HB1765	OPEN MEETINGS-BACKGROUND CHECK (Buckner, K) Creates the Empowering Public Participation Act. Provides that a law enforcement agency or an officer employed by a law enforcement agency may not knowingly and intentionally conduct a background check of a person for the sole reason of that person speaking at an open meeting of a public body, including police disciplinary boards. Provides exemptions whenever an agency or officer develops a reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct or a reasonable suspicion of a threat to security for the premises in which the meeting is to occur or for the protection of public officials and other persons attending the meeting. Provides that a violation of the prohibition is a Class C misdemeanor. Effective immediately.
	8/13/2021 - GOVERNOR APPROVED
HB3911	FIRST RESPONDERS TASK FORCE (Hurley, F) Amends the First Responders Suicide Prevention Act. Provides that the First Responders Suicide Prevention Task Force shall make specified recommendations to specified entities.
	8/13/2021 - GOVERNOR APPROVED
SB58	REVENUE-VEHICLES (Muñoz, A) Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2022, the term "selling price" no longer includes the value of traded-in motor vehicles. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "utility trailer". Provides for a flat weight trailer tax of $36 for utility trailers. Decreases the flat weight tax for Class TA trailers from $118 to $36. Increases the certificate of title fee for vehicles other than all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, motor homes, mini motor homes, and van campers from $150 to $155 and provides that the additional fee amount shall be deposited into the Road Fund. In a Section concerning the use tax on motor vehicles, makes changes concerning the amount of the tax. Effective January 1, 2022.
	8/13/2021 - GOVERNOR APPROVED
SB583	FOIA-CLERK OF COURT (Hastings, M) Amends the Local Records Act. Provides that reports and records of the obligation, receipt, and use of public funds of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook Count are public records available for inspection by the public. Amends the Clerks of Courts Act. Provides that the clerk of the court shall (rather than may) accept credit card payments over the Internet for specified payments. Amends the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act. Provides that one hour of public or community service shall be equivalent to $10 (rather than $4) of assessment.
	8/13/2021 - GOVERNOR APPROVED
SB1721	PROP TAX-DELINQUENT PROPERTY (Stadelman, S) Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions about delinquent property, provides that a county may take steps necessary (currently, shall take all steps necessary) to acquire title to the property and may manage and operate the property, including, but not limited to, mowing of grass, removal of nuisance greenery, removal of garbage, waste, debris or other materials, or the demolition, repair, or remediation of unsafe structures. Provides costs to be distributed to taxing districts, including operation and maintenance costs and all costs associated with county staff and overhead used to perform the duties of the trustees. Reduces the maximum penalty bids for the annual tax sale from 18% to 12%. In provisions about redemption of property, limits the assessments of penalties from every 6 months to 12 months. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Counties Code and Illinois Municipal Code. Modifies the requirements to have a circuit court declare property abandoned.
	8/13/2021 - GOVERNOR APPROVED
SB1740	DHFS-MEDI-CAR SERVICE-SAFETY (Jones, III, E) Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that, if they meet the established training components set forth by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, providers of non-emergency medi-car and service car transportation that are either directly or through an affiliated company licensed by the Department of Public Health shall be approved to have in-house safety programs for training their own staff.
	8/13/2021 - GOVERNOR APPROVED
SB1830	SCH CD-FINANCIAL LITERACY (Loughran Cappel, M) Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that of the 2 years of social studies required to receive a high school diploma, one semester, or part of one semester, may include a financial literacy course beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2021-2022 school year and each school year thereafter. Effective immediately.
	8/13/2021 - GOVERNOR APPROVED
SB2278	COUNTIES CD-PUBLIC SAFETY (Stadelman, S) Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county that is authorized to impose a Special County Retailers' Occupation Tax For Public Safety, Public Facilities, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, or Transportation shall establish a 7-member mental health board, which shall have the same powers and duties and be constituted in the same manner as a community mental health board established under the Community Mental Health Act. Provides that moneys from the special county retailers' occupation tax that are earmarked for mental health or substance abuse purposes shall be deposited into a special county occupation tax fund for mental health and substance abuse. Provides that that fund shall be administered by the 7-member mental health board.
	8/13/2021 - GOVERNOR APPROVED
SB2406	DCFS-RACIAL DISPARITIES REPORT (Belt, C) Amends the Circuit Courts Act. Reorganizes the counties (other than Cook County) into 24 (currently 23) judicial circuits. Provides that the General Assembly shall divide the 19th circuit into at least 10 subcircuits. Provides that, upon the division of the 19th circuit: each resident judgeship shall be assigned to the newly drawn subcircuit in which the judge of the resident judgeship in question resides; and each at-large judgeship shall be converted to a resident judgeship and be assigned to the subcircuit in which the judge of the converted judgeship in question resides. Provides that, when a vacancy occurs in a resident judgeship, the resident judgeship shall be allotted by the Supreme Court and filled by election. Provides that the 19th judicial circuit shall have additional resident judgeships to be allotted by the Supreme Court. Provides that in addition to the 2 judgeships filled by election at the 2022 election, any judgeship that became vacant after January 1, 2020 and on the effective date of the amendatory Act is held by an individual appointed by the Supreme Court shall also be filled by election at the 2022 general election. Provides that nothing in the provisions shall affect the tenure of any circuit judge serving on the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that no circuit judge serving on the effective date of the amendatory Act shall be required to change his or her residency in order to continue serving in office or to seek retention or reappointment. Provides that any circuit judge elected to that office prior to the effective date of the amendatory Act who files to run for retention after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall have the right to seek retention in the circuit the judge was elected from or to seek retention in the circuit created by the amendatory Act. Makes a conforming change in the Judicial Vacancies Act. Effective immediately.
	8/13/2021 - GOVERNOR APPROVED
SB2515	GROUNDWATER PROTECTION-MAHOMET (Rose, C) Amends the Illinois Groundwater Protection Act. Creates the Mahomet Aquifer Council. Provides that 9 public members shall be appointed to the Council by the Governor, including 3 persons representing a nonprofit consortium dedicated to the sustainability of the Mahomet Aquifer, 5 persons representing local government bodies located over the Mahomet Aquifer, and one person from the University of Illinois Prairie Research Institute. Provides that the chairperson's term shall be for one year, and a Council member's term shall be for 3 years. Allows reimbursement to members for ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, except that such reimbursement shall be limited to expenses associated with no more than 4 meetings per calendar year. Requires the Agency to provide the Council with such supporting services as are reasonable for the performance of the Council's duties. Effective immediately.
	8/13/2021 - GOVERNOR APPROVED

NEW BILL TEXT OR AMENDMENTS FILED MATCHING YOUR TRACKED ILLINOIS COMPILED STATUTES

105 ILCS 5 - School Code.

HB219

SCH CD-TIME OUT-RESTRAINT (Carroll, J) Amends the School Code. Makes changes concerning the adoption of rules by the State Board of Education governing time out and physical restraint in the public schools. Subject to appropriation, requires the State Board to create a grant program for school districts and special education cooperatives and charter schools to implement school-wide, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed practices, positive behavioral interventions and supports, and restorative practices. Allows the State Board to contract with a third party to provide assistance with oversight and monitoring, and requires the State Board to establish reduction goals and a system of ongoing review, auditing, and monitoring. Makes changes in provisions concerning a school board's use of time out and physical restraint, including providing that isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint may be used only under certain circumstances, prohibiting the deprivation of necessities and prone, mechanical, and chemical restraint, and requiring a meeting with school personnel if requested by the parent or guardian, the provision of information to parents and guardians, and written procedures. Effective immediately. Bill Version: Public Act ILCS Section(s) Affected: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.33; 105 ILCS 5/2-3.130; 105 ILCS 5/34-18.20;

All students and personnel at public schools in Illinois will be required to always wear a mask while indoors and many state employees will be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine under new COVID-19 safety protocols announced by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today (Wednesday).

At an update Wednesday, Pritzker said the more contagious Delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 has led to a significant increase in cases and hospitalizations. This is particularly true for those who are unvaccinated or not eligible for a vaccine, prompting a need for universal masking in all Pre-K-12 schools. 

“Throughout this pandemic, we've shifted public health protocols. As circumstances have changed and will continue to do so, we'll continue to watch for things like a significant reduction in transmission, the availability and utilization of vaccines for school aged children under 12, and additional guidance from the CDC. As we see developments in those areas, we will adjust our requirements for schools accordingly. Again, our goal has always been to make sure that every child can go to school this fall, and that the school environment is safe for everyone,” Pritzker said.

In addition to the mask requirement, IDPH Wednesday announced it is expanding free COVID-19 testing to all public schools outside of Chicago. Schools will have access the SHIELD saliva-based test, developed by the University of Illinois-Champaign, which can detect COVID-19 even in pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic cases. 

IDPH is permitting schools that are requiring universal masking to use a “test-to-stay” program for those exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, as an alternative to quarantining. Students and teachers who are exposed can remain in school so as long as they test negative one, three, five, and seven days after exposure.

  

The state is requiring all state employees that work in congregate facilities such as veteran’s homes, prisons, and mental health care facilities. Pritzker said vaccination is necessary to protect those most vulnerable in these settings. He said that while residents at places like veteran’s homes have nearly 100 percent vaccination rates, the same cannot be said for employees.

“They run the risk of carrying the virus into work with them. Then it's the residents who are ending up seriously sick, hospitalized, or worse. It's a breach of safety, it's fundamentally wrong, and in Illinois, it's going to stop. We already require masks for everyone entering state facilities, but if we're going to fully protect our vulnerable populations, the most effective infection control measure is vaccination. It's our obligation to exercise due care and protect the health of those residents, and so we will,” Pritzker said.

He added that his administration is working with the relevant unions to work out the details and is offering incentives for vaccination, such as paid time off for employees. The deadline for employees working in these settings to receive a vaccine is Oct. 4, 2021.

Finally, the governor announced that the state will also require universal masking at all nursing homes and long-term care (LTC) facilities.

IDPH Wednesday also provided public access to COVID-19 vaccination data for residents and staff of LTC facilities. The data can be access through a new IDPH website that displays an interactive map show percent of staff or percentage or residents who have been vaccinated. The information can be found at http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/long-term-care-facility-data.

The governor also said he applauds private companies like Google and Tyson that have announced a vaccine requirement as a condition of employment. He said there are no plans to require any companies make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory. 

In statements from the Illinois Education Association (IEA) and Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), stakeholders said they support the masking requirement in schools and the governor’s interest in reducing COVID-19 spread through schools. 

“We all want to get back to normal. Let’s pull together and take care of one another. Vax up and mask up. We owe it to our students and we owe it to each other,” said IEA President Kathi Griffin in a statement. “We’re so thankful to have leadership in this state that won’t let the virus fester and grow. But, it us up to all of us to bring COVID-19 to its knees.”

“Science tells us that a layered approach will go a long way towards helping keep schools open and students, staff, and communities safe. In addition to mask wearing, we strongly urge all school districts and institutions of higher education to employ additional safety measures, including physical distancing, regular handwashing, adequate building ventilation, and regular COVID testing of students and educators,” said IFT President Dan Montgomery in a statement. 

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge) Wednesday released a statement in opposition to the governor’s actions, urging collaboration with the Legislature and local control of COVID-19 mitigations.

“For over a year, the Governor cut out a co-equal branch of government and ruled the state with unilateral authority instead of working collaboratively to handle the COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois. Governor Pritzker must put this continuing power trip aside and allow local health departments, elected officials, schools and most importantly, parents, to make decisions on these serious issues to help stop the spread of Covid-19,” Durkin said. 

Addressing “breakthrough cases,” in which vaccinated individuals become sick with COVID-19, Pritzker and IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said that such cases remain incredibly rare, though no vaccine is 100 percent effective. Ezike said that, according to their data, .01 percent of those fully vaccinated have been hospitalized with COVID-19 and even fewer, .003 percent, of those fully vaccinated have perished.  

“The overwhelming majority of cases, the hospitalizations, and the deaths are among those who are not vaccinated. The majority of transmission is also among the unvaccinated. Thus, the phrase: ‘It has become a pandemic of the unvaccinated.’ But the key is that we actually have the tools to turn the tide on the next wave. That next wave wants to threaten us if we don't avail ourselves of these tools. Let's do what's right, not just for ourselves, but for our neighbors and our entire communities,” Ezike said.

The executive order instituting these new requirements can be found attached. 

Allison Richard

Legislative Consultant

Please see below public acts. 

60 ILCS 1 - Township Code.
**SB1799	TWP CD-ACCUMULATION OF FUNDS (Cullerton, T) Amends the Township Code. Provides that general assistance funds are included in provisions prohibiting accumulation of township funds that exceed an amount equal to or greater than 2.5 times the annual average expenditure of the previous 3 fiscal years. Effective immediately. Bill Version: Public Act ILCS Section(s) Affected: 60 ILCS 1/85-65;

820 ILCS 315 - Line of Duty Compensation Act.

**SB1650 LINE OF DUTY CLAIM DEADLINE (Rose, C) Amends the Line of Duty Compensation Act. Provides that a claim for a death benefit for a death occurring after December 31, 2016 and before January 1, 2021 may be filed no later than December 31, 2022. Effective immediately. Bill Version: Public Act ILCS Section(s) Affected: 820 ILCS 315/3;  **SB1681 LINE OF DUTY-PROBATION OFFICER (Bennett, S) Amends the Line of Duty Compensation Act. Includes probation officers within the scope of the Act. Bill Version: Public Act ILCS Section(s) Affected: 820 ILCS 315/2;

The Illinois Department of Public Health Tuesday announced it was fully adopting the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC) guidance recommending that everyone, including those vaccinated against COVID-19, wear masks in public indoor settings in areas of “substantial or high transmission.”

The new CDC guidance also recommends that all teachers, staff, students, and visitors at all schools use masks, regardless of vaccination status. 

“While data continues to show the effectiveness of the three COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in the U.S., including against the Delta variant, we are still seeing the virus rapidly spread among the unvaccinated,” IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in a statement.  “Cases and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 both continue to increase, overwhelmingly among the unvaccinated, but the risk is greater for everyone if we do not stop the ongoing spread of the virus and the Delta variant.  We know masking can help prevent transmission of COVID-19 and its variants.  Until more people are vaccinated, we join CDC in recommending everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask indoors in areas of substantial and high transmissions, and in K-12 schools.”

The CDC defines “substantial or high transmission” as those with more than 50 cases per 100,000 people over a 7-day period. That currently includes most of downstate and central Illinois, including the greater St. Louis area and Sangamon County, where Springfield is located. Cook County is currently seeing “moderate” transmission levels. 

A map of community transmission rates by county can be found HERE. 

Allison Richard

Legislative Consultant

IDPH Adopts Eased COVID-19 Safety Recommendations for Schools 

Masks will not be necessary for fully vaccinated students and faculty at Illinois schools after the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Friday updated its guidance to match that of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Local superintendents and boards around the state had been urging IDPH to allow local control of COVID-19 safety procedures ahead of the new CDC guidelines released Friday. The CDC and IDPH recommend that all unvaccinated individuals, including those under the age of 12 who are not old enough yet to receive a vaccine, to continue wearing masks and using other prevention strategies like social distancing. 

“Our goal is to protect the health of students, teachers, and staff so that in-person learning can resume as safely as possible,” IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in a statement.  “The CDC is right: vaccination is the best preventive strategy. As school board members, parents, teachers, and superintendents plan for a return to in-person learning in the fall, we strongly encourage those who are not vaccinated to continue to mask. IDPH is proud to fully adopt school guidance issued by CDC, which is based on the latest scientific information about COVID-19.”

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen Ayala has issued a declaration that all schools must resume in-person instruction this coming school year, with remote learning options available to those who have not or cannot yet receive a vaccine, or who are being quarantined.  

The CDC and IDPH further recommend that schools continue screening for COVID-19, improving ventilation, practicing proper handwashing and respiratory etiquette, and using quarantining and contact tracing methods. 

State Sues Chemtool Over Rockton Fire that Prompted Local Evacuation

Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley Friday filed a lawsuit against Chemtool Inc., alleging that the June 14 fire at the company’s facility released dangerous contaminants into the air and water that threatened local residents. 

The fire burnt for several days at the facility where grease, lubricating oil and other fluids are manufactured. Local residents were evacuated, and the lawsuit alleges that Chemtool is liable for any damages caused by the fire and the costs the state and county incurred while responding to it. 

“The Chemtool fire rattled the community, displaced residents, and took the combined resources and efforts of several fire departments to get under control. Although the flames have been extinguished, the hazard posed to the public and the environment continues, and Chemtool owes the community more information,” Raoul said in a statement. “My office, in collaboration with the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s office will ensure that Chemtool is held responsible for evaluating the extent of the contamination and thoroughly remediating the damage.”

Separately Friday, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Illinois National Guard found that air and water quality remain safe in almost all the area. Only one wipe sample taken near the Chemtool property tested below safe levels for contaminants. 

“After learning about the Chemtool fire in Rockton, I activated the Illinois National Guard and multiple other state agencies mobilized to provide resources and support to local authorities, working together with the shared goal of preserving the health and safety of community residents,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement. “As we have in the days following the emergency, my administration will continue to work closely with local stakeholders as the community recovers.”  

The Illinois EPA continues investigate in the area, and the Illinois Department of Public Health is coordination with the CDC and local health departments to monitor and identify any potential health effects.  

Allison Richard

Legislative Consultant

Illinois will award $10 million in cash prizes and college scholarships as part of a new vaccine lottery initiative aimed at improving vaccination rates, especially in those areas where they are disproportionately low. 

The “All in for the Win” campaign will award cash $7 million in cash prizes ranging from $100,000 to $1 million and $3 million in $150,000 scholarships for vaccinated youth. All Illinoisans who have received their first dose by July 1st will be eligible for the first drawing on Thursday, July 8. Eligibility will be updated before each drawing. 

“Illinois residents who got at least one vaccine dose will be automatically eligible to win. There's no sign-up, no forms, no waiting in line. You did your part already. And this is a way of saying thank you. It's also our way of saying to those who haven't yet been vaccinated: Please join us. Vaccines are incredibly effective, and they keep you protected, but they also make your community safer,” Pritzker said at a Thursday press conference. 

The first drawing will award one $1 million prize from a statewide pool. Every following Monday will include three $100,000 winners. On August 12, two individuals will be chosen from each of the 11 Restore Illinois regions to receive $100,000 prizes. A grand finale drawing on Aug. 26 will award two additional $1 million prizes.  

For those under 18 years old, 20 $150,000 Bright Start College Savings scholarships, equivalent to a full-ride at a four-year public university, will be awarded; Three will be awarded on July 8, and 17 will be awarded on Aug. 26, 11 of which will be distributed amongst the Restore Illinois regions. 

All awards are being funded using federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars. The announcement follows the launch of similar programs in other states, beginning with the Vax-A-Million Lottery in Ohio that has distributed weekly $1 million awards and full-ride scholarships to public universities since May 26.   

About 7.3 million individuals, nearly 70 percent of Illinois’ population, have received at least one dose of the vaccine as of Thursday. 

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said that the vaccine lottery is targeting the still-large number of people who maybe be dragging their feet to get a vaccine or have doubts about it. 

“You may have people who have a religious or some other reason why they are never going to get vaccinated … I think that’s a smaller bucket. There are still many people who we call the ‘Moveable Middle’ where they just need a nudge if they haven’t done it yet.  The chance to win $100,000 or $1 million or a college scholarship for their child can be the nudge they need to get them off their seat and get the vaccine,” Ezike said. 

Donna Thompson, CEO of Access Community Health Network, said reaching those individuals during regular office visits will help increase vaccine outreach by allowing patients to have a one-on-one conversation with their providers about the vaccine’s safety and importance. 

Allison Richard

Legislative Consultant

The Illinois House of Representatives Wednesday voted to approve a bill that aims to address the state’s significant backlog of Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) card applications and renewals while encouraging gun safety through increased fingerprinting and background checks. 

The House voted 75-40 to approve Senate amendments to HB562 (Hoffman). The bill requires all gun sales, including private sales, to include federal background checks; creates an electronic version of the FOID card that will be easier for the Illinois State Police to process; sets an incentive for firearm owners to submit fingerprints to gain access to automatic renewals; and creates of a law enforcement task force that will seek out firearms carried by individuals with revoked FOID cards.

“We have gun violence all over the state. We have gun violence all over the country. I think gun violence should be treated like an epidemic just like the global [COVID-19] pandemic. That’s real. We passed the FOID bill today, we passed [Firearm Restraining Order] bill today, because we recognize that we need to continue to address these issues. Can more be done? I think so,” House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Westchester) said at a Wednesday evening press conference.  

“The bipartisan legislation passed by the General Assembly is a hard-fought victory for Illinois gun violence prevention advocates and survivors that will save lives and support equity by investing in critical mental health services for the communities most impacted by gun violence. We are very grateful for the courageous work of our legislative leaders, which led to the development of this package of gun safety reforms,” said Kathleen Sances, President of Gun Violence Prevention PAC Illinois, in a statement.

The House also voted 71 to 44 to approve changes to the budget recommended by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in an amendatory veto issued Tuesday. The party-line vote was only made possible by a last-minute rule change that allowed several members to vote and participate remotely. Republicans criticized the move as an underhanded effort to fix errors that resulted from a rushed budget bill drafting process. 

Welch said that this one-day session added to the successes of the 2021 session overall. 

“We got it done because we have some great people in the House of Representatives, on both sides of the aisle,” Welch said. 

On the FOID bill, sponsor Jay Hoffman (D-Belleville) noted that the Illinois Sheriffs Association was neutral on the bill, a rare occurrence on a bill supported by gun safety advocates. The bill passed with some Republican support, with Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-North Aurora) explaining that he still opposes the concept of FOID cards but supports the intent of the bill. 

He said he specifically supports the parts of the bill that allow guns to be taken away from individuals with revoked FOID cards, saying such an individual fatally shot several people he had connections to within his district, including the son of a high school classmate of his. 

“After reflecting on the broken and flawed process that we have right now regarding FOID card revocation, I engaged in lots of discussions with members on both sides of the aisle and with stakeholders across the spectrum on how we can fix this system. When someone loses their FOID card, we can actually do something about it --- we can make a difference. I made a commitment to my classmate that we as a body would someday actually make that difference through legislation,” Wheeler said.

Many Republicans said they supported parts of the bill that were ultimately outweighed by the parts they opposed. Others said the bill would not help improve gun safety, saying criminals will continue to skirt the FOID and federal background check systems. 

In other business, the House voted to concur with Senate amendments on HB1092 (Stoneback), which would expand the pool of individuals who can ask a judge to apply a firearm restraining order upon someone who they fear may hurt themselves or others. Republicans similarly opposed the measure, calling it a “gun grab.”

The House also voted to approve, among other legislation, HB2643 (Hoffman), which provides amnesty for individuals who were overpaid unemployment insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic, and HB2908 (Ramirez), which phases-in a fully elected school board for Chicago Public Schools over successive elections in 2024 and 2026.

Those bills now head to Pritzker’s desk for final approval. 

Members of the House Democratic team Wednesday evening also said that negotiations with stakeholders on energy legislation continue, but Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) said that, despite the fact that no agreement has been reached, the process has been far more collaborative than in years past.  

Allison Richard

Legislative Consultant

Today Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation declaring June 19, also known as Juneteenth, a state holiday marking the abolition of slavery in the United States. 

HB3922 (Ford) states that Juneteenth will be recognized as National Freedom Day in the state. All flags will be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, June 19, and a Juneteenth flag will be flown over the Capitol in Springfield.

“Just as Illinois led the nation as the first state to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment, in 2021, we are leading the nation in tackling structural racism head on thanks to the guiding vision of Leader Lightford, Representative Ford, Speaker Welch and the entire Illinois Legislative Black Caucus,” Pritzker said in a statement. “It brings me exceptional pride to sign into law the declaration of Juneteenth as a formal state holiday in Illinois, making us one of the few states in the nation to give it the full status it deserves.”

“Making Juneteenth a state holiday is a breakthrough in Illinois history,” Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Hillside) said in a statement. “It reminds us that freedom and racial equality have always been a hard-fought battle for Black Americans and gives us an opportunity to celebrate our culture and achievements.”

The bill becomes effective Jan. 1, 2022, but the first paid state holiday celebrating Juneteenth will not come until Monday, June 19, 2023. The U.S. Senate Tuesday unanimously also passed a resolution marking the day as a federal holiday. If approved by the U.S. House of Representatives and President Joe Biden, the resolution will become law. 

“Today, we can all stand proud that Illinois will officially recognize America’s second independence day,” House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Westchester) said in a statement. “As the first African-American Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, this moment will forever be a treasure in my heart, and I hope it will become a treasure for all Illinoisans. It’s a day of remembrance, but also a day of joy and perseverance.”

Allison F. Richard

Legislative Consultant

All Illinois businesses and activities will be allowed to re-open June 11, marking an end to COVID-19 safety mitigations, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Friday.

According to a press release, the new comes after several steady weeks of decreases in COVID-19 cases and vaccination numbers. 

“After a tremendously challenging year, Illinois has now reached a defining moment in our efforts to defeat COVID-19,” Pritzker said in a statement. “Thanks to the hard work of residents across the state, Illinois will soon resume life as we knew it before – returning to events, gatherings, and a fully reopened economy, with some of the safety guidelines we’ve adopted still in place. As we fully reopen, this administration remains laser focused on ensuring a strong recovery for our small businesses and communities. Our FY22 budget invests $1.5 billion in small business relief, tourism, job-creating capital projects and more and we look forward to getting these dollars to communities across our state as quickly as possible.”

Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan will allow fully vaccinated Illinoisans to attends conventions, festivals and other events. Individuals will not be required to wear masks in most outdoors in most situations. 

“This pandemic has robbed us of many of our freedoms such as going to ball games and concerts, celebrating graduations, weddings, and birthdays, going to dinner with friends, and even sharing a hug with loved ones we don’t live with,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “The vaccine is giving us our freedoms back and allowing us to move to Phase 5. Let’s keep the vaccination momentum going so we can put this pandemic in the rearview mirror and not look back.”

Allison Richard

Legislative Consultant

Gov. J.B. Pritzker Friday signed bills approving redistricting of the Illinois House and Senate, the Illinois Supreme Court, and the Cook County Board Review. He signed HB2777 (Hernandez), SB642 (Harmon), and SB2661 (Harmon).

“Illinois’ strength is in our diversity, and these maps help to ensure that communities that have been left out and left behind have fair representation in our government,” said Governor JB Pritzker in a statement . “These district boundaries align with both the federal and state Voting Rights Acts, which help to ensure our diverse communities have electoral power and fair representation.”

Republicans have pushed the governor to veto the maps, saying he broke a campaign promise by signing a bill with maps drawn by legislators. 

“When J.B. Pritzker was a candidate for Governor, he made a lot of promises. He told us he was different, that he was a reformer, and that he would veto any map drawn by lawmakers. Today he broke his promise to voters and joins the all-too-long list of Illinois politicians who promise one thing and then do another,” Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) said in a statement.

“The people of Illinois deserve a fair, transparent process that allows them to choose their representatives in Government. Pritzker turned his back on them and chose instead to use his signature to further enshrine the broken status quo of politicians picking their voters.”

Allison Richard

Legislative Consultant