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* Rep. Jackie Haas introduced HB4127 yesterday…
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that if the county jail located in the county where the committed person was residing immediately before his or her conviction for the offense for which he or she is serving sentence in the Department of Corrections has a reentry program for committed persons, the Department of Corrections shall reimburse the county for any expenses incurred in the transfer of the committed person to the sheriff of the county where the reentry program is located, including the housing of the committed person transferred to the reentry program.
* Rep. David Friess filed HB4122…
Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Changes the definition of “sex” to mean the classification of a person as either female or male based on the organization of the body of such person for a specific reproductive role, as indicated by the person’s sex chromosomes, naturally occurring sex hormones, and internal and external genitalia present at birth (rather than the status of being male or female). Provides that it is not a civil rights violation to discriminate based on sex or sexual orientation (rather than only sex) at any facility which is distinctly private in nature. Removes language allowing the Department of Human Rights to grant exemptions based on bona fide considerations of public policy.
* Sen. Donald DeWitte…
Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a county or municipality may undertake local broadband projects and the provision of services in connection with local broadband projects, may lease infrastructure that it owns or controls relating to local broadband projects or services, may aggregate customers or demand for broadband services, and may apply for and receive funds or technical assistance to undertake local broadband projects to address the level of broadband access available to its businesses and residents. Provides that, to the extent that it seeks to serve as a retail provider of telecommunications services, the county or municipality must obtain appropriate certification from the Illinois Commerce Commission as a telecommunications carrier. Provides that certification of a county or municipality serving as a retail provider of telecommunication services is an exclusive power and function of the State. Amends the Public Utilities Act to make a conforming change.
* Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid…
State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Bridgeview) filed legislation to create an Illinois disaster relief grant program to address flooding and other extreme weather events. HB 4123 and HB 4124 would create and fund a grant program administered by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to assist individuals and households impacted by any disaster declared by the President of the United States, such as the flooding that occurred in early July. The bills’ chief sponsors include Deputy Majority Leader Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero), State Representative LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago), and State Representative Lindsay LaPointe (D-Chicago).
Last week, President Biden signed a disaster declaration allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to offer individual assistance to residents in Cook County who were impacted by severe weather and flooding in July. FEMA’s individual assistance offers grants for temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property loss, and other programs for storm recovery. However, it is unlikely to cover all damages incurred by individuals and their families.
The legislation filed by Rep. Rashid is similar to California’s State Supplemental Grant Program (SSGP). Rep. Rashid is proposing an initial allocation of $50 million for the program, with a cap of $10,000 per individual or household.
“With climate change accelerating, we unfortunately will see natural disasters that are more extreme, more devastating and more frequent. This grant program, if passed, will ensure Illinois is prepared to provide direct financial assistance to individuals and families impacted by natural disasters,” said Rep. Rashid. “Too many families in Cicero, Berwyn and Chicago are struggling with the cost of damages to their homes and property. If passed, this will take some of the financial burden off their shoulders as they work to get back on their feet.”
Deputy Majority Leader Lisa Hernandez said, “Establishing this supplemental grant program is an important step to provide financial assistance to Illinois families impacted by natural disasters.” Leader Hernandez also shared, “In July, Cicero was particularly devastated. Tomorrow, it could be any community in our state. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure Illinois is prepared to offer direct assistance to families struggling with the cost of recovery.”
posted by Isabel Miller
Wednesday, Aug 23, 23 @ 1:32 pm
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===Provides that it is not a civil rights violation to discriminate based on sex or sexual orientation (rather than only sex) at any facility which is distinctly private in nature.===
These are not serious people.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Aug 23, 23 @ 1:35 pm
==Provides that it is not a civil rights violation to discriminate based on sex or sexual orientation (rather than only sex) at any facility which is distinctly private in nature.==
I see Rep. Friess is trying to bring hatemongering to Illinois. Why not just put up a giant sign that says “No Gays Allowed.” I mean, that’s what he wants, right?
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Aug 23, 23 @ 1:36 pm
DeWitte’s bill is an interesting development in local government infrastructure. I’m sensitive to the argument that the internet is a public utility and thus is amenable for a government to enter the marketplace beyond regulation. I frequently see infrastructure heavy utilities such as water and sewer reach their lowest costs when managed by a government entity.
Stockholm has an interesting program, as does the state of Utah. As long as we can avoid another Philadelphia issue, a big city like Naperville, Aurora, Rockford or the City of Chicago would likely do well in reducing market prices for the service.
Comment by Just Another Anon Wednesday, Aug 23, 23 @ 1:50 pm
==based on the organization of the body of such person for a specific reproductive role, as indicated by the person’s sex chromosomes, naturally occurring sex hormones, and internal and external genitalia present at birth ==
All you have to do is show them your sex chromosomes, that seems reasonable enough. /s
The wording is so weird on this, Friess is fumbling around like an awkward parent trying to talk to his kid about the birds and the bees.
Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Aug 23, 23 @ 2:13 pm
Why just doesn’t Friess say the hateful part out loud and clear, that he wishes to be able to discriminate against gays and transexuals. He used a bunch of word salad but his meaning is nasty and discriminatory.
Comment by Manchester Wednesday, Aug 23, 23 @ 2:56 pm
–“No Gays Allowed.” I mean, that’s what he wants, right?–
Implicitly, maybe. Explicitly, no trans people. I could make up ridiculous reasons why, but they would probably pale compared to the real reasons.
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Aug 23, 23 @ 2:59 pm
“that he wishes to be able to discriminate against gays and transexuals.”
He might, sure.
But his bill seems more designed to protect specific religious organizations who already have ‘religious exemptions’ to discriminate, and are already doing so.
We really should be asking why so many of our socially elevated into preferred charities for local governments, are so insistent on discriminating. And more specifically why local leaders continue to choose to partner with these organizations using public tax money, despite being fully aware of their open discrimination.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Aug 23, 23 @ 3:25 pm
== to protect specific religious organizations ==
I think those people are well protected by our current Supreme Court who seem to be of the belief that the 1st Amendment allows people to not follow whatever laws they don’t want to follow if it happens to offend them for religious reasons.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Aug 23, 23 @ 3:45 pm
==based on the organization of the body of such person for a specific reproductive role, as indicated by the person’s sex chromosomes, naturally occurring sex hormones, and internal and external genitalia present at birth ==
Sex, gender, etc. are complicated. I recommend sharing the following whenever questions arise. The Radiolab series is well worth the time it takes to listen and learn. The simple M-F dichotomy simply does not exist. The reality is that chromosomes, hormones, and genitalia as referred to in the bill may not agree…then what?
From the Forbes article: “Some individuals are born with ambiguous genitalia and are not clearly male or female in genital appearance at birth. In fact, research indicates that about 2% of the population is born with these ambiguous traits.” And that is just genitalia, when you add in chromosomal and hormonal variations, the percentage goes up.
A short overview article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimelsesser/2020/06/15/the-myth-of-biological-sex
A deep dive podcast series: https://radiolab.org/series/radiolab-presents-gonads/
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Aug 23, 23 @ 5:59 pm
So we have a budget rainy day fund and now the new Rep wants to take more money from that? At what point do people bring bills forward that say to add as much extra as we can to the pension debt or relieve property tax bills? Once you tell people there may be more money than was allocated someone will have a way to spend it.
Comment by Frida's boss Thursday, Aug 24, 23 @ 2:28 am