103rd Illinois General Assembly:
The Illinois General Assembly remains adjourned until the November Veto Session.
As a reminder, there are upcoming subject matter hearings. The Senate Transportation Committee will continue discussing how transit is crucial for public health on August 28 at 10 am at Elgin Community College.
The House Health Care Availability & Accessibility Committee will hold a subject matter hearing on September 11 at 10 am in the Bilandic Building in Chicago to discuss pharmacy benefit managers and specialty medications.
Meanwhile, the House State Government Administration Committee will hold a hearing on September 18 at 11 am in the Bilandic Building in Chicago to discuss HB 4418.
GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
The Governor and his team spent most of the week in Chicago attending the Democrat National Convention. Read more about the Governor’s convention speech here. Capitol News covers each day of the convention here.
ISBE Awards Computer Science Grants: The Illinois State Board of Education announced the recipients of 72 grants totaling $3 million aimed at advancing equity in computer science education. The Computer Science Equity Grants are designed to enhance and expand computer science education in Grades K-12 statewide as part of the state’s goal of ensuring that all students have access to rigorous computer science coursework aligned with state standards and are prepared for a 21st-century workforce.
The grants, which are awarded for up to three years, have been fully appropriated for FY 2024 and 2025, with FY 2026 subject to appropriations by the Illinois General Assembly. Grant awards range from $10,194 to $60,700 with recipients including K–12 districts, Regional Offices of Education, Intermediate Service Centers, institutions of higher education, and Education for Employment offices. Awardees will expand learning opportunities, enhance teacher training, equip classrooms, increase the enrollment of underrepresented students in computer science classes, and support early preparation for secondary computer science success.
View the award recipients here.
Gubernatorial Appointments: Governor Pritzker made the following appointments:
· David Fox will continue to serve as a Member of the Health Facilities and Services Review Board.
· Kathryn Eisenhart will continue to serve as a Member of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission.
· Mariel Hamer-Sinclair will serve as a Member of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission.
· James David Cross will serve as a Member of the State Board of Health.
· Kevin Blackburn will continue to serve as a Trustee on the Teachers’ Retirement System Board of Trustees.