(SPRINGFIELD) Governor J.B. Pritzker says he looks forward to signing public transit legislation into law as the General Assembly early last Friday morning approved the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act during the final hours of the fall veto session in Springfield. The bill authorizes the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to raise sales taxes by a quarter of a percent in Cook County and the collar counties outside Chicago, plus it also increases tolls on Illinois tollways and takes gas tax money from Illinois’ road fund.
(SPRINGFIELD) A controversial bill passed the legislature late last week, sparking fierce debate over its substance and process. On the Senate floor at about 3:00 early last Friday morning, the Democratic-sponsored bill, entitled the Terminally Ill Patients Act, would let adults will less than six months to live request a prescription to self-end their suffering. Those in favor of the bill say it includes over twenty safeguards, including confirmation from two physicians that the patient has six months or less to live, plus mental competency evaluations, waiting periods between requests, and written consent to ensure the decision is voluntary and free from coercion. But, opponents say the measure violates doctors’ “do no harm” oath and could easily expand beyond its intended limits. If the bill is signed into law, Illinois would join 11 other states in legalizing some form of physician assisted suicide.
(SPRINGFIELD) The State Department of Corrections has announced a new pilot program providing phone calls to individuals in custody at correctional facilities statewide. In fact, starting today, on this November 3rd, each prisoner will receive 775 free domestic phone call minutes, or approximately $6.20 per month, to call loved ones. The program utilizes a phone dialer application on tablets that have come under scrutiny for delays in scanning inmate mail to prevent contraband from entering IDOC facilities along with other issues.