State Senator Dave Syverson | Illinois General Assembly
State Senator Dave Syverson | Illinois General Assembly
The United States Supreme Court has declined to take up a legal challenge to Illinois' "assault weapon" ban, as announced on July 2. Petitioners had sought an injunction against the enforcement of the ban following conflicting rulings, including a temporary injunction by a judge in the Southern District of Illinois that was later overturned by the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court left open the possibility of reviewing the case in the future, with a Justice noting, "...if the Seventh Circuit ultimately allows Illinois to ban America’s most common civilian rifle, we can – and should – review that decision once the cases reach a final judgment." State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Syverson) expressed optimism that the ban would be found unconstitutional.
A new law signed on July 1 aims to ease financial burdens for disabled veterans in Illinois by waiving permit fees for home modifications needed for accessibility. Senate Bill 2751 passed both chambers unanimously and will take effect on January 1, 2025.
Additionally, legislation mandating cardiac response plans in schools was signed into law on July 1. House Bill 5394 requires schools to implement these plans and provide training for personnel in hands-only CPR and using automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The bill also offers matching grants covering half of First Aid certification costs and will take effect on January 1, 2025.
The Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Program is now accepting applications for funding assistance from local government agencies for public parks and open spaces. Grants can cover up to 50 percent of project costs or up to 90 percent for economically distressed communities. Applications must be submitted by September 13, 2024.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has launched a pilot program allowing professionals in select fields to pay application fees online through the ePay Portal starting June 4. This initiative aims to streamline payment processes for professionals statewide.
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