People who own certain guns and other items now prohibited under the state’s assault weapons ban still need to register them with the Illinois State Police. But ISP says it plans to hold additional public hearings about that process and may refine the rules before they become permanent next year.
Stories by Peter Hancock — Capitol News Illinois
Illinois’ Educator Workforce Weathered Pandemic, But Persistent Issues Remain: Report
The supply of education professionals continues to improve in Illinois despite strains brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, but persistent issues remain in certain regions of the state and within some teaching fields.
Illinois Nurses Unions Push for Mandatory Staff-to-Patient Ratios
Unions representing nurses in Illinois are pushing for legislation that would impose mandatory staff-to-patient ratios in hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities. But lobby groups representing hospitals and nursing homes argue a nationwide nursing shortage makes it impossible to comply with such a mandate.
Illinois House Speaker Introduces Bill to Allow Legislative Staff to Unionize
The bill comes in response to a monthslong effort by Democratic staff in House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s office to unionize and negotiate wages, hours and other working conditions.
In Joint Effort, Illinois Election Authorities Try to Tamp Down Misinformation Ahead or 2024 Races
Before the next presidential primary elections in Illinois, county clerks and other local election authorities are asking for the public’s help in stopping misinformation campaigns before they get started.
Illinois Supreme Court Opens New Interactive Learning Center in Springfield
Displays offer insight into role of judicial branch
“We’re very excited about it,” Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis said in an interview. “It tells the story about the Illinois court system from 1818 to today.”
Illinois Gun Owners Who Want to Keep Now-Banned Assault Weapons Must Register Them
The law provides an exception for Illinoisans who already owned such items before it went into effect. Those people are required to submit an endorsement affidavit through their Firearm Owner’s Identification Card account before Jan. 1, 2024.
Illinois House Speaker’s Staff Could Test Limits of Workers’ Rights Amendment
The Workers’ Rights Amendment provides, in part, that all employees have a “fundamental right” to organize and engage in collective bargaining over wages, hours and working conditions.
Copay Requirements Paused for Noncitizens on Illinois State Health Plan
The programs are for noncitizens over age 42 who would otherwise qualify for Medicaid if not for their immigration status.
Surge in Organization Efforts Has Illinois Labor Leaders Optimistic for the Future
As workers in Illinois celebrate Labor Day, a new report shows there has been a surge in efforts to organize labor unions in workplaces throughout the state, while overall public approval of labor unions nationally is the highest in nearly six decades.
Days After Pritzker Signs Law, Gun Industry Group Challenges New Firearms Marketing Restrictions
The Connecticut-based National Shooting Sports Foundation filed the suit in the Southern District of Illinois on Monday, just two days after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed it into law.
Pritzker Signs Bills Expanding Cultural Protections for Native Americans and Mandating History Lessons
At a bill signing ceremony in Schaumburg, Pritzker highlighted three historic sites that were significant in Native American history in Illinois.
Pritzker Signs Bill Overhauling Mandatory Supervised Release
A new law in Illinois aims to give former inmates a better chance to succeed outside of prison and reduce the likelihood that they’ll be sent back.
Pritzker Signs Bill Aimed at Ending Homelessness in Illinois by Bringing Agencies Together for Comprehensive Plan
House Bill 2831 codifies an executive order Pritzker signed in 2021 that established the Illinois Interagency Task Force on Homelessness and the Community Advisory Council on Homelessness. It centralizes programs across 17 state departments and agencies to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to combat homelessness.
AFSCME Ratifies New Contract With State That Includes Nearly 18% Pay Raise Over 4 Years
The governor’s office said the contract is projected to cost an additional $204 million in the first year and $625 million over four years.
Pritzker Focuses on Business Development, Clean Energy Jobs at Joliet Assembly Plant Opening
On Friday, Pritzker was in Joliet where he joined other elected officials and local dignitaries to celebrate the grand opening of a new Lion Electric assembly plant, the first new automotive factory in the greater Chicago area since 1965.
Changes to Illinois Air Pollution Rule Move forward, Preventing Sanctions from Federal Government
The change repeals existing language that allowed factories, refineries, power plants and other facilities to exceed their emission limits during shutdowns, startups, and malfunctions.
Illinois Regulators Work to Avoid Federal Clean Air Act Sanctions by Tightening Industrial Air Pollution Rules
At issue is a policy Illinois has had since the 1970s that allows factories, power plants, and other industries with air pollution emission permits to exceed their emission limits during startups, shutdowns, or malfunctions.
IDOT Unveils 6-Year, $41 Billion Plan for State Infrastructure Projects
The latest version of the plan is the largest multiyear plan in Illinois history. Nearly $41 billion in federal, state and local funds will go toward repairing and upgrading roads, bridges, airports, rail lines and other infrastructure.
Illinois to Make Standard Driver’s Licenses Available to Noncitizens Regardless of Immigration Status
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday signed House Bill 3882, which will phase out the “Temporary Visitor Driver’s License,” or TVDL, which noncitizens currently use to drive legally in Illinois. The new law takes effect July 1, 2024.
In Closely Watched Case, Federal Appeals Court Weighs Constitutionality of Illinois’ Assault Weapons Ban
The judges on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals are being asked to decide whether Illinois’ recently enacted assault weapons ban violates the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms.
Pritzker Signs Bills Altering Illinois’ Health Insurance Market by Establishing Rate Review, State-Based Marketplace
The measures establish a state-based exchange for policies sold under the Affordable Care Act and give the Illinois Department of Insurance the authority to modify or reject proposed rate increases.
Illinois Becomes First State to Enact Anti-Book Ban Legislation Tying Library Funding to Open Access Policies
The new law declares it to be the policy of Illinois to “encourage and protect the freedom of libraries and library systems to acquire materials without external limitation and to be protected against attempts to ban, remove, or otherwise restrict access to books or other materials.”
New State Law Limits Venue for Illinois Constitutional Lawsuits to Sangamon, Cook Counties
The bill came in response to a flurry of lawsuits filed in recent years in courthouses throughout the state challenging such things as Pritzker’s COVID-19 mitigation orders, a law that would end cash bail, and, most recently, the state’s ban on assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines.
