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Articles by Ali Rasper
Illinois Senate Republicans renew calls for hearings with Prisoner Review Board appointees
May 31, 2021 3:09 pm Ali Rasper Illinois Capitol Bureau, Top Stories SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- Senate Republicans are still upset that the Executive Appointments Committee has not confirmed Gov. JB Pritzker's Prisoner Review Board members. Senators voted unanimously twice last week asking the committee to approve the board members. However, the Executive Appointments Committee met Monday and the controversial Prisoner Review Board members didn't appear for approval.
Illinois trailer licensing fee could be reduced to $36
May 30, 2021 8:57 pm Ali Rasper Illinois Capitol Bureau, Top Stories SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- House lawmakers passed a bill Sunday that could finally reduce trailer fees. Members hoped to bring the current $118 fee back down to $18. However, Democrats and Republicans had to reach a compromise. “I think this is long, long overdue as a correction,” said Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville). “I wish it was down to $18, but we can’t get everything we want in this building.
Illinois House passes proposal requiring fingerprints from gun owners
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - State lawmakers could require legal gun owners to go through background checks for all firearm purchases. House Democrats passed their plan to block illegal ownership and fix the FOID card system Saturday. It also includes a one-time fingerprint check to verify the FOID card holder's identity. The measure also makes the FOID electronic so gun owners could have it on their cell phones or laptop.
Illinois college athletes could soon receive money if institutions use their name, image
May 29, 2021 7:30 pm Ali Rasper Illinois Capitol Bureau, Top Stories SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- House Representatives passed a bill that could give college athletes the compensation they deserve. Senate Bill 2338 allows athletes to earn money if their college or university uses their name, image, or likeness for profit. Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) explained the bill would also give these athletes the ability to obtain an agent.
Illinois representatives adopt resolution to reopen IDES offices
May 29, 2021 6:09 pm Ali Rasper Illinois Capitol Bureau, Top Stories SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- The House adopted a resolution Saturday demanding the Illinois Department of Employment Security reopen their offices immediately. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) explained they reached out to the department countless times in the past asking them to reopen. IDES officials sent them a letter saying they are more productive for Illinois residents when they keep their doors closed.
Illinois lawmakers pass sex education bill for K-12 students
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- Age appropriate sex education could be taught to students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade starting in the 2023 school year. House lawmakers passed Senate Bill 818 Friday night. Republicans strongly opposed the bill and said they don't want Illinois' children learning about sex. However, Rep. Fred Crespo (D-Streamwood) had some ideas of his own. He feels while sex education in schools is important, lawmakers should not require schools to use one set of curriculum.
Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus discusses priorities as session ends
May 27, 2021 6:41 pm Ali Rasper Illinois Capitol Bureau, Top Stories SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus highlighted several bills they hope to push through the General Assembly before the end of session. The proposals aim towards protecting immigrant families with housing security, proper education, greater access, and representation. Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Summit) explained how much minority communities have struggled, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Illinois House passes 'shot and a beer' proposal
May 27, 2021 6:19 pm Ali Rasper Illinois Capitol Bureau, Top Stories SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- Get a shot, receive a drink. It’s the new strategy lawmakers hope to implement to encourage Illinoisans to get COVID-19 vaccines. Senate Bill 104 could allow bars and restaurants to give a free shot or beer to those 21 and older who show proof they have been vaccinated. It’s also an effort to help save the hospitality industry in Illinois. Rep.
Illinois House passes bill tackling youth vaping
May 27, 2021 6:28 pm Ali Rasper Illinois Capitol Bureau, Top Stories SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – House lawmakers passed a bill Thursday aiming to stop young kids and teens from vaping and using electronic cigarettes. Senate Bill 512 could prohibit advertisements for vaping products that are targeted towards teenagers. It could also require vape shops to verify that customers are 21-years or older when purchasing these products.
Illinois Senate passes bill requiring colleges to offer free menstrual products to students
May 25, 2021 7:24 pm Ali Rasper Illinois Capitol Bureau, Top Stories SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- Free feminine hygiene products could soon be popping up in public universities and community colleges in Illinois. The Senate passed House Bill 641 which would require institutions to supply students with free menstrual products in all campus bathrooms. Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) argued that similar programs have been implemented in the past but were cancelled after students took more products than needed.
Asian American history could be taught in Illinois schools starting in fall 2022
May 25, 2021 7:25 pm Ali Rasper Illinois Capitol Bureau, Top Stories SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- The Senate passed a proposal requiring every public school in Illinois to include instruction of accurate and inclusive Asian American history. Democratic Senators said Asian Americans are one of the fastest growing populations in Illinois and the school curriculum should reflect that. Sen. Ram Villivalam said Illinois schools currently don't have accurate Asian American history in their textbooks.
Senate Republicans say Pritzker's appointments for Illinois Prison Review Board are 'shady'
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- Senate Republicans are angry with the way Gov. JB Pritzker has handled appointments of four members to the Illinois Prison Review Board (IPRB). Republicans want transparency from Pritzker as they believe he is violating a constitutional requirement for appointments. The governor appointed four members of the IPRB shortly after he took office in early 2019. Those board members make decisions on whether prisoners receive parole, releasing them from prison.
House Republicans demand IDES immediately reopen local offices
May 20, 2021 9:12 pm Ali Rasper Illinois Capitol Bureau, Top Stories SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- The Illinois Department of Employment Security has struggled to help residents resolve fraudulent claims or receive unemployment payments throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. IDES closed doors to local offices early into the pandemic and haven’t opened them since. Illinois residents quickly turned to their local lawmakers for answers. Over a year later, they argue nothing has changed.
House bill could require free menstrual products in every bathroom of Illinois schools
May 20, 2021 9:15 pm Ali Rasper Illinois Capitol Bureau, Top Stories SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- The Illinois House passed a bill Thursday evening that could require all schools to offer students free menstrual hygiene products in all bathrooms. House Bill 156 would only apply to fourth grade through senior year of high school. Still, Rep. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) argued he didn’t understand why menstrual products should be in a boys bathroom.
Illinois Democratic lawmakers fight for gun reform with less than two weeks left of session
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- A new study conducted by a nonprofit advocating for gun control shows Illinois ranks fifth in the country in homicides among Black people. Ninety percent of those victims died from gun violence. Violence Policy Center Executive Director Josh Sugarmann explained why his organization conducts the study each year. “The goal of our work for this study is to help support community advocates, organizations on the ground working to stop this violence,” said Sugarmann.
Senate Committee advances bill to help Illinoisans convicted of drug charges rejoin society
May 18, 2021 9:18 pm Ali Rasper Illinois Capitol Bureau, Top Stories SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- Illinois could offer financial aid to people struggling with drug charges thanks to a bill moving through the Senate. The proposal could allow anyone who has been convicted of drug charges access TANF benefits. Republicans raised concerns about the state giving free money to people who have potentially dealt drugs to younger people in their communities. Sen.
'The buck stops here' after 36 veterans died on his watch
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- House Republicans continue to call on the Pritzker administration to implement policy changes in Illinois’ veterans’ homes after the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle facility. Republicans claim there’s been “no action” to ensure veterans’ safety going forward following last Tuesday’s hearing. Rep. David Welter (R-Morris) explained while the hearing went over four hours long, lawmakers weren’t able to ask important questions to make the necessary changes.
House committee asks Pritzker administration, Ezike how they could've prevented deadly outbreak at LaSalle Home
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- House lawmakers put officials from the Pritzker administration in the hot seat Thursday demanding why they didn’t act sooner to prevent the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home. The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee asked why the administration never filled a nursing home administrator job after the employee retired in 2019. Rep. Lance Yednock (D-Ottawa) suggested the outbreak may not have been as bad if Pritzker filled that job.
Republicans continue calls for a "fair map" in Illinois
May 12, 2021 6:45 pm Ali Rasper Illinois Capitol Bureau, Top Stories SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- Illinois House and Senate Republicans gathered outside of Governor JB Pritzker’s office Wednesday demanding a bipartisan map. They continue to claim that Democrats are pushing a partisan redistricting process through Springfield. GOP lawmakers criticized Democrats last week for meeting behind closed doors to work on their map.
Inspector General addresses concerns over report detailing LaSalle Veterans' Home COVID-19 outbreak
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- The Acting Inspector General for the Department of Human Services spoke with Illinois Representatives Tuesday about his recent report regarding the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home. Peter Neumer explained Gov. Pritzker called for the investigation to figure out what led to the deaths of 36 veterans. Rep. David Welter (R-Morris) asked if the Governor’s Office put any pressure on the Inspector General’s Office during the investigation.
Republican lawmakers demand solutions following deadly COVID-19 outbreak at LaSalle Veterans' Home
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- Republican lawmakers continue to call for an independent investigation of the COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home. Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) demanded action today while standing outside of the Veterans’ Home where 36 residents died. The Republican said she’s outraged by what took place within the walls of the facility last year. Rezin explained a proper response to the deadly outbreak isn’t about politics.
Illinois House Republicans argue lawmakers are "wasting time" in Springfield as session winds down
May 7, 2021 7:54 pm Ali Rasper Illinois Capitol Bureau, Top Stories SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- Illinois House Republicans said after another week in Springfield, lawmakers haven’t tackled any substantive issues dealing with ethics reform. The House adjourned after less than 10 minutes of session Friday morning. Republicans said that lawmakers are just wasting time in Springfield. Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) said people back home want lawmakers working on important issues at the Capitol.
Illinois Senate Republicans and County Clerks ask for transparency in election process
May 6, 2021 8:11 pm Ali Rasper Illinois Capitol Bureau, Top Stories SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- Illinois Senate Republicans and county clerks from across the state are pushing legislation creating more transparency in elections. Senate Bill 1326 could require election judges to complete uniform training requirements provided by the State Board of Elections. Sen. Sally Turner (R-Lincoln) said the Illinois State Board of Elections already has election judge training.
Illinois House Democrats give update on outlook for rest of Spring session
May 6, 2021 8:09 pm Ali Rasper Illinois Capitol Bureau, Top Stories SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- House Democratic leaders met with reporters Thursday to discuss some of their goals for the rest of the legislative session. They gave updates on redistricting hearings, a proposal for Asian American history curriculum in schools and a task force for statues on state property. Of course, next year’s budget is on everyone’s mind.
Illinois mobile museum educates students on racism, hate, and intolerance
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- (WGEM) — A new mobile museum stopped in Springfield this week to teach students, school staff and lawmakers about racism, hate, and intolerance. Midwest region director for the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Alison Pure-Slovin, said they started the project back in 2018. She said it’s been an extraordinary journey for the center to build the mobile museum, especially during a pandemic.
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