(SPRINGFIELD) Opponents of a measure on the desk of Governor J.B. Pritzker, awaiting his signature, are concerned poll watchers will not be able to verify vote-by-mail procedures conducted in nursing homes where voters may be physically or mentally incapacitated. While the process started during the COVID-19 pandemic, under emergency order, nursing home voters were legally able to cast ballots through vote-by-mail, and now House Bill 4488 will make it a permanent process. Those against the plan say they fear the vulnerable voters will be coerced or influenced during the vote-casting. The proposed law applies to federally operated nursing homes, Veterans’ homes, hospitals, and/or facilities.
(SPRINGFIELD) The General Assembly has approved another measure that has a lot of downstate opposition. Senate Bill 3136 was passed in both the State House and Senate along party lines, and if signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker, will remove the mandate that requires the State Department of Children & Family Services must report newborn babies’ positive toxicology screens to law enforcement. Opponents of the bill says it will disincentivize drug addicts from getting clean because it removes punitive provisions that take away birth mothers’ parental rights upon a newborn babies’ positive test for drugs. Not only is it dangerous for the children, but it undermines accountability for mothers.
(CHAMPAIGN) The Red Lobster restaurant chain has announced plans to close several dozen more facilities following its bankruptcy, including a couple of locations in Illinois. The company says it had more than $1 billion in debt and less than $30 million in cash on hand. Part of its plan is to close at least 68 its nearly 600 restaurants, including Illinois sites in Champaign and Bourbonnais. The O’Fallon and Evansville restaurants will remain open.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Milk Producers Association has donated more than 17,000 pounds of milk, including lactose-free, between three statewide food banks, during the June observance of National Dairy Month. The recipients include the Northern Illinois, Central Illinois, and Eastern Illinois Foodbanks. Since 2023, the Association has donated more than 27,000 pounds of milk to local food banks for a combined 54,720 servings.