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* Rep. Mary Gill and Carisa Parker…
In recent weeks, three shootings have taken the lives of Chicago Public Schools students, each occurring near the schools the students attended. It’s hard to imagine how, at a time when families and communities are mourning these horrific losses, the Chicago Board of Education could remove police, also called school resource officers, from schools over the objections of the elected local school council. By every measure, Chicago is facing a violent crime crisis, and our collective efforts to keep our communities and students safe are falling short.
That is why we have worked together on state legislation that would require CPS to maintain the school resource officer program for any schools that opt to participate. The bill also necessitates that the decision to participate be made at the local school council level, and that the program continue to be offered at no cost to schools. Now is not the time to remove public safety tools from our campuses.
One of us is a state representative and former school council member at a school that chose not to participate in the school resource officer program. One of us is an elected Police District Council member and current local school council chair at a school that chose to participate in the school resource officer program. Despite our different roles, we are both deeply troubled by any action to usurp the ability of local school councils to make decisions on school safety.
Local school councils were created to give residents a strong voice in their school communities, and are made up of elected individuals who are trusted to act in the best interests of each school’s student body. In our experience, members are thoughtful, dedicated individuals who are thorough and transparent in their decision-making. They are also vocal advocates for students’ learning and safety.
Part of the Illinois Municipal League’s 2024 legislative agenda includes re-amortizing local pension debt beyond the aim of 90% funded by 2040. IML CEO Brad Cole equated that to refinancing a home loan. […]
Municipal leaders say without some relief, they may have to increase taxes on local residents to continue making payments and providing services. […]
State Rep. Tim Ozinga, R-Mokena, filed House Bill 4866 to give local school districts more state taxpayer funds through an Education Property Tax Relief Fund. He said that could lower property taxes. […]
Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently said increasing state funding for local K-12 education would also help lower property taxes. The state’s school funding formula allocates an additional $350 million extra a year for public K-12 education.
* Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid…
State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Bridgeview) is proud to announce a bill package aimed at tackling new challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI). Dedicated to steering Illinois toward a more safe, effective, and responsible use of AI technologies, the representative’s legislative package underscores his commitment to both optimizing AI innovation and implementing essential guardrails. […]
Rep. Rashid’s package includes the following legislation:
HB 4644, or the Illinois Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act, addresses emerging deepfake threats head-on by requiring political messages to include clear disclosures of AI use. Tackling unlabeled campaign media that deceptively uses generative AI to imitate a candidate’s likeness, the legislation would help bring an end to the current free-for-all use of deepfakes in the state.
HB 5399 recognizes the powerful potential AI holds to better society by working to bolster Illinois’ AI workforce. Through initiatives aimed at directing funds into educational institutions for AI programs, this bill positions Illinois to become a long-lasting AI innovation hub.
HB 4837 criminalizes the creation and sharing of AI-generated content of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), working to combat the growing number of CSAM content currently spreading across the internet.
HB 5649 establishes regulatory norms for AI-powered mental health services like AI therapists and AI diagnosis platforms.
HB5321, a consumer protection bill, requires labeling for use of AI systems–setting forth a necessary, baseline standard for AI transparency within the private sector.
HB5322 implements a new requirement that developers and deployers of AI systems complete and document algorithmic impact assessments (AIAs)–a method of evaluating systems’ efficacy, safety, and risks.
HB 4836, HB 5228, and HB 4705 address state agency AI applications, state-funded research, and state contractor use of AI. They require transparency, equity, and safety standards for AI use.
* KFVS…
A bill in the Illinois state Senate would allow mental health workers to treat veterans and first responders regardless of any prior non-compete clause.
The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Paul Faraci, D-Champaign, comes after a therapist in his district was sued for violating a non-compete clause for helping Champaign firefighters.
Faraci said as first responders and veterans deal with job and service-related trauma, it should be easier for them to get the help they need. […]
The bill passed through the Senate Labor Committee on Feb. 7. It now heads to the Senate.
* Coalition for Fantasy Sports…
Today, the Coalition for Fantasy Sports announced its support for Illinois House Bill 5648, the Fantasy Sports Consumer Protection Act, aimed at providing a robust regulatory framework for daily fantasy sports (DFS) within the state. While Illinois legalized sports betting in 2019, the state lacked comprehensive legislation to protect the thousands of fans and the games of skill they enjoy. This proposed framework would close an essential chapter in the effort to safeguard fantasy sports fans throughout Illinois.
The proposed legislation aims to not only protect the hundreds of thousands of fantasy sports fans across Illinois but also the integrity of the games they enjoy. The framework would ensure legal clarity, responsible play, and consumer protection while promoting innovation and removing barriers to growth that threaten the fantasy sports industry.
“With the popularity of daily fantasy sports soaring, now is the time to codify the industry’s legal status into state law and ensure Illinois players are best protected,” said Chief Senate Bill Sponsor Lakesia Collins. “That is why I’m incredibly excited to take the lead on legislation that would not only allow sports fans to continue playing the daily fantasy contests they love, but do so in a way that protects their best interests, puts up guardrails to keep bad actors out of the market, and generates potentially tens of millions in new tax revenue for Illinois.”
House Bill Sponsor, Representative Eva-Dina Delgado, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of regulatory clarity, “Our goal is to provide a secure environment for fantasy sports fans across the state of Illinois. This legislation is a positive step toward ensuring that fantasy sports enthusiasts can continue participating in these contests with confidence.”
posted by Isabel Miller
Friday, Feb 16, 24 @ 10:12 am
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The decision on whether or not to have resource officers at schools really should be made at the local level. This is a good, common sense bill.
Comment by Chicago Voter Friday, Feb 16, 24 @ 10:28 am
“fans and the games of skill they enjoy”
IMHO, these are games of chance not skill. Sure some bettors may do significant analysis before placing bets, but the entire sports betting industry favors the “house”. Bettors may win from time to time, but it is a “for-profit” business.
Comment by Steve Polite Friday, Feb 16, 24 @ 11:06 am
Re: Gill and Parker story
=== would require CPS to maintain the school resource officer program for any schools that opt to participate ===
I do not oppose this initiative at all.
However, I would prefer to see language that also protects against potential retaliation against those schools that go against the wishes of the Chicago Board of Education, including pitting some schools against others when funding issues arise.
Comment by H-W Friday, Feb 16, 24 @ 11:11 am
=== would require CPS to maintain the school resource officer program for any schools that opt to participate ===
While I support the underlying principles of the bill, it’s important to highlight the glaring inconsistency in CPS’ approach to police in schools.
CPS’ agreement with SEIU includes hiring members of the CPD as security officers. Job requirements for these security officers include being an active, sworn Chicago police officer. Quite paradoxical to end the CPD contract but continue to employ CPD officers through a different avenue.
Comment by Quip Quincy Friday, Feb 16, 24 @ 12:05 pm
==* Rep. Mary Gill and Carisa Parker…==
Would they both support having former school resource officer John Catanzara back on the school beat for their child’s school? Here’s a reminder of his record as a police officer for those unfamiliar. And don’t forget that CPD would assign SROs mostly based on the fact the officers weren’t fit for other priority duties.
https://chicagojustice.org/2021/07/13/john-catanzara-misconduct-social-media/
Comment by Google Is Your Friend Friday, Feb 16, 24 @ 12:08 pm
@Steve Polite: == IMHO, these are games of chance not skill. ==
The Illinois Supreme Court already ruled on this and concluded that daily fantasy is a game of skill for the purposes of Illinois gambling laws. Wu v. Dew-Becker, 2020 IL 124472. The case did not address the new “fantasy” sites that are basically just prop betting masquerading under the fantasy name though.
Looks like the bill in question tries to lump both together, but right now under the law I’m pretty confident that the ILSC would say the latter is still legally gambling, even if the former is conclusively not gambling for the purposes of Illinois law.
Comment by Homebody Friday, Feb 16, 24 @ 1:12 pm
=filed House Bill 4866 to give local school districts more state taxpayer funds through an Education Property Tax Relief Fund. =
It would not give schools more money. It is an offset. Unless it is different than the way the current program works.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Feb 16, 24 @ 1:21 pm
“Looks like the bill in question tries to lump both together, but right now under the law I’m pretty confident that the ILSC would say the latter is still legally gambling”
If it looks like a pig and smells like a pig
Comment by Now Required Friday, Feb 16, 24 @ 1:33 pm
As long as schools that don’t choose to have this resource can spend the money otherwise (maybe an additional math teacher or a full time librarian) I have no problem with LSCs making budgetary decisions for their schools, but security officers aren’t free. If you choose to pay for one, you forego something else (out of normal funds and not including poverty funds, of course).
Comment by cermak_rd Friday, Feb 16, 24 @ 1:36 pm
Seems like CPS has a reasonable policy in place right now School Resource Officers: let each LSC decide. Why change it? Most have opted-out of the SRO program — a reasonable response for school communities that feel over-policed. But some LSCs have voted to stick with the program. Unless the Board or the mayor can point to poor outcomes, there’s no reason to strip them of that decision-making authority.
Also worth noting, a future School Board might have the opposite view and want to force the reinstatement of SROs at all school. Gill’s bill would allow individual LSCs to stop that.
Comment by TNR Friday, Feb 16, 24 @ 1:45 pm
Re: Fantasy Sports
It’s really nice to see female bill sponsors on this issue. It’s been a long time coming to have women taking the lead on gaming issues. Maybe something will finally get done here.
Comment by A long time coming Friday, Feb 16, 24 @ 2:13 pm