Statewide bag tax advances out of Senate committee Statewide bag tax advances out of Senate committee Wednesday, March 6, 2019 A bill levying a 7-cent tax on plastic and paper shopping bags advanced out of the state Senate’s revenue committee Wednesday with its sponsor promising to bring an amended proposal back to the committee in the coming weeks.
Lawmaker: Illinois not doing enough to prevent suicides Lawmaker: Illinois not doing enough to prevent suicides Wednesday, March 6, 2019 Suicide is a problem both lawmakers and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention think Illinois can better address. The most recent data available show 1,474 Illinoisans died by suicide in 2017, a rate of one person every six hours. That’s more than four times the number of alcohol-related motor vehicle deaths that year, and it makes suicide the 11th leading cause of death in...
‘Tobacco 21’ bill stalls in Illinois Senate ‘Tobacco 21’ bill stalls in Illinois Senate Wednesday, March 6, 2019 Legislation raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products in Illinois was expected for a vote in the Senate Wednesday, but the sponsor decided to hold back because of hesitation on the part... Read more
New bill aims to crack down on illegal gun possession New bill aims to crack down on illegal gun possession Wednesday, March 6, 2019 A state senator is proposing legislation that would tighten gun ownership laws in Illinois and require law enforcement officers to confiscate weapons and ammunition from people who have had their... Read more
AARP-backed bill would penalize nursing homes for staff shortages AARP-backed bill would penalize nursing homes for staff shortages Wednesday, March 6, 2019 Senior care advocates promoted legislation Wednesday that is aimed at enforcing minimum staffing mandates, limiting the use of psychotropic drugs and heightening transparency for care violations... Read more
Black college enrollment down sharply in Illinois Black college enrollment down sharply in Illinois Tuesday, March 5, 2019 The number of African-American students enrolled at public colleges and universities in Illinois has fallen nearly 26 percent in recent years, while enrollment among other minority groups... Read more
Lawmakers push for Medicaid managed care reform Lawmakers push for Medicaid managed care reform Tuesday, March 5, 2019 “We have a broken managed care program in Illinois, and it’s threatening the very future of our health care providers and the patients they serve all around this state,” Senate... Read more
Law enforcers object to cutback to only one license plate Law enforcers object to cutback to only one license plate Tuesday, March 5, 2019 Illinois law enforcement groups want to pump the brakes on proposed legislation that would do away with a requirement that Illinois cars display a front license plate. A bill proposed by East... Read more