Working for Illinois Caucus

To help address shortages in Illinois’ early childhood education workforce, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, sponsored a measure aimed at increasing degree completion among experienced child care educators. House Bill 2878 passed both chambers of the General Assembly and now goes to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk for final approval. 

“Illinois is facing a major shortage of early childhood educators,” said Stuart. “Current training programs aren’t flexible enough for a lot of students, especially those who are already working full time and want to keep their job while pursuing a bachelor’s degree. My bill aims to ensure early childhood education students don’t have to drop out of the workforce or spend time and money retaking courses they’ve already completed as they work toward their degree.”

Stuart sponsored House Bill 2878, which pushes community colleges and universities to participate in a statewide consortium tasked with streamlining the process for experienced childcare educators to earn their teaching degree. Twice per year, the consortium must report to the General Assembly on its progress to improve affordability and design more flexible courses for working students in early childhood education degree programs.

“This bill supports members of the early childhood workforce, with the goal of keeping them on track to earn their degree in this field,” said Stuart. “Removing barriers for these students not only enables them to take the next step in their career, but also benefits children and families. Early childhood education is the foundation for learning, and this legislation will help get more qualified educators into the industry.”

(The Center Square) – State Rep. Maurice West’s House Bill 24 has been sent to the governor.

The legislation if passed will implement a course on sexting for schools that have sex education, for grades 6 through 12.

Rep. West has been vocal about the importance of this bill for students at a young age because of the dangers of sexting and the problems it can cause a student and other students.

"This bill became even more important during the pandemic, I have been reached out to by teachers about having issues with students sexting." Rep. West said. "As technology advances, students need to know the consequences of sexting."

Laurie Higgins of the Illinois Family Institute has been opposed to this bill and believes there is no need for the bill and says that it is not the right for schools to be teaching these 11-year-old kids.

"This applies to children as young as 11 years old, I know a fair number of 11-year-olds that do not even know what sexting is," Higgins said. "For parents that have protected their children from this, now have to deal with their schools teaching these things and we believe that isn’t right."

Rep. West has argued the age issue regarding this bill and said that he does believe this bill is age-appropriate for 11-year-old students.

"I would say that looks at the 6th graders we have in front of us, and ask those students to show you their phones, we prepare these children about the serious problems that can come from sexting."

The bill is currently awaiting approval from Gov. J.B. Pritzker. If signed the legislation will go into effect immediately.

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – On Thursday, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day bill into law, marking the day commemorating the end of slavery in the Unites States a federal holiday.

This came just one day after Gov. Pritzker signed state legislation recognizing the holiday in Illinois. It is celebrated annually to mark the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when the last slaves were freed in Galveston, Texas. This was nearly two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

State representative of the 67th district, Maurice West, talked about the new federal holiday with WIFR.

Copyright 2021 WIFR. All rights reserved.

SB 154, 1672 and 1673 — sponsored by Stuart and Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes and D-Aurora, Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, were spearheaded by Best Friends Animal Society, with the support of other organizations.

SB 154 would require housing providers who receive funds from the Affordable Housing Act Trust Fund as of Jan. 1, 2022, to allow tenants in 500-square-feet or larger units to have at least two cats or one dog that weighs less than 50 pounds. Providers would not be allowed to prohibit dogs because of their breed or weight.

SB 1672 would require insurance companies to report data on all dog-related claims to help end breed discrimination.

SB 1673 changes the words “spay” and “neuter” to “sterilize” to allow shelter veterinarians to use nonsurgical sterilization for shelter dogs and cats, in addition to spaying or neutering.

Additionally, HB 1711 would prohibit Illinois pet stores from selling cats and dogs, but would allow stores to host adoption events with shelters and rescue groups. This legislation would make Illinois the fifth state to stop pet stores from selling dogs and cats.

MACHESNEY PARK — Former state Rep. John Cabello is planning to run for election of the newly redrawn 89th District.

After serving four terms, the Machesney Park Republican and Rockford police detective was defeated by 239 votes in the November election by Democrat David Vella for the Illinois 68th House District. 

"The district was literally drawn and voted upon in the Illinois legislature within two weeks," Cabello said in a news release. "The freshly drawn 89th District contains my home and much of the former 68th District that I represented for nearly a decade."

Cabello said that if re-elected he would oppose Democratic policies he says weaken law enforcement, raise taxes and pursue a "social issue agenda that alienates many Illinois citizens."

More:After recount, Cabello will not pursue election challenge

Although he has not formally announced his candidacy, Vella said that he plans to seek re-election in the revamped 68th District which includes most of Rockford’s east side, a portion of Cherry Valley and stretches east to include Belvidere.

Vella campaigned on a platform that included calls for fiscal responsibility, new approaches to fighting domestic violence, problem-solving courts and support for infrastructure investment.

More:Illinois Democrats say court remap reflects population shifts, GOP calls it power grab

Jeff Kolkey: jkolkey@rrstar.com; @jeffkolkey