On March 17th, the ACLU of Illinois submitted testimony to the House Judiciary Criminal Law Committee regarding House Bills 1519 and 1738 (Amendment 2) which would reinstate the death penalty in Illinois. Unfortunately, both bills passed out of committee and are on second reading in the House.

HB 1738 (Amendment 2) passed out of committee with a vote of 4 in favor, 1 against and 1 member voting present.


Yes

• Representative Emily McAsey (D-85th District)
• Representative Dennis Rebolletti (R-46th District)
• Representative David Reis (R-108th District)
• Representative Jim Sacia (R-89th District)

No

• Representative Constance Howard (D-34th District)

Present

• Representative William Cunningham (D-35th District)

HB 1519 passed out of committee with a vote of 4 in favor and 1 against.

Yes

• Representative Emily McAsey (D-85th District)
• Representative Dennis Rebolletti (R-46th District)
• Representative David Reis (R-108th District)
• Representative Jim Sacia (R-89th District)

No

• Representative Constance Howard (D-34th District)

Learn more about why the broken death penalty system should not be reinstated.

On March 16th, HB 1948 (Amendment 1), the Surveillance Camera Data Collection Act unanimously passed the House Judiciary I - Civil Law Committee 11-0. The bill is now on second reading in the House.  HB 1948 (Amendment 1) would require agencies that own or have access to video surveillance cameras to disclose to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority the number of cameras they own or have access to, and the privacy regulations, if they have any. It would also require the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority to make this information accessible to the public by posting it on its website.

Representatives Voting In Support Of HB 1948:

Representative John Bradley (R-117th District)

Representative Michael Connelly (R-48th District)

Representative Dwight Kay (R-112th District)

Representative Lou Lang (R-16th District)

Representative Sidney Mathias (R-53rd District)

Representative Elaine Nekritz (D-57th District)

Representative Andre Thapedi (D-32nd District)

Representative Jil Tracy (D-93rd District)

Representative Arthur Turner (D - 9th District)

Representative Ann Williams (D-11th District)

Representative Michael Zalewski (D-21st District)

Want to Learn More About HB 1948?

• Download the Fact Sheet
• Read the Bill
• Check Out the Bill Status

On March 15th, SB 1619 (Senate Amendment 1), the Illinois Personal Responsibility Education Program (IL PREP), passed out of the Illinois Senate Public Health Committee with a vote of 6 in favor, 4 opposed. SB 1619 is now on second reading in the Senate.

SB 1619 (Senate Amendment 1) provides that elementary or secondary public schools offering sexual health education must use information that is medically accurate, age appropriate,  evidence based and complete.  The law would require school districts to make curriculum and course materials available for parents to view upon request and allow pupils to be excused for any part of the instruction at the written request of his or her parent or guardian.

Senators voting in favor of SB 1619 (Amendment 1)

Senator William Delgado (D-Chicago)
Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago)
Senator Susan Garrett (D-Highwood)
Senator Michael Noland (D-Elgin)
Senator Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) substituting for Sen. Schoenberg
Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago)

Senators voting in opposition to SB 1619 (Amendment 1)

Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford)
Senator Shane Cultra (R-Onarga)
Senator Christine Johnson (R-Sycamore)
Senator Carole Pankau (R-Bloomingdale)

For more information on SB 1619:

• Download the Fact-sheet

• Read the Bill