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* First, a little background…
When 7th grade student Gentry Heiple of Carterville approached State Rep. Dave Severin with an idea for a new law, he began a journey that now includes a visit to the State Capitol in Springfield to serve as a Page for a Day.
“It has been a pleasure getting to know Gentry and his mom and dad through this process,” Severin said. “Gentry is an animal enthusiast, and came to me with an idea to designate the Eastern Milksnake as the state’s official snake.” […]
Last week, the Illinois Senate unanimously passed HB 4821. The bill now heads to the desk of Governor JB Pritzker.
Gentry and his family got to meet the governor yesterday, too. At the governor’s urging, he posed for a pic with his feet up on Pritzker’s desk.
Rep. Severin made a point of introducing me to Gentry yesterday…
* Last week, I had the opportunity to meet Kyra Jagodzinski, who is a volunteer for Sen. Melinda Bush. Kyra is just 16 and she wrote this bill…
Provides that all employees shall be entitled to use a maximum of 2 weeks (10 work days) of unpaid bereavement leave to be absent from work due to (i) a miscarriage; (ii) an unsuccessful round of intrauterine insemination or of an assisted reproductive technology procedure; (iii) a failed adoption match or an adoption that is not finalized because it is contested by another party; (iv) a failed surrogacy agreement; (v) a diagnosis that negatively impacts pregnancy or fertility; or (vi) a stillbirth. Provides that the employer may not require that the employee identify which category of event the leave pertains to as a condition of exercising rights under the Act.
Her bill passed both chambers. That’s pretty darned amazing.
Kyra is on my left in this picture…
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 1:18 pm
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Pretty dadgum cool. Makes me feel a little better about the future.
Comment by SAP Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 1:25 pm
I may have already bragged about this, but my 19 year old daughter just testified to a MN Senate Committee on education policy.
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 1:26 pm
Rich, this post is a good palate cleanser after I read about those racist rants in the article about the Springfield cop.
Congratulations to these young people for their outstanding work.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 1:42 pm
If you don’t believe the younger generation is our better angels if we just listen to them, you’ve not met too many younger folks.
These two instances, so glad you highlighted them, Rich.
There’s good all around. Be willing to listen and learn from the next generation as they are the good now and yet to be.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 1:47 pm
So grateful to have met you last week Rich!!
Comment by Kyra Jagodzinski Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 1:48 pm
Made me feel a flicker of hope…alright indeed.
Comment by Dotnonymous Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 2:00 pm
The kids are making it happen. Awesome work and awesome pictures.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 2:00 pm
I’m curious if they find anything to like about the current slate of candidates.
Comment by don the legend Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 2:07 pm
Reason number 8,647 why a “Like” button would be a great addition here.
Well done all the way around.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 2:09 pm
to the later. what usually sounds to good to be true. some small businesses can’t afford to have a law like this pass. most can’t afford to have extra personnel around to pick up the slack.
Comment by Blue Dog Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 2:39 pm
Kyra, what a great, common sense bill. Congratulations on your hard work and compassion.
Comment by Because I said so.... Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 2:43 pm
I’m as cynical as they come but the kids give me hope.
Comment by Tony DeKalb Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 2:48 pm
So are you telling me that grade school and high school kids are more serious than the ILGOP? And they know how to get bills passed better than the ILGOP?
Comment by Henry Francis Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 2:56 pm
===some small businesses can’t afford to have a law like this pass.===
Maybe if you read the bill, you might discover that this doesn’t apply to many small employers. But feel free to leave your garbage here for others to clean up.
There is a place where you can skip doing any homework and then share whatever ignorant opinions you have with the world. That place is called Facebook. Maybe you should stay over there. You’ll fit right in.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 3:06 pm
Great to see young people taking matters into their hands and making a difference. The future is not always bleak.
Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 3:29 pm
– most can’t afford to have extra personnel around to pick up the slack.–
Have a heart man. As someone that suffered through the unimaginable tragedy of a stillbirth, 10 days is not long enough. I got 3 measly bereavement days and then used up a chunk of vacation and sick days. It was an awful time that I still haven’t gotten over almost 7 years later. Sorry our tragedy put a few people out for awhile.
Comment by IT Data Guy Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 3:29 pm
Krya’s bill gives me hope that this will one day become common practice, regardless of if the law to a business. The more this is mainstreamed, the better off we will be.
Comment by Peanut Gallery Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 3:37 pm
many is not all last time I checked. even on Facebook. all I ask is you remember the fail rate on small businesses. it’s not like these folks are flush with cash to hire untrained Temps or go without billable hours in a week.
Comment by Blue Dog Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 3:40 pm
Kyra for president
Comment by Lisa Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 3:40 pm
Congratulations kids; well done
Comment by Just a Citizen Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 3:55 pm
“I can’t afford to treat my employees humanely.”
Boo hoo.
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 3:57 pm
Bravo, Gentry and Kyra. Well done.
Comment by H-W Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 5:31 pm
Just realizing that there are those individuals far, far younger than me who are willing to work the system to accomplish good things is so encouraging. This is especially true when one considers that their elders have not always set the best example. Their passion should be applauded and encoutaged.
Comment by illini Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 6:47 pm
I can’t afford to treat my employees humanely. Well I hope you never become an employer.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 6:48 pm
Press release…
Bailey announces strong opposition to Milksnakes, serpents in general
Darren Bailey, gubernatorial candidate, announced Tuesday that he is strongly opposed to Milksnakes and serpents in general, and will fight against any legislation to honor any snakes.
“Friends, didn’t we learn anything about serpents in the Book of Genesis?” Bailey said.
Sorry, couldn’t resist. Nice work here, Kyra.
Comment by Southern Tuesday, Apr 5, 22 @ 7:51 pm