Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Running over obstacles, Swanson finishes season at state meet
Dwight's Meister leads the pack in state shot put
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Book Review | I Fuel, How Energy Powers Our Busy World
I Fuel is a breath of fresh air in the category of children’s books on energy sustainability.
by Esther Aardsma"As dinosaurs thump about, my life begins," opens I Fuel, Kelly Rice Schmitt’s attempt to explain to children the complex web of energy topics. Where do gasoline and jet fuel come from? How do our lights turn on? Why do we seek alternative energy sources? These questions are answered at a young child’s level in this 2024 picture book. Schmitt starts by describing the formation of crude oil, then delves into the harvesting, refining, and delivery processes, and finally explores alternative energy sources, hinting at possibilities for the future. Several pages of notes at the end of the book provide additional resources for older kids and adults interested in facts about different types of fossil fuels and descriptions of various careers in the energy industry.
State-Bound: Local tennis players ready for IHSA Finals this weekend
St. Thomas More’s Hunter Madigan wins sectional title; leads local field to IHSA state tennis finals.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
CHAMPAIGN - Three singles players and three area doubles teams are set to represent the Champaign-Urbana area at the IHSA Boys Tennis State Finals, which begin Thursday across the Chicago suburbs. St. Thomas More junior Hunter Madigan headlines the local contingent after capturing the Class 1A sectional singles title last weekend at Centennial High School. Madigan cruised through the bracket, dropping just two games in three straight-set victories. He opened with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Luke Abadeer of Cornerstone Christian Academy, then handled Urbana University's Swapnil Kumar 6-2, 6-0 in the semifinals. In the championship match, Madigan faced University High’s Jameson LaFave in a highly anticipated battle between two of the area’s top four singles players. Madigan prevailed 6-3, 6-1 to claim the sectional crown. "My opponent played very well," LaFave said recounting the championship match. "Hunter Madigan hit some great shots, stayed consistent, and ran me out of the match." Despite the loss, LaFave showed maturity beyond his years after the loss. "It was a good fight in the opening set. He was just the better player that day. It was a tough loss," he said. "You got to learn from them and move on to state." LaFave, a freshman in his first varsity season, still secured a state berth along with three U-High teammates. Senior Robert Gao and junior Kyle Fan qualified for the doubles draw, while Kumar advanced with a third-place singles finish. Madigan will open state play against Dunlap's Harmin Patel. LaFave, seeded No. 15 in the 1A bracket, draws Brother Rice freshman Nathan Miller. Kumar faces Andrew Mumford of Marmion Academy in the first round, while Gao and Fan will take on Wauconda's Sean Lenhart and Marshawn Gallego.
Chargers' doubles team joins area players at state
Centennial seniors Tyler Luchinski and Ryder Perry also punched their ticket to state, placing second in doubles at their home sectional. They begin the tournament against Althoff Catholic seniors Joe Hamilton and Braden Gasawski.Three Maroons ready to battle for a podium spot
Central senior Abel Vines enters the tournament with momentum and a sparkling 29-1 record. Vines dominated the Springfield sectional without dropping a game in eight sets and opens his state run against Oswego East's Pranav Kannan. Rounding the list of high school players heading to state are Central’s doubles team of Daniel Canivez and Sohum Gurrapu, who also secured a spot at state after winning the sectional title. They’ll face Minooka's Eli Chavez and Evan Lundeen, who finished third at the Lincoln-Way East sectional.
Officials find first instance of West Nile virus in Illinois
Public health officials are highlighting the importance of taking action to "Fight the Bite" during National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, which runs from June 18-24.
Photo: Mohamed Nuzrath/Pixabay
by Mark RichardsonIllinois News Connection
CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Public Health said the first positive test for West Nile virus in 2025 has been detected in Winnebago County near Rockford. Health officials warned people in the infected area and elsewhere to take precautions to avoid the mosquito-borne disease, which is expected to spread across the state. Last year, Illinois reported 69 cases of West Nile, with 13 reported human deaths. Sameer Vohra, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said evidence of the disease usually emerges this time of year.
Most people who are bitten by infected mosquitoes do not contract the disease.
"In Illinois, we typically see the first environmental positive test for West Nile in mid- to late May," Vohra explained. "Mosquitoes typically emerge in the spring and are active until the first hard frost of the year." Vohra noted West Nile virus is an endemic disease in Illinois, meaning it is commonly found in the state. Public health officials are highlighting the importance of taking action to "Fight the Bite" during National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, which runs from June 18-24. Vohra pointed out most people who are bitten by infected mosquitoes do not contract the disease but one in five will show symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to a serious and possibly fatal illness. "Right now, there's no treatment for West Nile virus," Vohra emphasized. "But supportive care is really important, especially if you're developing symptoms or you're that one of 150 people that can develop severe illness." Public health officials have advised Illinoisians to wear long sleeves and pants outdoors, use Environmental Protection Agency-approved insect repellent and stay indoors during peak mosquito hours at dawn and dusk. They also recommend trying to keep mosquitoes from breeding. "One way to do that is to dump any standing water," Vohra advised. "Examples of that include flowerpots, children's toys, pet bowls, bird baths, buckets, used tires, abandoned swimming pools, any place where you can get standing water."
More stories ~
Illinois lawmakers pass bill to raise age of senior driving tests
New bill would allow a spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling or child of any Illinois driver to submit medical information about the driver to the secretary of state if they think the person’s medical condition interferes with their driving abilities.
Photo: Cheng Xiao/Unsplash
by Jade Aubrey
Capitol News Illinois
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HB 1226, also called the Road Safety and Fairness Act, has garnered bipartisan support. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced his support for the bill in January alongside lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. The bill was conceived by a constituent of Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, last year.
The bill has 86 cosponsors in the House and 35 in the Senate.
Illinois is the only state that requires seniors to pass a driving test solely due to their age. But state data indicates that older drivers tend to have lower crash rates.
In 2023, the crash rate for drivers aged 75 and older was 24.61 per 1,000 drivers, which was lower than any other age group, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. The low crash rate has been consistent since at least 2018, according to the Secretary of State’s Office’s 2023 Study on Age-Related Driving Abilities.
The crash rate is more than double for many of the other age groups.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. Jade Aubrey contributed to this article.
Commentary |The digital leash and how to break free
This hyperconnectivity has profound psychological implications. From an operational standpoint, informal and unregulated communication channels present structural inefficiencies.
by Nabajyoti Narzary
Guest Commentary
Guest Commentary
Photo: StockSnap/Pixabay
Employees today are frequently integrated into multiple digital groups, ranging from routine administrative updates to emergency response coordination. The volume and frequency of communication—often outside standard working hours—create a digital tether. What was once considered personal time is now frequently invaded by a stream of requests, reminders, and follow-ups. Unlike traditional communication tools such as memos or scheduled emails, real-time platforms simulate an "always-on duty" culture, implicitly demanding prompt responses regardless of the context.
From an operational standpoint, informal and unregulated communication channels present structural inefficiencies.
This hyperconnectivity has profound psychological implications. The inability to detach from work-related communications intrudes on mental space, affecting emotional well-being and leading to symptoms of burnout. Employees may experience persistent anxiety, irritability, and even sleep disorders. The stress caused by this round-the-clock expectation chips away at personal relationships, physical health, and the time needed for introspection and rejuvenation. Younger professionals, especially those early in their careers, are disproportionately affected. In an attempt to prove diligence and reliability, many adopt an overly responsive approach, answering late-night messages or reacting to non-urgent communications during personal moments. This leads to heightened anxiety, as the line between dedication and overextension becomes dangerously blurred. Rather than being a tool for empowerment, communication technology becomes a mechanism for silent coercion. From an operational standpoint, informal and unregulated communication channels present structural inefficiencies. Unlike traditional office systems that ensured accountability and order—through file tracking, documented instructions, and formalized hierarchies—instant messaging platforms lack structured workflows. Communication is often fragmented, imprecise, and susceptible to misinterpretation. Critical tasks can become obscured by trivial updates, resulting in oversight and duplication of effort.
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Moreover, the absence of features like digital signatures, formal timestamping, and archival functionality poses significant challenges in authenticating instructions or referring back to communication trails. In environments where compliance and auditability are crucial, such informal exchanges fall short. What begins as a tool for convenience often morphs into a source of administrative confusion and inefficiency.
The overreliance on informal digital communication also deteriorates professional decorum. The casual tone often adopted in such platforms undermines the seriousness of official discourse. Important matters may be conveyed in fragmented or unclear messages, leading to misalignment and errors in execution. The erosion of formality in communication affects organizational discipline, creating a culture where urgency and clarity are constantly compromised.
There is a pressing need for a cultural and systemic shift in how organizations approach communication.
The broader implication is a workplace culture drifting toward toxicity. When employees feel scrutinized for their responsiveness or judged by their online visibility, a competitive and anxious atmosphere emerges. Surveillance replaces trust, and performance anxiety replaces teamwork. The result is a fragmented workforce where genuine productivity takes a back seat to the mere performance of connectivity. This phenomenon cannot be resolved through technological intervention alone. There is a pressing need for a cultural and systemic shift in how organizations approach communication. Organizations must promote respect for individual time and distinguish between routine and urgent communications. Communication protocols should be standardized and aligned with realistic expectations. A potential alternative is the development and adoption of dedicated platforms designed to cater to professional needs—systems that incorporate both the agility of instant messaging and the structure of formal communication. These platforms should enable features such as categorizing messages by priority, setting communication windows, archiving conversations systematically, and ensuring data security through encrypted and government-controlled servers where applicable. In addition, leadership behavior plays a critical role. Managers and senior officials should set an example of responsible digital behavior by refraining from after-hours messaging unless absolutely required. This not only establishes a standard but also signals that the organization values the well-being of its employees. Establishing formal policies that define communication boundaries is vital in reinforcing these values.
The challenge lies in ensuring that technology serves us, not consumes us.
Training programs can also be instrumental. Sessions on digital etiquette, managing notifications, and setting boundaries can empower employees to engage more mindfully. Emphasis should be placed on time management, prioritization, and mental wellness. Organizations must actively cultivate an environment where boundaries are respected and employees feel secure in disconnecting without fear of judgment or professional disadvantage. Furthermore, promoting trust-based work cultures over output surveillance will help dismantle the toxicity emerging from hyperconnectivity. By encouraging outcome-based evaluation rather than input visibility, organizations can allow professionals to work with autonomy and dignity. That said, it is important to acknowledge that this very connectivity has brought significant advantages, particularly in sectors where rapid response and real-time coordination are critical. For emergency workers, disaster response teams, healthcare professionals, district administration, and law enforcement agencies, the ability to remain connected at all times has often meant the difference between life and death. Real-time surveillance, instant data sharing, and continuous communication have enhanced situational awareness, streamlined coordination, and accelerated decision-making in high-stakes scenarios. In such contexts, the digital tether becomes an enabler, not a burden—ensuring that help is never too far away and that collective action can be mobilized swiftly in times of need. Therefore, the modern workplace must recognize that digital connectivity is a double-edged sword. When harnessed wisely, it can effectively drive efficiency and collaboration. However, when left unchecked, it can lead to overwhelming pressure and a decline in quality of life. The challenge lies in ensuring that technology serves us, not consumes us.
Nabajyoti Narzary works in administration, where he explore the intersection of people and institutional systems at the grassroots level, uncovering untold stories of governance and everyday resilience. Writing is his sanctuary, flowing from daily observations and reflective moments, often captured in a personal diary and complemented by long evening walks with their dog, Nia. A college trip to Serbia sparked a lasting interest in Eastern European culture and history, inspiring a deep appreciation for the region’s complex tapestry shaped by centuries of conflict, coexistence, and cultural evolution.
Not much light to shine, Summer electric price spike fuels policy tensions in Springfield
Price hike due to lack of energy supply comes alongside rocky transition to renewable power. “We cannot allow these power-hungry facilities to drive up costs for consumers who are already struggling to pay their bills,” says Gina Ramirez.
Photo: Hans Isaacson/Unsplash
by Andrew Adams
Capitol News Illinois
Extreme weather events are “likely” to cause shortfalls in energy reserves.
“We’re trying to keep prices low while combating climate change,” Jen Walling, head of the Illinois Environmental Council, told Capitol News Illinois. The IEC has been heavily involved in advocating for parts of the bill. In December, federal officials at the North American Electric Reliability Corporation — the nonprofit oversight agency for grid operators — designated the grid for central and southern Illinois as “high risk” for not having enough electricity to meet demand on hot days in the summer and cold days in the winter over the next five years. The grid that stretches from central Canada to the Mississippi river delta is the only power grid in the nation to have that designation, with much of its risk stemming from power plants closing. Illinois’ northern grid, which includes parts of 13 states and Washington, D.C. from Illinois to the east coast, faces “elevated” risk. That means extreme weather events are “likely” to cause shortfalls in energy reserves. The increased demand stems from data centers, increasing adoption of electric heat pumps and the rise of electric vehicles, according to NERC. David Braun, an executive at the energy technology company Intelligent Generation, said demand on the electric grid is the highest it’s been in the 30 years he’s worked in the energy sector. “We haven’t seen this in a long time,” Braun told Capitol News Illinois. “So, it’s catching planners by surprise, and it takes a long time to build power plants.”
Shrinking supply
That demand, according to NERC’s December report, is coming at the same time supply is going down — increasing pressure on the grid.Downstate Illinois’ grid might run out of energy reserves as soon as 2034...
Around the country, fossil fuel plants are closing as states move to limit their greenhouse gas emissions. While Illinois exports energy overall, plant closures elsewhere in the country can affect the price of energy, raising prices for Illinoisans. Grid operators nationwide, meanwhile, face yearslong red tape-induced backlogs on new renewables. Downstate Illinois’ grid might run out of energy reserves as soon as 2034, per NERC. Northern Illinois’ grid has more reserves but will face decreased levels throughout the next decade. If nothing is done to either reduce demand or increase supply, this means prices could continue to increase or blackouts could become necessary to stabilize the grid. To address these issues, lawmakers in Springfield are weighing sweeping energy legislation. The bill’s proponents say its provisions to incentivize new developments are the only way to prevent serious problems without walking back the state’s climate goals. Republican critics contend that the main reason for the legislation is to fix problems with the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. Gov. JB Pritzker’s marquee climate policy, they say, is a major cause of the supply shortfalls because it requires fossil fuel-burning power plants to shut down by 2045. Others say provisions aimed at reducing data centers’ energy demands on the grid will hurt businesses in the state. Lawmakers and advocacy groups are currently reviewing draft language for the bill, which has not been made public. Even with complex procedural maneuvering to avoid long-passed deadlines, lawmakers face a tight turnaround to reach an agreement before the legislative session ends. The process could have become more complicated, some suggest, after the U.S. House passed a wide-ranging bill early Thursday that could drastically alter federal energy incentives if it becomes law.
Higher prices
Bills for customers of private electric utilities — most notably ComEd and Ameren — will go up in June. The increase was determined at two recent capacity auctions, which are how grid operators set energy prices for years into the future. High prices at these auctions can indicate low supply relative to demand.Consumer watchdogs at CUB estimate that the policy cut the increase for ComEd customers by about 17%.
PJM Interconnection, the grid operator for northern Illinois, saw a roughly eight-fold jump in its most recent capacity auction compared to the year prior. Downstate’s energy grid, Midcontinent Independent System Operator, or MISO, saw more than a 20-fold year-over-year price jump at its capacity auction in April. Representatives of the state’s two largest electric utilities stressed that these increases occurred beyond their purview. “ComEd does not profit from this increase, was not part of the auction, does not supply capacity, and does not retain any proceeds of the capacity charge payments,” ComEd spokesperson John Schoen said in a statement. An Ameren spokesperson echoed the sentiment, noting that the state requires utilities to pass this type of cost to customers “dollar-for-dollar, without markup.” The price is lower for ComEd customers than it could have been due to a provision in CEJA, which credits customers when energy generated by nuclear power plants is above a certain level. Consumer watchdogs at CUB estimate that the policy cut the increase for ComEd customers by about 17%. Customers in the Ameren area, which has much less nuclear power, are not eligible for the credit.
Other energy providers
While millions of Illinoisans get their power from ComEd and Ameren, some get their electricity through other means, including alternate retail suppliers, municipal utilities and electric cooperatives. Many of these energy suppliers are not affected directly by the capacity auctions. Municipal customers in towns like Naperville, St. Charles and Rantoul are largely insulated from the spike, according to Staci Wilson, the head of government affairs for the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency. The IMEA is a private entity that provides electricity to 32 of the 42 municipal electric systems in the state. IMEA sometimes participates in capacity auctions. But Wilson said the agency tends to secure energy through other means, such as having ownership stakes directly in power plants. “IMEA member municipalities have rates that are currently lower than private utilities and our ownership model continues to gain value as we transition to a carbon-free future in an affordable and reliable manner,” Wilson said. But other municipal utility officials, including those at Springfield’s City Water, Light and Power, are less optimistic about future prices. “Regulations are forcing plant retirement a little too soon,” CWLP spokesperson Amber Sabin said. “And the grid operators that are here, they have resources that they can't connect to the grid. They're waiting, or they don't get financing or ever developed. They have supply chain issues, workforce issues, right? There's a cost to all of that.” CWLP didn’t participate in the recent MISO auction, although it could have. The utility shut down several coal-fired generators over the past five years but continues to operate one coal-fired power plant on the southeast side of Springfield. That plant will need to shut down permanently at some point in the next two decades under state law. “In the future, all the costs are going to go up,” Sabin said. “We do expect that capacity auction prices will affect our customers.” That echoes what some state officials expect as well. Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, has worked on energy legislation for years and said that there is “nothing we can do” to reduce prices for this summer as capacity auctions have concluded, but he said lawmakers should do what they can to address the root causes of the spike. “We think this is going to be the new normal,” Cunningham said.Legislative moves
Negotiations over energy reforms in Springfield have included lawmakers, the governor’s office, and interest groups including environmentalists, organized labor and business associations. The process is sparking heated debate. Over the past week, a draft of legislation began circulating among lawmakers and advocates, many of whom discussed portions of the bill with Capitol News Illinois. “I don’t think, by any stretch, you’ll see a bill the size and scope that CEJA was, that we passed four years ago — certainly won’t see that,” Cunningham, who was involved in the negotiations, said. Potential provisions deal with incentives for renewable power, energy efficiency regulations, nuclear power, data centers and more.We cannot allow these power-hungry facilities to drive up costs for consumers who are already struggling to pay their bills.
Environmental groups clashed with business and labor this week over a provision meant to lower the energy burden brought by data centers. That proposal would require large energy consumers to build their own energy generation through renewable sources like wind or solar power or pay the state to do so. The pitch sparked fierce pushback from business and labor groups, which sent a collective letter to Pritzker, urging him to oppose the specific provision. The letter was co-signed by groups including the AFL-CIO, Climate Jobs Illinois, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and Constellation Energy — the last of which operates all the state’s commercial nuclear power plants. The proposal is being pushed by environmentalists, who say they want more accountability from data centers and other large consumers. “We cannot allow these power-hungry facilities to drive up costs for consumers who are already struggling to pay their bills,” Gina Ramirez, director of Midwest environmental health at the National Resources Defense Council, said at a Wednesday rally. Other issues are less controversial, largely because they’ve been negotiated for months. Cunningham, a prominent player in the passage of CEJA, has his own proposal in the current draft: incentives for the energy storage industry. The current draft of that provision closely parallels recommendations made by the Illinois Commerce Commission. That agency was directed by a bill passed earlier this year to study how to handle energy storage projects. While legislative Republicans have largely been shut out of negotiations over the bill, some of their ideas are being considered. Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, put out a pitch to ease the pressure on electric demand earlier this year by expanding nuclear energy. She was the architect of a bill two years ago that eased the state’s moratorium on new nuclear power plants, lifting it for next-generation, small generators. This year, Rezin introduced a bill that would eliminate the remaining state restrictions on new nuclear power plants. Language similar to Rezin’s was included in draft legislation circulated this week. Rezin, who leads several energy-related groups of lawmakers as part of her involvement at the National Conference of State Legislatures, said all states are facing similar issues around electricity. “All energy buildout will take years because of the regulatory process,” Rezin said. “That's why it's important now. The state of Illinois needs to send positive messages to companies that are looking to invest in technology — whether it's nuclear or any other kind of energy producing plant — that we are open for business.”
The feds’ ‘big, beautiful bill’
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday morning passed a bill containing many domestic policy priorities of President Donald Trump that many fear could upend state energy policy. The bill contains provisions rolling back several clean energy tax incentives. Several key solar company stock prices fell sharply Thursday morning in response, including NextEra Energy, FirstSolar and Enphase Energy among others.
Photo: American Public Power Association/Upsplash
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Bill banning carbon sequestration near Mahomet Aquifer clears General Assembly
The Mahomet Aquifer supplies water to hundreds of thousands of people in central Illinois. Estimates for the number of Illinois residents served daily by the aquifer range from 500,000 to 1 million people. The bill to keep water supply safe comes after recent leaks at a carbon injection site in Decatur.
by Jade Aubrey
Capitol News Illinois
Roughly 8,000 metric tons of liquid carbon dioxide and other ground fluid escaped the area it was permitted to be in.
The ADM injection site, which opened in 2011, received the first federal permit for “geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide” in 2017. Since then, the project has stored more than 4.5 million tons of carbon dioxide more than a mile underground.
Photo: Capitol News Illinois/Jerry Nowicki
Opponents of the bill argued that since the Mahomet Aquifer sits at roughly 200 feet under the surface, it isn’t at risk to leaks, as carbon injections pump the gas thousands of feet underground.
Due to the aquifer’s sole source designation, bill proponents also argued that central Illinois residents can’t afford the water to be at risk. “Eighty-five percent of the geographic land mass in the state of Illinois can be used for carbon sequestration. The aquifer is a very small piece of that, it's just kind of the width of Central Illinois,” Rose said. “You can sequester north or south of this without putting anybody's water in jeopardy.” Opponents of the bill argued that since the Mahomet Aquifer sits at roughly 200 feet under the surface, it isn’t at risk to leaks, as carbon injections pump the gas thousands of feet underground. “The geology under and around the Mahomet Aquifer is the best geology to ensure that thousands of feet below the aquifer — we’re not talking immediately under the aquifer, we’re talking thousands of feet, up to a mile below — is the best geology to ensure that the carbon capturing is taking place,” Donovan Griffith, the vice president of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, said during the committee. “It's the best in the state.” The bill passed out of the Senate in April 55-0. It now awaits approval from the governor after passing out of the House on Tuesday with a vote of 91-19. IMA released a statement on X following the passage of SB1723 urging Gov. JB Pritzker to veto the bill. “Carbon capture and sequestration is a safe and proven technology that is key to maintaining economic growth and advancing our state’s decarbonization goals. We urge Gov. JB Pritzker to veto this legislation, which discourages investment in clean energy projects including sustainable aviation fuel,” said Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. Jade Aubrey contributed to this article.
Prisoner Review Board reform, changes to police hiring clear General Assembly
A bill in response to Massey’s death that would give Sangamon County residents the power to recall an elected official, like the sheriff. Cook County already has the power to hold recall votes. Here are other Illinois laws in the works.
by Ben Szalinski & Bridgette Fox
Capitol News Illinois
WINDHORST
Guzzardi said the bill passed Tuesday includes many of the portions lawmakers agreed on last year, but many Republicans have expressed concerns the latest version was too weak compared to the previous version. The reforms come after Crosetti Brand allegedly murdered an 11-year-old Chicago boy in 2024. That February, the board voted to release Brand, finding there was not enough evidence he had violated his conditions of release. His ex-girlfriend, Laterria Smith, was denied an emergency order of protection by a Cook County judge while Brand was imprisoned at Stateville in Crest Hill. Brand was charged with attacking Smith the day after his release and killing her 11-year-old son, Jayden Perkins, who attempted to protect his mother. Two PRB members, including the board chair, resigned in the wake of the incident.Response to Sonya Massey’s death
Another bill needing only the governor’s signature to become law would change hiring practices for law enforcement agencies after it passed through the House on May 15. Senate Bill 1953 would require all law enforcement agencies in the state to obtain all of the investigations, examinations and records about a potential hire from all entities that previously employed them. Previous employers and law enforcement agencies are required to release the information within two weeks of receiving such a request.
Photo:Nikhil Mistry/Unsplash"
Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, has been pushing for legislation in response to the death of Sonya Massey, a Springfield resident who was shot and killed in her home by a Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy in July 2024. The former sheriff’s deputy, Sean Grayson, was originally called to Massey’s home in Springfield about reports of a prowler. After not finding anything outside, Grayson and his partner spoke with Massey inside her home.
Grayson was disciplined at a previous job for disobeying orders from superiors, general aggression and posting about drug busts online. Grayson was also found to have lied about being honorably discharged from the Army.
The deputies stood in the living room while Massey, with permission, removed a pot of boiling water from the stove in the adjoined kitchen. Massey said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus” after comments from deputies about the hot water, then Grayson threatened to shoot her. Body camera video showed Grayson shooting her seconds after the threat as Massey apologized. Grayson is awaiting trial on first-degree murder charges and has pleaded not guilty. Following Massey’s death, Capitol News Illinois unearthed documents showing Grayson was disciplined at a previous job for disobeying orders from superiors, general aggression and posting about drug busts online. Grayson was also found to have lied about being honorably discharged from the Army. The measure passed through the House on a vote of 101-12.
JAMES WILBURN
“We can't legislate for judgment,” said the bill’s House sponsor Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, during a news conference last week. “What we can do is make sure that the answer that we got from the Sangamon County Sheriff's Department was that they did not know. That will no longer be the case when we pass this bill.” Turner sponsored another bill in response to Massey’s death that would give Sangamon County residents the power to recall an elected official, like the sheriff. Cook County already has the power to hold recall votes. Senate Bill 1954 passed through the Senate but hasn’t made its way through a House committee, meaning its passage could be an uphill battle. “It's not done for this year,” Buckner said. “We just need to figure out what's going to happen in these next couple of weeks.”Tornado-safe warehouses
A mile-wide EF3 tornado tore through St. Louis on Friday afternoon before crossing into Illinois and inflicting more damage in parts of Madison County. According to the National Weather Service, the tornado passed less than a mile from a complex of warehouses where a man was killed when a similar strength tornado demolished an Amazon warehouse in December 2021. In response to the 2021 tornado, Illinois lawmakers convened a task force to issue recommendations on how to make warehouses safer in a tornado. In response to those recommendations, the House voted 83-28 Tuesday to pass House Bill 2987, which creates a series of new requirements warehouses must follow to protect their employees during a tornado warning.The tornado first impacted the west-facing wall, causing it to collapse. That caused other structural failures, including the roof to collapse.
"It’s very timely that I’m calling this today as I spent part of my Friday and the last three weekends hunkered down in the basement with a tornado coming through my area,” Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, said. The bill now heads to the Senate. It requires warehouse operators to work with local first responder agencies to craft safety plans for severe weather. New warehouses would need to be built with shelter spaces compliant with building codes for tornadoes and other types of natural disasters. The 2021 tornado hit as the Amazon warehouse was bustling ahead of the holidays. According to the National Weather Service, the tornado traveled through the south half of the building. The tornado first impacted the west-facing wall, causing it to collapse. That caused other structural failures, including the roof to collapse. An Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation into Amazon did not find any violations, according to the task force report. OSHA recommended the company review its severe weather procedures, ensure employees are provided training and participate in drills, have site-specific information about severe weather plans, and ensure audible warning devices are accessible. The warehouse was rebuilt and reopened in September 2024.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. Jade Aubrey contributed to this article.
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Opening your home, opening your world: Families invited to host exchange students this fall
PONTIAC - People everywhere are conquering their cabin fever and are enjoying the great outdoors after a long, bitter winter. But before you head out for that hike, health care experts remind you to take precautions to avoid tick bites. Read more . . .