Illinois: No Budget, New Laws

First, I give it up to ABC7Chicago.com for keeping Chicagoans informed.  I also want to give credit to Illinois Policy.  Their Facebook Page is my primary go-to for information regarding policies and politics that affects the good citizens, any not go good citizens, of Illinois.

I’m not going to list all of the new laws that initiate today.  I extracted the ones I felt pertinent after a review of the bills listed by ABC.  I’m also included links to each of those bills that will coincide with my initial thoughts.  A direct link to all Bill numbers searchable on ilga.gov can be found by clicking here.

1. HB 5913:  This will largely have an impact on small business owners who for years ran a business as plumbers and outsourced and trained people to work with them who were capable of doing the work and worked in conjunction with this since they are licensed and bonded.  For those in the construction field, more than likely, their general contracting corporations will provide the training for them but this may not be so cut and dry for the little man as it may prohibit the execution of training options for those who are gifted and simply looking for work.
2. HB 4517:  You’ll have to dig through this 58 page law in order to gather it’s full meaning.  You will see some previous parts of the law restricted (meaning they have lines drawn through certain paragraphs) that does eliminate the Center for Comprehensive Health Planning (links to a surface indication of what the CCHP was intended for but it’s fairly dated). It looks like it removes bureaucracy but those in the health care creation, planning and evaluation would be able to provide more insight.  The governor, with senate approval appoints the members from various demographics including doctors, nurses, business community on for and non profit sectors.  I do like that fact that a member has to be a regular citizen over 60.  Elderly healthcare and concerns should be noted.
3. SB 1120.   Return rental equipment or pay the price for thievery. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.  Bottom line is people can’t afford to be lax when returning rented items.  This is more than likely a protection for SBO (Small Business Owners), that have little means of quickly replacing what customers have stolen.  Don’t get a felony and fine people. Rent it, return it!
4. SB 2900:  APN’s and PA’s will finally get a seat at the table. Highly qualified and often unregarded work of those that work hand and hand with physicians on a daily basis have more authority to be the eyes, ears, hands, and feet of the physicians they serve and the patients they work for.  I am banking this will lead to an increase in the field and a governing organization that will drive more roles and responsibilities for these great people.
5. HB3239: If this gives our students more power to have an active voice on Local School Councils then I am all for it.  They should be able to engage their future and the future of their piers by being at the table.
6. SB 2777:  This is a win for Juvenile Justice Advocates.  I hope there are more restorative efforts for young people in the inner-city as most rural juvenile offenses go unreported or privately dealt with when it’s public knowledge.  Hopefully the young people that find themselves on the opposite side of the law see this (and it should be publicized) as a second chance opportunity.
7. HB 6006:  We need not lose any more State Troopers or citizens for failure to change lanes.  “Move trick, get out the way”.  Sorry, I had a hip hop moment.  Change lanes people.  Simple as that.  Beware of traps though, I can see the state using this even when it’s innocent and cars won’t permit you to pass.  After all, people can be rude.

Now, Bills I don’t care for and I’ll get dinged on this.

HB 4264:  This is an arrogance of legislature that baffles me.  It’s as arrogant as the governor mandating students be taught how to engage police officers.  Even with training, there is nothing under the law to protect cosmetologist, aestheticians, barbers, etc. from retaliation from families.  It’s a requirement that will subjectively, and one again, put pressure on the small business owners.  It would seem that the one area that is effectively staunch in the Black community is coming under indirect fire an assault of the legislature.  It has absolutely nothing to do with their profession. It’s almost like making an account doing family taxes a mandated reported, or a construction worker repairing a house that notices a bruise and has to become a mandated reporter.

I’m off my rant people, get educated, stay informed.  If you ready any of these bills one statement will resonate:

We can ill-afford to vote for people without knowing.  If they are making laws on our behalf, let’s ensure we are informed.

Happy New Year.  May 2017 be a year of information and community!