Governor’s Highlights:
Gov. Pritzker announced his support for legislation filed by Sen. Manar, SB667 , which caps insulin costs. The bill would limit a patient’s out-of-pocket costs to $100 for a 30-day supply. The legislation is filed as an amendment to SB 667 and has not been adopted. It is unknown if Manar will pursue SB 667 or file the language on another bill.
Six more “Same Site” adult use cannabis licenses have been granted. The licenses will allow an existing medical cannabis dispensary to obtain an adult use dispensing license and permit the dispensary to begin adult use cannabis sales at that location starting January 1, 2020, provided the dispensary complies with local zoning rules or other local laws. A total of 11 same site licenses have now been issued.
The medical dispensaries who this week received early approval adult use licenses are:
Phoenix Botanical Dispensary
1704 S. Neil St. C
Champaign, IL 61820
MedMar
2696 McFarland Rd.
Rockford, IL 61107
MedMar
3812 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60613
PDI Medical Dispensary
1623 Barclay Blvd.
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
FloraMedex
7955 W. Grand Ave.
Elmwood Park, IL 60707
Mapleglen Care Center
4777 Stenstrom Rd.
Rockford, IL 61109
101st General Assembly:
The fall veto session agenda is starting to take shape. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot this week announced she wants the Illinois General Assembly to address changes to the gaming law passed this spring and create a transfer tax. Specifically, Lightfoot wants to reduce the effective tax rate on a Chicago casino to 45 percent, have the city and state jointly own the license and authorize a graduated transfer tax that would apply to commercial real estate sales.
Changes to ethylene oxide regulations, clean-up to recreational cannabis, possible restrictions to vaping products, and Pritzker’s pension consolidation are also on the radar for the Fall Veto Session.
House Rules is meeting Monday, October 21st to discharge legislation for consideration during the veto session.
Rep. Skillicorn filed legislation HB3919 to create a Tier 3 pension plan. Heads to House Rules.
Sen. Sandoval stepped down as the Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. His replacement has not been named.
Coming Up:
Senate Special Committee on Opioid Crisis Abatement will hold a hearing on Oct. 21st at 2:00 PM in room 400 of the Capitol to discuss the Department of Public Health’s State of Illinois Opioid Action Plan (SOAP) Implementation Report.
House Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee will hold a subject matter hearing on October 22nd at 10:00 AM at the Bilandic Building in Chicago to discuss HB3917 (Buckner). HB 3917 amends the evidence-based funding provisions of the School Code. Provides that funds received by the Chicago school district for low-income, English learner, and special education resources must be distributed to every school of the district in the appropriate amount specified under the Essential Elements component of the funding formula.
House Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee will hold a hearing on Oct 25th at 11:00 AM at the Bilandic Building in Chicago to discuss CPS’ special education policy. Note the date change.
Fall Veto session dates: October 28th – 30th and November 12th – 14th.