103rdLLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The Illinois General Assembly is on spring break this week. The House will return to session on Tuesday, April 2 and has a deadline of Friday, April 5 to pass substantive House Bills out of House committees. Both chambers will be back in session on Tuesday, April 9.
2024 Key Dates and Session Deadlines:
April 5: House Committee Deadline for House Bills
April 12: Senate Third Reading Deadline
April 19: House Third Reading Deadline
May 3: Committee Deadline for Bills in the Opposite Chamber
May 17: House and Senate Third Reading Deadline for Bills in the Opposite Chamber
May 24: Adjournment
May 25 – 31: Contingent Session Days
GOVERNOR’S HIGHLIGHTS:
New Laws: Governor Pritzker signed HB 779 (Smith/Sims) modernizing the Pawnbroker Regulation Act to curb predatory lending; provide new consumer protections and new consumer-driven transparency; modernize interactions between the pawn industry and law enforcement; and implement key licensing updates.
Prisoner Review Board: Two members of the Prisoner Review Board resigned Monday after the release of a man who a day later allegedly attacked his pregnant ex-girlfriend with a knife and fatally stabbed her 11-year-old son who was trying to protect her. Board member LeAnn Miller resigned after she issued the recommendation to parole the alleged attacker. Also resigning was Board chair Donald Shelton.
The case prompted Governor Pritzker to revamp procedures for dealing with cases of domestic violence. The Governor said, “It is clear that evidence in this case was not given the careful consideration that victims of domestic violence deserve and I am committed to ensuring additional safeguards and training are in place to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.”
The Governor has asked the PRB to engage experts and advocates to design and implement expanded training for PRB members concerning domestic violence cases. He also directed the PRB and Illinois Department of Corrections to review the current rules and procedures used for domestic violence cases to determine if changes are necessary. As the administration continues to review this case, it may pursue broader statutory or policy changes to strengthen PRB’s evaluation of similar cases moving forward. Read more here.
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Grants: The Illinois EPA is offering a second round of grants to fund electric vehicle charging infrastructure at publicly accessible locations. Eligible applicants include units of local government and private organizations (including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies) that are incorporated under Illinois law and registered and in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State. Eligible applicants must own the location of the proposed charging and/or own the proposed charging station. Funding applies to both Level 3 DC Fast Charging and Level 2 charging ports. The deadline is 5 pm on May 10; more info here.
Illinois Works Bid Credit Program: Contractors can now apply for the Illinois Works Bid Credit Program, part of the state’s multipronged effort to increase equity and opportunity in capital construction jobs through the Illinois Works (ILW) Jobs Program.
Bid credits are virtual dollars contractors can earn when they hire and retain an ILW Pre-apprenticeship Program graduate who is enrolled in a U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program (DOL RAP). The graduate can work on state-funded capital projects or any construction project. Once earned, bid credits can be submitted by contractors to bid on future state-funded public works projects. Eligible contactors can request ILW Pre-apprenticeship Program graduates using the Illinois Works Employer Form. The effort is administered by DCEO’s Illinois Works Career Services Team, which will identify appropriate program graduates to contractors.
OSHA Fire Department Violations: The Illinois Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health released an updated fact sheet detailing the top 20 fire department safety violations. Read the fact sheet here.
Gubernatorial Appointments: Governor Pritzker reappointed Karen Tamley to serve as a Member of the Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes.
He also appointed Robert Vickery as the next director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice. Vickery currently serves as Interim Director of IDJJ.
Phoenix Emerging Adults Career and Education Center: The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice opened the Phoenix Emerging Adults Career & Education (PEACE) Center . The secure youth facility specializes in opportunities — vocational, career, educational, and life skills development — for high school graduates ages 17-20 who are in the custody of IDJJ.
Located on the campus of the former Illinois Youth Center in St. Charles, the PEACE Center aims to equip young adults with the resources, services, and skills needed for safe, successful and sustainable reintegration into the community.
OTHER NEWS:
Former Governor Pat Quinn wants the Chicago City Council to approve a citywide referendum on the November general election ballot asking city voters where state or local taxpayer monies should be spent to build a new stadium or to develop property for the Chicago Bears or White Sox. Quinn submitted a proposed ordinance to the City Clerk for council consideration.
Annual Teacher Shortage Survey: The Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools partnered with Goshen Education Consulting for a survey of over 750 school districts statewide on Illinois’ teacher shortage crisis. The survey found more than 90% of schools say they have a serious or very serious teacher shortage problem with another 93% reporting they struggle to fill substitute teaching positions. Read more here.