Latest news with #HB3356
Politico
3 days ago
- Business
- Politico
Shell game in Springfield
Presented by TGIF, Illinois. And we hope folks at the Capitol got some sleep. TOP TALKER SPRINGFIELD, Illinois — State lawmakers Thursday took the baby step toward passing a budget by sending shell bills to their respective chambers. Shell bills are placeholders for incoming legislation — in this case, a budget that will determine how the state will dole out $55.2 billion in funding over the next fiscal year. Given that each bill's title must be introduced three times over three days, lawmakers had to get the ball rolling Thursday. Actual budget language could drop today, and votes will be taken late Saturday, the ultimate deadline to pass a budget. There are plenty of other pieces of legislation still being negotiated. Hitting the brakes: The transit bill we mentioned Thursday now has a funding mechanism that's already facing opposition. The proposal calls for moving millions of tax revenue from DuPage and Kane counties to fund transportation. The bill also calls for adding 50 cents to all Illinois highway tolls, incorporating a real estate transfer tax, which is a charge levied whenever properties are sold, and adding a tax to ride-share services. Another sticking point is that new organizational changes to the transit system would give more power to Cook County, where most public transportation sits, rather than to the collar counties. 'Any reorganization that diminishes our voice or diverts our resources without a clear, equitable benefit to our residents cannot be supported,' said Kane County Legislative Co-Chair Michelle Gumz in her letter to lawmakers. DuPage County Board Chair Deborah Conroy wrote a similar letter. Watch and wait: Watch for amendments to address the objections. Otherwise, passage by Saturday looks dim. Lawmakers could also wait and tackle the weighty transit issue in a special summer session or in October — after they finish gathering petition signatures for their upcoming elections. Skinny energy bill: Lawmakers nailed down an energy bill late Thursday. The measure, leaner than initially planned, calls for creating battery technology that stores energy from wind and solar. Supporters say it will create union jobs and help lower energy bills. Not included in the bill is a proposal to regulate data centers. The bill also ends a moratorium on new nuclear plants and promotes energy efficiency, by the Sun-Times' Brett Chase and George Wiebe. After emotional testimony, the House passed a bill that would allow terminally ill adults to end their lives with medical assistance. House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel sponsored the legislation. The bill now heads to the Senate. In knots over hair-braiding bill: A bill that was sailing through the General Assembly with Senate and House support (but for an amendment) now faces some opposition. State Rep. Carol Ammons' HB3356 would repeal the requirement that people who engage in hair-braiding have a state license. The bill is part of the General Assembly's Comprehensive Licensing Information to Minimize Barriers Task Force. Ammons' task force determined a license isn't necessary for hair-braiding and called for eliminating it. On Thursday, licensed hair stylists were on hand criticizing the bill, saying eliminating licensing poses a health concern. Not mentioned: Schools that charge thousands to train in hair-braiding might also want to keep the licensing policy in place. Junk fees: A bill to curb the use of junk fees, those extra surcharges that appear when you buy concert tickets or online products, is still in limbo. The Senate passed its version of the bill sponsored by state Sen. Omar Aquino. But the House has yet to call state Rep. Bob Morgan's version — even though there are 60-plus sponsors. The hold-up: The state Attorney General's Office has questions. The bill calls for that office to go after companies that charge consumers junk fees. Hold your horses: A bill to revive plans for a 'racino' — a racetrack and gaming casino — in Decatur is stalled. The bill, which could jumpstart Illinois' horse racing industry, passed unanimously out of the Senate Executive Committee on Wednesday, but it hasn't gotten out of the chamber yet. We hear the holdup is Hawthorne Racecourse in Stickney, which has had veto power on harness racing. Opponents to the bill invoked the name of Hawthorne ally and former state Rep. Robert Molaro — even though he died five years ago. They called for a delay on the vote out of respect for Molaro. On Thursday, a lawmaker told Playbook, 'Hawthorne is a family owned business that's been around a hundred years. We shouldn't pull the rug out' without finding a way to help them, too. RELATED Decatur racino bill clears starting gate, but may not reach this week's finish line, by Lee Enterprises' Brenden Moore Latest transit proposal would hike tolls, tax ride-shares to avoid $771M fiscal cliff, by the Tribune's Talia Soglin, Olivia Olander and Jeremy Gorner Legislators miles apart on how to fund the CTA, Metra and Pace to avert a $770M fiscal cliff, by the Sun-Times' Mitchell Armentrout and George Wiebe THE BUZZ Blue states taunt Trump after tariffs loss: 'It's raining tacos': Mike Frerichs, the Democratic Illinois state treasurer, said the rulings could stave off the most severe economic effects of Trump's tariffs on vulnerable industries, including corn and soybean farmers. Moreover, Frerichs said whiplash with Trump's trade policies has already undermined his supposed goal to bring manufacturing jobs back to the middle of the country. 'No company is going to make a long-term commitment when there is no belief that they will stay in place,' Frerichs said. 'Wall Street has been talking about TACO this week… So why would you shut down a factory in China and move it to the U.S. if, two weeks from now, the tariffs are going to disappear?' Court rulings jolt Trump trade talks, via POLITICO White House insists court ruling won't derail Trump's tariff agenda, by POLITICO's Doug Palmer and Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing If you are Carol Ammons, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@ WHERE'S JB No official public events WHERE's BRANDON No official public events Where's Toni At the Posen Fire Department at 9:30 a.m. to announce the launch of a new mobile treatment program aimed at expanding access to opioid use disorder care in the south suburbs Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a complaint? Email skapos@ BUSINESS OF POLITICS — Endorsement: State Sen. Robert Peters has been endorsed by the College Democrats of America in his bid for the 2nd Congressional District seat. — On the trail: Krishnamoorthi campaigns against 'devastating' tariffs in Rockford, by WIFR's Nathaniel Langley CHICAGO — Chicago Board of Education renews 21 charter schools after months of delay, by Chalkbeat's Becky Vevea — Construction progress continues for Home Court athletic facility at the Obama Presidential Center, by Chicago YIMBY's Daniel Schell — Kennedy express lanes to O'Hare to open Sunday, a month ahead of schedule, via the Sun-Times — North Lawndale Arts Center expands programs after $50,000 donation from Jussie Smollett, by Block Club's Michael Liptrot TAKING NAMES — Tony Karman, the EXPO Chicago founder, is stepping down from director's role, by the Sun-Times' Ambar Colón MEDIA MATTERS — Special section with fake book list plagued with additional errors, Sun-Times review finds, by WBEZ's Dan Mihalopoulos and Kade Heather — Lessons (and an apology) from the Sun-Times CEO Melissa Bell on that AI-generated book list, via Sun-Times (Read to the end for her real — smart — book list.). — Richard Roeper, the former Sun-Times film and television critic, has joined as a regular contributor. Reader Digest We asked who you think is the most fascinating world leader. Kristopher Anderson: 'Vladimir Putin, the master of throwing a rock and hiding your hand, and sometimes he makes you question if there was even a rock.' Jason Baumann: 'Mexico President Claudia Pardo because she doesn't take any s%{t! She fights back against Trump. Last year, she seized an insane amount of cartel money. She's entertaining to watch.' Doug Crew: 'French President Emmanuel Macron, a young leader who took on major pension reform, prevailed and survived. (Would invite him to dinner only if he'd bring his wife).' Peter Creticos: 'Former Bogota, Colombia, Mayor Antanas Mockus. He was a mathematician and philosopher whose innovative and unorthodox methods employed humor and social action to address social and environmental challenges.' Barbara Currie: 'French President Emmanuel Macron. Can't get over his staying power.' Bill Henkel: 'Colombia President Gustavo Petro.' Jack Franks: 'Pope Leo XIV.' Charles Keller: 'Argentina President Javier Milei for taking a chainsaw to his government, literally.' Fred Lebed: 'Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.' Jane Ruby: 'Ireland President Michael Higgins. Besides being an accomplished poet, he's an incredible orator on peace. I recommend his 2025 St. Patrick's Day Address.' Bernard Schoenburg: 'Volodymyr Zelenskyy. An actor-turned-politician who is meeting unimaginable challenges with strength and grace.' Steve Smith: 'Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa.' Alexander Sutton: 'Ibrahim Traore, the president of Burkina Faso in West Africa.' NEXT QUESTION: What's a protest movement that had a big impact? THE NATIONAL TAKE — Rubio's visa crunch has big consequences for public universities — including University of Illinois, by POLITICO's Rebecca Carballo — Behind Trump's long campaign to target Chinese student visas, by POLITICO's Myah Ward and Jake Traylor — Why the court ruled against Trump's tariffs: It came down to the 'political question,' by POLITICO's Joseph Schatz TRIVIA THURSDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Clem Balanoff for correctly answering that the late state Sen. Charles Chew Jr., the former chair of the Illinois Senate Transportation Committee, was known to drive to Springfield in a Rolls Royce. Robert Kieckhefer, a veteran reporter, remembers a song from the Old Gridiron Show that went 'Bald, bald Charlie Chew, baldest man in the Senate zoo,' sung to the music of 'Bad, Bad Leroy Brown. 'He's got a custom Continental, got an Eldorado too. He's got the DOT in his pocket for fun, got the highway lobby, too.' TODAY's QUESTION: What is the tallest load-bearing brick building ever constructed? Email skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY Today: Metropolitan Family Services Senior Director of Government Affairs Miguel Blancarte Jr., leadership development consultant Amisha Patel, businessman Neil Malone and Relm Insurance Ltd.'s Sophia Zaller Saturday: 40th Ward Democratic Committeeperson Maggie O'Keefe, Equality Illinois Public Policy Director Mike Ziri, Pillars Fund co-founder Kashif Shaikh, 46th Ward organizer Demerike Palecek, Relm Insurance Development VP Sophia Zaller and The Forward Interim Editor in Chief Julie Moos Sunday: State Sen. Mattie Hunter, state Rep. Carol Ammons, RTA Chair Kirk Dillard, Culloton + Bauer Luce CEO Dennis Culloton, comms leader Daniel Cruz, Cedar Pine COO Jenny Cizner, Radio Free Europe Head of External Affairs Diane Zeleny and the Chicago mayor's photographer and Creative Director Vashon Jordan Jr. -30-
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois bill would eliminate licensing for hair braiders, sparking debate
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A new bill in Illinois would eliminate the need for hair braiders to be licensed professionals. Currently, Illinois is one of 14 states that require hair braiders to have a license or risk fines. Hair braiders need 3,000 hours of classroom and practical experience, an education that can cost thousands. completely removes that requirement. Advocates of the bill say it will allow more people to enter the workforce. 'You learn from history, with your mom or your auntie or your grandma. They're teaching you how to become a woman. They teach you how to braid,' said Dawuan Neal, the owner of Classic Cuts Barbershop at 1021 S Main Street. 'I was also taught they teach you how to back in day, how to survive with mats in the hair. So braiding is a cultural thing. So when you think about going to school, school can't really teach you how to braid per se,' he added. Neal has worked with hair for over 30 years and says while cosmetology school is an important step to becoming a professional, hair braiding is different. 'You got to think about the money aspect,' Neal said. 'You're not teaching me how to braid, so you're charging me for something I learn from my ancestors, from my parents or my mom or my grandma. So you're not teaching me that part?' However, other hair professionals have a less positive take on the bill. 'I think it should be a requirement to a certain level because you just want to be covered on all aspects,' said barber Erick Thomas. 'I can know how to cut hair without going to school, but there's certain things that I'm not going to learn and certain things that I'm not going to know without going to school. You need the education that goes behind … what you're doing as far as cutting hair and braiding.' HB3356 passed out of the Illinois House and now heads to the Senate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
