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Illinois Senate passes bill that would ban police from searching cars over marijuana odor

(The Center Square) – Senate Democrats in Springfield have advanced legislation that would prohibit law enforcement from conducting vehicle searches based on the smell of marijuana. With recreational marijuana now legal in Illinois for roughly the past three years, individuals also would no longer be required to store marijuana in an odor-proof container as they […]

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Legislation would allow prisoners serving life sentences in Illinois ability to seek parole

(The Center Square) – Lawmakers have introduced legislation that would allow people sentenced to life in prison in Illinois to be eligible to seek parole after serving 25 years. State Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, announced House Bill 2045, which would allow a person serving a life sentence to become eligible for parole. The bill says […]

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Gov. Pritzker signs bill into law that abolishes life without parole sentences for defendants under 21 in Illinois

A bill recently signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker will abolish life without parole sentences for defendants under the age of 21 in Illinois. House Bill 1064 was first introduced in the Illinois General Assembly in February 2021. Nearly two years later, the bill passed the Illinois House and Senate in January. The bill […]

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Illinois senator files legislation that would enhance penalty for DUI drivers who kill, injure multiple people

(The Center Square) – A lawmaker has filed a bill that would enhance the prison sentence for impaired drivers who kill someone and injure others in Illinois. The so-called “Lindsey’s Law” legislation would pave the way for law enforcement to charge intoxicated drivers with a Class 2 felony if they kill someone and also cause […]

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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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Illinois lawmakers return this week amid calls for changes in the SAFE-T Act

(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers return to Springfield Tuesday as state’s attorneys and law enforcement officials await changes to the SAFE-T Act. The controversial justice reform package eliminates cash bail on January 1, making Illinois the first state to fully do so. The legislation has been criticized by many, including dozens of state’s attorneys […]

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Only ‘technical’ fixes to SAFE-T Act expected as Illinois lawmakers close first week of veto session

(The Center Square) – Illinois state lawmakers left Springfield Wednesday without taking up changes to the no-cash bail provision of the SAFE-T Act that begins on January 1. The measure includes the Pretrial Fairness Act, which ends cash bail statewide, making Illinois the first state to do so. State Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago, helped usher […]

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Gov. Pritzker expected to make mask mandate announcement on Wednesday

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is set to make an announcement Wednesday on the state’s mask mandate as hospitalizations and cases continue to decrease, according to a report. Pritzker appeared in Springfield on Tuesday and said that people wondering when the state’s mask mandate would end should “stay tuned,” the Chicago Tribune reported. Pritzker said, “We’re […]