(Springfield-jm) – Future kindergartners in Illinois will be spending more time in the classroom. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a law requiring school districts to establish a full-day kindergarten program within the next four years. Under the law, every district must also establish a half-day program that is developmentally appropriate and provides opportunities for play-based learning. Proponents point to research that indicates that children’s early reading skills are enhanced with additional instruction time. Some are questioning the costs for districts and taxpayers.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is launching a new childhood vaccination campaign. “Don’t wait, get your kids up to Date” is the theme and the goal is to make sure children get all the lifesaving shots they need, says State Public Health Director Dr Sameer Vohra…

 

 

State Public Health Director Dr Sameer Vohra. Vohra says recent outbreaks of Chickenpox and the Measles underscore the importance of receiving timely vaccinations. He recommends speaking to your child’s doctor about which shots are recommended and notes the CDC has not yet issued guidance for getting a COVID-19 booster this fall.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new Illinois law will allow people to take up to two weeks of unpaid leave if a loved one is killed by any type of violence. Advocates told lawmakers this spring that survivors should never fear losing their job while mourning.  The law states that people can take bereavement to make arrangements following the death of a family or household member, attend a funeral or celebration of life, and grieve the loss of their loved one. Workers will be entitled to 10 days of unpaid leave that must be used within 60 days of a death caused by violence.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is signing a series of laws to expand protections for Native Americans in Illinois. One new law allows Native American remains to be buried on state land. Another prohibits restrictions on cultural representation at graduation, says Governor Pritzker. That comes from an Evanston High School student who was not allowed to walk across the stage because he was wearing a sacred eagle feather on his cap…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The third law requires Native American history to be taught in schools, especially focusing on the genocide and resettlement of Native Americans by settlers.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Lots of farmers and gardeners sell compost to friends and neighbors, though that practice may have been illegal, due to an issue with the way the law was written. State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City passed legislation designed to fix the issue. His legislation, which was recently signed into law, changes statutes so that private landowners no longer need a permit to transport their compost. House Bill 3277, sponsored by Senator Bennett, will ensure that on-farm composting is exempt from having to receive a permit if the constituent is selling the compost as a soil nutrient. The sale of compost has to be no more than 20% or 300 cubic yards of the total compost created annually by the landowner.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new state law will improve drug overdose education standards in K-12 schools to help students understand substance use and overdose trends. The plan requires education on the history of drugs and health policy in Illinois and the United States, the impact of zero tolerance, and restorative justice practices. Lawmakers filed the bill this spring in memory of Louie Miceli, who died from an overdose in 2012. His mother said young people haven't properly learned the truth about drugs or potential risks they could face. The Illinois State Board of Education would be required to collaborate with the Department of Human Services, Department of Child and Family Services, Department of Public Health, and the Illinois Opioid Crisis Response Advisory Council to improve the health education standards by July 1, 2024. High school students will have the opportunity to learn how to recognize an overdose, use fentanyl test strips, and administer Naloxone. The legislation is also non-punitive, as advocates explained punitive drug policies contribute to the stigma against people with addiction.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker has signed a handful of new state laws that will help soldiers, veterans and their families. Some of the changes are small but address significant issues facing military members says Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Terry Prince…

 

 

Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Terry Prince. Prince says the U-S Department of Defense has cited that law as a model for reform. Under another new law, a veteran’s death certificate may include or be amended to include whether or not a service-related injury contributed to their cause of death. That can help with benefits.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is reminding the public to be aware of the potential for exposure to rabies from infected animals. Bats are the most common source of potential infection in Illinois, and exposures from bats tend to be more frequent during the summer months, especially July and August. The disease can also be found in other wild animals, including raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes. So far this year, 27 rabid bats have been found in 14 Illinois counties.

 

(Springfield-jm) – July weather brought a little bit of everything to Illinois. It was slightly cooler last month, but that doesn't tell the whole story, says State Climatologist Trent Ford…

 

 

State Climatologist Trent Ford. Last month ended up being the 22ne wettest July on record in Illinois, with rainfall about an inch above normal. Most of that was in southern Illinois and the Chicago area, where 7 to 8 inches of rain fell and thousands of basements flooded. Much of northern and central Illinois continued to see poor air quality days thanks to Canadian wildfire smoke and cleanup from June’s derecho event continued into July.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Paul Faraci aimed at creating a hunger-free campus grant program was signed into law. Faraci’s legislation aims to address student hunger by providing funding for grants to higher education institutions that have one or more campuses designated as hunger-free campuses. The grants will be used to leverage sustainable solutions, raise awareness of existing services on campus and build strategic partnerships to address food insecurity among students. The legislation also requires each institution to establish a hunger task force to determine strategies for achieving a hunger-free campus in order to be eligible for the grant. Representative Carol Ammons sponsored this measure in the House.