Lake County Gazette

The Illinois General Assembly commenced its regular session on January 15, marking the beginning of a busy week for lawmakers. Throughout the week, legislators engaged in meetings with constituents, fellow lawmakers, and worked on drafting legislation to be filed.

One of the key issues expected to be addressed during this session is the ongoing immigration crisis and its associated costs. Governor JB Pritzker has taken executive action to tackle the crisis, bypassing the legislature and allocating hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars. Senator McConchie expressed concerns about the lack of transparency regarding the amount of money being spent on immigration services and the potential impact on programs designed to support Illinois citizens.

In addition to immigration, lawmakers also discussed the state's "assault weapons" ban rules. The bipartisan and bicameral Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) met to discuss new permanent rules proposed by the Illinois State Police (ISP) to replace the existing emergency rules. These new rules aim to address concerns about vagueness and confusion surrounding the ban, ensuring that gun owners have a clear understanding of which firearms, parts, and attachments are illegal or need to be registered. While Republican members of JCAR attempted to prohibit the implementation of the new rules, their motion failed on a party-line vote. However, they were successful in filing a motion to object to the rules, requiring a written response from ISP before the regulations can be adopted.

The Senate Republican Caucus recently signed a letter urging Governor Pritzker to reverse proposed cuts to funding for programs that assist the developmentally disabled community. The cuts would result in a reduction of 2.5 million hours of services provided by Direct Support Professionals (DSP) in group homes, affecting approximately 10,000 adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. This reduction would amount to around $87.7 million, impacting 90% of all group home residents. Senator McConchie emphasized the need to prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations and criticized the timing of these cuts, as spending for immigrant services has significantly increased.

In other news, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is seeking summer instructors for the 2024 Urban Fishing Program Clinics. These clinics aim to teach people of all ages about fishing, provide better fishing opportunities, and promote an appreciation for natural resources. The IDNR is accepting applications for temporary instructor positions, which are perfect for teachers, retirees, students, and others interested in teaching fishing skills and ecology.

Furthermore, Illinois experienced record-breaking cannabis sales in 2023, surpassing $1.63 billion. While sales to out-of-state residents decreased due to the legalization of cannabis in other states, sales to Illinois residents increased by 14%. The state generated $417.6 million in cannabis sales tax revenue, contributing to the overall increase in retail cannabis sales. However, Illinois has faced criticism for having some of the highest cannabis prices and taxes in the country, leading some customers to seek alternatives out of state.

As the legislative session continues, lawmakers will address these critical issues and work towards finding solutions that benefit the citizens of Illinois.