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Illinois lawmakers this week introduced a set of legislative proposals and began planning hearings in response to the Chicago Public Schools sexual abuse scandal.

A bill proposal filed Tuesday listed child protection shortfalls highlighted in a Tribune investigative series and outlined more than a dozen changes to state law. Those measures would swiftly revoke the licenses of educators found by districts to have sexually abused children and would make such disciplinary action more transparent to the public.

The proposed legislation also would make it a crime for school employees to have sexual contact with a student regardless of the student’s age. Under current law, sex with a student is legal if he or she is older than 17 and no force is involved.

Separately, state legislators called for a joint Senate and House hearing within the next two weeks.

* Other bills…

* State pension buyout programs will take time to start: “We’re working on it. We have to put it in place as practically as possible,” said TRS spokesman Dave Urbanek. “It involves a lot of IT work. It involves a lot of legal study to make sure that the law as written can be implemented. We’re not alone in this. The IRS gets involved, the comptroller’s office, the governor’s office. There are a lot of people who need to do things to make this work.”

* Illinois Lottery practice of selling tickets after top prizes are gone could end under proposed law change: A Camelot spokeswoman said the proposed measure aligns with the company’s views on instant game policy. “We’ve conducted research and prepared a recommendation to the lottery that includes adopting a new policy that begins closure of instant games once the last top-tier prize has been claimed,” spokeswoman Wendy Abrams said. “Once a new policy has been established, we plan to post it on the website. We are also working on updating the instant game prize report online every business day.”

* Bill to raise smoking age would hurt convenience stores, vape shops, retailers say: A bill on its way to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk would raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco and nicotine products from 18 to 21 statewide, a move praised by public health advocates and opposed by convenience stores and other Illinois retailers. … “If you look at the tobacco use rate for youth, it’s up to around 30 percent, and that’s mainly because of the e-cigarettes,” [Kathy Drea, senior director of advocacy for the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest] said. “The 18-year-old in high school often buys tobacco products for the younger age group, the 14- through 17-year-olds. If you take away that supplier, the younger group has a much more difficult time obtaining tobacco products.”

* Seeing green in Illinois with possible return of hemp: Summers said now it could also be used as a plastics alternative, in clothing and foods, along with being beneficial for sustainable agriculture. Summers said, “Good for crop rotation and it’s also really good for bringing back the soil health.”

* Bill to help veterans at risk of suicide awaits Rauner’s signature: The Department of Veterans Affairs said 193 veterans — 183 men and 10 women — committed suicide in Illinois in 2014, the most recent year statistics are available. Nationally, 65 percent of veterans who commit suicide are 50 or older.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 12:08 pm

Comments

Does one think that Mapes will be enticed to participate in the pension buyout? /s

It’s supposed to be a really good idea and will save millions by attracting dozens.

Comment by anon day Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 12:29 pm
Hey Lawmakers!

While you are at it, let’s make “failure to report” a felony for mandated reporters if any child is subsequently abused or neglected as a result. Right now, it is a misdemeanor, which means it never gets prosecuted because there is no jailtime. Upping it to a felony means that the school principal might lose their pension, regardless of jailtime, or a prosecutor can agree not to prosecute if they agree to relinquish their pension.

Also, lets prohibit “internal investigations.” They are really designed to CYA, tamper with witnesses, and they create the false impression that what is really a criminal matter or at least a DCFS matter is a personnel matter.

Keep the law department out of it, and let the professionals do their jobs.

Comment by Second GuessingHey Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 12:45 pm
Raising the smoking age is preparations for legalization

Comment by Rabid Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 1:24 pm
RE Pension Buyout Gimmick: = “It involves a lot of IT work. It involves a lot of legal study to make sure that the law as written can be implemented. ……..There are a lot of people who need to do things to make this work.”=

So will the cost of any contracts let be subtracted from any savings form this exercise? Like other gimmicks, skipping payments, Squeezy, etc., this may cost more than it saves.

Comment by Gimmicks Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 1:25 pm
=== “It involves a lot of IT work. It involves a lot of legal study to make sure that the law as written can be implemented…==

It sounds expensive to implement to me.
I wonder how many, given the chance, will decide to cut their own pension?

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 4:11 pm
It’s a disgrace that the legislature has step in to force the lottery to run its games honestly, transparently, and fairly. If the lottery director knew of this and didn’t do anything he should be fired. If he didn’t know of these practices he should resign, acknowledging his gross incompetence. Congratulations to Camelot for moving quickly on this.

Comment by Vox Populi Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 4:21 pm