When an Illinois Senate panel met last March to discuss the state’s backlog of untested forensic evidence, there were more than 70 DNA samples in murder cases more than a year old awaiting action from Illinois State Police forensic investigators. That number is down to 14, representatives of the Illinois State Police told the […]
Capitol News Illinois
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Coalition pushes Clean Energy Jobs Act
With federal regulatory changes looming and legislators one week away from a return to the Capitol, some clean energy advocates are looking to jumpstart a stalled proposal to bring major reforms to the state’s energy landscape. Members of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, including the legislative sponsors of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, or CEJA, […]
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Criminal justice reforms top Pritzker’s 2020 agenda
In year two, Gov. J.B. Pritzker will focus on ending cash bail, reforming low-level drug crime sentencing and reducing mandatory minimum sentences, he announced in Chicago last week. Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, both Democrats, laid out their plan at a news conference at Kennedy-King College. Stratton said real justice reform in Illinois will […]
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Medical pot growers just got bigger
Less than two weeks before adult-use recreational marijuana became legal in Illinois, the state Department of Agriculture announced that all 21 cultivation centers that have been licensed to grow medical marijuana are now licensed also to grow for adult use. The final three companies to be approved were Bedford Grow LLC, in Bedford Park, IL […]
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STATEHOUSE YEAR IN REVIEW
A tumultuous year in Illinois politics draws to its close as the historic legislative accomplishments of May and June give way to a flurry of ongoing federal investigative activity, resignations and indictments. Central to the story of 2019 is Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Chicago Democrat and billionaire who spent more than $170 million of his […]
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U.S. Supreme Court won’t review Illinois ‘felony murder’ law
The U.S. Supreme Court on Nov. 25 declined to hear an appeal challenging a controversial state law that allows someone to be convicted of murder even if the death is caused by someone else, if it occurs during the commission of another forcible felony. The ruling means the Illinois law still stands, although at least […]
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Here’s what happened at the Statehouse
Following are brief reports on numerous bills voted up or down during the final week of the fall veto session. TOBACCO BILLS: Bills aimed at curbing where Illinoisans can use electronic smoking devices and with what flavorings were halted until the spring session of the General Assembly. One bill would loop electronic cigarettes into the […]
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Program helps Illinoisans save for retirement
Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Nov. 18 continued to promote a new state program which he says is a first step to alleviating a nationwide “retirement crisis.” At a Chicago news conference, Frerichs said more than 32,000 Illinoisans have saved more than $8.5 million for their retirement as part of Illinois Secure Choice, a program which […]
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Capital Cast
A roundup of the final week of the 2019 veto session in Illinois. Pension fund consolidation, ethics reform, a failed effort to pave the way for a Chicago casino, and a surprise announcement moments after lawmakers adjourned.
