Gov. Pritzker Signs Sweeping Reproductive Rights Protections Into Law Governor JB Pritzker signed HB4664, a reproductive rights and gender affirming care omnibus bill that protects health care providers and their patients from legal attacks by neighboring states and expands health care access and options across the state. State legislatures are coming back. These are the lawmakers to follow. These state lawmakers are among thousands of Republicans, Democrats and independents gearing up for an energetic and contentious set of legislative sessions that start kicking off in dozens of capitals this month. OTL #839: Demolition’s impact on Chicago, Rep. Margaret Croke on the state of politics, FORTS! is back at The Filament Theatre Mike Stephen talks to sociologist David Schalliol about the societal impact of demolishing buildings in Chicago, discusses the state of politics in Springfield during this polarized time with State Rep. Margaret Croke (D-12th), and plays audio of his experience at the immersive FORTS! experience at the Filament Theatre in Portage Park. Inside ASID’s fight to expand designers’ practice rights Kaufman, who is an ASID member, lobbied for what would become Illinois House Bill 4715, meeting with her state representative, Margaret Croke, and state senator, Laura Fine, at least once a year for the past several years. Kaufman’s argument centered on the plight of small women-run businesses like hers being stymied by bureaucracy and outdated perceptions of designers. Illinois House Democrats launch new working groups addressing top issues Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch announced the creation of four new working groups Monday to help find solutions to critical issues for the state. The new groups will try to address serious concerns about the future of reproductive health following the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, firearm safety, mental health awareness, and the rise of online extremism. Readout of White House Meeting with State Legislative Leaders on Holding Gun Manufacturers Accountable | The White House Today, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Senior Advisor to the President and White House Intergovernmental Affairs Director, and White House officials from the Domestic Policy Council and Office of Intergovernmental Affairs convened a meeting with state legislative leaders from New York, Delaware, California, and Illinois to discuss how states are leading the way in efforts to hold gun manufacturers accountable. Best Of: New Illinois law requires dementia training for EMTs A bill passed this month in Illinois will require training Emergency Medical Technicians and paramedics to look out for these signs of dementia. It’s the first training requirement of its kind in the country. The 21st was joined by the leader of the Alzheimer’s Association of Illinois, one of the bill’s sponsors, and someone whose mother has been diagnosed with dementia. Gun-makers have long been shielded from liability after mass shootings. That’s starting to change — and Highland Park has noticed. As Highland Park officials ponder their legal response to the Independence Day mass shooting that killed seven people and injured dozens more, a slow-moving case just over the state line suggests one possible path. Illinois latest state to recognize interior design as distinct profession Illinois has become the newest state with legislation to strengthen the interior design industry with the passage of House Bill 4715, which was signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker on June 10. Illinois Passes Legislature Defining Scope of Interior Designer The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ) announce today the passage of House Bill 4715. Old Town Art Fair Returns This Weekend With 200+ Artists, Music And Food The event is expected to draw 10,000 visitors to the heart of the neighborhood to appreciate work from local and nationally acclaimed artists. Mayor Lightfoot, Governor Pritzker, & Lt. Governor Stratton, Among Other Civic Leaders, ‘Cutting the Ribbon’ to Officially Unveil Aids Garden Chicago Much anticipated ‘Park for All’ on Chicago’s lakefront now open for reflection, remembrance, and relaxation; just in time to celebrate Pride Month Lawmakers react to Supreme Court draft leak and possible impact on primary elections Some lawmakers believe it will cause voters to switch parties for the upcoming primary elections; while others don’t see a change happening due to laws that protect abortion rights in Illinois. Governor Pritzker Announces $250 Million in Grant Awards for Small Businesses When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, our small businesses and nonprofits faced unprecedented challenges as they struggled to make payroll, keep the doors open, and continue providing the services our residents rely on. The Back to Business grant program was able to provide millions of dollars in grant funding to help organizations get through these difficult times and emerge in a position of strength. Governor Pritzker Announces $250 Million in Grant Awards for Small Businesses “When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, our small businesses and nonprofits faced unprecedented challenges as they struggled to make payroll, keep the doors open, and continue providing the services our residents rely on. The Back to Business grant program was able to provide millions of dollars in grant funding to help organizations get through these difficult times and emerge in a position of strength.” Pritzker, Illinois Democrats talk about potential overturning of Roe v. Wade Governor Pritzker today condemned the reported Supreme Court draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade, allowing states to enact even more restrictive anti-choice laws that would deny woman’s access to reproductive health care. Pritzker reaffirms Reproductive Health Act as Supreme Court attempts to remove Roe v. Wade Gov. JB Pritzker and several other Illinois officials responded on Tuesday saying that the draft opinion to strike down Roe v. Wade is a step in the wrong direction for women’s reproductive rights. Gov. Pritzker Speaks Out Against Overturning of Roe v. Wade, Affirms Reproductive Rights “Reports that the Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe vs. Wade are devastating. Women will die if Roe vs. Wade is overturned – women who are forced to give birth knowing it will kill them, women who will seek abortions in back alleys, and more,” New Illinois law requires dementia training for EMTs A bill passed this month in Illinois will require training Emergency Medical Technicians and paramedics to look out for these signs of dementia. It’s the first training requirement of its kind in the country. Illinois Legislature Passes First-In-The-Nation Dementia Training for EMTs The chief sponsors of House Bill 4388 were Senator Celina Villanueva and Representative Margaret Croke. The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan majorities in both chambers – the Illinois Senate on a vote of 53-0-0 and the Illinois House on a vote of 98-11-2. Can A New State Law Stop Dangerous Drag Racing On DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Expressways? The bill was introduced after a crew of drivers shut down part of the Eisenhower to race and perform stunts, freezing traffic and blocking access to Rush University Medical Center, State Rep. LaShawn Ford said. Catalytic Converter Thefts Up Across US as Crimes Reported in Chicago Area: Police “Catalytic converter theft is not a problem that simply affects Chicago. Up and down Illinois, communities are feeling the effects of these crimes,” said Illinois Rep. Margaret Croke, D-Chicago. “We cannot allow our state to become a place where drivers feel unsafe just parking outside.” Illinois Moves Closer To Accepting Crypto for Taxes, but Not Considering Legal Tender Status Illinois state Rep. Margaret Croke hopes for clearer guidance at the federal level in the wake of President Biden’s recent executive order. Illinois politicians react to indictment of Michael Madigan: ‘Another chapter in the sad story of corruption’ One of the 19 House members who publicly opposed Madigan’s reelection as speaker last year, however, praised news of the indictment. Illinois legislation would allow digital currency as a form of payment A measure at the Illinois statehouse that would allow for a state agency to set up rules regarding payment using cryptocurrency has been passed one chamber and is on to the next. The Texas abortion ban created a ‘vigilante’ loophole. Both parties are rushing to take advantage Days later after Kavanaugh spoke, state Rep. Margaret Croke (D) introduced her bill in Illinois, similar to the one in California, that allows private individuals to take to court anyone involved with making, shipping or selling firearms that can be linked to an injury or death in the state. States weigh Texas-style enforcement for guns, schools after Supreme Court abortion ruling “If the Supreme Court is going to say that this is an option for people to have when it comes to stopping something they don’t like…then I’m going to take advantage of that and use that same logic,” said Rep. Margaret Croke, a Democrat who represents a portion of Chicago in the state legislature, and the lead sponsor on the bill. Could Gun Restrictions Modeled on Texas’s Anti-Abortion Law Work? How many states are considering bounty laws for guns? So far, three states — California, Illinois, and New York — are considering proposals, though each is at a different stage of development. WGN Chicago – Expanding Fertility Treatment Coverage In Illinois State Rep. Margaret Croke talks about new law which expands insurance coverage for fertility treatments in Illinois. Rep. Kam Buckner Pushes Legislation to Hold Funders of January 6 Capitol Insurrection Accountable Representative Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) recently announced that he is re-introducing legislation to prevent funders of the insurrection on January 6, 2021, from doing business with the state of Illinois. « Previous 1 2 3 4 Next »