103rd ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Illinois General Assembly remains on summer break and will return for a two-week Veto Session following the November election.
The House Appropriations-Higher Education Committee will hold a hearing on September 23 at 10:00 am in the Bilandic Building in Chicago to discuss Illinois’ universities and colleges.
GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Home Illinois Workforce Pilot Program: The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded more than $6 million in grant funding to four recipients through the Home Illinois Workforce Pilot Program. The goal of the 30-month Home Illinois Workforce Pilot is to support individuals experiencing homelessness by improving employment opportunities, helping them establish financial stability, and improving their ability to afford permanent housing in their community. The following agencies were awarded grants: All Chicago Making Homelessness History, Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County, Embarras River Basin Agency, Inc., and United Workforce Development Board, Inc.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: The Illinois Department of Transportation awarded $25.3 million in grants for 37 projects to build charging stations along interstate corridors through the initial round of funding made available from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. The state’s NEVI program aims to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles by providing access to charging at least every 50 miles along interstates. Read more here.
Illinois Gaming Board: The Illinois Gaming Board met Thursday. The Board adopted new proposed advertising and marketing rules for sports wagering, casino, and video gaming in addition to addressing several regulatory matters. Read more about the Board’s actions here.
Gubernatorial Appointments: Governor Pritzker appointed the following:
· James Kolar will continue to serve as a member of the Illinois Gaming Board.
· Mohamad Nasir will continue to serve as a Member of the State Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees.
· Sean Brannon will serve as a Member of the Illinois Gaming Board.
· Lynn Sutton will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Finance Authority.
· Caleb Herod will serve as a Member of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
· John K. Lyons will continue to serve as a Member of the State Universities Retirement System Board of Trustees.
· Magda Derisma-Oyewole will serve as an Arbitrator of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
OTHER NEWS:
Attorney General: Attorney General Kwame Raoul, part of a bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general, calls on lawmakers to pass legislation requiring a U.S. surgeon general warning on all algorithm-driven social media platforms. Raoul and the coalition issued a letter to Congress amid growing scrutiny of social media companies for their role in generational harm to young people’s mental health.
Raoul and the coalition highlight growing bodies of research that link young people’s use of social media platforms to psychological harm, including depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts in children and teens. The attorneys general also note how platforms feature irresistible algorithm recommendations, infinite scrolling, and a constant stream of notifications designed to keep kids relentlessly engaged on the platforms, even at the expense of taking breaks, engaging in other activities, or sleeping. Read more here.
Bright Start College Savings Program: State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced his office will offer families with a Bright Start College Savings Program (Bright Start 529) the ability to manage their accounts on a new phone app. The changes go into effect September 30. TIAA, one of the largest and most widely recognized program managers of 529 college savings plans, will now take over as the Bright Start 529 program manager. Read more here.