SPRINGFIELD – Representatives from Google will be at the Illinois Capitol on Tuesday, May 20 demonstrating Google Glass. Google will show members of the Illinois Senate Transportation Committee features of its mobile computing headset from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. in Senate Conference Room 116.

State Senator Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) is sponsoring legislation that would ban the use of Google Glass and similar devices while driving. The proposal, Senate Bill 2632, creates similar rules to behind-the-wheel cell phone use aimed at curbing distracted driving.

WHAT:                 Google Glass demonstration

WHEN:                 Tuesday, May 20

     4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

WHERE:               Senate Conference Room 116

Members of the press are welcome.

“These families give up so much in order to serve in our military.  The least we can do is ensure that school transfers are as easy on their children as possible.” - Senator Melinda Bush

SPRINGFIELD - The hassles of transferring schools when moving to a different state are hard enough on a traditional family. These hassles are even harder and more frequent for military personnel who have children.

New legislation, passed out of the Illinois Senate by Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) today, would make school transfers easier for children of active duty military personnel.

Bush’s proposal ensures that military children who move to Illinois from other states remain in the same grade. If they were in 2nd grade, Illinois schools must also place them in 2nd grade.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) is sponsoring legislation that will allow the state to hold parents accountable when they knowingly allow children to consume alcohol in their cars, boats, campers, airplanes and other vehicles. State law already punishes parents who allow children to drink in their homes.

“We don’t allow children to drink alcohol for a very good reason,” Morrison said. “They’re bodies are still developing, and they can experience long-term health effects. Young, inexperienced people who drink are also even more likely to make dangerous decisions.”

The state legislature began to crack down on parents who knowingly turn a blind eye to teenagers’ drinking parties after several incidents where drunk teenage drivers were involved in deadly accidents.

SPRINGFIELD – George Darnell, a Warren County Sheriff's deputy, responded to a call of suspicious activity in the early morning hours of Dec. 7, 1981. He died in the line of duty after being shot and killed by two suspects.

The Illinois Senate voted Thursday to honor his memory and his sacrifice.

Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) sponsored a resolution dedicating a portion of U.S. Route 67 north of Monmouth in Darnell's memory. The mile-long stretch would be designated "Deputy George V. Darnell Memorial Highway" and the Illinois Department of Transportation would post signs.

"Today, the Illinois State Senate honored the memory, service and sacrifice of a dedicated public servant: Deputy George Darnell. Even though his sacrifice happened years ago, it does not diminish the impact and importance of his life," Sullivan said.

Darnell was an 11-year veteran of the Warren County Sheriff's Office and a veteran of World War II. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2301 and Immaculate Conception Church in Monmouth.

He was survived by his wife of 39 years, Eva Darnell, who passed away in 2012, and seven children. He was 61 years old when he was killed.

Warren County Sheriff Martin Edwards and State Police District 14 Commander Capt. Robert Elliot brought this case to Sullivan's attention. Both Edwards and Elliot testified before a Senate committee in support of this resolution in March.

The resolution, Senate Joint Resolution 48, passed the Senate with bipartisan support by a 55-0 vote and now moves to the House for approval.