Rotunda of Illinois State Capitol
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Pretrial detention changes to SAFE-T Act will head to governor

SPRINGFIELD – Lawmakers on Thursday passed a long-awaited amendment to the SAFE-T Act criminal justice reform’s provisions that will eliminate cash bail when the calendar hits 2023. The measure expands the list of crimes for which a judge can order pretrial detention, adds to what a judge can consider when determining if a defendant is…

Biden and Macron will hold a joint press conference as part of a state visit

Biden and Macron will hold a joint press conference as part of a state visit

President Biden will host a joint press conference with Emmanuel Macron on Thursday as a part of the French president’s three-day state visit. The joint press conference is set to begin at 11:45 a.m. ET. Watch it live: Traditionally leaders have answered two questions each at joint press conferences; topics that could come up include…

Illinois Democrats propose banning assault weapons and raising age for gun ownership
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Illinois Democrats propose banning assault weapons and raising age for gun ownership

Democrats say they hope to pass the massive legislation, which comes in response to the Highland Park shooting, in the lame duck session in January. SPRINGFIELD — Illinois House Democrats plan to introduce a massive gun control bill that would outlaw the sale of assault weapons and prevent most residents under 21 from legally buying…

217 Today: States differ in how they’ll use more than $50 billion from opioid settlements

217 Today: States differ in how they’ll use more than $50 billion from opioid settlements

Thursday, December 1, 2022 Today’s headlines: Thursday is the last day of the so-called veto session. And Illinois Lawmakers are expected to consider changes to the controversial law that is set to eliminate cash bail next year. Governor JB Pritzker has dedicated a new Springfield memorial to highlight former President Barack Obama’s rise to power. University of…

States will get billions in opioid settlement dollars. How will they spend it?
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States will get billions in opioid settlement dollars. How will they spend it?

Legal battles have waged for years to force drug companies to pay for their role in America’s opioid epidemic. Finally, in landmark settlements over the last year, thousands of states, counties and local governments have won more than $50 billion from opioid makers, prescription drug distributors and pharmacies. But now these 3,000 state and local…