‘We’ve seen an uptick in some aggressive behaviors.’ State task force talks increase in school violence

‘We’ve seen an uptick in some aggressive behaviors.’ State task force talks increase in school violence

ByIllinois Public Radio

ROCKFORD — Around one-third of teachers in the U.S. say they’ve experienced at least one incident of verbal harassment or threat of violence from students during the pandemic. That’s according to a 2022 survey from the American Psychological Association. It’s a big jump from before COVID, when 10% of teachers reported being threatened. https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s528/audio/2023/01/0118safef.mp3 Listen…

Peoria Planned Parenthood clinic will be closed for months after Sunday’s arson fire

Peoria Planned Parenthood clinic will be closed for months after Sunday’s arson fire

ByIllinois Public Radio

The Peoria health center doesn’t offer in-clinic abortions, but it does provide abortion pills and other sexual health services, including sexually-transmitted infection testing and treatment, pregnancy tests, and transgender hormone therapy.

Gun lobby, stores file federal challenge to assault weapons ban, arguing it violates ‘right to keep and bear common arms’
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Gun lobby, stores file federal challenge to assault weapons ban, arguing it violates ‘right to keep and bear common arms’

ByIllinois Public Radio

The Illinois State Rifle Association lawsuit appears to be the first in federal court to challenge Illinois’ new weapons ban, but it is part of a burgeoning legal effort aimed at undoing the new law. Other lawsuits have been filed in state court.

Many Illinois sheriffs oppose assault weapons ban

Many Illinois sheriffs oppose assault weapons ban

ByIllinois Public Radio

MACOMB — A number of sheriffs in Illinois –including those in McDonough and Knox counties — have issued statements saying they won’t enforce an assault weapons ban signed this week by Governor J.B. Pritzker. The Protect Illinois Communities Act The measure (HB 5471) became law upon the governor’s signature. It bans AR-15 style guns. However,…

How 23-year-old Nabeela Syed wants to make space for more people in Illinois state politics

How 23-year-old Nabeela Syed wants to make space for more people in Illinois state politics

ByIllinois Public Radio

PALATINE — Nabeela Syed was a senior in high school when she decided to go into politics. It was 2016 and former President Donald Trump was campaigning on banning immigration from Mexico, African nations and Muslim-majority countries. “Just seeing how Trump was growing in popularity, and the kind of support he was getting,” Syed said….

Assault weapons to be banned in Illinois: House passes bill — and Pritzker vows to sign it ‘immediately’
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Assault weapons to be banned in Illinois: House passes bill — and Pritzker vows to sign it ‘immediately’

ByIllinois Public Radio

“The people of the great state of Illinois have been waiting decades for legislation just like this,” said bill sponsor state Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield. “Let them wait no longer.”

From free college to universal preschool, Gov. JB Pritzker pledges a second-term ‘agenda as ambitious and bold as our people are’

From free college to universal preschool, Gov. JB Pritzker pledges a second-term ‘agenda as ambitious and bold as our people are’

ByIllinois Public Radio

Pritzker also vowed to “fight against a rising tide of hate,” protect women’s reproductive rights and finally get the assault weapons ban passed.

Illinois Reps. Bost, Budzinski and Miller each disagree on who should be next House speaker

Illinois Reps. Bost, Budzinski and Miller each disagree on who should be next House speaker

ByIllinois Public Radio

Illinois’ congressional delegation remains split on the choices for the U.S. House’s next speaker as the body took a rare sixth unsuccessful vote Wednesday afternoon. However, Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, and Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, agree on one thing: They are ready to put the voting behind them. While Bost, who represents the 12th District…