State Sen. Connor ‘encouraged’ by gun dealer licensing law

State Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, released a statement saying he was “encouraged” by a new law signed last week that aims to keep guns out of the wrong hands by mandating new state licensing for gun shops.

“For years, our state has required licenses for businesses that sell alcohol, car dealerships and other operations,” Connor said. “It makes sense that gun dealers also should follow common-sense safety standards.”

Connor said he sponsored and supported the bipartisan Senate Bill 337, also known as the Combating Illegal Gun Trafficking Act, which Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Thursday.

Under the new law, state police are empowered to certify gun dealers to better track sales. The law also mandates criminal background checks for gun shop employees, creates an annual training requirement for employees to understand background checks, requires video surveillance at locations that sell guns and grants greater authority for law enforcement.

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January 22, 2019 at 09:53PM

January 22, 2019 0

State Rep. Kifowit talks new Illinois laws with district residents

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State Rep. Kifowit talks new state laws with district residents

By Erika Wurst For Chronicle Media — January 22, 2019

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit explains one of the new Illinois laws for this year during an informational meeting at the Eola Road Aurora Library on Jan. 17. (Photo by Erika Wurst/for Chronicle Media)

New year. New you. New laws. New rules.

Illinois lawmakers passed more than 250 bills in 2018 that become law this year, and it’s a lot of information to consume.

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit D-Aurora sat down with her constituents at the Eola Road Aurora Library Jan. 17 to discuss what the new legislation means to Illinois residents, and to highlight some of the most pertinent changes that will affect their everyday lives.

Kifowit was joined by lobbyist Brianna Lantz, who warned residents not to get overwhelmed at the idea of having hundreds of new laws to abide by.

“People see that 250 number and think, “We don’t need that many laws in Illinois.’,” Lantz said. “But, one thing legislators are is precise.”

Many of the new laws are old laws that have been tweaked in minor ways for clarity. By changing even one or two words, a new law is born.

“It’s a little misleading,” Lantz said.

However, out of the more than 250 new laws, some are indeed fresh and worth noting. Kifowit took time to discuss the top 10 passed bills that she feels people should be aware of.

Look Back for Safety (H.B. 4377) states that a child under the age of two must be in a rear-facing car seat unless the child is more than 40 pounds or 40 inches tall.
Active Shooter Drills (S.B. 2350) is a new law that requires schools to hold at least one drill simulating an active shooter or other threat to the school building within the first 90 days of each school year. Law enforcement officers are to observe these drills. “We hope it never happens, but we want to be prepared,” Kifowit said.
Employee Expense Reimbursement (S.B. 2999) was passed to protect workers, Kifowit explained. If your boss requires you to use your own computer or phone for work, he/she must now have a reimbursement policy in place.
Carnival Worker Background Checks (S.B. 3240) was passed in response to 2014 tragedy where a young boy was killed by two brothers who were carnival employees. While the amusement ride company was required to perform background checks on employees that operate rides, it did not have to do so for other employees. “We want to make sure we can have fun without the fear of someone in our midst who wants to do us harm,” Kifowit said.

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit answers a question while discussing a new firearm restraining order law an informational meeting she held at the Eola Road Aurora Library on Jan. 17. (Photo by Erika Wurst/for Chronicle Media)

Helping Threatened Animals (S.B. 2270) allows local law enforcement officers to take temporary custody of a cat or dog they believe to be in a life-threatening situation due to “extreme heat or cold conditions.”
Me Too Protections Expanded (S.B. 405) states that each bidder on a state contract must have a sexual harassment policy in place complying with the Human Rights Act.
Social Media Stalking (S.B 3411) allows unwanted messages sent over social media applications to be consider stalking behavior under the Illinois Stalking Law. The new law also allows institutions like schools, churches, and businesses to file orders of protection, like in the case of a mass shooter.
Blazing Pink (H.B.4231) is one for the hunters. The new law allows hunters to choose blazing orange or blazing pink apparel for visibility.
Nursing Moms and Jury Duty (H.B. 05745) means nursing moms can be excluded from jury duty at their request to tend to their child.

“New moms have enough to deal with already,” Kifowit said of the law.

Firearm Restraining Order (H.B.2354) gives police or family members of a firearm owner the ability to petition the court for an emergency or six-month restraining order to temporarily remove those weapons from the gun owner’s possession if that person is a proven danger.

“This is a good law in regards to domestic violence victims, and this is also a good public safety law,” Kifowit said.

All of the bills can be accessed on the Illinois General Assembly website at http://www.ilga.gov.

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January 22, 2019 at 09:46AM

January 22, 2019 0

State Rep. Karina Villa opens district office in Batavia

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State Rep. Karina Villa opens district office in Batavia | Kane County Chronicle

BATAVIA- State Rep. Karina Villa (D- West Chicago) is inviting residents to learn more about the services her district office can provide in an open house from 5 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 25 at the office, 106 W. Wilson St. Suite 13, her office announced in a news release.

“It is important to me that my neighbors know I am readily accessible to them, that I’m here to help them cut through red tape and navigate state services,” Villa said in the release. “Even if it’s just to voice their concern about a bill or relay their thoughts about the direction our state is headed, I want everyone to feel welcome in the office.”

Villa’s office grand opening will give residents the opportunity to personally meet her and share their thoughts about issues facing the state. Villa’s office staff is committed to helping members of the community with available resources from the state or answering specific questions they have, according to the release. �

In order to further help residents connect with services and share their thoughts, Villa will host regular satellite office hours throughout her district to be announced next month.

Villa represents the state’s 49th district, which includes parts of Batavia, St. Charles, Geneva and South Elgin. Her office will be open weekdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and can be reached at staterepkarinavilla@gmail.com.

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January 20, 2019 at 05:37AM

January 20, 2019 0

State Rep. Fred Crespo moves up in Democratic leadership in House of Representatives

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Democratic state Rep. Fred Crespo will serve as assistant majority leader of the House of Representatives, officials announced Friday. “I look forward to continue advocating on behalf of the communities in the Northwest Suburbs in my new post,” Crespo said. “There’s a lot of work to be done to move our state forward and it must be done in a bipartisan way.” Crespo represents the 44th House District, which includes portions of Hoffman Estates, Streamwood, Schaumburg, Hanover Park, Bartlett and Elgin.

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January 18, 2019 at 04:56PM

January 18, 2019 0

Woodland District 50 seeks to fill school board seat vacated by newly sworn-in state representative

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Woodland School District 50 is looking for a new school board member to replace state Rep. Joyce Mason, who took her seat in the Illinois House this month.

Mason, a Democrat from Gurnee, unseated Republican Sheri Jesiel in the 61st District race in November.

Mason’s replacement would serve the remainder of her Woodland term, which expires in April 2021, according to a district news release.

Applicants can submit a letter of interest detailing their qualifications to board recording secretary Laura Campanella at lcampanella@dist50.net or the district office, 1105 Hunt Club Road in Gurnee. The deadline is 4 p.m. Jan. 23.

To be qualified for the positions, applicants must be at least 18 years old, a registered voter in the district and a resident of the district for at least a year leading up to the appoint. They cannot be a child sex offender, hold an incompatible office or hold certain prohibited state or federal positions.

Questions can be directed to school board President Carla Little at clittle@dist50.net or Superintendent Joy Swoboda at jswoboda@dist50.net or 847-596-5601.

emcoleman@tribpub.com

Twitter @mekcoleman

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Region: Lake County,City: Waukegan,Local,Region: Suburbs

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January 18, 2019 at 03:21PM

January 18, 2019 0

State Rep. Connor wants to focus on helping families, end gridlock in new term

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State Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, began a new term Wednesday by urging his colleagues in the General Assembly to move beyond the partisan gridlock and work together to improve the lives of all Illinois residents.

“This new General Assembly is an opportunity to move beyond the paralyzing games we faced under Gov. [Bruce] Rauner,” Connor said in a statement. “I am focused on passing legislation that will move Illinois forward by investing in our schools and lowering the property tax burden on families throughout our community.”

Connor said the General Assembly should act to protect health care, prepare for the jobs of the future through education and training, and put the state back on sound financial footing by continuing to shorten the time in which state bills are paid to avoid millions of dollars in interest payments down the road.

His legislative agenda for the 101st General Assembly is centered on feedback he received from his constituents. Connor said he intends to work on legislation that will lower the tax burden on local families and continue to fight against the privatization of water systems in his district. He also is interested in Will County’s plan for another bridge to the Lockport area.

Connor also wants residents to reach out if they have concerns about legislation or state services. He plans to host community events and regularly walk door-to-door to hear directly from residents about the issues that matter to them.

Connor’s office can be reached at 815-372-0085 or RepConnor@gmail.com. He recently moved his office to the Crestlake building in Crest Hill.

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January 17, 2019 at 07:08AM

January 17, 2019 0

State Rep. Bristow to partner with Treasurer’s Office to help residents find unclaimed property | RiverBender.com

http://bit.ly/2FwBFPx

ALTON – State Rep. Monica Bristow, D-Alton, is collaborating with the office of the Illinois State Treasurer to host an I-Cash event to help residents find lost or unclaimed property on Tuesday, January 22, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the History Room of the Six Mile Regional Library, located at 2001 Delmar Ave. in Granite City.

“Many people don’t even realize that they may have unclaimed property waiting for them in the treasurer’s office. If someone fails to collect a payroll or is owed a refund and does not collect it, these funds are held by the treasurer’s office until the rightful owner can claim them,” said Bristow. “To aide in this process, I am hosting an I-Cash event to help my constituents find any unclaimed property they may have.”

A representative from the Illinois State Treasurer’s office will be available to help residents search the state’s ICash system for unclaimed property owed to them by the state. The State Treasurer’s office holds $2.9 billion in unclaimed property, which can include checking and savings accounts, uncashed wage and payroll checks, uncashed stock dividends and stock certificates, insurance payments, utility deposits, customer deposits, accounts payable, credit balances, refund checks, money orders, traveler’s checks, mineral proceeds, court deposits, uncashed death benefit checks and life insurance proceeds.

“This program is a quick and simple process for anyone to check if they have unclaimed or forgotten property, and reservations are not required,” continued Bristow. “If you are unable to attend, you can check if you or any member of your family has unclaimed property in the Treasurer’s Office by visiting https://icash.illinoistreasurer.gov/.”

For more information, please call Rep. Bristow’s constituent service office at 618-465-5900 or email repmbristow@gmail.com.

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January 17, 2019 at 07:10AM

January 17, 2019 0

Democratic control in the Illinois statehouse: What it means for 2019

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ROCK ISLAND, Illinois- We are having Breakfast With…Illinois State House Rep. Mike Halpin Thursday, January 17 on Good Morning Quad Cities. We’re having it at the City Limits Saloon & Grill.

Halpin is the Democrat representing the state’s 72nd district, which covers much of the Illinois Quad Cities. Halpin recently won re-election to his second term in office, as did many members from his same party.

Democrats now hold a super majority in both the state house and the state senate. Democrat J.B. Pritzker won the Governor’s race. The billionaire heir to the Hyatt hotel chain defeated first-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in November. Pritzker was sworn into office Monday, January 14.

We’ll ask Halpin about the issues he wants to see addressed in the new legislative session. We’ll also him about the possibility of passenger rail service or Amtrak coming to the Quad Cities.

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January 17, 2019 at 04:10AM

January 17, 2019 0