With just three days remaining in our spring legislative session, we are still moving Senate bills through the House while work continues on many of the bigger items we’re expecting to pass before adjournment.
On Wednesday, Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) passed SJRCA11, a proposed amendment to the state constitution that provides that workers have the fundamental right to organize and bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing and that no law shall be passed that interferes with, negates, or diminishes the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively. The proposal will be on the next general election ballot.
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Representative Marcus Evans (left) and Representative Kelly Cassidy (right) sporting Chicago masks on the House floor |
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Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago) passed HB 1443, the long awaited follow up bill to the Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act. The bill included several updates and corrections, most significantly adding additional lotteries to address flaws in the licensing process that played out over the last year when only 21 entities received high enough scores to be included in the first round of dispensary license lottery. The bill includes an additional 2 lotteries of 55 licenses each, and establishes that future scoring and lotteries may use what is referred to as a “cut-score” to establish the lottery pool. An inadvertent drafting error led to only perfect scores in the first round being able to enter the lottery and has been the source of multiple lawsuits. Other elements of the bill include language permitting existing dispensaries to relocate under limited circumstances, creates an additional new lottery to award the 5 outstanding unawarded medical dispensary licenses specifically to social equity applicants, and expands the Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) Board to explicitly include additional individuals living or working within an R3 area. It also corrects technical issues that slow the process of new employees in licensed cannabis businesses from getting background check clearances, expands the cannabis community college pilot program, and clarifies language about containers used to store and carry cannabis that caused confusion with law enforcement. The bill expands on transparency requirements to make it easier to determine actual ownership of cannabis businesses, as the original medical cannabis law prevented release of the data as it relates to medical cannabis businesses, undermining the transparency language in the cannabis regulation and tax act.
Rep. Michael Zalewski passed SB104, popularly referred to as the “Shot and a Beer Act” due to its inclusion of language permitting establishments to offer one free drink to individuals who show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Other elements in the bill extend the cocktails to-go provisions that we implemented under COVID relief efforts by extending the sunset of the provision from June 2, 2021 to January 1, 2024. It permits the delivery and carry out of single servings of wine, and permits licensed retailers to use credit cards to purchase wine and spirits from licensed distributors.
In the days ahead, we anticipate the talks on the energy bill to intensify. Not being on the energy working group, I am not a party to the talks, but reports indicate that ComEd and Exelon continue to push for significant subsidies in spite of the ongoing federal investigation into allegations of bribery stemming from the company’s actions relative to the previous energy package. Similarly, we have not seen the bill to repeal of the Parental Notice of Abortion Act voted on in the House or Senate, but that remains on the to-do list for this session and I continue to work with advocates and chief sponsor Anna Moeller to secure the votes needed to pass. Budget work continues, with recent revenue reports bringing some much needed good news on our ability to move ahead with a FY22 budget without cuts. Finally, the new maps of legislative districts and state Supreme Court districts have been released, the final versions in bill form are being debated today on the House floor.
Below are a few updates on my bills that have come over from the Senate:
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SB 626 - Creates a pilot program for Cook County Circuit Clerk's office to waive repayment of court fines and fees for defendants. It also increases the minimum wage for reimbursement when defendants opt in to repay by participating in court approved community service programs. This bill has passed the House and is in the Senate awaiting concurrence.
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SB 1079 - This bill expands requirements for sexual harassment training for all licensees that obtain a license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. This bill has passed both chambers and will be sent to the Governor to be signed into law.
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SB 2339/SB 2340 - Is an initiative of Cook County Circuit Clerk Iris Martinez. These bills are complimentary and update an outdated state law and reaffirm that the identities' of adult and child survivors of sexual assault are protected. Read the full story behind these bills here. Both bills have passed the House and are awaiting concurrence in the Senate.
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COVID-19 Count as of Friday, May 28th:
If you have questions related to COVID-19 you can contact the Illinois Department of Public Health:
Hotline: 800-889-3931
Email: dph.sick@illinois.gov
City of Chicago's Department of Public Health:
Hotline: 312-746-4835
Email: coronavirus@chicago.gov
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Illinois Rental Assistance Program Applications Now Open |
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If you missed our townhall this week with details on how to apply you can watch the video here. Applications have opened and can be found here.
- Tenants can initiate applications starting Wednesday, June 9th. Housing providers/landlords may initiate a joint application starting Monday, May 17 through Monday, June 7.
- Tenants will have until Monday, June 14 to complete their portion of a landlord-initiated application.
- Tenants may initiate their own application starting Wednesday, June 9 through Monday, June 28.
- Landlords will have until Tuesday, July 6 to complete their portion of the tenant-initiated application.
If you are interested in applying and need assistance with the application please find a list of local housing stability services providers here. More details and FAQs can be found on the IHDA website.
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Support Local Farmers Markets |
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With the weather getting nicer, it is a great time to support local farmers markets. Remember to social distance! Below is a list of local farmers markets to support.
Rogers Park
Glenwood Sunday Market
Sundays
June 6th - October 24th
9AM - 2PM
1233-41 W. Pratt Ave.
Andersonville
Andersonville Farmers Market
Wednesdays
May 12th - October 20th
3PM - 7 PM
Entry between 3-3:30 PM for those who are over 60 or at increased risk for COVID-19
Catalpa Ave. between Clark and Ashland
Edgewater
Edgewater Monday Market
Mondays
June 7th - June 28th
3PM - 7PM
5917 N. Broadway
Evanston
Downtown Evanston Farmers Markets
Saturdays
May 1st - November 8th
7:30AM - 1PM
Entry between 7-7:30AM for seniors and people with disabilities
Intersection of University Place and Oak Ave. (just east of East Railroad Ave.)
Free parking available at 1800 Maple Avenue Self Park
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Artists of the Wall Festival at Loyola Park |
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Loyola Park is hosting this year's Artists of the Wall Festival event the weekend of June 18th through June 20th. The festival will include free live music performances all day from 9AM to 2PM. There are still spots available for painters to sign up and you can register here. See Loyola Park's website for more details.
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Sincerely,
Kelly Cassidy
State Representative, 14th District
Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy
5533 N Broadway
Chicago IL 60640
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773-784-2002(phone)
773-784-2060(fax)
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