The state said that 2,392 acres of industrial hemp, or 87 percent of the acres planted, were harvested during the year. That was down from just over 2,800 acres in 2019.
“After learning of alleged questionable conduct by Mr. Kodatt, it was suggested that he resign as state representative for the 22nd District. We are committed to a zero-tolerance policy in the workplace."
Out of 10 candidates, Madigan voted for Edward Guerra Kodatt, a 26-year-old employee of Madigan’s 13th ward organization on the southwest side of Chicago, who is of Ecuadorian descent and bilingual.
Pritzker: “A substantial step toward dismantling the systemic racism that plagues our communities, our state and our nation." House GOP leader Jim Durkin: “an insult to our first responders.”
“I leave office at peace with my decision and proud of the many contributions I’ve made to the state of Illinois, and I do so knowing I’ve made a difference."
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The proposed budget would hold most state agencies at flat funding levels but relies heavily on increased federal funds as well as changes to the state’s corporate tax structure that lawmakers have not yet approved.
The U.S. Census Bureau will not be able to deliver the detailed, block-level data that states need for redistricting until Sept. 30, long past the deadline in the Illinois Constitution for the General Assembly to approve new maps.
A state-issued news release said the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is projecting weather-related delays in the supply chain that may affect deliveries the rest of the week.
“Article 8, Section 2 and 2(b) say that the governor presents a budget that must balance spending with estimated revenue available for that fiscal year. Estimated revenue, not wishful thinking.”
“My vision for Illinois involves a return to responsible government, safe communities and economic growth in a free market,” Paul Schimpf said. “We need a governor who welcomes and insists upon legislative oversight of his administration.”
“Our greatest challenge is that we don’t have enough doses to satisfy all of the people that need it, want it, and that are eligible,” Dr. Ngozi Ezike told the committee.
AARP Illinois, alongside community advocacy groups, released a report Monday analyzing substantial gaps between white Illinoisans aged 50 and over, and minority groups in that age range.
The legislation would amend Illinois' 2015 Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act from affecting “any law enforcement” that may use body cameras to mandating “all law enforcement agencies must” use body cameras for all officers by 2025.
That case, Monroe v. Jeffreys, was filed in 2018 by the ACLU on behalf of five transgender women in IDOC custody. According to the ACLU, the prisoners have experienced “denials of basic medical treatment” and “inordinate delays” in care.
“Today’s settlement will hold McKinsey accountable for its role in perpetuating the opioid epidemic, but, even more significantly, will provide much-needed assistance in combating the epidemic’s effects," AG Kwame Raoul says.
Springfield-area lawmaker Sam McCann, who challenged then-Gov. Bruce Rauner as a third-party candidate in 2018, was indicted on charges of fraud, money laundering and tax evasion.
“Across the country and around the world, we've seen politics be injected in more and more parts of our lives. And the litmus test of ‘is someone progressive enough or not’ has come up time and time again,” said Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon.
Under a new omnibus bill yet to arrive on the governor's desk, misconduct that can result in decertification includes excessive force; failing to intervene in another officer’s use of excessive force or failing to render aid; making false statements in an investigation of a crime; and engaging in any unprofessional, unethical or deceptive conduct harmful to the public whether or not it caused actual injury.
The bill would make it a civil rights violation for an employer to use aconviction record as a basis to refuse to hire or terminate employment, unless there is a “substantial relationship” between the offenses and the job the individual seeks.
SPRINGFIELD — Democrats in the Illinois House of Representatives made history Jan. 13 when they elected the first Black lawmaker to serve as House speaker, ending the reign of state Rep. Michael Madigan of Chicago.
ISBE board member: “The message this sends to me is that somebody has decided that two years of a foreign language class are more important than art, more important than music, more important than career and technical education courses."
Total doses administered in area counties as of Wednesday: Champaign, 14,107 (up 1,410 overnight) ... Douglas, 842 (+65) ... Ford, 716 (+12) ... Iroquois, 1,494 (+66) ... Piatt, 945 (+40) ... Vermilion, 1,817 (+198).
Other provisions of the bill call for changing the state’s high school graduation requirements so they are more closely aligned with college admission requirements at the University of Illinois.
Governor: “Following the violent siege at our nation’s Capitol and reports from federal law enforcement on threats to state capitols, I am bringing all resources to bear to protect our residents and our democratic process."
Champaign County sheriff not happy with criminal-justice reform bill, but willing to work with state
'They are toying with these peoples’ lives in a way that will not only make them unsafe, but our communities unsafe.'
'Today will be the last time I talk about us as Democrats or Republicans because I want to talk about us being united,' he said in his inaugural speech. 'We’re going to work together to move this state forward.'
“Abraham Lincoln once said ‘Plant your feet in the right place and stand firm.’ We are standing firm,” said Sen. Elgie Sims, a Chicago Democrat who sponsored the bill. “We are fundamentally changing the way we do criminal justice in this state.”
Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, has the backing of House Black Caucus members, a voting bloc that had previously supported Mike Madigan’s reelection.
When pressed on specific provisions in the bill that have been seen as controversial, especially as it relates to changes in how policing is done in the state, Pritzker said he would wait until the final version is presented to him.
"I have always put the best interest of the House Democratic Caucus and our members first. The House Democratic Caucus can work to find someone, other than me, to get 60 votes for Speaker.”
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