Illinois Quick Hits: CTE bill goes to House after clearing Senate

Illinois Quick Hits: CTE bill goes to House after clearing Senate

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate has passed legislation allowing high school students to take Career Technical Education classes as an alternative to the foreign language mandate starting in 2028.

Senate Bill 3070 now heads to the House after it received unanimous approval in the Senate on Thursday.

HOUSE ADVANCES MICROMOBILITY REGULATION BILL

Amended legislation to regulate e-bikes, motorized scooters and other micromobility devices will go to the state Senate for concurrence after clearing the Illinois House on Wednesday night.

Senate Bill 3336 would require a person to be at least 16 years old, licensed to drive, and to register certain electric devices with the state before they can be legally operated.

Sean Reed contributed to this story.

MAN SENTENCED FOR ILLEGAL WEAPON POSSESSION WHILE ON COURT-SUPERVISED RELEASE

A Chicago man has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for illegally possessing a loaded handgun on a train while he was on court-supervised release for a prior drug trafficking conviction.

Prosecutors say Gerald Pittman, 39, was arrested aboard the CTA Blue Line last July while drinking a beer, smoking and holding a red shopping bag that contained a loaded handgun.

Pittman had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses and was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

PROGRAM ALLOWS NEW ATTORNEYS TO EARN CREDIT FOR PRO BONO WORK

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced a rule amendment allowing newly-admitted attorneys to earn Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by participating in a pro bono pilot program.

The court said in a press release it hopes to address unmet legal needs and help foster a career-long commitment for new attorneys to pro bono service.

Under the program, an attorney may earn one MCLE credit hour for every two hours of pro bono participation in Illinois Free Legal Answers.

TURKEY HUNTERS LOG RECORD HARVEST

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says hunters harvested a preliminary record total of 20,821 wild turkeys during the state’s spring turkey season, surpassing the previous record of 18,189 birds harvested in 2025.

The top counties during the 2026 season were Jefferson and Jo Daviess counties, each with 646 birds harvested. Marion County was next with 530 turkeys, followed by Pike with 525.

Hunters bought 94,704 permits this year compared to 89,580 last year.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

IL Supreme Court can’t just oust judges over speech: New filing

IL Supreme Court can’t just oust judges over speech: New filing

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square CHICAGO — The Illinois Supreme Court can't both overstep the bounds of their constitutional authority by ousting a judge for publicly supporting...
Illinois Republicans say Dems' redistricting amendment would create more corrupt maps

Illinois Republicans say Dems’ redistricting amendment would create more corrupt maps

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A newly proposed Illinois constitutional amendment would change the way legislative and representative districts are drawn in...
Vote postponed on Southwest congressmen's wildfire bill

Vote postponed on Southwest congressmen’s wildfire bill

By Derek DraplinThe Center Square The Center Square) – Members of Congress debated a bill on Tuesday that would change how the federal government handles air quality monitoring influenced by...
Trump's $1.5 trillion military budget: What taxpayers are getting

Trump’s $1.5 trillion military budget: What taxpayers are getting

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Pentagon's top budget official said Tuesday that the agency's failure to pass eight consecutive audits shouldn't stop Congress from approving the largest military budget...
DOJ indicts Southern Poverty Law Center on wire, bank fraud charges

DOJ indicts Southern Poverty Law Center on wire, bank fraud charges

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square A federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center on 11 counts of wire and bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money...
Ceasefire extended, fractured Iranian government cited

Ceasefire extended, fractured Iranian government cited

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square With hours left before the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was set to expire, President Donald Trump has extended it, citing a “seriously...
Lawmakers call for AI in financial literacy, systems

Lawmakers call for AI in financial literacy, systems

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Lawmakers and industry leaders proposed implementing artificial intelligence to address gaps in financial literacy across the country. The lawmakers spoke at Axios’ Financial Confidence event...
FTC probe into APA urged over contradictory stances on gender-affirming care for minors

FTC probe into APA urged over contradictory stances on gender-affirming care for minors

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Medical group Do No Harm sent a letter Monday to the Federal Trade Commission urging an investigation into the American Psychological Association, accusing APA of...
Cherfilus-McCormick resigns from U.S. House

Cherfilus-McCormick resigns from U.S. House

By Merrilee GasserThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat from Florida, resigned from Congress Tuesday minutes before a House Ethics Committee hearing that would have decided sanctions against...
International Energy Agency leader says energy crisis worst in history

International Energy Agency leader says energy crisis worst in history

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel is creating the worst energy crisis ever faced by the world, the head of the...
Republicans unveil budget resolution allotting up to $140 billion for ICE, CBP

Republicans unveil budget resolution allotting up to $140 billion for ICE, CBP

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. Senate Republicans released a blueprint for their immigration enforcement funding bill Tuesday, paving the way to reopen the Department of Homeland Security, which has...
Military spy budget surges 49%, details secret

Military spy budget surges 49%, details secret

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's Pentagon requested $50 billion from taxpayers on Tuesday for a budget so secret that the military will only say how much it...
Illinois Quick Hits: CTA leader addresses transit security

Illinois Quick Hits: CTA leader addresses transit security

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Transit Authority Acting President Nora Leerhsen says the agency has increased law enforcement hours by 75%...
Advocacy groups respond to new executive order on psychedelics

Advocacy groups respond to new executive order on psychedelics

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Some say President Donald Trump’s new executive order on psychedelics goes too far, while others say it’s a good first step, but more action is...
Senators grill Warsh on Fed independence, assets

Senators grill Warsh on Fed independence, assets

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Senators grilled Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, over his asset disclosures and independence from the president’s decision-making. The U.S....