(SPRINGFIELD) Gun rights advocates in Illinois are raising alarms over House Bill 43, legislation that would create a state task force to study mandatory civil liability insurance for firearm owners. The Illinois Firearms Association calls the measure another major attack on gun rights in Illinois, sponsors of the plan say it is simply aimed at reducing crime. At this time, no state has a fully implemented, statewide law requiring all gun owners to carry liability insurance, however some local and state rules exist in California, New Jersey, Colorado, and New York.
(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois lawmakers are considering legislation to limit what recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can buy, a proposal supporters say urges healthier choices while critics worry about access & affordability. Senate Bill 2908 would direct the State Department of Human Services to seek federal approval to bar SNAP benefits from being used on candy, sugary drinks, & other highly processed foods. Officials say this has been necessary for quite a while to ensure taxpayer dollars for SNAP are not being spent on junk food.
(SPRINGFIELD) A former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatally shooting a Springfield woman in her home back in July 2024. After a jury convicted Sean Grayson of second-degree murder last October, the judge handed down the maximum allowed sentence yesterday. The family and survivors of Sonya Massey says her death is a permanent reminder of what happens when power is exercised without humanity.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Secretary of State’s office has started a new campaign to address the rise of electric bikes, scooters, skateboards, and unicycles on streets and sidewalks around the state. Officials say the “Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready” campaign combines public education, updated driver training, and a push for modernized safety laws. The most recent data shows a 300% increase in crashes involving micromobility devices from 2019 to 2022.