GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Small Equipment Grant Program: Applications are now open for the Small Equipment Grant Program through the Office of the State Fire Marshall. The OSFM will award $4 million to eligible fire departments and ambulance services for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. All interested departments should send an application to OSFM by December 15, 2023. Additional information including the application is here.
Assault Weapons: The Illinois State Police filed emergency rules to implement the Protect Our Communities Act. Individuals possessing banned ammunition and weapons are required to submit an endorsement affidavit through their Firearm Owner’s Identification Card account before January 1, 2024 The rules take effect October 1. Read more, including the new rules, here.
Strong Communities Program: The Illinois Housing Development Authority will offer $19 million to support affordable housing and community revitalization efforts across Illinois. Awarded under the Strong Communities Program, the initiative will provide funding to 68 units of local governments and land bank authorities for the acquisition, maintenance, rehabilitation, and demolition of abandoned residential properties in their communities. The program is designed to support local revitalization efforts and attract further investment in communities that may lack the resources needed to tackle vacant, abandoned and deteriorated properties. Read more here.
Gubernatorial Appointments: The Governor made the following appointments:
· Kendal Parker will serve as a Board Member of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.
· Susana Soriano will serve as the next Director of Banking for the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.
103rd ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Senate Public Health Committee will hold a subject matter hearing on September 26 at 11 am in the Bilandic Bulidng in Chicago to discuss the effects of long-term Covid in underserved communities. Individuals wishing to testify remotely must submit a request under the remote hearing process outlined on the General Assembly website.
The House Health Care Licenses Committee will hold a subject matter hearing on September 27 at 10 am in the Bildadic Building in Chicago (and virtually) to discuss IDFPR license processing delays.
The House Ethics and Elections Committee will hold a subject matter hearing on September 27 at 2 pm in the Bilandic Building in Chicago (and virtually) to discuss election security.
The House Personnel and Pensions Committee will hold a subject matter hearing on September 28 at 1 pm in the Bilandic Building in Chicago to discuss police, fire and public safety positions, as well as SB 1629 , SB 1630 , SB 1956, HB 4065 , HB 4099 and HB 1185 . Discussions will also continue on prior subject matter topics.
The House Health Care Licenses Committee and the House Labor Committee will hold a joint subject matter hearing on October 3 at 10 am in the Bilandic Building in Chicago (and virtually) to discuss healthcare worker staffing ratios.
The Senate Special Committee on the Chicago Elected Representative School Board will hold a hearing on October 3 at 5 pm in Virtual Room 1 to discuss the drawing of the new Chicago elected school board districts.
The Senate Special Committee on the Chicago Elected Representative School Board will hold a hearing on October 12 at 5pm in Virtual Room 1 to discuss the fully elected representative school board transition process.
OTHER NEWS:
Election Update: First-term Democrat Representative Jennifer Ladisch-Douglass will not seek reelection to the 45th House District. Ladisch-Douglass beat Republican Representative Deanne Mazzochi in 2022.
Republican Representative Randy Frese will not seek another term as State Representative for the 99th House District.
Republican Representative Bradley Fritts will run for reelection to the 74th Illinois House District.
Democrat Monee Township Trustee Billy Morgan, who was former Governor Pat Quinn’s spokesperson, filed to run for the Illinois House in the 79th District which is currently held by Republican Representative Jackie Haas. Morgan will face retiring Kankakee school’s superintendent Genevra Walters in the Democratic primary.
Republican Tosi Ufodike is running in the 51st House District currently held by Democrat Nabella Syed.
Randi Olson is seeking the Democratic nomination to run for State Representative of the 70th District which is currently held by Republican Representative Jeff Kiecher.
Republican Aaron Porter has filed to run against Democratic Representative Anne Stava-Murray.
Dennis Doran has filed to run in the Democratic primary against Representative Margaret Croke.
Wesley Kash has filed paperwork to challenge Senator Terri Bryant in the Republican primary.
Washington Mayor Gary Manier is running in the Republican primary for the open 53rd Senate seat which is being vacated by Republican Senator Tom Bennett.