LaSalle outbreak hearing focuses on oversight
Hearings into the Pritzker administration’s handling of the deadly COVID-19 outbreak continue this afternoon.
The House on Thursday heard from officials from various state agencies.
One issue of focus was that a crucial oversight position that wasn’t filled before the pandemic still has not been filled.
A Senate hearing scheduled this afternoon will delve more into a recent Inspector General report about the outbreak.
Possible compromise emerges on trailer bill
A compromise to drop the state’s trailer tax fee from $118 to $36 while making up lost revenue by increasing the one-time title transfer fee by $5 could come together before the end of the month.
Chesney awarded Humane Legislator Award
FREEPORT State Rep. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, was recently awarded the 2020 Humane Legislator Award by the Humane Society of the U.S.
The Legislator of the Year Award is given to the General Assembly member who best advocates for the well-being of animals. Chesney was given the award for his efforts supporting and passing companion animal welfare bills, including legislation to ban cosmetics testing on animals, co-sponsoring legislation across the aisle to prevent animal cruelty to pets and sponsoring and passing legislation in the Illinois House to ban pet store sales of puppies and kittens.
The Humane Society of the U.S. is the nation’s largest animal protection organization. It provides hands-on care and services to more than 100,000 animals each year.
WBGZ Radio 4/30/2021 |
By Greg Bishop - Illinois Radio Network
A measure requiring Illinoisans’ vaccinations to be processed in a state-run database is working through the state Legislature.
House Bill 347 is sponsored by state Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston. She said the bill would increase to 70 percent the amount taxpayers can reimburse doctors for child immunizations.
“Right now they’re only paid $6.40 and the average amount that physicians for these vaccines is $30 to $60, this would increase that to $16,” Gabel said Friday.
Then there’s the vaccine database.
“It requires that all immunizations are entered into an Illinois immunization data registry called I-CARE (Illinois Comprehensive Automated Immunization Registry Exchange),” Gabel said. “Right now only childrens’ immunizations are. This will help provide and be able to track immunizations across the state.”
ROCKFORD People seeking help with jobless claims should have in-person access to local employment offices, according to a group of state representatives from the area.
A resolution filed by state Rep. Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, calls on the Illinois Department of Employment Security to reopen employment offices across the state that have been shut down since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
IDES offices can safely reopen using COVID-19 public health guidelines, including social distancing and the wearing of masks or face coverings, Sosnowski said.
“At this point, there is no justifiable reason why essential government services like those provided by IDES cannot resume in-person to serve working families whose livelihoods have been impacted by the pandemic,” he said. “We’re talking about helping folks deal with unemployment claims or modifications and other issues, including fraud.”
Illinois House passes plan to prevent homelessness after heated debate
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – House Democrats want to make sure Illinois residents aren’t denied housing based on their source of income.
Currently, landlords can refuse housing to any prospective tenant that does not meet their application requirements. Rep. La Shawn Ford explained that homelessness frequently results from an economic crisis like unemployment or a medical emergency.
The Chicago Democrat stressed that his bill could give every prospective tenant an equal review process, regardless of race or income level.
“The frequent denial of housing based on source of income disproportionately affects Black and Latinos in this state,” said Ford.