Capitol Briefs: Measure blocks interstate probes of abortion services Capitol Briefs: Measure blocks interstate probes of abortion services Lawmakers also pass bills aimed at climate change education, safe battery recycling
Hundreds of bills pass, including changes to state’s biometric data privacy law Hundreds of bills pass, including changes to state’s biometric data privacy law Other measures regulate garbage truck littering, allow yoga in schools
Pritzker pledges to expand access to mental health care in Illinois Pritzker pledges to expand access to mental health care in Illinois Service providers, state agency officials joined governor for Springfield panel
Lawmakers consider tax break for news publishers, state-sponsored journalism scholarships Lawmakers consider tax break for news publishers, state-sponsored journalism scholarships Local journalism measures have evolved, shrunk since beginning of session
Capitol Briefs: House OKs program for student teacher stipends – but not the funding for it Capitol Briefs: House OKs program for student teacher stipends – but not the funding for it State leaders honor fallen firefighters at annual Capitol ceremony
Thousands of youths at risk of losing access to after-school programs Thousands of youths at risk of losing access to after-school programs Advocates seek $50M to keep programs operating
Education leaders seek added state funding to help districts accommodate influx of migrants Education leaders seek added state funding to help districts accommodate influx of migrants Some advocates now put cost at upwards of $180 million as state education board seeks $35 million
Lawmakers question Pritzker’s plan for new early childhood agency Lawmakers question Pritzker’s plan for new early childhood agency Cost of consolidating programs remains largely unknown
Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds Cost of teaching degree followed by low pay, benefits, seen as obstacles
Capitol Briefs: Lawmakers push bills addressing water quality, free school meals Capitol Briefs: Lawmakers push bills addressing water quality, free school meals State’s largest teachers union releases annual education report