(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois lawmakers return to Springfield tomorrow for the start of the final days of the 103rd General Assembly. Some downstate lawmakers say it could be a chance to address economic and other concerns for statewide taxpayers. Some topics for discussion and possible action include reducing the gas tax for a season, providing for school choice, developing an energy policy to focus on clean coal, more state control on cannabis sales, and much more. The lame duck session is scheduled tomorrow through next Tuesday, the end of the 103rd General Assembly. The newly elected 104th General Assembly will be seated in Springfield next Wednesday and likely meet through the end of next week.
(SPRINGFIELD) Workers in Illinois who provide personal care to family members are protected from employment discrimination, based on family responsibilities as of January 1st. This means that Illinois employers cannot make recruitment, hiring, promotion, renewal of employment, training, discharge, discipline, or other decisions regarding the conditions of employment based on an employee or prospective employee’s actual or perceived provision of personal care for a family member. Illinois is now one of fewer than ten (10) states to provide employment protections for family caregivers around the state.
(SPRINGFIELD) Veterans looking to adopt a dog or cat could have their fees waived. As of this past Wednesday, January 1st, a new Illinois law allows an animal shelter or an animal control facility to waive the adoption fee for when a Veteran, meeting certain criteria, is adopting a cat or a dog. Across the state, pet adoption fees vary widely depending on the organization and location, ranging anywhere from $50 to $275 per animal.
(CHICAGO) The funeral services are today for a fallen Illinois State Trooper who was killed while on duty early last week. 35 year old Clay Carns was clearing debris from Interstate 55 in Will County, with his squad nearby with emergency lights on, when he was struck by a pickup truck. Police said the driver of the vehicle is facing charges related to Scott’s Law, which requires drivers to move over if an emergency vehicle is on the side of the road. Carns had served 11 years with the State Police, survived by his wife and two children.