House Votes To Decriminalize HIV Transmission
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House Judiciary Criminal Committee advanced two bills Tuesday with unanimous support, one to decriminalize transmission of HIV and another to expand protections for survivors of sexual assault. An amendment to House Bill 1063, introduced by Democratic state Rep. Carol Ammons, of Urbana, changes several Illinois statutes related to persons living with HIV/AIDS […]
Redistricting Hearings Focus On Champaign-Urbana
URBANA – An Illinois House committee is gathering input from different parts of the state, as its members prepare to redraw legislative and congressional districts. On Thursday, the Redistricting Committee heard via Zoom from the Champaign-Urbana area — one of the few parts of Illinois seeing population growth. Gloria Yen with the University YMCA’s New […]
Education Bill To Revamp Social Studies Classes
SPRINGFIELD – Social studies classes in Illinois public schools are about to get a major overhaul, with more emphasis on Black history and the contributions of other underrepresented groups to American culture. In addition, within the next few years, all school districts in the state will be required to offer computer science courses and more […]
Education Reform Bill Will Head to Governor; Economic Equity Bills Pass House
A bill aimed at improving racial equity throughout the state’s K-12 and higher education system passed both houses of the General Assembly on Monday,…
Black Caucus Calls For Racial Equity In Education
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus continued to set the stage for its fall legislative agenda Wednesday, calling a news conference and committee hearing to discuss education policy. Education and workforce development make up one of four pillars on the agenda unveiled by the caucus earlier this month. The others are criminal justice reform, […]
News Around Illinois – April 17, 2020
Tests Prioritized As Virus Deaths In Illinois Pass 1,000 CHICAGO — Illinois has reported the deadliest 24 hours so far in the state and officials say new supplies would allow for more testing, which is essential for stopping the spread of the virus. Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday said 125 people had died in the […]
Mixed Reaction To Gov. Pritzker’s Budget Address
Republican reaction to Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker’s budget address has been mixed. Pritzker is proposing a $40.7 billion state budget. He dressed it up Wednesday by dangling the prospect of a $1.4 billion revenue boost if voters approve an income-tax overhaul this fall. The second-year Democrat presented a fiscal outline with virtually no spending increase. […]
What Legalization Means For People With Cannabis Convictions In Illinois
When he was in his early 20s, Matt purchased a pound of weed to split with his friends. The drug dealer dropped it off at his apartment in central Illinois. Moments later, he said, cops stormed in, and arrested Matt and his friends. He spent a night in jail, two-and-half years on probation, and for […]
Voices In The News 2019
As we close the book on 2019, we thought we’d take a few minutes to listen back to what has been a most consequential year in Illinois government and…