(SPRINGFIELD) With today being the last day for proposed bills to be approved by the respective House committees and to move on the State House floor for consideration this spring, there were a few key measures approved yesterday in committee work. House Bill 1053 would put an end to the practice where three-time convicted felons are denied parole. Two other bills approved will actually work to protect victims. House Bill 1168 would end the practice of crime victims’ DNA being stored in a database that can later be used by law enforcement in an unrelated case and House Bill 4241 would criminalize sexual conduct between students 18 years old or older and educators. All three bills advance to the House.
(SPRINGFIELD) Another new law proposed in the State House is being met with opposition by our downstate lawmakers, including State Representatives Adam Niemerg and Blaine Wilhour. House Bill 5345, which as of yesterday was still held in committee due to the lack of support so far in Springfield, would amend the minimum wage law and require all businesses who currently employ tipped workers to compensate employees at $15.00 an hour, beginning in 2025, therefore eliminating any tips. Those opposed to the action say if approved, it would cause turmoil in the service industry, losing jobs and small businesses.
(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois State Police from eastern and southern Illinois joined forces with other law enforcement personnel throughout the entire month of March to combat unsafe and aggressive driving behaviors along Interstate 57. The 31-day operation focused on the 257 mile stretch of I-57 from the state’s southern tip in Alexander County to the north edge of Champaign County, involving State Police personnel from Troops 7, 9, and 10 along with assistance from other groups and agencies. During the saturated patrols, State Troopers enforced Illinois Vehicle Code violations, especially speeding, which is a contributing factor in nearly one-third of all fatality crashes. Here’s the Operation Fast Break results :
- 2,521 written warnings for speeding
- 1,801 citations for speeding
- 1,385 tickets for motor carrier safety violations
- 187 citations for suspended/revoked/no driver’s license violations
- 52 tickets for violating the Move Over “Scott’s Law”
- 7 arrests for driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
- 6 citations with the seizure of firearms