The deadline to pass substantive bills out of committee is fast approaching. Lawmakers in both the Senate and the House have until Friday, March 21st, to move bills that have originated in their respective chambers out of committee. More than 2,000 Senate Bills and 4,000 House […]
Following the tragic death of a former Alton K9, State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) has filed legislation to enhance legal protections for those who intentionally harm working K9 animals. Under Senate Bill 2091, individuals convicted of willfully or maliciously torturing, mutilating, injuring, disabling, poisoning, or killing […]
Proposed legislation known as the Homeschool Act, which aims to increase oversight of homeschooling families, is generating a lot of controversy from state lawmakers and the public. House Bill 2827 requires parents to meet certain educational qualifications, notify school districts when homeschooling begins, and provide evidence of teaching […]
Senate Republicans are sounding the alarm over House Bill 3458, a controversial proposal that could effectively legalize assaulting police officers by allowing individuals to use mental health crises as a defense. Critics warn that this could embolden criminals to attack officers with fewer consequences, making law […]
Illinois is now the highest-taxed state in the country, according to WalletHub’s latest annual study on state tax rates, a distinction that highlights the growing financial strain on families and job creators. The report compares all 50 states and the District of Columbia across four key […]
Darby Hills was sworn in as the new State Senator for Illinois’ 26th Senate District on Feb. 28, bringing a strong background in public service and advocacy for children and families to the Illinois Senate. Hills, a former Barrington Hills Village Board trustee and founder of […]
The results of Illinois’ flag redesign contest revealed this week that voters overwhelmingly chose to keep the current flag. After a five-week public voting period, with 385,000 votes received, the current Illinois state flag received more votes than the next five top designs combined. More than 5,000 […]
State and local officials are calling for legislative action to address the growing fentanyl crisis in Illinois. State Senators Sally Turner (R-Beason) and Sue Rezin (R-Morris), joined by McLean County Coroner Kathleen Yoder, introduced four bills on March 6 aimed at increasing penalties for fentanyl traffickers, […]
A recent revenue forecast from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) indicates that Governor Pritzker’s revenue projections are likely off by a wide margin, revealing a $1.2 billion shortfall in the Governor’s proposed budget. The Governor’s budget includes $490 million in new revenues that […]
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants from NOW to April 14. These grants help rural fire departments organize, train, and equip their teams to better combat fires, particularly in areas at risk of wildfires. Administered by […]