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Bill pitches new rules for use of Native American mascots, logos in Illinois

Rockford lawmaker’s proposal comes after student-led protest at Hononegah

ROCKFORD — Illinois schools using Native American mascots and logos may be required to get written consent from local tribes and provide education on Native American history and culture if they want to participate in playoff-level competition.

State Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, pitched the amendment to the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act last week.

The proposal comes on the heels of a student-led protest over the use of the Princess Hononegah Indian mascot and other Indian imagery and iconography at Hononegah High School in Rockton.

While the school is named after a real Indian named Hononegah, who was the wife of Rockton’s first settler, Stephen Mack, students asked the Hononegah School Board to end the school’s tradition of having a cheerleader dress in an Indian Princess costume and dance at sporting events, remove the Indian chief logo from the building and identify a new mascot for the school.

West’s bill would allow Hononegah to continue using the Indian name and Princess Hononegah mascot with conditions.

According to the proposed legislation, schools wanting to use a Native American logo, mascot of other Native American imagery would have to:

• receive the express written consent of a Native American tribe based within 500 miles of the school

• conduct a schoolwide program on Native American culture at least twice per school year

• offer a course of study to its students outlining Native American contributions to society

• file an annual report with the State Board of Education detailing what academic programs on Native Americans it has offered during the school year

Failure to meet the requirements of House Bill 4783 would led to ineligibility to participate in playoff competitions.

“There are logos and caricatures that have been used through the course of sports history that should have never existed and deserve to be left in the past,” West said on his website. “This legislation is an opportunity to ensure we are teaching our children how to properly respect the heritage and culture of Native Americans we draw inspiration from.”

Corina Curry: 815-987-1371; ccurry@rrstar.com; @corinacurry

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February 18, 2020 at 12:02PM

February 18, 2020 0

Getting to know 93rd District State Representative Candidate Scott Stoll

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Devin Brooks, NEWS3 Reporter
February 17, 2020

RUSHVILLE, Ill. (NEWS3) — In less than 30 days, some Illinois residents will head to the polls to vote in the primary election. Two men are battling in the 93rd district to see who will receive the ballot spot against Republican incumbent State Rep. Norine Hammond in November.

NEWS3 recently talked with both democratic candidates who are trying to campaign hard before the March primary. Scott Stoll explained why he chose to run and why voters should elect him into office.

“I just think everybody has their calling. For me, it was the calling to serve people and help people,” Stoll said.

Helping all people is what 40-year-old Stoll is campaigning on.

“I want to do what’s right for the people,” he said.

Stoll lives Rushville, where he’s an alderman and sits on multiple city and county boards. He also is the chief operating officer for Moreland and Devitt Pharmacy company in Rushville, where he’s worked for 11 years.

“For me it’s all about the experience,” he said. “The experience I have, the experience I’m bringing to the table.”

Stoll said he wants people in the 93rd district to know he has the experience to go to bat in Springfield with his 20 years of working in business.

“We want somebody that’s going to take action,” he said. “Somebody that’s going to go out there and be an active participant.”

Stoll said his mind is set on moving the district forward by including everyone, no matter what side of the aisle.

“Do the right thing for all the people,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what your political party is when it comes to the health of the people in your community; when it comes to the housing, and just the good will of people in your community.”

Rushville resident Joe Ackman said it’s time for a change and Stoll is the person he wants in office because he says he knows what it takes to serve communities.

“I think we do need some fresh blood, we need some younger people in office, that have different views or new views or ideas about what the smaller communities are getting involved in,” Ackman said.

Stoll said he’s fighting for a lot of what his opponent cares about, but he says there still are differences that set him apart.

“He’s a working families first candidate, and I wouldn’t say I’m not,” Stoll said. “I’ve talked through legislation as it relates to pharmacy before, I can’t say that he has.”

Stoll said his priorities are economic development, healthcare and education.

“There are opportunities to increase not only the jobs that we get through industries, but also our businesses in our towns,” Stoll said. “I can’t personally say that Representative Hammond has been active in all of our communities. I think she’s active in the groups she wants to be active in.”

Stoll said his goal is to make life better for all people.

“I want to help people try to get TIF dollars; get grants; improve their communities,” he said. “I can take some of the things I’ve learned along the way and impart that on to these towns.”

Stoll is originally from Durand, Ill., but has lived in Rushville for more than 10 years with his wife and three daughters. He graduated from Rockford University in 2001 with a Bachelor’s degree in business management. He currently is the Second Ward Alderman on the Rushville City Council. Stoll is the founder of the Rushville Chamber of Commerce. He serves on the chamber’s board. He also is also part of the Rushville Coordinating Council Board and Brown/Schuyler County CEO Board of Directors.

Stoll is running against Bushnell native, Emiliano Vera, in the March 17 primary election.

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February 17, 2020 at 10:37AM

February 17, 2020 0

Progressive group endorses Fadeley for 37th Illinois House District seat

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The Democrat in the 37th Illinois House District earned an endorsement from Run For Something, a progressive group focused on recruiting and supporting young, diverse candidates.

Michelle Fadeley is running for the Democratic nomination for the seat now held by State Rep. Margo McDermed, R-Mokena. McDermed announced last year she wouldn’t seek reelection.

"Our campaign recognizes the significance of this endorsement, and the excitement we are already building will grow exponentially," Fadeley said in the release. "Their resources, mentoring, and support will provide us with new ways to succeed and really help our campaign thrive,”

Fadeley hopes to turn the district from red to blue. She’ll likely face Republican Tim Ozinga in the general election.

“RFS endorses candidates on two major criteria: heart and hustle," said Ross Morales Rocketto, the co-founder of Run For Something. "That’s what defines viability to us. These are candidates who are working hard to run grassroots, community-led campaigns. We are at a critical time in history and the momentum these candidates generate will have a lasting impact for years to come.”

Run For Something said in the release it has endorsed 43 first or second-time candidates and nearly 1,000 from 49 states and the District of Columbia. It said its candidates win about one-third of the time.

The group also touted the diversity of its endorsed candidates with 49% of them being people of color, 47% of them being women and 35% of them identifying as LGBTQ.

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February 13, 2020 at 06:13PM

February 13, 2020 0

Bristow Overrides Veto to Protect Local Jobs and Aviation Repair Industry in Illinois | RiverBender.com

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SPRINGFIELD – State Rep. Monica Bristow, D-Alton, released the following statement after the Illinois House overrode the governor’s veto of House Bill 3902 on Tuesday, which would protect local jobs and industries in the region and keep Illinois businesses competitive in the field of aviation repair:

“Today, the Illinois House sent a strong, bipartisan message that we value good-paying jobs in our state and will do what it takes to protect them. With major concerns about people and businesses leaving Illinois, it is our responsibility to protect industries and jobs, including the more than 3,400 jobs in aviation repair across our state.

“I came to Springfield to put local jobs, people and families over politics, even if it means standing up to a governor of my own party. While some party leaders may not have wanted me to do this, I overrode the veto of the governor because he chose to misrepresent this issue and play politics with legislation that directly impacted hundreds of local jobs in the Metro East that people depend on to support their families.

“As state representative, I will continue to work with Republicans and Democrats in a bipartisan fashion to keep industries in our state competitive and to keep those high paying jobs here in our communities, supporting our local economy and families.”

Bristow sponsored House Bill 3902 which reinstates a tax credit that will allow aviation repair stations across the state to remain competitive and continue providing high paying jobs and economic growth in their communities. By overriding the governor’s veto of the bill, Illinois will once again join 36 other states with similar legislation and keep Illinois from losing businesses and jobs to neighboring states. The legislation will directly impact local businesses such as West Star Aviation in East Alton, which provides maintenance and repair services for private aircraft and employs more than 500 Metro East residents.

The legislation originally passed the Illinois House of Representative and Illinois Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support before being vetoed by the governor.

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February 4, 2020 at 03:36PM

February 4, 2020 0

Rep. Didech Proposes Self-Exclusion Program For Weed Dispensaries

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BUFFALO GROVE, IL — State Rep. Dan Didech recently introduced legislation aimed at helping people in Illinois dealing with addiction following the Jan. 1 legalization of recreational cannabis for adults over 21 years old. According to a news release sent to Patch, Didech, (D-Buffalo Grove), introduced House Bill 4134, which will allow the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to create a list of people that wish to exclude themselves from entering or purchasing any (cannabis-related) product or service at a dispensary. The self-exclusion program for dispensaries is modeled after what’s now in place for casinos, according to the news release.

“With recreational cannabis now in effect, we must be proactive in order to prevent any unintended issues,” Didech said, in the release. “This legislation will not only allow people to take ownership of their lives but it will also make businesses more responsible and accountable.”

Under Didech’s proposal, IDPH would establish procedures for Illinois residents to add or remove themselves from the list, in addition to requiring dispensaries to remove self-excluded individuals from targeted mailings and advertisements, the release said. Dispensaries that allow entry or service to self-excluded individuals on the list will face disciplinary actions from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), according to the news release.

Related:

“While we must reject any outdated rhetoric that cannabis is some type of gateway drug, we must also ensure that people facing addiction have access to all type of services,” Didech said, in the release. “I look forward to working with all my colleagues to continue our work to support the responsible use of recreational cannabis.”

According to the news release, this legislation was modeled after the Illinois Gaming Board’s Statewide Riverboat Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program (SEP) for Problem Gamblers that allows persons who have determined they are problem gamblers to self-exclude themselves from all Illinois casinos.

During the state’s first 31 days of legal adult-use cannabis, dispensaries sold more than 972,000 items, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR.

Last month, the Buffalo Grove Village Board voted to allow PDI Medical to move out of its current space at 1623 Barclay Boulevard into a space at 830 to 840 N. Milwaukee Avenue, where it will open as a combined recreational and medical marijuana dispensary.

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February 4, 2020 at 10:17AM

February 4, 2020 0

Illinois lawmaker seeks to change state’s window tint restrictions

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An Illinois bill would allow drivers with certain medical conditions to tint all of their vehicle’s window surfaces.

Under existing law, it’s illegal to apply window tint to the driver side window or entire front windshield unless the primary operator of the vehicle has a condition such as albinism that makes sun exposure damaging to the skin. The law specifically prohibits issuing full surface window tint for “any condition, such as light sensitivity, for which protection from the direct rays of the sun can be adequately obtained by the use of sunglasses or other eye protective devices.”

State Rep. Maurice West’s legislation would allow for all window surfaces to be tinted if a driver has a medical condition, such light sensitivity due to brain trauma, that results in photophobia.

“They will get a special license plate that will tell our law enforcement that they are approved through the Secretary of State’s office,” he said.

If the measure is approved, the Rockford Democrat said it will benefit police as well because approaching a vehicle that they cannot see into presents a real danger.

“It makes life easier for our law enforcement because they will know why his windows are tinted,” he said.

West’s office said he plans to file an amendment to his bill to further specify the changes he wants to make to existing state law.

The window tint could be a useful backstop of protection to someone with photosensitivity beyond protective glasses, something West said could become a safety measure for others around them if a light-triggered migraine hits when they’re driving.

Michigan, Massachusetts, and North Carolina have window tinting exemptions for people with light sensitivity. West’s office said other states offer medical exemptions as well.

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January 30, 2020 at 10:43AM

January 30, 2020 0

Judge taps special prosecutor to investigate Rep. Ammons for alleged retail theft

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URBANA, Ill. (NEXSTAR) — A court-appointed special prosecutor is investigating whether or not there is probable cause to charge state Representative Carol Ammons, a Democrat from Urbana, for allegedly stealing a purse from the Carle Auxiliary Resale Boutique on Friday, January 10th.

The item, said to be a Coach purse, was worth an estimated $80, according to sources who were present. Those sources also say that wads of paper used to fill purses for display purposes were laying on a floor in a dressing room; the tag from the purse was also found on the floor.

Ammons’ legislative aide, Jenna Sickenius, emailed a statement on behalf of Ammons, calling the incident “a non-story about a simple misunderstanding.”

A secretary at Ammons’ government office in Champaign said Ammons declined to answer questions in an interview Friday.

According to court records obtained by WCIA, Urbana police referred the investigation to the Illinois State Police. Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz asked a judge to appoint a special prosecutor, citing a conflict of interest or the appearance of impropriety if her office were to prosecute the suspect.

The office of the Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutors was assigned to investigate the case.

When reached by phone, Director Pat Delfino said it would be “inappropriate to comment on a pending case investigation.”

“We’re dealing with a situation here where everybody involved is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Delfino said.

The resale boutique shop accepts donations and operates as a charity to raise money for Carle nursing scholarships and to support the guest house.

Sources familiar with the incident say investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from inside the store. “Security investigated a report of retail theft from the Carle Auxiliary Retail Boutique captured on video and following protocol, notified Urbana Police,” a spokesperson for Carle Foundation Hospital said in an email. “We will continue to cooperate with law enforcement on its investigation.”

The Urbana Police Department declined multiple requests to disclose a police report to the media.

WCIA has filed requests under the Freedom of Information Act to obtain more details about the incident.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include a response from Carle Foundation Hospital.

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January 24, 2020 at 07:46PM

January 24, 2020 0

Oswego Rep. Files Legislation That Would Mandate House Observance of Memorial Day; Bill Also Calls for House Remembrance Ceremony

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A state representative from Oswego has filed legislation that would mandate Memorial Day be recognized by the Illinois House and would mandate that session could not convene after 4:00 p.m. on the day before the holiday or before 4:00 p.m. on the holiday itself.

Democratic Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, who is the only US Marine Corps female Veteran in the House, announced the filing in a statement on Thursday.

Rep. Kifowit says she filed the legislation saying that for many years, she has been forced to be absent from the House floor, due to attending cemetery visits on the morning of Memorial Day.

For example, House committees met on Memorial Day in the morning in 2019 as the spring session was shortened to the end of May from the original deadline for the end of June.

Kifowit said in a statement, “it is time for all members of the Illinois House of Representatives to be able to be in their hometowns and to honor those who gave so much.”

The measure has secured backing from the Department of Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars. Illinois VFW Legislative Director Jay Hoffman says in a statement that the legislation would allow Illinois lawmakers time to convene with the Veterans in their home districts, and to,”pay tribute and high honor to the Veterans whose lives were lost in combat operations on behalf of a grateful nation.”

A statement also indicated support from the Department of Illinois American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.

Rep. Kifowit’s bill additionally calls for a remembrance ceremony for Memorial Day to be held in the daily business, during a regular session day, sometime close to the holiday.

There is no record of a remembrance ceremony for fallen service members in the Illinois House.

Rep. Kifowit said that she feels that the House should recognize that nothing is more important than honoring those that have lost their lives in defense of our freedom and liberties.

House Bill 4214 and companion House Resolution 671 were filed on Wednesday.

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January 23, 2020 at 03:34PM

January 23, 2020 0

Bill lets library districts tax local cannabis sales

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SPRINGFIELD — A bill filed in Springfield could allow local libraries to get a cut of the taxes on recreational cannabis sales, but it would come at the potential expense of county-level taxes.

House Bill 4135 would allow the state’s more than 600 libraries to impose a 1 percent tax on recreational cannabis sales in their jurisdictions.

State Rep. Dan Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, said the idea for his legislation came from a conversation with a local library official.

“With the new cannabis law going into effect and a significant amount of tax revenue being generated by legal adult-use cannabis, they were interested in getting a piece of that pie,” he said.

Illinois’ combined tax rate for recreational cannabis is one of the highest in the nation, climbing as steep as 41 percent in some areas, depending on the potency of the product and local taxes.

In exchange for the 1 percent tax, the county that the library is in would be limited to taxing cannabis sales in the library district at up to 2 percent. Under existing law, counties can tax local recreational cannabis sales up to 3 percent. Didech’s bill would essentially redirect 1 percent of that to libraries.

County officials have raised concerns about the bill.

“What’s disappointing is that [the law] only happened in August and here we are in January and there’s already a pending bill that’s going to take away that three percent that the legislature recently afforded and divert it to another taxing jurisdiction without a direct correlation to the burden and impact of cannabis,” said Scott Hartman, president of the Illinois Association of County Administrators. Hartman is the deputy county administrator in McHenry County.

Didech said his bill could potentially help reduce property taxes because it…

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January 23, 2020 at 10:50AM