Jones provide municipalities more power in development plans

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones is leading a measure to allow municipalities to have a greater say in its development plans.

“Concentrating IDOT funding for pedestrian and bicycle ways to larger cities will increase efficiency and usability of said funding,” said Jones (D-Chicago). “This measure will make sure that resources are not wasted.”

Currently, IDOT must fund pedestrian and bicycle ways to in conjunction with construction, reconstruction or other change of state transportation facilities in or within one mile of a municipality of over 1,000 people. This forces municipalities to work pedestrian and bicycle ways into their development plans even if they won’t be used.

House Bill 4489 would allow an area of a county within one mile of a city with a population of 50,000 or more to pass a resolution to opt out of IDOT-funded pedestrian or bicycle ways. 

“This measure will give smaller municipalities the power to have more say in their infrastructure,” said Jones. “This will help communities by allowing them to plan and build new construction without the restriction of including pedestrian and bicycle ways.”

House Bill 4489 passed the Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday.

Edly-Allen to protect incarcerated pregnant individuals

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mary Edly-Allen passed an initiative to align nutrition and restraint protections for pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals in state prisons.

“Every jail in Illinois has their own policies and procedures when it comes to pregnant incarcerated individuals and their rights,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “This bill ensures that every pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding individual in all county jails and prisons has the same protections.”

House Bill 5431 seeks to align rights statewide to address the lack of humane treatment of pregnant and postpartum people. Additionally, this legislation requires annual reporting on pregnancies, births, miscarriages, and the use of restraints in facilities as well as requiring supplemental nutrition for pregnant and breastfeeding prisoners.

Read more: Edly-Allen to protect incarcerated pregnant individuals

Toro initiative mandating Autism sensitivity training for police passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD —State Senator Natalie Toro’s legislation requiring officers to go through autism-informed responses in their training passed the Senate, making it one step closer to becoming law.

“Law enforcement need to be aware of the unique communication challenges people with autism may have, especially in a more stressful situation like having an encounter with a police officer, and how that may make them appear noncompliant,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “By mandating autism sensitivity training, we are ensuring police have a deeper understanding of how to best engage with people with disabilities in their community and prevent misunderstandings that could turn tragic.”

While people with autism may be able to manage their communication differences or behavioral challenges with supports at school, work, or in their daily lives, they may experience unique challenges when interacting with police. Without proper training on how some people with autism communicate, law enforcement may interpret their behavior as being noncompliant with questioning or instructions. This has caused interactions between law enforcement and individuals with autism to escalate quickly, resulting in unnecessary use of force, trauma or death.

Read more: Toro initiative mandating Autism sensitivity training for police passes Senate

Stadelman discusses future of local journalism

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman recently held a subject matter hearing in the Senate Revenue Committee on a measure designed to uplift local journalism.

“Local journalism is the backbone of our communities, providing essential news and information that keeps residents informed and engaged,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “We must do what we can to preserve local journalism and, in turn, preserve democracy.”

Senate Bill 3953 would create the Local Journalism Sustainability Act, which aims to provide critical financial support to local news organizations and small businesses through targeted tax credits.

The bill contains two tax credits: one is withholding credits to help companies and their local newsrooms maintain and expands staff. Over the past 15-20 years, Illinois has lost a third of its local newspapers and newsrooms in the state, and has reduced jobs by 85%. The other tax credit is for local small businesses which advertise with local newsrooms.

Read more: Stadelman discusses future of local journalism