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* “Unlikely to pass” is correct. This bill has zero co-sponsors even though it was introduced two weeks ago. It really is just a bill…
A Democratic state lawmaker has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Illinois that likely goes further than other legislators prefer, but it has officially started the debate over complex legislation that will need to serve many interests.
The bill, introduced Jan. 25 by Rep. Carol Ammons of Urbana, would allow licensed businesses to grow and sell pot, and residents to grow up to 24 plants at home.
The measure is unlikely to pass because lawmakers are expected to act on a more restrictive proposal that’s been in the works for more than a year.
* Another one…
A proposal to automatically admit students to any public college or university in Illinois if they meet certain standards is running into opposition, primarily from the University of Illinois system.
Rep. André Thapedi (D-Chicago), who was unsuccessful in pushing through similar legislation in 2018, is sponsoring a revised proposal this year to guarantee that any student who graduates from an accredited high school in Illinois and who meets certain academic standards would be guaranteed admission to any of the state’s public higher education institutions.
Thapedi told a House committee Thursday that the primary aim of the bill is “to keep our best and our brightest students here in Illinois,” many of whom, he said, leave Illinois to attend college elsewhere.
But he also said it’s intended as a form of affirmative action for minority students and other under-represented groups on Illinois college campuses. He specifically pointed to U of I’s Urbana-Champaign campus as a source of concern because of its small proportion of minority student enrollment — 5.2 percent African-American and 9.3 percent Hispanic.
* And one more…
Illinois lawmakers are once again want to require the state’s public schools to teach students about the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of the nation and the state of Illinois.
The thinking on the LGBT history requirement for Illinois public schools goes like this: Illinois kids already learn about the contributions of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans. Adding LGBT Americans to that list is no big deal. Or so says Democratic state Rep. Anna Moeller.
“Humans, especially young people, need to feel belonged and valued,” Moeller said. “By deliberately excluding or even inadvertently leaving out the history of LGBT contributions, our schools and our teachers send the message that LGBT students don’t belong and aren’t valued.”
Moeller said it is important for LGBT students to know that they are valued.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:05 am
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One area all should agree on is to allow current medial maryjane dispensaries to sell recreational weed.
Comment by the Edge Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:14 am
So they stopped teaching Walt Whitman’s poetry in school?
Comment by A Jack Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:16 am
I’m OK with some form of guaranteed admission at the directional schools that have enrollment issues but not at UIUC, so long as they don’t get forced to take more students than they can reasonably handle. UIUC is at an all time high in enrollment as it is, and is the flagship university for a reason. It should be about maximums not minimums. They are turning away some kids with ACTs above 30 in some programs as it is.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:17 am
As a legalization proponent I would support a more restrictive bill. I dont want to harm people who oppose it and support protections for people, such as more teen drug use prevention programs and traffic enforcement, and such.
It won’t be perfect but it will hopefully be the best possible bill at the time. We can pass more laws later as we see fit.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:19 am
==A proposal to automatically admit students to any public college or university in Illinois if they meet certain standards is running into opposition, primarily from the University of Illinois system.==
Yeah, this would ruin their current business model. How can the University of Illinois possibly continue to exist if they have to accept, you know, students from Illinois instead of foreign students and the much higher tuition that they bring? In-state tuition is $17,403; international is $29,480 (according to their own website)
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:20 am
==it’s intended as a form of affirmative action for minority students==
He’s apparently limiting the definition of minority to african americans and hispanics. The demographics I found show that the U of I in C-U is more than 30% minority.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:21 am
===Thapedi told a House committee Thursday that the primary aim of the bill is “to keep our best and our brightest students here in Illinois,” many of whom, he said, leave Illinois to attend college elsewhere.
But he also said it’s intended as a form of affirmative action for minority students and other under-represented groups on Illinois college campuses. He specifically pointed to U of I’s Urbana-Champaign campus as a source of concern because of its small proportion of minority student enrollment — 5.2 percent African-American and 9.3 percent Hispanic.===
I believe the University of Texas has a “Top 10%” admission rule, allowing the state to keep the top 10% in-state with admission to UT-Austin.
If we don’t want to keep the top 10% here in-state…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:21 am
Here’s the UT-Austin admission guideline.
In 2019, it’s scaled back to top 6%
https://news.utexas.edu/key-issues/admissions-top-10-percent-law/
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:23 am
College admissions is a complicated business. Can the U of I do more to recruit and admit more minority students from Illinois? Yes, absolutely, and they need to demonstrate what they are doing about it. Can they admit more high-achieving Illinois students? I think so, but remember, UIUC may be the best (most academically prestigious) Illinois public university, but it’s not the best university in Illinois. The competition for the brightest students is fierce, and the smartest kids in Illinois get admitted to many of the best schools in the US, if not the world.
There is really no legislation that can change that. More micromanagement from Springfield is not going to make our public universities better.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:29 am
If you grow 2 plants a month, then 24 plants really isn’t a big deal.
But I’m sure the Chicken Littles of the world will collectively lose their stuff over something that’ll never affect them.
Comment by 33rd Ward Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:30 am
==A proposal to automatically admit students to any public college or university in Illinois if they meet certain standards is running into opposition, primarily from the University of Illinois system.==
Some public colleges in other states have a guaranteed admission policy, but they don’t guarantee housing for all admitted students. You may get in, but you may not get a dorm room.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:32 am
If the GA wants UIUC to admit more in-state students, the surest way to do that is to fund it properly.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:33 am
Regarding the LGBT curriculum bill, you know you’re doing something right when the Illinois Family Institute sends lobbyist Ralph Rivera to unironically demonstrate why the bill is needed.
Comment by Dome Gnome Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:48 am
The UI System has 86,000 students enrolled at its 3 sites. And probably most all undergraduates are already “top 10%” or very close.
The priority of the other Regionals should be to compete for those others that fall into that category and to incentivize them to stay instate. Obviously adequate funding from the GA would be a great help to make this happen.
Comment by illini Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:48 am
Maybe kids just want to get as far away from their parents. I was excited to go to college in a different state with moutains. Why don’t we focus on attracting students from other states and attracting our students back after college?
Comment by Paul Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:48 am
===Maybe kids just want to get as far away from their parents===
Only New Jersey sends more students out of state for higher ed.
We need to do better to that statistic.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:51 am
oh no. now I’m gonna have to figure out how not to kill plants…..
Comment by Amalia Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:53 am
The Ammons bill is laughable. Sen Steans & Rep Cassidy have been doing tons of research, studies, had conversations, visited other states w/legalization. When their bill is introduced it will be a fully loaded vehicle compared to her base model. I hope that it helps people see how much better Steans/Cassidy’s is, but I fear it will be a distraction.
As for teaching about LGBT people in history- yes, A Jack, they still teach about Whitman and many other people we know to have been LGBTQ - except for the fact that they were LGBTQ. Visibility matters. Queer youth need to see themselves in our history so they can have a better future. (slogan trademark pending)
Comment by LoyalVirus Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 11:59 am
Why would Rep Ammons introduce this bill when there is an ongoing working group working out the issues? Seems counterproductive.
Comment by LTSW Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 12:02 pm
==If you grow 2 plants a month, then 24 plants really isn’t a big deal.==
? The bill would allow you to have 24 plants at the same time. It’s not restricting how many you grown in a year. 24 is not personal use, which simply invites cartels to continue to operate despite legalization.
Thankfully it will be the carefully considered version that ultimately moves.
Comment by Leslie K Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 12:02 pm
“24 is not personal use”
Speak for yourself, maaaaaan…
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 12:10 pm
Great, another special interest group we have to call out because they’re great. How about this instead, recognize people for what they have accomplished not what their gender is or their preferred sexual orientation or their skin color or where their ancestors came from. No, I guess that’s just too logical.
Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 1:19 pm
“Great, somebody just trying to get attention,” he posted desperately trying to get somebody’s attention.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 2:01 pm
@LoyalVirus. Then should we also teach Ben Franklin’s sexual preferences in high school?
Comment by A Jack Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 2:08 pm
“sexual preference”, A Jack? That’s telling. I also am not sure what you mean by referencing Ben Franklin specifically. LGBTQ youth who learn about LGBTQ people in history are able to see themselves - therefore not feeling isolated or alone, and able to envision themselves as adults contributing positively to society. There have been LGBTQ people throughout America’s - and the world’s - history, just not always recognized as such. It isn’t just recently with Tammy Baldwin, Sharice Davids, Greg Harris or others. Young Illinoisans - hell, ALL Illinoisans should know about Greg and Lamont Robinson and Kelly Cassidy - and they should also know about Penny Severns. And other LGBTQ Americans who have contributed.
Comment by LoyalVirus Friday, Feb 8, 19 @ 4:26 pm