Vowing to make Illinois the top state in the nation for child care accessibility, Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled a plan Oct. 24 to consolidate all the state’s early childhood programs and funding into one new state agency. “Early childhood program governance has to be unified in its focus on serving children and families, easing the […]
Peter Hancock
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Illinois’ educator workforce improves, but teacher shortages persist in some areas
The supply of education professionals continues to improve in Illinois despite strains brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, but persistent issues remain in certain regions of the state and within some teaching fields. That’s the conclusion of a new report by the education advocacy group Advance Illinois, which was instrumental in the 2017 passage of […]
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Nurses unions push for mandatory staff-to-patient ratios
Unions representing nurses in Illinois are pushing for legislation that would impose mandatory staff-to-patient ratios in hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities. But lobby groups representing hospitals and nursing homes say they are steadfastly opposed to the legislation, arguing that a nationwide nursing shortage makes it impossible to comply with such a mandate. […]
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Firearms industry could be sued for deceptive marketing
A new Illinois law restricts the way gun dealers and manufacturers can market and sell their products and subjects them to civil penalties for violations. Gov. JB Pritzker signed House Bill 218 into law Saturday, Aug. 12. Labeled the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act, it took effect immediately. “We hold opioid manufacturers accountable. Vaping companies accountable. […]
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Pritzker campaigns for Smart Start preschool plan
One day after delivering his budget address last week, Gov. JB Pritzker took to the road Feb. 16 to rally support for his proposed “Smart Start” program to expand access to preschool and child care throughout the state. “It is important for us to make sure that every 3- and 4-year-old in Illinois can go […]
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House advances assault weapon ban, Senate giving it ‘extensive review’
A bill that would ban the sale and manufacture of assault weapons in Illinois advanced out of the state House on Thursday, Jan. 5, and now awaits action in the Senate. The bill was prompted in large part by the July 4 mass shooting in Highland Park during an Independence Day parade which left seven […]
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Law enforcement officials push for ban on high-power, high-capacity weapons
Some of the state’s leading law enforcement officials on Tuesday, Dec. 20, urged lawmakers to pass a statewide ban on high-power, high-capacity weapons, which they say are growing in prevalence in Illinois. “What the public asks members of the law enforcement community to do each and every day is stunning, knowing full well that the […]
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Gun control only one part of a bigger puzzle
A legislative committee on Thursday, Dec. 15, heard more witnesses call for a ban on high-power, semi-automatic rifles and large-capacity magazines, but some experts said that alone won’t solve the problem of violent crime in Illinois. During its second hearing on a proposed assault weapon ban, an Illinois House committee, meeting in Chicago, heard from […]
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Speaker Welch reflects on growing House majority
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, who recently announced he has the support for another term as House speaker, says he looks forward to governing with an even larger supermajority than he had during his first two years. “Expanding our caucus was definitely a priority of mine,” he said during an interview with Capitol News […]
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Tax rebate checks go out this week
Gov. JB Pritzker announced Sept. 12 that Illinois taxpayers will soon start receiving rebates of their income and property taxes, either in the mail or by direct bank deposits. Speaking at a news conference in Chicago where he was flanked by other state officials and Democratic leaders of the General Assembly, Pritzker said the rebates […]
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Closing the equity gap for public schools
Five years ago this month, Illinois lawmakers passed legislation that overhauled the way public schools in the state are funded. The so-called Evidence Based Funding formula, or EBF, was designed to calculate the actual cost for each district to provide the kind of education the state expects, and then gradually increase the share of that […]
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New law provides $700 million for nursing home staffing
Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation May 31 that will pump an additional $700 million annually into Medicaid-funded nursing homes, provided they use that money to increase staff and wages in their facilities. “This is truly a game changer,” Pritzker said at a bill-signing ceremony at a Chicago-area nursing home. “…Together we’ve delivered a victory for […]
