New Law Helps Child Victims of Human Trafficking
SPRINGFIELD – Helping child victims of human trafficking heal following their trauma is the aim of a new law that received unanimous support in the Senate and the House of Representatives during the spring session.
House Bill 5465 enhances previous legislation by simplifying the process for child trafficking victims to expunge or seal juvenile records resulting from any compelled criminal actions while under abuse.
State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) says it is important to promote awareness about human trafficking. Anyone with information on potential cases should contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 to report suspicious activities in their communities.
New Law Empowers Sheriffs in 9-1-1 Emergency Systems
A new law enabling sheriffs to play a pivotal role in Illinois’ 9-1-1 emergency systems recognizes the expertise and insights of law enforcement officers by integrating them into the decision-making processes.
House Bill 5128 amends the Emergency Telephone System Act to explicitly recognize sheriffs as eligible members of local 9-1-1 boards, ensuring their insights and leadership contribute to vital functions. The boards are deeply involved in planning, implementing, and maintaining local 9-1-1 systems
House Bill 5128 received unanimous support in both chambers of the General Assembly earlier this spring.
Illinois Receives Federal Pollution Reduction Grant
The State of Illinois was recently awarded more than $430 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) for its Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program application. The funding will be utilized for building and industry decarbonization, freight electrification, climate-smart agriculture, and renewable energy deployment.
According to the state’s grant application, the state will implement projects that include dedicating:
- $115 million for heavy-duty vehicle electrification,
- $172 million to improve access and affordability for clean building technologies, and
- more than $111 to improve access and affordability for clean building technologies.
The U.S. EPA stated that these projects would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 971 million metric tons by 2050, equivalent to the emissions of about five million homes over 25 years. The grant will help support and offset some costs associated with the state’s ongoing goal of reaching 100 percent carbon-free power by 2045.
Nearly 300 applications were submitted nationwide for the project implementation grants, but only 25 grants were awarded by the U.S. EPA. The State of Illinois received the third-largest grant award.
DMV Services Disrupted by Global Technology Outage
A global technology outage affected all 138 DMV locations in Illinois recently, disrupting services across the state.
A routine update from the cybersecurity company CrowdStrike to Microsoft on its Windows devices triggered an enormous national technological outage on July 19.
Illinois residents are advised to verify the operational status of their desired DMV facility by calling 800-252-8980. Additionally, residents could expedite their services by visiting www.ilsos.gov to complete tasks online.
Illinois Grapples with Surge in Tornado Activity
This year, Illinois has experienced more than 100 tornado incidents, doubling the state’s typical annual average.
The recent outbreak underscores escalating weather volatility in the region. Notably, earlier this month, the National Weather Service in Chicago issued 16 tornado warnings in a single day, the highest number since 2004.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency warns residents that severe weather can occur at any time of the year. They emphasize that preparing for floods, tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms before they strike is important for safety. For more information, visit the IEMA website for resources and guidelines.