Monday, June 3, 2019

Doesn't It Feel Good to Win?

Admit it.You love to win.  I love to win. We all love to win. And when it comes to state politics, we'd had some major wins.

Maybe you've been filling out witness slips furiously for the last couple of weeks.  Maybe you've been checking Facebook regularly this last week to see the status of some important bills.  Maybe you stayed u late Friday night, just to see if the Senate would finally pass the Reproductive Health Act.

Even if you have been glued to news feeds, you are going to want to celebrate. We have a lot to celebrate.

Thanks to Indivisible Illinois for this list:

2019 Spring Illinois Legislative Session

Passed

Adult Cannabis Legislation (SB 7)
This bill would be the nation’s most equitable adult use cannabis bill. A large portion of revenue would go to the war on drugs most impacted communities to ensure their participation in new economic opportunities as well as investments in mental health.
Live press conference http://bit.ly/legalizeillinois

Civic Education Act (HB 2265)
Requires all Illinois middle schools serving grades 6th, 7th, and 8th to provide a civics class, allowing youth to participate in civics, gain confidence to make informed political decisions, increase knowledge about history, develop ethical awareness, and understand that their vote matters.
Press release here: http://bit.ly/civics-class

Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act (SB 09)
The Coal Ash Prevention Act protects Illinois communities and the environment from companies that would leave coal ash in unlined coal ash ponds -- a threat to our clean water supply.
More info: http://bit.ly/310Fl3s  

Corporate Board Diversity Bill (HB 3394)
This corporate board diversity bill will require one woman, one African-American, & one Latino on these boards by the end of 2020.

Fair Tax Amendment  (SJRCA 1)
Lets Illinois voters decide whether to adopt progressive tax rates requiring taxpayers making at least $250,000 a year to pay higher rates than the current 4.95 percent flat tax. The Fair Tax amendment to Illinois’ Constitution will make its way to the ballot in November 2020.
Press Release: http://bit.ly/2IbqPxt

Medicaid Omnibus Bill (SB1323) (SB665- formerly the Freedom from Aggressive Insurance Increases (FAIIR) Act)
This legislation will protect Illinoisans from discrimination in their health care rates. SB665 is a crucial safeguard from relentless harmful measures by the Trump Administration to roll back health care protections for women, LGBTQ+ people, and non-English speakers.

No Salary History Act (HB 834)
Helps narrow the gender wage gap by banning any employer from asking a job applicant about what they were paid at prior jobs.

Protect Health Care with the FAIIR ACT (HB 471)
Empowers the Illinois Department of Insurance to say no to unreasonable rate increases to our health insurance.

Reproductive Health Act (SB 25)
This bill makes Illinois the most progressive state on reproductive freedom in the Midwest. It safeguards access to abortion by removing archaic and outdated laws that once placed abortion in the criminal code. This bill allows for true bodily autonomy and enables Illinoisans seeking reproductive health care to do so freely under the law. When Roe v. Wade is gutted or overturned entirely, Illinois will remain a state where abortion remains a safe, legal, and accessible.

SOS docs - Gender Designations (HB 3534)
Makes policies and laws more inclusive by allowing people to identify as non-binary on their driver’s license and other government documents.  

School Sex Education Consent (HB 3550)
Requires age-appropriate education relating to consent to be part of the sex-ed curriculum to prepare our youth to develop healthy and safe relationships.

The Keep Illinois Families Together Act (HB 1637)
The bill proposes new rules to ensure places such as public schools; state-funded medical treatment and health care facilities; public libraries; Secretary of State facilities; and courthouses are safe for Illinois residents, regardless of their immigration status. It also prevents law enforcement officials from asking about a person’s citizenship, immigration status, or place of birth.

Blocked

Illinois Critical Infrastructure Bill “Anti Protest” (HB 1633)
This bill was crafted by conservative and energy industry think tanks to deter environmental activists and silence marginalized voices. It passed in the House, but was successfully tabled in the Senate.

So, what do you think? Was this a pretty good legislative session?  Is this encouraging to you?  We appreciate your comments?
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