(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed 124 bills into law this past Friday. Effective immediately, House Bill 1806 prohibits licensed mental health professionals from using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make independent therapeutic decisions and beginning in July, 2031, newly purchased school buses must be equipped with lap & shoulder seat belts with Senate Bill 191. Other new laws starting January 1st, 2026, includes one that creates more transparency by requiring state agencies to report on advertising expenditures every year, another creates a religious exemption to allow cremated remains to be scattered in Illinois rivers, and another changes the definition of “bicycle” to include low-speed electric bikes. The entire list of new laws is available on the Governor’s website online.
(CHICAGO) The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has sued an Illinois hospital, saying it violated federal law when it failed to provide a reasonable accomodation to employees who asked for exemptions from COVID-19 vaccines for religious & disability reasons. The EEOC filed two lawsuits claiming that Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, engaged in conduct which violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Action of 1964.
(CHICAGO) Five Chicago-area individuals have been indicted for allegedly obtaining millions of dollars in loans and benefits under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. A federal grand jury last week indicted the five people on multiple counts of wire fraud in Cook County. The defendants have all pleaded not guilty.
(CHICAGO) State and Chicago officials joined Major League Baseball officials this past Friday at Wrigley Field to announce that the historic “Friendly Confines” will host the 2027 All-Star Game the year after next. The Cubs last hosted the Midsummer Classic 35 year ago in 1990. The All-Star Game in 2027 will be played on Tuesday night, July 13th.