Illinois House of Representatives

Illinois House passes legislation to expand record sealing

By Hilary Gowins
04/27/2017
Reforms such as record sealing expansion make it likelier that ex-offenders will be able to find work – and stop cycling in and out of prison. That means they and their families will have a chance to succeed. And the more ex-offenders enter this virtuous cycle – instead of returning to prison – the better off the state and taxpayers will be, too.

TAGS: Camille Lilly, criminal justice reform, recidivism, record sealing, reentry

Illinois General Assembly proposes new internet privacy protections

By Amy Korte
04/11/2017
As the federal government repeals regulations requiring broadband companies to obtain consumers’ consent before using their browsing history and other personal information to create targeted ads, Illinois state politicians are moving to ramp up privacy protections. However, whether these bills would actually further those privacy goals or whether they would merely bolster Illinois’ class-action lawsuit industry while burdening businesses are open questions.

TAGS: Ann Williams, Arthur Turner, BIPA: Biometric Information Privacy Act, Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, Donald Trump, Facebook, FCC: Federal Communications Commission, Geolocation Privacy Protection Act, Google, Lou Lang, Michael Hastings, Microphone-Enabled Devices Act, Right to Know Act

Why are Illinois Democrats preparing to bail out bankers and cash-strapped local governments?

By Michael Lucci
04/03/2017
Bailout bills moving in the Illinois General Assembly would attempt to turn Illinois’ massive debt problems into guaranteed profits for banks and bondholders and a lower standard of living for other Illinoisans.

TAGS: bonds, budget, CTA: Chicago Transit Authority, general obligation bonds, grand bargain, John Cullerton, LGDF: Local Government Distributive Fund, property taxes, RTA: Regional Transportation Authority

Luxembourg’s ambassador sends letter to Illinois House leaders

By Brendan Bakala
03/31/2017
Luxembourg’s ambassador to the United States has voiced objections to an Illinois House bill that would label Luxembourg a tax haven and subject corporations expatriated there to restrictions on investments and business dealings with the state of Illinois.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, Christian Mitchell, grand bargain, Illinois House of Representatives, Illinois Investment Policy Board, Jim Durkin, John D’Amico, Katie Stuart, Lawrence Walsh Jr., Martin Moylan, Mike Madigan, Sam Yingling, Silvana Tabares, Stephanie Kifowit, Sue Scherer