Inside:
- Homeschool bill hanging in limbo
- Bill to eliminate requirement for senior driving tests has passed the House
- Resentencing bill fails
- Next week is National Work Zone Awareness Week
Homeschool bill hanging in limbo
There has been no bill so far this spring which has generated as much interest in Springfield as the homeschool bill. This bill would place a series of mandates on homeschool families and private schools. I voted against this bill in committee and would have opposed it on the House floor had it been brought up for a vote last week. Last Friday was the deadline for House bills to move on to the Senate, but this bill was not among the 379 which passed in time.
But before we adjourned, the sponsor of the bill made some comments on the House floor which suggest that although she did not attempt to move the bill forward before the deadline, this story may not be over just yet. Deadlines can be extended, bills can be amended and added onto other bills. In other words, just about anything can happen.
I was so appreciative to all those who reached out to me to help oppose this bill, to all those who came to the Capitol to make their voices heard, and to all those who took the time to file witness slips against the bill – more than 136,000 total against the bill and its individual amendments. But while last Friday’s inaction is a good thing, it is not time to celebrate and rest. Please continue to stay engaged as we move into the last month of session. We still need to hear from you!
Bill to eliminate requirement for senior driving tests has passed the House
Some Illinois seniors will no longer have to take a driving test to renew their license thanks to legislation which passed the Illinois House.
House Bill 1226 raises the age for the driving test from the current level of 79 up to the age of 87. Immediate family members of drivers will be able to reach out to the Secretary of State if there is a medical issue which makes the person unable to safely operate a motor vehicle.
I was a co-sponsor of this bill, which will remove a burdensome requirement from our seniors when they go to renew their drivers license, and which will reduce wait times at the Secretary of State offices. The bill passed 114-0 and is now in the Senate.
Resentencing bill fails
A bill to allow for resentencing of murderers and rapists who committed their crimes when they were under the age of 21 was voted down in the House last week.
House Bill 3332 would apply retroactively to all inmates, allowing them to seek resentencing or even parole. An evaluation by the Sentencing Policy Advisory Council found that the legislation would apply to 774 persons in prison for murder and 202 for sexual assault. Victims or their families would have had to come back to court for resentencing hearings, reliving the pain and the loss they suffered. The bill was voted down with members of both parties voting No.
Next week is National Work Zone Awareness Week
Road work is essential for safer and better infrastructure, but it also comes with risks for workers and drivers. Work zones require extra attention, slower speeds, and a commitment to driving responsibly.
National Work Zone Awareness Week is a reminder that every cone, sign, and barrier is there to protect lives. Be sure to stay alert and do your part to keep the road safe for everyone!
Pancakes with the Easter Bunny
Saturday morning I got to enjoy a Sherrard famous blueberry pancake at the Sherrard Fire Department pancake and sausage breakfast. It was a chance to come out and support a local volunteer fire department. Young and old even got to enjoy a photo and egg with the Easter Bunny. Thank you Sherrard FD and Boy Scout troops 425 for your help.
They also had the griddle up and going at the Oxford Fire Department in Alpha. If you still had a sweet tooth after the pancakes, you could make a purchase at the bake sale. Thank you Oxford FD!
Also this weekend I enjoyed an evening with the Macomb FFA. They are a great and talented group of kids! Macie Bartlow is going on to compete reciting the FFA creed. Congratulations to the scholarship recipients and award honorees.
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