It will close the stretch between Mill Road and Armer Drive starting on Monday. There will be two alternative routes.

The first will be Harrison Avenue, Mulford Road and Linden Road, while the second will be Harrison and Mill Road.

The whole project, which will expand the bridge and the portion of I-39 underneath, should be finished by December 1.

Alex Banta, 31, of Quincy, was convicted back in April 2022 for Conspiracy to Deprive Civil Rights, Deprivation of Civil Rights, Obstruction of an Investigation, Falsification of Documents and Misleading Conduct, according to NBC News.

Testimony revealed that Banta, along with co-defendants Willie Hedden and Todd Sheffler, handcuffed 65-year-old Larry Earvin and the Western Illinois Correctional Center and escorted him to the segregation unit vestibule. There are no security cameras in that location.

The guards proceeded to throw him so that his head banged into a wall before kicking, punching and stopping on him. The killing blow came when Banta jumped and landed on Earvin's abdomen with both knees, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Bass.

Earvin suffered 15 broken ribs and abdominal injuries in the May 17, 2018 beating. He later died on June 26.

Banta faces life in prison, but U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough sentenced him to 15 years for the civil rights charges and five years for the other counts, which will run consecutively.

“You were one of the younger officers caught up in the culture at Western of ‘see no evil’ and ‘snitches get stitches,’ which you learned from your superiors, but it in no way excuses your conduct,” Myerscough said. “The governor has replaced the warden and implemented other reforms, so hopefully this culture has changed already.”

Banta said before his sentencing that he regretted his action and the pain that he caused Earvin's family.

“What type of person does it take to assault a 65-year-old man who’s handcuffed behind his back?” remarked Earvin’s brother Willie Earvin Jr., 74, who testified for the prosecution. “I’m a Vietnam veteran and we weren’t allowed to do that to prisoners.”

Banta said that he was instructed from the very begin to look away from indiscretions.

“On my first day, during orientation, Internal Affairs (officers) asked the supervisory staff to leave and then started to tell us, ‘Forget what you learned at the academy. We do things differently here,’” Banta said. “’Things will happen that you might need to ignore. If things happen with an inmate, aim for the body and not the face.’”

While the drug might now be legal in the state, there are still limits on how much a person can possess at one time.

With that being said, some residents might be wondering if they can still go to jail for marijuana in the state if they have too much.

Illinois residents can own up to 30 grams of marijuana flower at a time, according to Norml. The penalties for owning more than this depends on the amount, as well as the number of offenses.

Having between 30-100 grams for a first offense is considered a misdemeanor and can lead to a year of jail time. If a person is caught doing it again, it becomes a felony, which can result in up to three years of jail time.

Having 100-500 grams results in the same penalty as a second offense of the amount mentioned above.

The more the amount goes up from here, the more the penalty goes up as well. For example, having more than 5,000 grams in one's possession could lead to 15 years behind bars.

While marijuana is now recreationally legal in the state, it can only be purchased from a licensed dispensary. If a person decides to sell weed by themselves, they can face major penalities.

For example, selling or trafficking more than 5,000 grams of marijuana in the state can lead to 30 years of incarceration and a $200,000 fine.

There is also a limit on the number of plants that Illinois residents can cultivate for their own use. Medical patients in the state can have up to five of their own plants without facing any penalties. If a non-medical patient has five plants for their own use, they will not face any jail time, but there is a $200 fine.

However, the more plants, the higher the penalty. Having more than five is a felony in the state. Having up to 20 plants can lead to a 3-year sentence, while having up to 50 can lead to a 5-year sentence.

Having more than 200 plants can land a person behind bars for 15 years.

The bill, which was introduced in January by Representative Kam Buckner, "provides that a person may drive a motor vehicle if in possession of a digitized driver's license."

It also says that residents will not get a ticket if they are pulled over without a physical driver's license, as long as they have a digital one.

Buckner said that at least a dozen states already have already tested or launched this practice, according to WGN.

“Pull up their phone and have all their information right there,” Buckner said. “(I) embraced this idea that Illinois can come once again to the 21st century and our ability to use technological tools at our disposable to make things easier.”

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias supports the idea, but as a companion to a physical license.

“(The) goal is to modernize the Secretary of State’s office in a manner that allows for an infusion of new technology to better serve customers,” Giannoulias said.

"The film and television industry is taking of all across Illinois, it's becoming a world wide industry leader in entertainment," said Jason Beghe, star of of the television series Chicago P.D.

"We are super excited about the expenditure increase it's really going to help grow things in the state even more," said Jerry LaBuy, Academic Chair of Mass Communications at Rock Valley College.

"We've gone from 470 million dollars to almost 700 million dollars of production spend in Illinois year over year and that's huge, that's huge growth," said Peter Hawley the Director of the Illinois Film Office.

One of the biggest reasons for the big strides is the focus on securing the film industry pipeline.

"Film infrastructure in Illinois is sound stages and crew based especially entry level crew base and so when I was hired for the job I started this program about getting entry level crew into the industry," Hawley said.

The Illinois Film Office has teamed with colleges across the state including Rock Valley College which has already opened numerous opportunities.

"This program that the state provides for us through the grant funding allows us to expand upon that. We can train students who maybe can't afford the college credit or they don't have the time in the day to do a full college course load. So they can come once or twice a week and take our film and tv set class and just get some basics about how to run and work on a set," LaBuy said.

Hawley said that Illinois is now in the top ten states in the film industry.

"The Governor and I both want by the end of 20-24 for us to be Illinois to be a billion dollar a year industry in film production," Hawley said.

House Bill 1533, filed by Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora), would fine owners $500 to $2,500 if they have their cats declawed.

The bill would allow declawing for medical reasons.

One veterinarian said cats have traditionally been declawed to prevent them from tearing up their furniture and scratching. .

The measure passed in a 67-38 vote, and now heads to the Senate. 

Alex Banta, 31, of Quincy was “caught up in the culture” of silence surrounding violence against inmates but there was no excuse for his treatment of 65-year-old Larry Earvin at Western Illinois Correctional Center, U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough said.

In a statement to the court, Banta expressed regret and took responsibility for his actions, but corroborated trial testimony that rough treatment of prisoners was not only condoned but expected at the prison in Mount Sterling, 250 miles (400 kilometers) southwest of Chicago.

Following a four-week trial, a jury convicted Banta in April 2022 of conspiracy to deprive civil rights, deprivation of civil rights, obstruction of an investigation, falsification of documents and misleading conduct.

Trial testimony revealed that Banta and co-defendants Todd Sheffler and Willie Hedden escorted Earvin, handcuffed behind his back, to the segregation unit vestibule where there were no security cameras, threw him so that his head banged into a wall, then kicked, punched and stomped him. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Bass declared that the fatal blow to Earvin came when Banta jumped up and landed on the inmate’s abdomen with both knees.

He faced up to life in prison. Myerscough sentenced him to 15 years on the civil rights charges and five years on the other counts, to run consecutively.

“You were one of the younger officers caught up in the culture at Western of ‘see no evil’ and ‘snitches get stitches,’ which you learned from your superiors, but it in no way excuses your conduct," Myerscough said. “The governor has replaced the warden and implemented other reforms, so hopefully this culture has changed already.”

Earvin's beating on May 17, 2018, resulted in 15 broken ribs and abdominal injuries so severe that a portion of his bowel was surgically removed. He died June 26.

“What type of person does it take to assault a 65-year-old man who's handcuffed behind his back?" remarked Earvin's brother Willie Earvin Jr., 74, who testified for the prosecution. "I'm a Vietnam veteran and we weren't allowed to do that to prisoners."

In his statement to the court before sentencing, Banta, who looked downward during the bulk of the proceedings, noted his apology would mean little to a federal judge who likely heard it repeatedly from defendants before her, but said he regretted his actions and the pain he caused Earvin's family.

He said he went to work at Western in 2014 to support his family “but I had no idea how the job was going to change me." He described an atmosphere where he was instructed from the get-go to look away from indiscretions.

“On my first day, during orientation, Internal Affairs (officers) asked the supervisory staff to leave and then started to tell us, ‘Forget what you learned at the academy. We do things differently here,’” Banta said. “'Things will happen that you might need to ignore. If things happen with an inmate, aim for the body and not the face.'"

A request for comment was emailed to the Illinois Department of Corrections spokesperson.

Earvin, who suffered from mental illness, was serving a six-year term for theft of merchandise under $300 in Cook County and was scheduled for release in September 2018. He also had a rap sheet dating to 1984.

But his son, Larry Pippion, 51, questioned why he was locked up for a petty crime when he was mentally ill.

“Isn't there another way to get him help instead of just throwing him away?” Pippion asked. Myerscough later called that fact “an indictment of our system.”

Other guards at Western that day testified that Earvin, having reported too late for a break in the yard, refused to return to his cell and allegedly became combative. That prompted an “officer in distress” call to which all available officers are required to respond. Dozens did so and then several, including Banta, escorted him to the segregation unit.

Sheffler was tried with Banta but the jury that convicted Banta was hung on Sheffler. He was retried last summer and convicted of the same counts as Banta in August. Hedden pleaded guilty in March 2021 to the more serious charges and testified against both Banta and Sheffler.

Hedden testified Thursday that he witnessed Banta punch and kick another inmate a few years before the incident with Earvin. On cross-examination, he wouldn't go so far as to say violence against inmates was unstated policy, but he said superiors were aware of it and “it was too prevalent. It happened all too often.”

Sheffler is scheduled for sentencing on Monday and Hedden on Wednesday. ___ Follow Political Writer John O’Connor at https://twitter.com/apoconnor

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation's report said more than half of cannabis sales in counties bordering Wisconsin were made by out-of-state residents.

Wisconsin residents are estimated to have spent $121 million on weed in Illinois in 2022.

Recreational marijuana is not legal in Wisconsin, but it is in each of its surrounding states. In total, thirty-seven U.S. states currently have some form of marijuana legalization.

"It should upset every Wisconsinite that our hard earned tax dollars are going across the border to Illinois. This is revenue that could be going toward Wisconsin’s public schools, transportation infrastructure, and public safety," Senate Minority Leader Melissa Asgard (D-Madison) said in a statement, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Instead, Illinois is reaping the benefits of Republican obstructionism and their prohibitionist stance on marijuana legalization."

Gov. Tony Evers is proposing legalizing marijuana sales, but according to WISN, state Republicans say it won't happen.

"If we're going to do medical marijuana, it has nothing to do with generating taxes for the state and it has nothing to do with creating a new industry," said Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. "We do not need to become like Illinois or Michigan where anywhere you go, there's the stench of marijuana."

Illinois made $462 million in tax revenue from marijuana sales in 2022.

The IDPH is using $29.6 million in funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provided by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

The state said it will target school districts that serve lower-income communities, and counties with elevated air pollution counts.

"There is nothing more important to me than keeping Illinoisans safe and healthy—especially when it comes to our youth," said Governor JB Pritzker. "We know that our children need to stay healthy and study in classrooms that are well-ventilated in order to thrive and succeed. Thanks to this $30 million investment, schoolchildren will experience cleaner air—preventing illness and absenteeism, while improving our children's ability to think and learn."

IDPH is launching an enrollment process in coordination with ISBE through which schools can submit orders for portable HEPA air purifiers. The administrators of eligible school districts will be contacted directly with information about how many purifiers that their districts are eligible to receive. The portable air purifiers will be delivered to school districts in the coming months. Schools will generally be eligible for one small air filter unit for each 20 students in a school, with a limited number of larger units for districts with more than 1,000 students.

The pandemic was a bear — Knight fought to keep his doors open, and when they closed for COVID-19, he pushed to reopen as soon as possible. Inflation, too, has been an obstacle. From inflatable inner tubes to chlorine for the pools, prices have risen for “everything we buy," and now a new Illinois law represents “another bump on the road” for business owners, he says.

On Monday, Illinois became one of three U.S. states to mandate paid time off “for any reason,” up to 40 hours per year for full-time employees. Small business owners in Illinois say they know the importance of taking care of their workers, but some view the paid leave requirement as a government-imposed burden.

“When you hit the big bump and go off the cliff, what does that do for ya?” Knight said.

The legislation takes effect on Jan. 1, 2024. Employees will accrue one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked up to 40 hours total, and can start using the time once they've worked for 90 days.

Knight and his brother, a co-owner, mainly employ seasonal employees not covered by the measure, but they will have to provide paid leave for 10 year-round workers. The veteran business owner said he isn’t worried and will juggle whatever comes next, though consumers will ultimately pay the difference.

But proponents argue the policy supports both business owners and workers, and that guaranteeing paid leave will foster a healthier, more productive workforce.

“When folks have the kind of paid time off they need, they’re able to stay home when they’re sick,” said Molly Weston Williamson, who tracks paid leave policy at the research and advocacy group Center for American Progress.

For business owners concerned that the law will cause added strain amid difficult economic conditions, Williamson pointed out that Chicago and Cook County have had similar ordinances in place since 2017, and fears of devastating economic consequences never panned out.

In fact, “our economy can’t afford not to provide these benefits,” Williamson said. “We can’t afford to pay for folks who are losing their job. We can’t afford to pay for folks who are getting sicker because they’re not getting the care they need. We can’t afford the impacts on our health care system."

Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, a Peoria Democrat who sponsored the legislation, said at Monday's bill signing that the law in particular will help low-wage workers, who are those less likely to have paid time off and who are disproportionately Black, Latino, and women.

“Thanks to this measure, workers have the peace of mind that they can take care of themselves today without worrying about the consequences tomorrow,” Gordon-Booth said.

Christell Frausto, a co-owner of TequilaRia Wine and Spirits in Peoria, said she sees paid leave as “an investment" and hopes other business owners will too.

Frausto, 38, said she already accommodates employees needing flexibility for emergencies, illness or personal events. She opened the boutique-style store focused on specialty products including women-owned brands and organic, gluten-free or low-calorie options two years ago.

The pandemic was a clear sign that prioritizing workers is a necessary strategy for business owners, said Frausto, who hopes the lead-up to the law taking effect will give them time to budget and prepare.

“They’re part of my team,” she said of her employees. “My interest is to take care of them just as much as my customers. I have to make sure they have a balance in life and work.”

For Sandy and Dave Schoenborn, a couple who own the Lincoln Theatre in Belleville, Illinois, the state mandate is a major concern. “I'm pretty worried,” Sandy Schoeborn said. “Unless business gets better, it's gonna be a strain.”

Paid leave is something employees should earn, not be entitled to, she said. “I can’t say no. If if I have a big event coming up and everybody decides to take off, I’m in a world of hurt.”

Knight, the Springfield amusement park owner, said he does his best to take care of his employees. “If they have a reason, they can take off a day" without pay, he said.

“Car broke down, mom's sick, gotta take the dog to the vet... they're all important to the staff. But you can't close your business because everybody wants to take off cause there's a concert,” he said.

The pandemic, inflation, utility prices — “it just all seems to be piling up," and mandatory paid leave is now another hurdle for business owners.

“It just drives the cost up, drives the prices up, and the consumer pays the bill,” Knight said. ____

Savage is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

In Illinois, a jury is selected at random from individuals who are eligible for jury duty.

To become a juror in Illinois, a prospective juror must be:

• citizens of the United States
• at least 18 years of age
• inhabitants of the county in which summoned
• free from all legal exception
• of fair character
• of approved integrity
• of sound judgment
• well informed
• able to understand the English language, whether in spoken or written form or interpreted into sign language.

When someone is summoned to be part of the jury pool, that doesn't necessarily mean they will serve on a jury.

If there is no available case for trial, or if a juror is excused from a court proceeding, they may be sent home.

But — can you be arrested if you don't show up to jury duty in the first place?

The answer is: yes. Failing to appear for jury duty in Illinois is against the law.

A juror who does not answer a summons can be found in contempt of court and can be fined up to $100 for a state summons; or spend up to three days in jail, or be ordered to perform community service, for a federal summons.

If you respond to your jury summons and explain that you have a valid excuse, the state will generally allow you to postpone service or remove yourself from the potential pool of jurors.

Valid excuses for missing jury duty include:

• Medical and physical conditions
• Disability
• Presently out of the country
• Not a citizen
• Not of age
• Felony conviction
• Currently serving probation
• Deceased
• Full-time student
• Breastfeeding mother
• Job complications
• Obligation to care for another person during the day, or
• Financial hardship.

Illinois is one of about 15 states that allows residents to claim roadkill deer and other animals killed on the roadways for food or fur.

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, if an Illinois resident crashes into a deer and kills it, the driver has legal priority over the deer carcass even if a hunter was chasing it.

If the driver who hit and killed the deer does not claim it, "any citizen of Illinois who is not delinquent in child support" can claim the carcass.

Illinois law specifically says non-Illinois residents cannot claim roadkill deer.

But, if you hit a deer and cripple it, and the animal survives, it is illegal for a motorist to kill it. Instead, drivers are required to call the nearest police or conservation officer on the non-emergency line.

And, thanks to a "roadkill bill," Illinois residents with a furbearer license can salvage roadkill for pelts or food.

According to the Huffington Post, animal pelts brought in $1.2 million in Illinois in 2010.

But no one under the age of 18 can get a tattoo in Illinois, even with a parent or guardian's permission.

The other problem is a lot of tattoo shops might not follow the new law, especially if the teen has their parent's consent. We're not tattooing anyone under 18, but there are going to be other shops that will, ultimately giving all shops a bad name," Leon Battiste, manager of Artkore Tattoos in Normal, told VidetteOnline.

Illinois actually considers it a crime to tattoo anyone under the age of 18, or for anyone under the age of 18 to even be on the premises of a tattoo parlor.

So, if you get a tattoo and you're under 18, you won't go to jail — but your tattoo artist could lose their license and face a fine.

Tattoo shops also need to be licensed. Tattooing from a home or any other unlicensed premises is forbidden.

According to VetMed, the first-week recreational cannabis was made legal in Illinois, the University of Illinois Veterinary Clinic saw two cases of marijuana intoxication in pets.

“Animal poison control hotlines have been reporting exponential increases in the number of calls about pets exposed to marijuana as the drug has been legalized for medical or recreational use in states across the country,” said Dr. Caroline Tonozzi, who heads the clinic's emergency room.

In dogs, the most common signs of marijuana intoxication include dribbling urine, swaying or general unsteadiness, drooling, and being less alert. Cats will show signs that mimic those of neurologic disease, such as appearing to react to visual stimuli that are not actually present. They may also have dilated pupils.

If a pet has injested marijunana, experts say you should take them to a veterinarian right away.

Pets could exhibit a low heart rate and become so sedated they cannot swallow or stand, or may inhale their own vomit.

"There's nothing about that actual drug itself that will kill them," veterinarian Dorrie Black, of the veterinary clinic Animal Internal Medicine and Specialty Services, according to NPR. "It doesn't cause any organ failure. It doesn't cause liver failure [or] renal failure."

“Pets can go into a coma within a few hours of ingestion. Therefore, it is key to have your pet evaluated soon after ingestion,” Dr. Tonozzi said.

Veterinarians can pump a dog's stomach or give the pet activated charcoal, which will help remove the marijuana from its system.

It can take up to 24 hours for a dog to return to normal after ingestion.

Does getting your pet high amount to animal cruelty?

According to animal rights attorney Suzana Harman, there's no law that specifically states that it's illegal for pet owners to give their pets weed.

"There are different animal cruelty statutes in each state," Harman told Vice, "so a judge would have to look at the facts of each individual case and see if the manner in which the pet guardian attempted to, or did, get the pet 'high' amounted to animal cruelty. This isn't to say that it won't one day be specifically outlawed, but it's such a new area right now, there are no statutes along those lines."

A three-year project will get underway on the Kennedy Expressway on Monday. IDOT will do repairs on every bridge structure between the Junction and Ohio Street during the first phase.

They will start closing the two left-hand lanes of the inbound Kennedy next week. The express lanes will stay open to inbound traffic around the clock.

IDOT officials said that drivers can expect delays and that now is the time for them to start preparing for changes in their commute.

"We're recommending people look at alternatives, such as the CTA and Metra," said Jon Schumacher, bureau chief of construction for IDOT District One.

"That's much easier said than it is done," added driver Kyle Dunn. "I can't just bring my bag of tools on the bus or the train and go to my next job."

Transit officials said that message boards with information on which lanes are open and estimated travel times will be put in place.

Sportsbooks are expecting record numbers of bets in Illinois during the tournament. While residents cannot bet on Illinois or Northwestern, them being in the tournament should boost betting numbers.

Sports gambling is already a big business in Illinois, with $1 billion in bets places in January alone.

"It's just the growing popularity of sports wagering," said Dave Briggs of PlayIllinois. "Some of those numbers are national. I know in Illinois they bet somewhere close to $290 million just on the March Madness tournament here, so we expect that to be a little bit higher this year just because it's become more prevalent…part of peoples' lives."

Both Illinois and Northwestern begin playing on Thursday.

This comes after the insurance company was fined $600,000 by the state, but both Republican and Democrats said that is far from enough.

The company was fined last week for violating the "Network and Transparency Act." The state released a report on their investigation into Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois when they announced the fine.

That report laid out all of the problems the state found with their network, but Senator Steve McClure said that the fine on its own is not enough.

He is calling for public hearings so patients have the chance to voice their issues with the company.

The state is figuring out what the best way to handle it is, but Democrats are on board with the idea.

"That's another reason why there should be public hearings, because members of the public need to come and bring all the problems that they've been bringing all of their individual senators and representatives and put those out in public," McClure said.

"Now we're investigating, you know, the day one investigation ends, we start another one to see if they're following all the rules," Representative Sue Scherer added.

Senate Democrat Doris Turner said she has plenty of questions as well. She said that "we have to put the uncertainty and lack of transparency behind us and find a way for all parties involved and the public to have a better understanding of what's going on."

On trial is Michael McClain, a longtime confidante to Mike Madigan, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, ex-City Club president Jay Doherty and ComEd lobbyist John Hooker.

They all face charges of conspiring with outside consultants to influence and reward then Speaker of the Illinois House, Madigan.

Prosecutors said in opening statements that ComEd poured $1.3 million in payments to Madigan's people and put a Madigan-backed person on the ComEd board in exchange for different legislations between 2011-2019.

The defense estimates that their opening statement will take three hours.

Witnesses will be likely be called to the stand beginning on Thursday.

This means that people can really only do it in a private residence, such as their own home or someone else's. However, can the cops be called if a neighbor is seen smoking weed?

While it might be legal at the state level, homeowner's associations might have a different opinion, according to Harris Bricken Law. They cannot ban marijuana smoking in a person's home if it is legal, but they can get involved in certain states if it is becoming a nuisance for others.

Most HOA rules address using marijuana in common areas. This includes when the smell of the smoke wafts from the neighbor's yard into these common areas, or into another person's space. Even if it is legal, the HOA might try to ban it these instances since it is affecting others.

There are certain instances when a person has the right to file a complaint, according to DoNotPay.

These include, as mentioned above, if the smoke is reaching another person's property. Complaints can also be filed if a child is being exposed to the smoke or if the group smoking the marijuana might be involved in illegal activities.

It is recommended that residents talk to their neighbors first before taking legal action. If legal action is required, the residents must make sure that they can provide evidence before contacting the police.

Drivers might be wondering, however, if they can get in legal trouble if a police officer sees them with those lights on.

While it is not illegal to drive with interior lights on, according to Tom Fowler Law, parents had the right idea when they said to not have them on, as it can lead to a different violation.

Careless or distracted driving is still considered illegal, and driving with interior lights on can lead to the vehicle's driver, or other drivers, becoming distracted. This can cause accidents.

Interior lights will generally reflect off of the windshield when it is dark out. This reduces the visibility for the driver, meaning they will not be able to see and react to circumstances as quickly as if they had their lights off.

In addition, most of the time when a driver turns their interior lights on, it is because they are looking for something in their car. Doing this takes the driver's eyes off the road, making it distracted driving. If a police officer sees the driver doing this, they can be ticketed.

It is recommended that drivers should find a safe place to pull over if they need to turn their interior lights on. This will allow them to safely look for anything they might need to without running the risk of getting a citation for distracted driving.

Residents should check local ordinances before they turn their interior lights on while driving, as different cities and municipalities might have their own laws on the matter.

According to Illinois law, you call the tow truck.

It is illegal in the state to drive on a flat tire, which is considered unsafe.

According to the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/12-405), "No person or organization shall place, drive or move, or cause or allow to be placed, driven or moved, on a highway of this State, any vehicle equipped with one or more pneumatic tires deemed to be unsafe."

However, there are exceptions, but those are in effect only if the vehicle is being transported "not under its own power," such as being towed, pushed "or otherwise transferred" to a repair, relocation, storage, salvage, junking, or another collection site.

Illinois law considers a tire unsafe if the tread or sidewall is cracked; if there is a bulge or knot; or if the tread wear indicators are less than 4/32 of an inch (on a vehicle other than a motorcycle or truck).

Some cars are equipped with spare tires for this specific purpose. Newer cars sometimes come with self-sealing or run-flat tires that will give owners a short amount of drive time in order to get the vehicle to the nearest service center.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois issued a moratorium on evictions due to Gov. JB Pritzker's Executive Order, but that moratorium ended on October 3rd, 2021.

According to Illinois law, rent is considered late the day after it is due. Grace periods (if any) must be identified in the rental agreement.

Once rent is late, the landlord can begin the eviction process.

To do so, they must first give a 5 days notice to pay rent or vacate the premises. If the tenant does neither after that time, the landlord can move forward and file an eviction lawsuit.

However, a tenant who is leasing must be notified 30 days before the eviction process can begin. A landlord can evict a tenant for violating the terms of their lease if they are not upholding their responsibilities under the lease agreement, such as paying rent on time, keeping the unit free from damage, or disturbing other tenants or neighbors.

If a tenant is engaged in illegal activity, they must be given a 5 days notice to move out.

Illinois State Troopers were called to a shooting at 87th Street around 5 a.m. on Wednesday that shut traffic until 7:50 a.m. ABC 7 reported that a shooting victim walked into a police station and said they'd been involved in a shooting incident at that location.

On Tuesday, Illinois State Police said that in 2022, road rage was reported in approximately 40% of Chicago area expressway shootings handled by ISP.  This is up from 12% in 2021.  Already in 2023, road rage has been reported in at least nine Chicago area expressway shootings.

ISP released the following advice:

Watch for the following signs of road rage, aggressive driving:

• Following too closely or tailgating
• Improper or erratic lane changing
• Illegally driving on the shoulder of the road (emergency lane), in a ditch/median, or on sidewalk
• Passing where prohibited
• Operating the vehicle in an erratic, reckless, careless, or negligent manner or suddenly changing speeds
• Failure to yield right of way
• Failure to obey traffic laws, signs, and devices
• Failure to yield to emergency personnel and construction zone speed limits
• Failure to signal
• Driving too fast for conditions or in excess of posted speed limit
• Racing
• Making an improper turn

According to a AAA Foundation study, when drivers explained why they became violent, the reasons were often trivial such as the other driver wouldn’t let them pass or they kept tailgating.

The following are tips on how to avoid being the victim of road rage, an aggressive driver:

• If you are in the left lane and someone wants to pass, move to your right and allow them to pass.
• When merging, make sure you have plenty of room and use your turn signal.
• If someone cuts you off, slow down and give them room to merge into your lane.
• If a speeding driver is tailgating you, safely change lanes when able.
• Making gestures might anger the other driver; create distance and avoid confrontation.
• If another driver is acting angry, don’t make eye contact.
• Call the police if you believe a driver is following you or harassing you.

If you are the victim of road rage, call 911 and/or go to the nearest police department to report it. 

The answer, according to Illinois law, is: no, it is illegal to do so.

Although heavy rain or snow can limit visibility, adding more light to the situation doesn't help, as the light reflects off the raindrops or snowflakes, creating a glare that makes it more difficult for other drivers to see properly.

The Illinois Vehicle Code says: "Flashing lights are prohibited on motor vehicles except as expressly authorized in this Chapter or as a means for indicating a right or left turn, lane change, or a maneuver of a vehicle from a direct course of travel as provided in Section 12-208 or the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care."

Hazard lights are only to be used if:

• You've been in an accident;
• You're changing a tire, or the car is broken down;
• You're in a funeral procession;
• You're being pulled over by police.

Approximately 16% of all Illinois residents use food assistance programs like SNAP, the 6th highest in the nation, The Center Square reports.

Last year, the federal government paid $5.6 billion in SNAP benefits to Illinois.

Rep. Sue Scherer (D-Decatur) submitted House Resolution 75 to the House Adoption and Child Welfare Committee on Tuesday.

“We’re losing a lot of foster parents because of the fact that they can’t get SNAP benefits unless they qualify, not counting these children that they take on,” she said.

However, Rep. Steven Reick (R-Woodstock) argued that even millionaires would qualify to receive the benefits, if the federal government agreed to the plan.

“I think that giving it an open-ended qualification or eligibility, regardless of income, I think is a bridge too far,” Reick said. 

Investigators said that someone in a green and yellow vest, and with documents with the City of Dixon logo, approached a homeowner on S. Galena Avenue Monday afternoon. They asked them to look at something in the back yard.

Police said that another suspect entered the home and took several items during that time.

Officials said that nearby security cameras spotted the crew of five, who were driving a black Ford Edge.

The City of Dixon said that employees will only arrive to residents' homes in a vehicle that is clearly marked. They will also wear clearly marked uniforms and will not be carrying a two-way radio.

Any information about this case should be given to the Dixon Police Department, (815) 288-4411.

City council members approved a motion on Tuesday night to continue work on the project. This is actually Phase Two of the project.

Phase One was a public restroom that was funded by a public-private partnership, where local banks contributed funds to buy the building.

"Now you'll be able to come and have a greenspace where you can come, grab something to eat, go sit outside, enjoy the weather," said Melanie Cozzi, commissioner of public property for the City of Oregon. "You can bike downtown. You'll have a place to park your bike there and access the community."

The Sarah Phelps Community Plaza has been a long time in the making. City council members approved forgoing a second bid process at Tuesday's meeting.

The project will instead be awarded to a qualified contractor.

"I think that this offers a lot of extra greenspace where people can gather, where they're not just sitting on a bench on the side of the road," Cozzi said.

A drive-up bank moved down the block six years ago, making the space avaliable.

"We didn't have a lot of money to do too much with it at the time, so we added a family restroom, so that if someone shopping downtown or they're in Oregon, they have a place to stop," said Oregon Mayor Ken Williams.

The city will now renovate both the inside and outside. The interior will have a community space with a counter, sink and stove.

"So, if the Lions are doing a pork chop luncheon, they can use that space. If any of our citizens wanted to use it for, like, a block party and have it there instead, they can utilize the space. It's for their use, and they can sign up for it, use it anytime they want," Williams said. "It'll be a real eyecatcher as they go by and see that it's a neat spot to sit and relax."

The name honors Sarah Phelps, who was the wife of the city's founder. Community members wanted to recognize her with this space.

"We didn't have any place like that beforehand, so this gives us an opportunity to have people congregate outside," Cozzi said. "We have such a beautiful downtown already, so this just gives us an extra bonus for people to come and enjoy."

The plaza is located at 5th and Washington Streets, anchoring the end of the city's business district.

"Heroes for Ukraine" will host events for the kids, which includes a tour of Chicago and a Blackhawks game.

The team's visit culminates in a three-day competition in Romeoville against Team USA, Canada and a global hockey team.

"To show our kids dreams may come true, they can come true if they do their best, and to show them, once again, that there is life without war," said Katerina Manofa, a player's mother. "We do hope that we will have our lives back in no time and they will be able to train to play, to have tournaments at home and live their hockey life."

The Ukrainians will travel to Florida after the competition for a few days of practice before heading home.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office issued arrest warrants for the following men:

Patrick G. Peters, 33, of Lansing;
Anthony G. Peters, 36, of Lansing;
Jason Schaffer, 41, of Hazel Crest;
Jermel Pettway, 43, of Chicago;
Julian C. Sherman, 36, of Lansing;
Logan L. Paterson, 26, of Crown Point, Indiana.

Police said the theft happened overnight on January 4th at the business, located at 2388 N Conger Road.

The company said six flatbed trailers were stolen, including:

– A New Holland L328 Skidsteer,
– 2023 20′ 7K Timpte Aluminum Equipment Trailer,
– Three 2022 20′ 7k Timpte Equipment Trailers,
– 2023 32′ PJ Goosneck Flatbed Trialer with Hydraulic Dovetail,
– 2023 Behnke 20′ 14k Partial Tilt Trailer (Black),
– 2022 Behnke 24′ 16k Partial Tilt Trailer (Red with Aluminum Rims),
– 2022 H&H Speedloader 14k Trailer,
– 2018 Ford F550 with aluminum flatbed with a Conserv FS logo on painted on the door.

Police said Sherman is currently in custody at the Winnebago County Jail.

Paterson was arrested and has since been released on bond, the sheriff's office said.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the other suspects is asked to call Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department at 815-282-2600 or Rockford Area Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867.

According to the Oregon Police Department, police received a description of a vehicle identified in the burglaries which happened on March 13th.

Officers stopped the vehicle in the 100 block of S. 3rd Street.

Egan Maginus, 30, of Rock Island, was charged with methamphetamine possession, no valid vehicle registration, no driver's license, and no insurance.

The passenger, Kevin Torrey, 47, of Plano, Texas, was charged with Theft Under $500 and Possession of Burglary Tools.

Both men were taken to the Ogle County Jail.

Police ask that anyone with UPS packages that have not been accounted for contact them at 815-732-2162.

Moody's upgrade was the eighth in two years following eight prior downgrades. The A3 rating means Moody's sees Illinois finances as having a "stable outlook."

S&P Global Ratings announced a rating upgrade to A- for Illinois’ General Obligation bonds last month, its third upgrade of Illinois’ bonds since July 2021. Fitch Ratings upgraded Illinois’ bonds by two notches last spring, the first Fitch upgrade for Illinois’ General Obligation bonds since June 2000. Illinois received two upgrades from Moody’s Investor Service in two separate actions in April 2022 and June 2021.

Moody's said improved governance in Illinois was a key consideration in the action, with the state “displaying improved management of its budget by making conservative revenue assumptions and applying surplus revenue towards the payment of debt and growth in reserves.”

“This credit upgrade, our second one this year, is the result of the steps we’ve taken in Illinois to put ourselves on firm fiscal footing. We have balanced our budget, paid our bills on time, cleared out decades of debt, made extra pension payments, and saved billions for a rainy day,” said Gov. J.B. Pritzker. “There’s more work to be done, but it’s clear we have undone decades of damage and ushered a new era of fiscal responsibility in Illinois. I look forward to building on this record by working with the General Assembly to pass the state’s fifth straight balanced budget later this spring.”

Between 2015 and 2017, under Gov. Bruce Rauner, the State of Illinois suffered eight credit rating downgrades and sat at the top of many analysts’ lists of the worst-managed states in the nation. At its worst, Illinois’ bill backlog hit nearly $17 billion.

Last year, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law that takes effect on January 1st, 2024, that would make it impossible for young offenders to be given a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

The new measure, Senate Bill 2073, would retroactively extend that protection to anyone currently incarcerated who was sentenced before they turned 21 years old.

Sen. Seth Lewis (R-Bartlett) introduced the bill, saying, “The 3,251 current inmates who were sentenced prior to June 1, 2019, or Jan. 1, 2024, should have the [same] opportunity. That is the essence of this bill.”

The new law allows for anyone sentenced to life in prison to be eligible for parole after they have served 40 years.

Jennifer Bishop-Jenkin, who advocates with Marsy's Law of Illinois, testified that the bill doesn't ensure that victims or their families will be notified when the person convicted of the crime becomes eligible for parole.

“You have to make sure that everybody that’s going to be affected is found and notified and heard from,” she said, according to the Bellview News-Democrat.

The bill passed out of committee and awaits action from the full House.

According to city officials, an electrical failure on Monday night at one of the municipal wells released the chlorine into the distribution system.

The higher chlorine levels were detected during normal inspection and testing. The city flushed water through fire hydrants and said that new testing shows the chemical level is within normal limits and the water is safe to drink.

However, the city says "some water users may notice the scent of chlorine in their water. If you let the cold water run for a few minutes, such as in your bathtub, the scent should disappear."

Starting Jan. 1, Illinois employers must offer workers paid time off based on hours worked, with no need to explain the reason for their absence as long as they provide notice in accordance with reasonable employer standards.

Just Maine and Nevada mandate earned paid time time off and allot employees the freedom to decide how to use it, but Illinois’ law is further reaching, unencumbered by limits based on business size. Similarly structured regulations that require employers to offer paid sick leave exist in 14 states and Washington, D.C., but workers can only use that for health-related reasons.

Illinois employees will accrue one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked up to 40 hours total, although the employer may offer more. Employees can start using the time once they have worked for 90 days. Seasonal workers will be exempt, as will federal employees or college students who work non-full-time, temporary jobs for their university.

Pritzker signed the bill Monday in downtown Chicago, saying: “Too many people can't afford to miss even a day's pay ... together we continue to build a state that truly serves as a beacon for families, and businesses, and good paying jobs.”

Proponents say paid leave is key to making sure workers, especially low-income workers who are more vulnerable, are able to take time off when needed without fear of reprisal from an employer.

But critics say the law will overburden small businesses already struggling to survive the post-pandemic era amid the high inflation that has gripped the nation for nearly two years.

National Federation of Independent Business Illinois state director Chris Davis said that business owners are best positioned to work with their employees one-on-one to meet their needs.

The new law is “a one-size-fits-all solution to a more intricate problem,” he said.

Bill sponsor Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, a Peoria Democrat, said the bill is the product of years of negotiations with businesses and labor groups.

“Everyone deserves the ability to take time off,” she said in a statement. “Whether it’s to deal with the illness of a family member, or take a step back for your mental health, enshrining paid leave rights is a step forward for our state."

“This is about bringing dignity to all workers," she said at the signing.

Ordinances in Cook County and Chicago that already require employers to offer paid sick leave have been in place since July 2017, and workers in those locations will continue to be covered by existing laws rather than the new state law.

Any new local laws enacted after the state law takes effect must provide benefits that are greater or equal to the state law.

Molly Weston Williamson, paid leave expert at the Center for American Progress, said the law "creates a strong foundation for employers to build from while generating a healthier, more productive workforce.”

But Williamson added that while Illinois’ law is a step in the right direction, U.S. paid leave laws remain “wildly out of line with all of our economic peers internationally.”

“In the United States, federal law does not guarantee anyone the right to even a single paid day off work. Not when you’re sick, not when you have a baby, not when your mom has a stroke. Not a single paid day," she said.

Joan Van, a server at an international hotel chain and single mother of three, currently has no paid time off.

But the Belleville parent leader with Community Organizing and Family Issues said that knowing that she will have five days next year brings a smile to her face.

“It’s going to help out a lot of people, a lot of mothers, a lot of single mothers at that,” she said.

According to ISP, victims are reporting "road rage" as the reason behind shootings.

Police say in 2022, road rage was reported in approximately 40% of Chicago area expressway shootings handled by ISP.  This is up from 12% in 2021.  Already in 2023, road rage has been reported in at least nine Chicago area expressway shootings.

ISP released the following advice:

Watch for the following signs of road rage, aggressive driving:

• Following too closely or tailgating
• Improper or erratic lane changing
• Illegally driving on the shoulder of the road (emergency lane), in a ditch/median, or on sidewalk
• Passing where prohibited
• Operating the vehicle in an erratic, reckless, careless, or negligent manner or suddenly changing speeds
• Failure to yield right of way
• Failure to obey traffic laws, signs, and devices
• Failure to yield to emergency personnel and construction zone speed limits
• Failure to signal
• Driving too fast for conditions or in excess of posted speed limit
• Racing
• Making an improper turn

According to a AAA Foundation study, when drivers explained why they became violent, the reasons were often trivial such as the other driver wouldn’t let them pass or they kept tailgating.

The following are tips on how to avoid being the victim of road rage, an aggressive driver:

• If you are in the left lane and someone wants to pass, move to your right and allow them to pass.
• When merging, make sure you have plenty of room and use your turn signal.
• If someone cuts you off, slow down and give them room to merge into your lane.
• If a speeding driver is tailgating you, safely change lanes when able.
• Making gestures might anger the other driver; create distance and avoid confrontation.
• If another driver is acting angry, don’t make eye contact.
• Call the police if you believe a driver is following you or harassing you.

If you are the victim of road rage, call 911 and/or go to the nearest police department to report it. 

Following a ruling from a Kankakee County judge that said the Pretrial Fairness Act was unconstitutional, the Illinois Supreme Court issued a temporary stay, keeping the new law, which was supposed to go into effect on January 1st, on hold.

The state’s attorney argued that the SAFE-T Act violates the state’s constitution, claiming the bill was rushed through the legislature.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has appealed the Kankakee County ruling. The Illinois Supreme Court agreed to an expedited schedule to hear the appeal, which began Tuesday morning.

The original Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity-Today Act, which was introduced by the Illinois Black Caucus as part of Black legislators’ response to the murder of George Floyd, and was passed by the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives in the early hours of Jan. 13, 2021.

Many Illinois law enforcement agencies have warned the act will embolden criminals and make it harder for police to keep offenders off the streets.

State’s attorneys and law enforcement from across the state filed lawsuits which were consolidated into one in Kankakee County, so any ruling would have an immediate effect in all co-signed counties.

The 64 state’s attorneys represent counties including Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago.

Both Silicon Valley Bank in California and New York Signature Bank were taken over by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) over the weekend, President Joe Biden announced on Monday.

Customers will be secured through FDIC, but the banks' investors will not, Biden said.

“They knowingly took a risk and when the risk didn’t pay off, investors lose their money,” the president said. “That’s how capitalism works.”

Illinois Bankers Association Vice President of Government Relations Ben Jackson told The Center Square that Illinois banks are insulated against failures in other states, saying that changes made after the housing and banking crisis of 2008 have helped.

“A banker wants their customer to feel secure that their deposits are going to be insured and that they’re going to be available when they need them,” Jackson said.

Auto thefts increased 55% in 2022, the study showed.

The organization's president and CEO David Glawe told The Center Square that "Over one million vehicles were stolen nationwide in 2022. States that saw the largest increase in vehicle thefts were Illinois, Washington and New York. There is little deterrence with vehicle thefts treated as property crimes. Organized gangs and juveniles steal vehicles and use them to facilitate other crimes."

Car thefts were up 7% across the country. In 2021, Chicago had 13,856 reported carjackings and car thefts. In 2022, that number had grown to 21,416.

“Vehicle crime is certainly still a major issue across the nation and while there are many reasons for this, NICB data does not point to one specific reason,” the NICB said. “We know that criminals steal vehicles to commit other crimes, sometimes vehicles end up in chop shops, get shipped overseas, or cross the border into Mexico.”

Over the last three years, catalytic converter thefts have gone up 1,200%.

Cars from Kia and Hyundai accounted for a number of those stolen, as thieves shared a method to exploit a design flaw on TikTok. The companies have since provided a software update intended to reduce thefts.

Thousands of union workers in Central Illinois and Pennsylvania will immediately get 7% raises. They will get another 4% general wage increase in March 2025, 2027 and 2028. They will get 4% lump-sum payments in March 2024 and 2026.

Union workers will get larger night shift premiums and an increased match for their 401K plans.

"Now that's still 29% or so rejected it, so they didn't think it was a decent agreement, and certainly this contract was better than previous contract," said Dr. Victor Devinatz, Distinguished Professor of Management at Illinois State University. "The people who opposed that thought that it wasn't good enough, even though the wage increases were higher than the past based on inflation rates."

Caterpillar also agreed not to close any plants for the next six years.

The contract went into effect on Monday.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said that his new bill would make roads safer. The legislation would make it illegal to use any device to watch or participate in video conferencing. Drivers would still be able to access Zoom meetings with the video turned off.

It would also prohibit accessing streaming videos and social media sites.

Motorists would be fined $75 on the first offense if the bill passes. Three violations would result in a yearlong license suspension.

It is due to a $227 million construction project.

The construction will require a closure of Perryville Road between Mill Road and Armer Drive starting on March 20. A marked detour will offer motorists two options: Harrison Avenue, Mulford Road and Linden Road, or Harrison Avenue and Mill Road.

Motorists should also expect occasional lane closures and shifts on I-39 during construction.

The $8 million Perryville Road project will replace the existing bridge with a new structure that will accommodate the widening of I-39 under the bridge.

Officers responded a disturbance in the 300 block of S. 2nd Street at 10:13 a.m., according to the Oregon Police Department.

A 16-year-old was taken into limited custody for the offense of domestic battery.

The juvenile was released into their parent's custody, with a referral to the state's attorney being indicated.

Deputies responded to a single-vehicle ATV accident near the intersection of W. Chicago and N. Maple Avenues around 3:08 a.m., according to the Ogle County Sheriff's Office.

They found that Michael Ricci III, 46, was driving a red Honda ATV westbound on Chicago Avenue when it entered the ditch, overturning several times. Ricci was transported to a local hospital for serious injuries. His condition was unknown at the time of this writing.

It was determined during the crash investigation that Ryan Brantley, 31, was travelling in front of Ricci in a black Polaris UTV. Brantley was arrested after it was found that he had been driving under the influence of alcohol.

He was also issued a citation for operating an off-road vehicle on the roadway.

Brantley is being held in the Ogle County Jail in lieu of bond. The crash remains under investigation.

The "Paid Leave for All Workers Act" gives employees one hour of leave for 40 hours worked, according to NBC Chicago. While it will go up to 40 hours total, employers can offer more if they want.

It will kick in once the employee has worked for 90 days.

"Every working Illinoisan knows that sometimes unavoidable circumstances prevent you from doing your job," Pritzker said on Jan. 11, when the bill passed both chambers. "I’m proud to say that the General Assembly has recognized that struggle and passed a bill guaranteeing five days of paid leave for all employees in our state."

The bill says that the paid leave can be used for any reason, unlike in other states with similar bills that only allow the hours to be used for health reasons.

"For too long we have refused to accept this inevitability and penalized workers for dealing with family emergencies, broken down cars, or any of the other life complications we all face," Pritzker's statement continued. "Working families face enough challenges without the concern of losing a day's pay when life gets in the way."

Workplaces may still require their employees to provide notice before taking the paid time off.

"If the use of leave is unforeseeable, an employee is directed to provide notice as soon as practicable," a release from the Illinois Senate Democrats states.

"Employers benefit from allowing employees to tend to the urgent personal matters of their lives. Workers' productivity increases, and they often gain greater passion for their job when they can manage the stresses they face outside work more easily," Pritzker dais. "Doing what's right for businesses and employees is the balance we're always looking to advance here in Illinois.

While it does apply to most positions in the state, certain jobs, such as lifeguards, federal employees or college students that work non-full-time jobs for their school are exempt.

Molly Weston Williamson, a paid leave policy expert at Center for American Progress, said that paid leave is a labor rights and public heath issue, and that the legislation is “a huge step in the right direction.”

“Especially now that we are three-plus years into a global pandemic, I think all of us have a much more visceral understanding of the ways that all of our health is tied together,” Williamson said.

The changes will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

The Durand High School Future Farmers of America (FAA) Chapter held a donkey basketball game.

A packed gym brought in a few thousand dollars will go right back to the students so they can have these experiences.

"That money just goes back to our chapter," said Emily Backebear, agriculture teacher and FAA advisor at Durand High School. "That money then allows for our students to go to events at minimal to no cost, and, so then it doesn't prohibit anybody from attending an event based on their financial status."

Some of the funds will be used to go on leadership trips and to send the chapter's state qualifier to the state championship.

A report by CBS Chicago found that people with criminal histories are not automatically bared from applying for a license. However, this is not the case for certain crimes.

Those that have been convicted of an offense that requires them to register as a sex offender are automatically bared from getting a massage therapist license. However, other serious offenses, such as murder, battery and kidnapping, can still get a license if the state deems they can.

It was also found that there are lapses in communication between the state agencies that take criminal complaints and the agency that maintains massage therapists licenses.

The two bills going through the House of Representatives aim to address these issues.

House Bill 3584 would make sure that the licensing agency would be up to date on all felony convictions. It would also ensure that crime victims know their right to file a formal complaint against the state if they license the perpatrator.

House Bill 3583 would require people getting licensed to be a massage therapist to go through the same checks and reviews as other health care workers in the state.

"This is, I think, reasonable to ask that we have minimum the same background check as someone who is working in any other health care field," said State Representative Tom Weber.

While marijuana has been sharing the wealth in the state, many residents might be wondering if they can share the drug with their friends and family.

Like alcohol, the legal age to partake in Illinois is 21 or older. This is the same for marijuana in the state, according to the EarthMed.

While residents can share the recreational drug if the person is 21, they may not accept any payment for gifting marijuana.

There were 113 licensed cannabis dispensaries in Illinois in January, with an additional 189 in the process of being approved.

Summer Day-Stewart, 36, was pronounced dead at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Cook County officials said Friday.

Seven-year-old Ezra Stewart was pronounced dead Wednesday evening, the day after the fire, the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office has said.

The boy, his mother and his two sisters, ages 2 and 7, suffered from smoke inhalation and were rushed to hospitals Tuesday night after being rescued from the burning home.

Chicago Fire Department officials have said firefighter Walter Stewart, who lived in the house, was not part of the fire crew that responded to the fire, but when he heard the address of the fire over radio dispatch, he went to the scene and gave his wife CPR, WBBM-TV reported.

Police said the fire started accidentally in the kitchen.

The Chicago Department of Public Health will use the money for youth prevention and reduction programs, education and outreach, according to a city press release.

The settlement is the latest payout from the embattled e-cigarette giant, which laid off hundreds of workers and settled thousands of lawsuits brought by families of Juul users, school districts, city governments and Native American tribes last year.

"JUUL appealed to youth with their colorful, playful media and social media marketing and used high nicotine contents to fuel ongoing use," a city press release said.

The company agreed to pay $2.8 million within 30 days and the rest later this year, the statement said.

"E-cigarette businesses cannot be allowed to come in our city and boost their profits at the expense of minors. The use of any tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, among youth is a serious public health concern - to CDPH and parents across Chicago," said CDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady, who is quoted in the release.

A Juul spokesman called the resolution "another step in our ongoing commitment to resolve issues from the past, place our company on a path forward, and fulfill our mission to transition adult smokers away from [Cigarettes, cigars, and cigarillos]combustible cigarettes while combating underage use of our products," referring to traditional smoking products such as cigarettes, cigarillos and cigars.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last June ordered Juul to stop marketing and distributing its products in the United States to protect public health, another potential blow to the company straining to stay in business.

However, the FDA later placed a temporary hold on its decision following a legal challenge from Juul. The FDA is now conducting an additional review of the company's products.

The measure would also ban vaping within 15 feet of entrances.

Sen. Julie Morrison (D) proposed adding e-cigarettes to the list of tobacco products already banned under the Smoke Free Illinois law.

Dr. Tabitha Wells, the Board Chair of the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians, warned lawmakers that vaping fumes contain formaldehyde and other toxins that can be harmful to users and those around them, the County Herald reported.

New York, California, and New Jersey already ban vaping devices from indoor use.

Supporters of the bill say that vaping should be treated just like smoking. Opponents argue that vaping is a healthier alternative to tobacco smoking.