(SPRINGFIELD) After the new year in January, Illinois lawmakers are scheduled to return to Springfield to wrap up the 103rd General Assembly. The so-called “Lame Duck” session is also a time when some warn that things could pass with those lawmakers who have no more accountability to taxpayers. Closing out the Fall Veto session last month, several downstate lawmakers warned of what could happen when legislators return to work after New Year’s Day, including the likelihood of tax increases. With lawmakers filing nearly 10,000 bills in the past two years of the 103rd Illinois General Assembly, only 479 of them passed, and more could be filed. The new 104th General Assembly begins January 9th, 2025.
(SPRINGFIELD) While many residents in Illinois are opposed to the use of farmland for the purpose of solar and wind projects, a recent state law enacted by Governor Pritzker and the Democratic-controlled General Assembly has taken away the power of local government to say “no” to such projects. In 2023, the Governor made remarks that contridicted statements he made before the 2022 election, where he had ensured the Illinois Farm Bureau that local governments would have control over such projects. However, it appears to be a done deal now that the General Assembly took no action during last month’s Fall Veto session.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois State Police, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and hundreds of local law enforcement agencies around the state are continuing the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, running this holiday weekend and again next week through the New Year’s holiday time frame as well. All drivers are reminded that law enforcement personnel will not only focus on impaired drivers, albeit by both alcohol and drugs, but they’re also looking for those not using their seat belts while driving, for those driving too fast for conditions, for those texting while driving, & for other traffic offenses.