(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois lawmakers have passed wide-ranging energy legislation, however opponents say it will lead to higher electricity bills. Senate Bill 25, also known as The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), passed the State Senate by a 37 to 22 vote last night after the State House advanced it Wednesday. The bill provides for battery storage and virtual power plants, plus the expansion of energy efficiency programs, and it also ends the state’s moratorium on new nuclear facilities. Opponents of the bill, including most downstate lawmakers, say it’s mostly an $8 billion rate increase over the next several years.
(SPRINGFIELD) The General Assembly has approved legislation that modifies the Clean Slate Act which will seal certain criminal convictions for prisoners. The Illinois House passed the bill yesterday, on the final day of the fall veto session, after the State Senate advanced it Wednesday. The measure now goes to Governor Pritzker for his consideration.
(SPRINGFIELD) With federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits ending tomorrow, November 1st, due to the partial government shutdown, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed an executive order yesterday to direct $20 million in state taxpayer funds to food banks. The funding includes $10 million from the Budget Reserve and $10 million from the Illinois Department of Human Services. The dollars are intended to support seven food banks that supply over 2,600 food pantries across Illinois.
(SPRINGFIELD) After more than two years of being appointed and already on the job, Latoya Hughes was approved by the Illinois Senate yesterday to be the official Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections. Opponents of the appointment say she is not keeping inmates and statewide staff members safe, plus she has not been honest and straight forward with lawmakers. The annual salary for the IDOC Director is $200,000.