(SPRINGFIELD) Despite an historic amount of witness slips in opposition to the Illinois Homeschool Act, the controversial legislation advanced out of committee yesterday and now goes to the State House for consideration. Hundreds of homeschool families were in Springfield Wednesday to oppose the measure, which if approved, will add new regulations to the homeschooling process. There were nearly 42,000 individuals that filed witness slips in opposition to the bill yesterday, compared to almost 1,000 people in support of the plan.
(SPRINGFIELD) Legislation that would prohibit public school students from using cell phones and other wireless communication devices during class time cleared a Senate committee this past Tuesday. Governor J.B. Pritzker called for such a ban in his State of the State address last month. If approved, the plan would require all school boards to adopt policies prohibiting the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time.
(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois Republicans are claiming another small victory in their lawsuit over the state’s legislative district map as the State Attorney General’s Office has decided not to defend the current map. The lawsuit is asking the Illinois Supreme Court to throw out the map, calling it a case of “extreme tampering” and therefore unconstitutional under state law. The lawsuit also asks that a third party be appointed to draw up a more fair map.
(SPRINGFEILD) With March Madness upon us, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office is warning residents about the risks around sports betting. Officials are advising fans to be aware of unlicensed operators, that includes certain betting apps and websites which are allowed in Illinois, but all such operators must be licesed with the Illinois Gaming Board and must remain in compliance with state regulators when it comes to sports betting.