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

Illinois Quick Hits: Gas prices rise again

Illinois Quick Hits: Gas prices rise again

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – AAA says the average price for regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois has jumped 14 cents in one...
Massive drug busts in California, Texas, enough to kill more than 32.7 million people

Massive drug busts in California, Texas, enough to kill more than 32.7 million people

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Massive drug busts are continuing along the southwest border primarily in California and Texas. In roughly a dozen stops this month federal agents seized enough...
Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern submit new merger application

Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern submit new merger application

By Dan McCaleb and Tom JoyceThe Center Square Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern on Thursday submitted a new merger application to the U.S. Surface Transportation Board that would create the...
Mills drops out of Maine U.S. Senate race

Mills drops out of Maine U.S. Senate race

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Maine Gov. Janet Mills announced she would suspend her campaign in the race for U.S. Senate on Thursday. Mills was one of the top contenders...
beecher ilinois school board graphic.5

Beecher Board Tables $16,000 Junior High Digital Sign; Approves Sealcoating and New Elementary Desks

Beecher Board of Education Meeting | April 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Beecher Board of Education approved over $17,000 in facility and equipment upgrades but delayed the purchase of a new...
Will County Board Graphic.04

Board Establishes New Regulations and Fees for Wireless Telecommunication Facilities

Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: In response to the state's Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act, the Will County Board passed Ordinance 26-134 to manage the...
House passes funding for ICE, CBP, tees up DHS reopening

House passes funding for ICE, CBP, tees up DHS reopening

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives, in a 215-211 vote, approved on Wednesday night a budget resolution that would fund immigration enforcement until the end of...
Florida poised to flip 4 U.S. House seats with new map

Florida poised to flip 4 U.S. House seats with new map

By David BeasleyThe Center Square Florida is poised to flip four seats in the U.S. House of Representatives to Republican following Wednesday's approval of a new congressional map in a...
Energy industry insiders advise lawmakers on supporting AI growth, protecting ratepayers

Energy industry insiders advise lawmakers on supporting AI growth, protecting ratepayers

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Energy industry experts testified before Congress about what lawmakers should include in legislation looking to support the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence while protecting ratepayers...
WATCH: Students see tuition as a good investment despite loan debt, survey says

WATCH: Students see tuition as a good investment despite loan debt, survey says

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Federal student loan debt is nearing $1.7 trillion, as more than 70% of graduates are not working in their degree field. Yet 72% of students...
California congressman slams nation's 'gerrymandering war'

California congressman slams nation’s ‘gerrymandering war’

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A California member of Congress opposes what he calls the "gerrymandering war" that has broken out across the country. Speaking to reporters Wednesday afternoon during...
Illinois pauses redistricting effort after Supreme Court ruling

Illinois pauses redistricting effort after Supreme Court ruling

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois has paused a legislative redistricting effort after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday, but Gov....
Hegseth pledges housing fix after $2.6 billion used for warrior bonuses

Hegseth pledges housing fix after $2.6 billion used for warrior bonuses

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledged Wednesday to work with Congress to fix a shortfall in military housing allowances, but the Pentagon's own budget documents show...
Feds charge Sinaloa governor, others with running drugs to US

Feds charge Sinaloa governor, others with running drugs to US

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Federal prosecutors on Wednesday unsealed charges against the sitting governor of Mexico's Sinaloa state and nine other current and former officials, alleging they took millions...
House passes three-year spy powers extension with crypto amendment

House passes three-year spy powers extension with crypto amendment

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives, in a 235-191 vote Wednesday, passed a measure to extend the spy powers of the federal government for another three...