Consolidation measures could cut a few of Illinois’ nearly 7,000 units of government

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

More than 250 Illinois laws take effect Jan. 1. Here’s what you need to know.

Some take on serious issues such as the safety of children, sexual harassment or synthetic marijuana that led to multiple deaths in 2018. Another abolishes a task force on farmers markets that hasn’t met in two years.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Republican lawmaker wants to see more party leadership

A recently-retired Republican lawmaker is searching for leadership inside his party.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Illinois to see longer waiting period for guns, new order of protection in 2019

 

Among Illinois’ 250 or so new laws for 2019 are a pair of hotly debated new gun laws. 

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Sex abuse survivors group not shocked by revelation of 500 additional allegations against the Catholic Church

A sex abuse survivors network wants attorneys general in other states to follow Illinois’ lead in independently investigating the Catholic Church and holding it accountable failing to report allegations of child sex abuse.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Transgender woman suing IDOC gets transfer to women’s prison

CARBONDALE — A year into a legal battle with the Illinois Department of Corrections, Strawberry Hampton, a transgender inmate who alleges she’s been abused at state men’s prisons — including Menard and Pinckneyville — has been transferred to a women’s facility.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

As lawmakers eye spending priorities, new report puts numbers in focus

State government researchers released a new report this week detailing how Illinois’ taxes and business climate compare to other states as lawmakers study ways to pay for transportation projects throughout the state and Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker looks to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

30 years ago, a Missouri woman lost a ring in a river. Against all odds, a Murphysboro man brought it back to her

CARBONDALE — Nathan Duffield has found a lot of junk on the river: sunglasses that usually are too scratched to be used, fishing lures, pocket knives — mostly things that don’t float when someone’s boat flips.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Illinois population falls for fifth straight year with decline of 45,000

Illinois had one of the largest population declines in the nation in 2018, the continuation of a yearslong retreat from the state, according to figures the U.S. Census Bureau released Wednesday.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Multiyear vehicle registration is coming to Illinois in 2021

Hundreds of new laws go into effect Jan. 1, but the one that will save you time at the Secretary of State’s Office isn’t among them.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

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