It’s just a bill

 * ProPublica…

In the strongest rebuke yet of Illinois school districts that ask police to ticket misbehaving students, the state attorney general has declared that the practice — still being used across the state — is illegal and should stop. […]

But the attorney general’s office did not alert other districts of its findings, which came in July, and did not issue guidance that the common practice violates the law. That means its findings against the suburban Chicago district could have a narrow effect. […]

State lawmakers have tried several times to pass legislation intended to stop the practice by specifically prohibiting schools from involving police in minor disciplinary matters. But the bills have stalled. School officials have argued ticketing is a necessary tool to manage student behavior, and some lawmakers worried that limiting officers’ role in schools could lead to unsafe conditions.  

Rep. La Shawn Ford, a Democrat from Chicago, told ProPublica this month that he plans to try again next year. “We don’t want police doing schools’ work,” Ford said.   […]

“What will really address this is a state law that would have an impact on all Illinois schools. That is the only possible way I see because it is so pervasive across Illinois,” said Angie Jiménez, an attorney at the National Center for Youth Law, which has pushed for reforms in Illinois law.

* Tribune…

The state’s perennial pension problems are among several budgetary matters that will likely be taken up in the coming months by the legislature, along with how to deal with a $730 million fiscal cliff for Chicago-area public transit once federal pandemic aid dries up in early 2026 and whether to set aside more state funding for Chicago’s public school system.  

Other unresolved issues include gun safety measures that Democrats haven’t been able to bring over the finish line.  

Legislation often referred to as “Karina’s Bill,” named after Chicago resident Karina Gonzalez, who, along with her 15-year-old daughter, was shot and killed by her husband last year, would require police to remove guns from people who have orders of protection against them, clarifying when and how authorities can confiscate such firearms. As it stands, firearms aren’t always taken from people in those situations even if the firearm owner’s identification card is revoked.  

Illinois lawmakers could weigh a proposal to create a statewide office to help under-resourced public defenders. One of the proposal’s goals is to address the lack of public defense resources in rural areas, many of which don’t even have a public defender’s office.

* Click here for some background. HB5916 from Rep. La Shawn Ford…

Amends the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Act. Provides that the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority may sell certain specified property. Provides for the disposition of moneys received from the sale. Authorizes the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority to enter into any agreements and execute any documents necessary to arrange for the sale of the property.

* CBS Chicago…

Illinois lawmakers have passed new legislation spurred by the story of a woman who was sexually abused by a teacher, only to have a psychiatrist claim that not all cases of sexual abuse are traumatic when she sued Chicago Public Schools. […]

"It was a terrifying experience. It's kind of hard to heal from, and it's hard to have people try to invalidate that," the victim told CBS News Chicago earlier this year. […]

Now state lawmakers have passed legislation aimed at making it clear that sexual assault on students is always traumatic. It also includes language that prevents defendants from blaming child sexual abuse survivors in civil lawsuits. 

 The Illinois House unanimously approved the legislation in May, and the Illinois Senate passed it unanimously this week. It will now go to Gov. JB Pritzker for his signature.

* Sen. Willie Preston introduced SB3992 last week…

Creates the Best Customer Price Act. Provides that a public institution of higher education or a State agency may require best customer pricing for any goods it procures. Provides that, if goods are to be purchased by the State from a supplier or reseller, the supplier or reseller shall attest that the price is the best customer price. Provides that the supplier or reseller shall include a provision in the letter of supply from the manufacturer that the supplier or reseller can secure the supply and quantity of goods to be purchased, and that the manufacturer has extended the same best customer pricing from the manufacturer to each of the suppliers or resellers registered with the State for the goods to be purchased. Provides that, if a public institution of higher education or a State agency requires best customer pricing for the goods but does not believe the price is competitive, the public institution of higher education or the State agency may decline to award the bid. Effective immediately.

* WCIA…

Mattie Hunter’s legislation — the Kinship in Demand (KIND) Act — focuses on increasing support to relative caregivers and reducing barriers to permanency. […]

House Bill 4781 works to improve family connections and outcomes for children in foster care. The bill would require the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to notify relatives within 30 days of a child’s entry into care. Hunter said this will strengthen family engagement. […]

On Thursday, the Senate passed House Bill 4781 with bipartisan support. […]

 “We thank Senator Mattie Hunter for her stalwart leadership and relentless efforts to secure passage of the KIND Act. We urge the House of Representatives to act to concur with the Senate vote as soon as possible,” [Nora Collins-Mandeville, director of Systems Reform Policy at the ACLU, said].