Illinois — The Villagers Voice

Gov. Pritzker Invited to World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos

January 14, 2023 by Villagers Voice

Governor to Speak on Panels Concerning Energy and Climate, Infrastructure and Legislative Achievements

Governor Pritzker will travel to Davos, Switzerland next week to speak at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting and promote Illinois' achievements on the world stage. The meeting brings together world leaders across industries to discuss political and social priorities, this year focusing on the theme “Cooperation in a Fragmented World.” The Governor will also visit Germany for business development purposes. [Read more...]

IDOI Announces January 15th Enrollment Deadline for the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace

January 13, 2023 by Villagers Voice

The Open Enrollment Period ends Sunday

The last day of the Open Enrollment Period for the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace is Sunday, January 15, 2023. An extra month was added again this year, allowing people more time to purchase health insurance coverage.

Federal CMS enrollment numbers show that 332,460 Illinoisians have selected ACA Marketplace plans since the start of Open Enrollment on November 1, and the total number of Americans who signed up for coverage is nearly 15.9 million. * [Read more...]

Rich Gurka: Illinois, the “Fourth Reich?”

January 13, 2023 by Villagers Voice

"Nazi Germany invaded France in 1940. In every occupied town, Nazi soldiers put up posters that demanded citizens surrender their firearms within 24 hours or else be shot. Despite the consequences, many French citizens refused to comply with the order. In ‘GUN CONTROL IN NAZI OCCUPIED FRANCE; TYRANNY AND RESISTANCE’, author Stephen P. Halbrook tells this story of Nazi repression and the brave French citizens who refused to surrender to it.” [Read more...]

Social Justice and Climate Change Impacts Included in New State Water Plan

January 12, 2023 by Villagers Voice

Social justice, climate change impacts integrated into plan for first time, plan spotlights 13 critical water-related challenges for Illinois

The Illinois State Water Plan, which serves as a blueprint for addressing key water-related challenges in the state over the next decade, has been updated for the first time since 1984 and is available to help guide state and local leaders in setting priorities for water resources.

Different from previous Illinois state water plans, the updated plan intentionally strives to integrate social and environmental justice perspectives into recommendations in every section to better serve economically and socially marginalized individuals and communities in Illinois. It also addresses climate change impacts for the first time. [Read more...]

Windhorst: Pritzker’s Signature on Gun Control Legislation Violates Rights of Law-Abiding Citizens

January 11, 2023 by Villagers Voice

On Tuesday night in the final hours of the 102nd General Assembly’s Lame Duck Session, Governor JB Pritzker signed HB 5471, amended legislation that bans the manufacture and sale of dozens of commonly used firearms and enacts provisions that require the registration of serial numbers of firearms included on a list of weapons defined in the legislation as “assault weapons”

State Representative Patrick Windhorst released the following statement upon Governor Pritzker’s signature. [Read more...]

Rep. Niemerg Opposed Another Irresponsible Pay Raise to Legislators, Constitutional Officers and Department Directors

January 7, 2023 by Villagers Voice

State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) voted no on the supplemental budget Implementation (BIMP) bill submitted late in the night during Lame Duck session. In that bill is a pay raise for legislators to $85,000 a year and pay raises to Constitutional Officers, as well as the various agency directors in Illinois. [Read more...]

New Laws Taking Effect in 2023 Impact Employers, Employees

January 4, 2023 by Villagers Voice

New laws expand bereavement rights, increase minimum wage

SPRINGFIELD – As the New Year begins, employers and employees across the State should be aware of new laws taking effect that impact workplace rights.

• “Legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker in 2022 expands upon and changes certain rights and protections in the workplace,” said Illinois Department of Labor Acting Director Jane Flanagan. “It’s important for employers and employees to be aware of the new laws taking effect January 1st, and those already in effect.” [Read more...]

White County State’s Attorney Aud Releases Statement on Judge’s SAFE-T Act Decision

December 29, 2022 by Villagers Voice

White County State's Attorney Denton Aud released a statement this morning regarding the decision by Kankakee circuit court Judge Thomas W. Cunnington last night regarding the Illinois SAFE-T Act. Sixty-four state's attorneys, and sheriffs, filed lawsuits earlier this year as the implementation of no cash bail neared the January 1 start date. [Read more...]