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State Week

State Week: Where Things Stand At Mid-Session

By , , , Dusty Rhodes & • Mar 22, 2019
  • State Week logo (capitol dome)
    Brian Mackey

Among the subjects discussed this week: medical and recreational marijuana, an anti-abortion rally at the capitol building, Illinois' teacher shortage, and legalizing sports gambling.

Tags: 
abortion
The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act
medical cannabis
recreational cannabis
marijuana
teacher shortage
EdTPA
sports gambling
sports betting

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The Abortion Debate Is About To Heat Up In Illinois

By • Mar 14, 2019
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Illinois could become the most progressive state in the nation on abortion rights if a proposed bill is approved this year.

Hundreds Rally At The Capitol To Protest Abortion Bills

By • Mar 20, 2019
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Illinois Lawmakers Set On Legalizing Sports Betting

By • Mar 21, 2019
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Illinois Democrats are offering several options on how legal sports gambling could work in the state. 

Triangulating The Teacher Shortage

By Dusty Rhodes • Mar 21, 2019
Carter Staley / NPR Illinois

Illinois lawmakers have proposed a variety of plans to tackle the state's severe teacher shortage. This week, State Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), bundled three popular concepts into one bill.​

"These are three things that I hear almost in complete unison from teachers across the state, in small rural districts to larger districts, that in different ways impact the profession,” he told the Senate education committee.

Those three things:

Illinois Lawmakers Look To Make Medical Cannabis Program Permanent

By • Mar 20, 2019
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In the midst of the recreational cannabis debate, Illinois lawmakers are also looking to make the medical cannabis pilot program permanent, but it will include a few changes. 

Illinois Moves To Bank The Unbanked Marijuana Companies

By • Mar 18, 2019
adapted photo from Heath Alseike/flickr

Growing and selling cannabis for medical purposes in Illinois is legal, and it's looking more likely that the state will legalize a recreational program as well. But one crucial component that remains illegal is for banks to do business with marijuana-related companies. 

Senate Panel OKs Repeal Of Parental Notification Prior To Abortion

By • Mar 19, 2019
Democratic House Caucus

Illinois lawmakers  forwarded a proposal that would allow minors to get an abortion, without telling their parents.

The measure would repeal the Parental Notification of Abortion Act – a law passed in 1995, but not enforced until 5 years ago.  The law allows for minors to go before a judge instead of notifying a parent.

Democratic Senator Elgie Sims of Chicago is sponsoring the proposal that would get rid of any notification requirement.