Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo) outlined the senate’s activities during the week of Aug. 5 through Aug. 9 in his weekly post on his official website on Wednesday.
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s Innovation and Economic Development department unveiled strategic plans for both Pyramid State Park and the World Shooting Recreation Complex to the director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources during a Sparta Complex Ceremony on Aug. 5.
The plans include details on how to improve the Illinois’ largest state park and the recreational shooting area for many years to come.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation approving the formation of the bipartisan Property Tax Relief Task Force that will identify causes of the highest state property taxes. The task force consists of four legislative leaders and additional members approved by Pritzker.
The force will analyze successful policies implemented in several other states and advise Illinois government how to provide tax relief for state citizens. Their findings will be published in a report within the next 90 days, with a final report due by Dec. 31.
Pritzker also signed a new law protecting pets in the case of kennel fires, as well as an additional legislation that protects individuals from coal ash air pollution.
Kennels are now required to install fire alarms or sprinkler systems or have staff available at all times. The law, filed Aug. 6, was initially conceived after 31 dogs died in a fire at a Chicago-area kennel earlier in 2019.
Senate Bill 9, the new coal ash pollution legislature, mandates where coal ash sites can exist and how the sites are to operate their business in attempts to prevent pollution from forming in residential areas. It also requires coal ash disposal sites, also known as CCR Surface Impoundments, to carry permits and pay fees for any operating and closing. The fees range from $15,000 to $75,000 based on the site’s closure status.
Finally, the 2019 annual Illinois State Fair began Aug. 8 with Olympic Track and Field Gold Medal Winner Jackie Joyner-Kersee leading the Twilight Parade as the Grand Marshall. Following the parade, attendees got to listen to a free performance by country band Montgomery Gentry. The fair will continue through Aug. 18.
Alerts Sign-up