(The Center Square) – Lawmakers have advanced a measure that will soon be sent to the governor’s desk that would allow certain immigrants to become police officers in Illinois. Current federal law prohibits a non-U.S. citizen from becoming a police offer throughout the country. House Bill 3751 looks to change that law in Illinois. The […]
Andrew Hensel | The Center Square
Andrew Hensel is a reporter with The Center Square, a republishing partner of Lake and McHenry County Scanner. The Center Square is an outlet publishing state and local-level news across the United States.
Posted inState News
Senator files legislation proposing Illinois EMS workers be required to wear body cameras
(The Center Square) – A lawmaker has introduced legislation that would require Illinois EMS workers to wear body cameras while on duty following the murder of a patient. Senate Bill 1306 was introduced by state Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield. Turner said the idea came to her after the death of a Springfield resident who was […]
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Inspector general report shows 49 more children died in Illinois DCFS care in 2022 than prior year
(The Center Square) – A new report by an inspector general for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services shows 171 children died while in contact with the department last year, 40% more than the year prior. The 248-page report released by the Illinois Inspector General shows that in 2022, 49 more children died […]
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Gov. JB Pritzker says Illinois will not give up on ending cash bail following court ruling
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday that he is confident that the SAFE Act’s provision to end cash bail statewide is constitutional despite a lower court ruling it unconstitutional, which has been appealed. The Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today, or SAFE-T Act, was approved by the General Assembly in January 2021. It […]
Posted inState News
Judge rules end of cash bail in Illinois SAFE-T Act is unconstitutional, will not go into effect in 65 counties on Jan 1
A judge has ruled that the abolishment of cash bail in the SAFE-T Act is unconstitutional and it will not go into effect in 65 Illinois counties on January 1. The Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity Today, or SAFE-T Act, was approved by the General Assembly in January 2021. It makes several changes to the […]
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Judge’s decision looms in lawsuit against the Illinois SAFE-T Act
(The Center Square) – A decision from a Kankakee County judge is expected Wednesday evening in the SAFE-T Act lawsuit, which was brought by more than 60 state’s attorneys from across Illinois. The Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity Today, or SAFE-T Act, was approved by the General Assembly in January 2021. It makes several changes […]
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Judge to make decision in Illinois SAFE-T Act lawsuit by next week after oral arguments held
(The Center Square) – A judge on Tuesday heard oral arguments in a lawsuit against the SAFE-T Act — which is set to end cash bail in Illinois — and the court is expected to render a decision by next week. The case is a combined lawsuit involving over 60 state’s attorneys from around Illinois. […]
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Illinois legislators and advocates push for resources to address fentanyl overdoses
(The Center Square) – State lawmakers and advocates are pushing for more awareness and resources, along with harsher penalties for drug dealers, to address the dangers of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. The precursors for the drug have origins in […]
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Illinois lawmakers working on changes to SAFE-T Act as they return to Springfield for fall veto session
Lawmakers are returning to Springfield this coming week and changes are expected to be made to the controversial SAFE-T Act, which among other measures, abolishes cash bail in Illinois. The Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity Today, or SAFE-T Act, was passed by the General Assembly in 2021. The criminal justice package has been criticized by […]