Illinois lawmakers have made a swift start to the spring legislative session, filing over 1,800 bills within just three weeks. While not all proposals will make it to the desk of Governor JB Pritzker, last session saw 5,929 bills filed and only 564 passed, the sheer volume provides insight into the priorities of the House. Here are 9 of the bills proposed:
Community-Based Alternatives to Incarceration
Rep. Rita Mayfield (D-Gurnee) has introduced a bill allowing individuals convicted of crimes to serve their sentences in community-based settings instead of prison. House Bill 44 mandates that these community nonprofits offer housing, workforce training, mental health counseling, and restorative justice programs, with judges determining eligibility for community placement.
Ban on Single-Use Bags
Rep. Suzanne Ness (D-Crystal Lake) aims to prohibit businesses from providing single-use plastic and paper bags under House Bill 1146. If passed, Illinois would join nine other states with similar bans.
Prohibition of Disposable Plastic Foodware
Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview) has filed House Bill 1600, which would prevent restaurants from providing single-use plastic foodware to diners, allowing them only upon request and with proper signage.
Defining Domestic Assault
Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) introduced House Bill 1455 to establish the offense of “domestic assault” as a Class A misdemeanor, providing clearer definitions and guidelines for law enforcement.
Legalizing Psilocybin
House Bill 1143, sponsored by Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago), seeks to decriminalize and tax psilocybin for adults over 21, acknowledging its potential mental health benefits while maintaining restrictions on driving under its influence.
End-of-Life Options
Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) is advocating for physician-assisted suicide through House Bill 1328, which would allow terminally ill patients to request medication to end their lives under strict guidelines.
Free Community College Tuition for Disadvantaged Areas
Mayfield also introduced House Bill 1170, which aims to provide free community college tuition for students in areas affected by violence and economic disinvestment, funded by marijuana tax revenues.
Luggage for Foster Children
Rep. Margaret Croke (D-Chicago) has proposed House Bill 10, requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to provide luggage for children transitioning out of foster care instead of trash bags.
Raising Marriage Age to 18
Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) has proposed House Bill 1744, which would prohibit marriage for anyone under 18, eliminating the current provisions for minors with parental consent.
Additional Notable Bills
Other bills include a proposal for paid Veterans Day leave for veteran employees (Rep. Kevin Schmidt), felony charges for drifting and street racing (Rep. La Shawn Ford), and restrictions on firearm possession at polling places (Rep. Bob Morgan). Additionally, House Bill 35 would require health insurers to have human oversight when using AI to make coverage decisions.
As the legislative session continues, it remains to be seen which of these proposals will advance and become law.
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