(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Public Health has announced that the state’s overall respiratory illness level has moved up from Low to Moderate, meaning that folks around Illinois now face an increased chance of exposure to seasonal illnesses during group or family gatherings. Officials say hospital admissions for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV have been increasing over the past weeks, plus the percentage of emergency room visits due to respiratory illness are going up as well. The state is also continuing to see a rise in ICU admissions due to RSV, driven by children up to 4 years old.
(SPRINGFIELD) Beginning tomorrow, statewide Veterans meeting certain conditions will not be charged a building permit fee for improvements to their homes. The measure prevents a Veteran with a disability or their caregiver from being charged a building permit fee for improvements to the residence that are required to accommodate the Veteran’s disability. Local governments would make the determination based on proof of need.
(SPRINGFIELD) With Illinois lawmakers scheduled back to the State Capitol this weekend, some are watching what the lame duck session could mean for gun control laws. One new proposal introduced during last month’s fall veto session would expand Illinois’ Red Flag Law, mostly to clarify and strengthen it when dealing with domestic violence survivors. Two other measures, one requiring quicker lost and stolen reporting and another requiring firearms to be locked up in certain circumstances will likely be introduced. When the General Assembly returns to Springfield this Saturday, January 4th, they could pass new bills out of both chambers between then and when the 103rd Legislature ends a week from today, January 7th. New legislation can then be filed beginning the following day, a week from tomorrow, January 8th, when the new General Assembly is officially seated.