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

Will County Board Graphic.04

Behavioral Health Division Drops Wait Times, Reports Zero Opioid Deaths in February

Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | March 5, 2026 Article Summary: Will County’s Behavioral Health Division reported significant operational improvements, including a near-elimination of wait times for therapy and...
Screenshot 2026-05-09 at 3.53.14 PM

Frankfort Advances Downtown Urban Design Study, Solicits Resident Input

Village of Frankfort Meeting | March 2, 2026 Article Summary: The Village of Frankfort paid its latest installment to The Lakota Group for the ongoing Downtown Urban Design Study, as...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Harris Drive Residents Plead for County Intervention Amid Failing Septic Systems and Flooding

Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | March 5, 2026 Article Summary: Residents of Harris Drive appealed to the Public Health and Safety Committee for help with severe seasonal flooding...
Police Crime

Will County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Fatal Hit-and-Run in Homer Glen

Article Summary: The Will County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public's assistance in identifying a driver involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash in Homer Glen that left a pedestrian dead....
will county Committee-Public Health & Safety.Graphic

Federal Funding Freezes Threaten Will County Public Health Programs Amid Ongoing Lawsuits

Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | March 5, 2026 Article Summary: Will County health officials are bracing for potential service disruptions as they monitor multiple federal lawsuits surrounding frozen...
Screenshot 2026-05-09 at 3.53.14 PM

Frankfort Mayor, Trustees Blast Proposed State Legislation Threatening Local Zoning Control

Village of Frankfort Meeting | March 2, 2026 Article Summary: Village of Frankfort officials strongly condemned proposed state legislation during their Monday meeting, arguing that pending bills in Springfield would...
Legal experts anticipate SCOTUS will overturn drug user gun ban

Legal experts anticipate SCOTUS will overturn drug user gun ban

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Legal experts anticipate the U.S. Supreme Court will strike down a law barring unlawful drug users from possessing firearms. On Monday, justices of the U.S....
Parents' rights advocates hail SCOTUS ruling against secret gender transitions

Parents’ rights advocates hail SCOTUS ruling against secret gender transitions

By Tate MillerThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Mirabelli v. Olson deciding against California’s law that allowed for gender transitions of school children without parental knowledge has...
Critics warn Illinois bill could lead to government overreach in newborn care

Critics warn Illinois bill could lead to government overreach in newborn care

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Family Institute is raising concerns over a proposed bill that would offer voluntary home...
Veteran suicide rate remains high despite spending millions

Veteran suicide rate remains high despite spending millions

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Veterans die by suicide at roughly twice the civilian rate, despite the Department of Veterans Affairs spending more than $500 million a year to address...
BlackRock summit to focus on workforce needed for U.S. infrastructure boom

BlackRock summit to focus on workforce needed for U.S. infrastructure boom

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A coalition of government officials, corporate executives, and labor leaders is gathering in Washington next week to address what many see as the biggest obstacle...
Debate grows as states consider teacher strike bans

Debate grows as states consider teacher strike bans

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Many states are considering new policies affecting teachers’ ability to strike or participate in protests, and education officials and labor advocates continue to debate the...
American gasoline prices increase most in one week since 2020

American gasoline prices increase most in one week since 2020

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square American gasoline prices continued to rise on Friday and are up the most of any week since 2022. Iran widened attacks on energy-producing countries near...
Presidents, governor honor late civil rights leader Jackson; mayor says tax the rich

Presidents, governor honor late civil rights leader Jackson; mayor says tax the rich

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Former President Barack Obama said his path to the White House was laid by late civil rights...
Illinois Quick Hits: Rockford sex abuse suspect arrested

Illinois Quick Hits: Rockford sex abuse suspect arrested

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State Police say a tip from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children led to...