(SPRINGFIELD) One of the nearly 300 new laws that took effect yesterday in Illinois is a ban on compact fluorescent light bulbs. While the law prohibits the sale and distribution of screw-base and bayonet-base compact fluorescent lamps, restrictions on pin-base compact fluorescent and linear fluorescent lamps are set to begin next year, in 2027. Democratic sponsors of the new law say that toxic pollutants in fluorescent bulbs are the problem, posing a health risk to all ages.
(SPRINGFIELD) Another new law that began yesterday will let statewide veterinarians renew yearly medical exemptions for pets that are too sick to receive rabies shots, a change that many supporters call “common sense.” While the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association says the law finally brings needed clarity to state rules, which allows veterinarians the sole ability to exempt an animal from rabies vaccination if it would compromise the particular animal’s health, although the percentage of animals affected is very low, plus the risk to the public is zero.
(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois Community Colleges have announced that its second annual “Feed the Need” Campus Food Drive, which started in 2024 to help combat food insecurity on junior college campuses and support students in need, collected nearly 180,000 non-perishable food items for local campus and community food banks, dwarfing last year’s collection of nearly 91,000 food items. Most all of the 45 junior colleges in 39 community college districts, including those in the Illinois Eastern Community College District, took part in the statewide initiative.