Republicans call proposed Illinois teaching standards a political litmus test
Critics of teaching standards the Illinois State Board of Education have filed say the standards inject politics into the classroom when the state is falling behind on math and English.
The Illinois State Board of Education said the term “progressive” was taken out of the rules because it was considered political, which was not the board’s intent, it said.
If a panel of lawmakers doesn’t block the standards, they go into effect in October.
High school sports to resume with limited spectators allowed
With competitions for sports like basketball moving forward, rules from the Pritzker administration limit attendance to 25 to 50 spectators, depending on the region’s COVID-19 metrics.
Backlog of Illinois gun owner applications persists as U.S. court case continues
The Illinois State Rifle Association says the Pritzker administration is operating outside of state law with continued delays in processing Firearm Owner Identification Card and Concealed Carry License applications.
The average wait for both is around 122 days when it’s only supposed to take 30 days for FOID and 90 days for CCL.
ISP said as of Jan. 19, there were 175,751 new FOID applications and 25,518 CCL backlogged.
Hy-Vee partners with state to provide COVID-19 vaccine
Grocer Hy-Vee is partnering with state public health officials to provide the COVID-19 vaccine.
Sixteen Hy-Vee locations across the state, including Springfield, Bloomington, Moline, Peoria, Galesburg and elsewhere, begin today by appointment.
Illinois congressional delegation takes sides on Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act
Members of Illinois’ congressional delegation are taking sides on the proposed Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act.
The measure filed by Illinois Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin gives federal agencies more tools to investigate what proponents say is a domestic terrorism threat.
Peoria Republican U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood said there are legitimate concerns the measure could impede on people s civil liberties.
State capitol complex reopens
The Capitol Complex is reopened. That’s the word from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, but it’s still unclear if 250 Illinois National Guard troops will remain around the capitol where they’ve been since Friday.
City council members struggled Monday night, and eventually delayed a vote, over whether to allow indoor dining and service at Decatur’s restaurants and bars.