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* WTVO…
State Representative Kam Buckner is introducing a bill to address outdated recidivism data in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
The bill aims to modernize the department’s systems and ensure that recidivism rates are updated regularly. Currently, the state prisons report that nearly 37% of inmates reoffend within three years of release, but this data has not been updated in over two years due to a computer programming issue.
“The prison system is ‘flying blind’ when it comes to tracking recidivism rates,” said State Representative Kam Buckner. […]
Buckner’s bill would require the department to not only fix the existing issues but also to implement a system that ensures regular updates to the recidivism data.
* Daily Herald…
While individual suburbs should have a role in specifying local laws on e-bikes and e-scooters, they optimally would start from the state’s general guidance, according to a panel of experts at a Northwest Municipal Conference summit Monday. […]
“The state has to fill in the gaps with one set of rules that are consistent,” said Benjamin Schuster, a partner in the law firm of Elrod Friedman, which specializes in local government legal issues.
Dave Simmons, director of Ride Illinois, said his advocacy organization has identified the issue as its top priority for the 2026 legislative session.
“I think the state can really help solve this,” he said. “Because these things are new, regulation always trails.” […]
Simmons said Ride Illinois’ recommendation to suburbs that haven’t taken action is to wait out the coming winter to see what the state legislature will do.
I reached out to Dave Simmons to get a better sense of what the legislation could include. His response…
Ride Illinois’ current focus is e-motos - devices with electric motors greater than 750 watts capable of traveling faster than 20mph without pedaling. E-motos have been the subject of recent media appearances and the focus of the Guidance that Ride Illinois developed for municipalities. High speed (>10mph) e-scooters are often included in the same discussions and are part of the micromobility landscape that the state and municipalities are figuring out how to integrate.
At this time, Ride Illinois’ primary goal is to clearly distinguish between legal classes of e-bikes and e-motos in the Illinois Vehicle Code – and also in common lexicon and the public. One option that has been discussed is to expand the current definition of moped in the Illinois Vehicle Code to include e-motos. Doing so would also require a Class L or M driver’s license to operate an e-moto.
Regarding potential sponsors for legislation, we’ve been in touch with several legislators regarding this matter – all of whom have expressed interest in sponsoring legislation. Though, it’s too soon to confidently name reps or senators who may sponsor a bill. We hope to have more clarity in the next week or so, especially since there’s some interest in passing legislation during the fall veto session.
In the wake of insurance rate hikes throughout Illinois, State Senator Michael E. Hastings has filed legislation aiming to prohibit insurance companies from engaging in “cost shifting” and to strengthen protections for Illinois consumers against unfair insurance rates. […]
Cost shifting is the practice of passing the costs of out-of-state catastrophes, such as hurricanes, wildfires or floods, onto Illinois policyholders. Hastings’ measure is designed to address this practice by ensuring residents are not forced to subsidize disasters outside the state’s borders.
In addition to banning cost shifting, Senate Bill 2692 would set standards to ensure rates are not excessive or unfairly discriminatory. The measure would require that rates reflect actual risk and costs for Illinois consumers. Rates are considered unfairly discriminatory when price differences between policyholders cannot be reasonably explained by differences in risk or expenses. […]
Hastings also filed separate legislation, Senate Bill 2691, directing the Illinois Department of Insurance to study the effect of banning non-driving factors in rate-setting, including education, credit scores and occupation. The study would determine whether eliminating these factors could reduce costs for consumers while preserving a competitive market.
* Rep. Lisa Davis filed HB4131 last week. Synopsis…
Amends the Election Code. Provides that a political committee may make expenditures to provide for personal security services and security enhancements to a candidate’s personal home or office, including, but not limited to, security systems, cameras, walls, fences, or other physical structures, if the expenditures are reasonably related to protecting the candidate from harm. Provides that the provision applies to all expenditures made by a political committee after the 2024 general election. Makes a conforming change.
* Canary Media…
Illinois could start turning homes and businesses into “virtual power plants” with solar-powered batteries aiding the grid. […]
HB 4120, an ambitious bill that Illinois lawmakers may consider during an October veto session, would create a basic virtual power plant (VPP) program while mandating that the state’s two largest utilities — ComEd and Ameren — propose their own VPP programs by 2027.
The bill’s plan would offer a rebate to customers who purchase a battery, if they agree to let the battery be tapped for several hours a day during the summer months, when air conditioners drive up electricity use.
The Illinois proposal is less nuanced and comprehensive than VPP programs in other states. For example, in Vermont, Green Mountain Power subsidizes the purchase of batteries, which the utility can then tap while also controlling customers’ smart thermostats, EV chargers, and water heaters whenever the grid is stressed.
But stakeholders in the solar and energy storage industry say Illinois’ proposal is an important first step, opening the door for more ambitious VPP services.
Rep. Jay Hoffman introduced HB4120 earlier this month.
* Subscribers know more. WAND…
Some Democratic lawmakers believe Illinois should be the first state to require voting for all eligible residents. A plan in Springfield would treat voting as a civic duty.
State leaders estimate there are fewer than 10 million people eligible to vote in Illinois. Roughly 8.1 million Illinoisans are registered to vote, but only 5.7 million people cast ballots in the 2024 general election.
“That reality raises an important question for us as elected leaders,” said Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford). “What can we do as a state to foster greater and more consistent participation in the Democratic process?” […]
“Part of our electoral process and part of being a free people is the right not to engage,” said Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis). “We have the freedom of speech. We also have the freedom not to speak.” […]
House Bill 2718 was filed in February but never moved out of the House Ethics & Elections Committee. The proposal has been locked in the House Rules Committee since March. Sponsors hope the idea will gain traction over the coming months.
posted by Isabel Miller
Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 9:14 am
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==a bill to address outdated recidivism data==
We need a bill for this?
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 9:22 am
I agree with Windhorst here. The right to not speak is just as important as the right to speak. It also says something about folks’ trust in government when they don’t even vote. Forcing full participation will just lend more legitimacy to unpopular leaders. I disagree with this full-throatedly.
Comment by hmmm Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 9:33 am
“study the effect of banning non-driving factors in rate-setting, including education, credit scores and occupation.”
There’s no possible way this would reduce overall rates. As in, it’s not mathematically possible. It will at best narrow the gap between highest and lowest rates, but the total insured pool payments by definition will be the same.
If a risk factor has been identified, then removing that from calculation of rates will simply spread that risk and cost equally to all pool members. The risk didn’t go away because its being ignored now, and this doesn’t move the needle in any way at all on any payouts being made to the risk pool.
I wish more people understood how insurance works.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 9:45 am
Forced voting? You mean like in communist countries and dictatorships? And these are the same people that call Trump authoritarian…what a truly terrible and very possibly unconstitutional idea.
Comment by Captain Obvious Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 9:46 am
– the effect of banning non-driving factors in rate-setting, including education, credit scores and occupation –
If you ban insurance companies from considering everything but someone’s driving record, you are still cost shifting.
Why should someone who stores their car in a locked garage in a suburb or rural area pay the same rate as someone who parks their car on the street in a neighborhood known for thefts and other events out of their control that still dramatically increase the risk of an insurance claim?
They have to take some non-driving record related factors into consideration, or you are still forcing those who are “good risks” to subsidize insurance for “bad risks.”
It’s no different than forcing people in the Midwest to pay higher rates for homeowner policies to allow people who live along the coast to get cheaper policies, despite the risk of getting their house flattened every few years by a hurricane
Comment by JB13 Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 9:53 am
Windhorst is correct. HB 2718 is not constitutional as it is a violation of the First Amendment. Coercion in any aspect of the voting process, including registration and casting a ballot, is explicitly forbidden according to federal law. It’s right here: https://www.justice.gov/crt/media/1348556/dl?inline
Comment by Humble Park Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 9:56 am
Brazil has mandatory voting for all citizens aged 18 to 70. It was written into their 1932 constitution. There are exceptions for illness, travel and military service. Failure to vote results in a fine equal to 3%-10% of the local minimum wage.
They have done just fine with their elections.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 9:57 am
- Illinois should be the first state to require voting for all eligible residents-
Would Jay Hoffman be for California style referendum where you can evade the state legislature to get something on the ballot?
Comment by Steve Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 9:58 am
== Brazil has mandatory voting for all citizens aged 18 to 70. It was written into their 1932 constitution==
It might be in Brazil’s constitution, but it’s not in ours. The First Amendment, however, is in our Constitution.Expressing political opinion can take many forms, including making a statement that none of the candidates give you enough reason to go to the polls. This is a terrible bill.
Comment by fs Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 10:05 am
If HB 2718 becomes reality then it needs to be further amended to remove any and all restrictions on independent, third party, and write in candidates. And make all votes for any party count, even if the candidate wants to write in “Mickey Mouse.”
Comment by Leatherneck Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 10:12 am
Agreed. Brazil is not the USA, and we don’t have that in our constitution. Australia does as well.
This makes me think of the 90+% participation rates in the elections Russia hosted in the areas they’ve annexed from Ukraine. It just lends legitimacy that isn’t deserved.
Comment by hmmm Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 10:13 am
- They have done just fine with their elections. -
Brazil’s last president, Jair Bolsonaro, was charged with planning a coup and the current government has been implicated in a pension fraud scandal. Mandatory voter participation clearly has not helped the country avoid corruption.
Comment by Rizz al Ghul Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 10:15 am
===is not constitutional as it is a violation of the First Amendment===
I think it might possibly also be a violation of the Illinois constitution. “The General Assembly by law shall define permanent residence for voting purposes, insure secrecy of voting and the integrity of the election process, and facilitate registration and voting by all qualified persons.”
Facilitate means to make easier. This doesn’t do anything to make it easier.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 10:32 am
“Brazil’s last president, Jair Bolsonaro …”
was voted out of office. And recently convicted of his attempt to overthrow the duly elected government after he lost the election.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 10:32 am
==political committee may make expenditures to provide for personal security services and security enhancements to a candidate’s personal home or office==
If our elected officials require such security measures, it should be included in their staff budgets, not reliant on political contributions.
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 10:38 am
HB 2718 explicitly states that casting a blank ballot satisfies the voting requirement. Furthermore, the bill states “… that no fine, fee, or penalty shall be assessed if an eligible citizen does not cast a ballot in a general election.”
Nobody will be forced to vote for anyone.
So how is this proposed bill unconstitutional?
https://legiscan.com/IL/text/HB2718/id/3100382
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 10:48 am
I’m surprised no one has mentioned the e-bike and e-scooter proposals. Those things are turning into a menace in our neighborhood. Packs of kids on scooters darting in and out of traffic and e-bikes zipping down the bike trail with a lot less courtesy than your typical bicyclist. I will say they have increased my respect for the drivers around Springfield. I haven’t heard of any kids getting killed or injured, so the drivers are doing a good job of avoiding them when a kid on a scooter or e-bike flies across the road without paying any attention.
Comment by NoMoreMC Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 10:52 am
== how is the proposed bill unconstitutional? ==
It is unconstitutional because voting is speech. Even more so, voting falls squarely under political speech. The First Amendment limits government compelled speech. https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/amendment-1/flag-salutes-and-other-compelled-speech
The government can’t force you to salute the flag or say the pledge. It can’t force you to vote. This is pretty clear in our case law.
Comment by Huh-ing the huh? Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 11:02 am
=== how is the proposed bill unconstitutional? ===
Perhaps it is only unconstitutional if it forces people to vote, or punishes those who do not vote.
In Sweden, parents are legally not allowed to spank children. It is illegal to do so. However, there are no serious sanctions for doing so. Child abuse is punished, obviously. But spanking is not fined or punished. It is up to the courts to determine when the line is crossed.
The bigger point is that spanking is defined as illegal, and has become accepted as unacceptable. Then end result? Swedes to not spank their children.
I imagine requiring people to vote would be a similar policy. Its implications would be paid time off to vote, guaranteeing access to the polls, enshrining mail-in voting, and possibly require the state to create online voting.
As long as there are no teeth in the bill, it may indeed increase voter turnout through making voting easier.
Comment by H-W Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 11:12 am
HB 2718 does not compel a voter to vote for anyone on the ballot. It specifically states that casting a blank ballot satisfies the voting requirement.
Furthermore, there is no penalty for failing to vote.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 11:16 am
== HB 2718 does not compel a voter to vote for anyone on the ballot. It specifically states that casting a blank ballot satisfies the voting requirement.==
Forcing a citizen to cast a ballot, no matter how it’s filled out, is forcing them to speak. A citizen has a first amendment right to speak by silence and taking no action.
Comment by fs Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 11:21 am
The only way mandatory voting becomes even remotely palatable is if it includes a “none of the above” option so people can express their dissatisfaction with the choices available. Should be an option anyway.
Comment by Flapdoodle Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 11:22 am
Of all the countries that mandate voting in their elections, Brazil is probably one of the worst examples to highlight for having a “good” elections. There has been massive protest (many of which have turned violent) every election cycle for the last decade or so.
Comment by Illiana Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 11:25 am
=Furthermore, there is no penalty for failing to vote.=
The constitutional concern is not about the presence or absence of enforcement through fines, but about the principle of compelled speech and compelled political participation.
Comment by 8657 Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 11:25 am
=In the wake of insurance rate hikes throughout Illinois, State Senator Michael E. Hastings has filed legislation aiming to prohibit insurance companies from engaging in “cost shifting” and to strengthen protections for Illinois consumers against unfair insurance rates.=
Long overdue. This is an important issue that does not stir the political zealots but is important to all of us. Hope the legislation is carefully thought out and then received bi-partisan support.
Comment by Mason County Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 11:28 am
If forced voting is perceived as helping Republicans, then the Supreme Court will hold it constitutional. If not they will invalidate it.
A side effect would be citizenship status. A street by street, house by house list of who is a citizen is scary.
Comment by Banish Misfortune Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 11:28 am
Would adding an eligibility requirement to the Illinois income tax personal exemption be a way to encourage voting without explicitly requiring it? For instance, you might have to meet one of the following to claim the exemption:
1. Be under 18 or otherwise ineligible to register to vote
2. Have voted in the most recent November general election
3. Be a deployed member of the armed services
4. Volunteer at least 8 hours for a 501(c)(3) in Illinois
Comment by thechampaignlife Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 11:38 am
There is an easy way to cast a none of the above today. It’s called an undervote. You just don’t vote for any of the candidates in whatever office you want.
Comment by Dan Johnson Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 11:39 am
I’m not really a fan of compulsory voting. Let’s pass electronic voting instead.
As a sweetener maybe offer an incentive, like a free scratch off ticket for casting your vote.
Comment by Excitable Boy Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 11:56 am
@10:32 ===The General Assembly by law shall …..insure secrecy of voting….===
They used to have a curtain that the voter could close so no one could look at who they voted for. Not anymore, in DuPage County. The voting stands no longer have the privacy curtain. Other voters, election workers, or anyone else walking past behind the voter can see who you voted for. I think this has happened because the voting stands without the privacy curtain is cheaper and someone was “saving money”. The state should mandate the privacy curtains statewide.
Comment by Dupage Thursday, Sep 25, 25 @ 12:28 pm