by electronically entering the information into the database. Provides that the commercial or safety relocator shall maintain records documenting the notification. Provides that a commercial or safety relocator in possession of a vehicle that has remained unclaimed for a period of 15 days after having been towed shall, within 5 days after the expiration of that period, report the vehicle as unclaimed by entering the information into the database. Provides that the notification shall include specified information. Provides that a commercial or safety relocator that fails to enter the information into the database as required may not (i) charge or collect any amount in connection with the relocation, processing, or storage of the vehicle or (ii) dispose of the unclaimed vehicle.

posted by Isabel Miller
Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 9:53 am

Comments

In the spirit of the upcoming Superbowl, who wants to set the over under for how long until the mandatory buy back program gets proposed?

Comment by Buy Back Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 9:59 am
=== Amends the Election Code. Provides that the county board or board of election commissioners may use public school buildings as polling places only if a school board or a local school council approves the use of that school. ===

Almost half of polling places in suburban Cook County are schools. This could potentially create some problems with polling place locations.

Comment by Hannibal Lecter Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 9:59 am
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think this is the first mention on this blog of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787…

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 9:59 am
Hate to bust Rep Nichols bubble but already have this. Passed and became public act 102-1067. It is part of the safe storage campaign that is in affect until 1/2026.

Comment by Dupage Dem Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 10:21 am
“Provides that the public right to access and use”

Um. No. As I read this, it allows anyone to trespass to access the stream.

If the intent is to encourage use, let people access the rivers from public rights of way. Clarify that use of the stream does not include landing or stopping on private property.

Comment by Huh? Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 10:26 am
Rep. Dias’ inhaler bill is HB 4504.

Follow its progress here: http://tinyurl.com/3z6pf9sh

Comment by Nick Name Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 10:29 am
As a non gun owner all I do is feel like we pay such a heavy price for living in a society awash with firearms.

Why don’t we tax bullets and pay for gun buybacks with that money?

Comment by 33rd Ward Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 11:11 am
Re: HB4690

It appears Rep. Ozinga does not know what the word “professional” means. Telling teachers they cannot explain to students what they believe and why is to deny professional educators their duty to inform students regarding truths and facts.

This bill also suggests a few untenable ideas, such as not being able to test students knowledge of truths and facts, should students simply indicated they do not believe truths and facts.

Regulating free speech in the classroom by regulating the educators is not about free speech and intellectual freedom. It is about suppressing free speech.

Comment by H-W Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 11:40 am
Glad to see Rep. Rashid addressing AI generated political advertising. Obviously the manipulation for nefarious reasons is the biggest threat, but there’s also some old timers that seem to be using some type of de-aging tools to show they are a little younger than they actually are.

Comment by twowaystreet Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 11:42 am
I’m guessing that the water access issue came about from kayakers and kayak fishermen running in very small winding streams and creeks getting the cops called on them for trespassing. I think it’s fair they can navigate the water wherever. But if you have to portage it’s by definition not navigable. Also, the creeks going through farm land are full of nasty runoff; not sure I want to eat fish caught in that, or marinate my body in it while kayaking, personally.

Comment by Give Us Barabbas Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 11:44 am
=Rep. Tim Ozinga filed HB4690 =

Everything @H-W stated plus…

I thought conservatives were for the 1st Amendment and against big brother telling you how to speak and what to say? I also thought it was the left that were supposed to be the “snowflakes” sensitive to people saying words.

The good news is that this legislation is going nowhere in Illinois and it is simply right wing virtue signaling.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 12:25 pm
So public schools can refuse to be used as polling places on Election Day, but everyone in that school, most of whom will vote by mail, will still get the day off because it’s Election Day, which was declared a holiday, in part, so public schools could be used as polling places.

Makes total sense.

Comment by JB13 Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 12:49 pm
But if you have to portage it’s by definition not navigable.

I’m not sure that would stand up in court, if you are portaging around a dam. That you might have to walk or carry your craft across shallows in the stream is common enough, but doesn’t require any trespass at all.

You simply stay in the stream bed.

There are a lot of drainage ditches, which might look like a creek, but are not. I wonder if they are covered?

Comment by Fav Human Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 1:24 pm
So many bills…so many words.

Comment by Dotnonymous x Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 2:04 pm
So HB4690,

So HB4690,

I am not sure if the Lincoln-Douglas debate is still a thing in Illinois or not in a competitive way in HS, but I am looking forward to the first kid who would use this law to get out of having to take a specific side in that style of competition. I do see recall choice was a topic at the college level back in the late 80’s.

Even generically, anyone who tells you one of the best ways to learn how to make an argument is to have to form a sound argument supporting something you disagree with. The art of persuasion is beautiful and just (a very inside reference a couple of you may get), and is something that is best learned by having to make and understand arguments that may cause you uncomfortable.

If you are constantly worried that schools are going to make your kid think things you disagree with and decide that is a better viewpoint than your own, you really need to evaluate yourself as a parent. I am a middle-aged dude; I hope my kids see the world differently than I do.

From a religious standpoint, people who have been sheltered in thought, word, and deed are not the most effective witnesses, IMHO. It also can lead to a very shallow faith.

Comment by OneMan Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 2:36 pm
As to the discussion concerning Rep. Janet Yang Rohr filed HB4708 bill:
to HUH: “Um. No. As I read this, it allows anyone to trespass to access the stream.” This is in the bill: (4) any person using navigable waters shall not enter or exit from a point that is not public property or a public roadway without the express or implied permission of the occupant or owner of the property.
Several problems with this bill are the definition of use: “supporting use by commercial or recreational watercraft for any substantial part of the year, or that is actually so used,”. My creek was dry this year for most of the year but in years past it ran most of the year. When is it usable and when is it not?
My legal land deed says I own this creek and land that it flows on under current law. Now you propose that I don’t own it and cannot control who enters my property thru this new law. Is that against the takings clause? What about all the landowners that have fencing that crosses these smaller creeks? Do they need to remove it because now it is a hazard to the public that can use the creeks? Will farmers have to fence along both sides of the creek to keep their animals out of the creek beds?
There are so many problems with this bill as proposed. Maybe Rep. Rohr should start talking to some land owners before she introduces legislation such as this. I know its “just a bill” but really, get both sides stories first.

Comment by BackWoods Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 2:40 pm
BackWoods, I suspect you know this, but Navigatable Waters has a specific federal definition that I doubt your creek would meet and it likely doesn’t meet a state standard either.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-II/part-329

Which is different from “waters of the United States.”

Illinois via court ruling

In the case of Schulte v. Warren, 218 III. 108 (1905) the Illinois Supreme Court stated “… A stream is navigable in fact only where it affords a channel for useful commerce and of practical utility to the public as such.

https://dnr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dnr/waterresources/documents/waterlaw-access-qna.pdf

It is marked as Draft (from 1998) from DNR.

American Whitewater offers some more insight as well.

https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Wiki/access:il

That all being said, you make a good point for those who live on those waters.

Comment by OneMan Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 3:23 pm
==My legal land deed says I own this creek==

I think it’s a bad law but I question why anyone should be able to own part of a creek or any other waterway.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 3:26 pm