Earlier this week, Governor Pritzker and several close contacts tested positive for COVID-19, apparently contracted during attendance at the Florida Democratic Party conference. Pritzker, who was a featured speaker at the event, is taking antiviral medicine and isolating at home with mild symptoms.
FOID Cards. Prompted by the Highland Park shooting of July 4, the Illinois State Police has filed an emergency rule on Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) cards. The rule allows broader use of Clear and Present Danger (CPD) reports that can bar an applicant from receiving a FOID card – or permit an existing card to be revoked.
Under the rule change, historic CPD information can be used (including for future evaluations) even if the subject was not actively seeking or holding a FOID card at the time the CPD report was issued. While emergency rules are in effect for 150 days, ISP has indicated it intends to make the rule permanent through the regular rulemaking process.
Statewide Mental Health Hotline. Illinois’ mental health safety net is being expanded through implementation of “988,” a new, nationwide suicide prevention and mental health crisis line. The measure is taking place via the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Mental Health, in conjunction with the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Beginning July 16, 2022, the 988 code was offered nationwide.
Electric Vehicles: The Illinois Department of Transportation will host a virtual public meeting July 28 to provide information and get feedback on the development of the state’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure plan. Click here or visit https://idot.click/drive-electric to register and learn more. The meeting begins at 6 p.m.
Monkey Pox Vaccine: Governor Pritzker is asking the federal government to take more aggressive action to counter the monkeypox virus outbreak and prioritize areas with the most significant outbreaks, like Chicago, in additional allocations of vaccines. To date, the Governor has directed 4,600 doses of vaccine from the statewide allocation to the City of Chicago where most Illinois cases are being reported.