Grace Kinnicutt
Herald-Whig
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Past articles by Grace:
Pritzker signs bill aimed at addressing organized retail crime
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation Friday that is aimed at cracking down on high-profile “smash-and-grabs” and other organized retail theft. → Read More
$309 million available through mortgage assistance program
Gov. J.B. Pritzker was joined by the Illinois Housing Development Authority and local elected officials in Chicago Friday to promote the Illinois Emergency Homeowner Assistance Fund for struggling homeowners. → Read More
Session recap: Bills would allow pharmacists to administer preventive HIV meds, fentanyl test strips
Legislation allowing pharmacists to administer or dispense preventive HIV medication and fentanyl testing strips were among health-related measures passed by the General Assembly during the final week of their spring session. → Read More
Session Recap: Illinois lawmakers pass bill to combat organized retail theft
SPRINGFIELD — A measure aimed at addressing high-profile “smash-and-grabs” and other organized retail crime was among the scores of bills passed during the General Assembly’s final sprint toward its Saturday → Read More
House advances bill protecting nursing home visitation rights during public health emergencies
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House advanced a measure Monday that aims to ensure nursing home patients have a right to visitors even amid a public health emergency. → Read More
Senate Democrats unveil legislation aimed at addressing carjackings
Illinois Senate Democrats unveiled legislation Tuesday to address the increase in carjackings by protecting victims and providing additional resources to law enforcement in targeting and capturing offenders. → Read More
House advances bill protecting nursing home visitation rights
The Illinois House advanced a measure Monday that aims to ensure nursing home patients have a right to visitors even amid a public health emergency. → Read More
Bill would provide $500 tax credit to volunteer firefighters and EMS workers
SPRINGFIELD — Members of the Illinois Firefighters Association joined state legislators at a news conference Wednesday to outline a measure that they claim would recruit more long-term volunteer firefighters and → Read More
Bill would provide tax credit to volunteer firefighters
Members of the Illinois Firefighters Association joined state legislators at a news conference Wednesday to outline a measure that they say would recruit more long-term volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel by offering them a tax credit. → Read More
Pritzker announces initiative to improve children’s behavioral health services
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker announced the launch of an initiative Friday to improve behavioral and mental health services for children. → Read More
Republican senator urges bills preventing future health outbreaks get a proper hearing
SPRINGFIELD — The state failed to protect 36 veterans who died at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home during a COVID-19 outbreak that began in 2020, said a legislator who has introduced → Read More
Legislators vote to make masks optional on House floor
The Illinois House amended COVID-19 protocols Tuesday, lifting face covering requirements following weeks of pushback from Republican members who sometimes refused to wear masks and delayed the start of session on several occasions. → Read More
Illinois State Police director details response to expressway shootings
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly on Monday outlined the department's efforts and a proposed response to expressway shootings during a Public Safety and Violence Prevention Task Force hearing. → Read More
Democrats vote to remove 9 maskless Republicans from state House chamber
The Illinois House voted to remove nine Republican members from the House floor Thursday afternoon for their refusal to comply with face covering requirements, delaying the start of the legislative session for the third straight day. → Read More
GOP members challenge Illinois House floor mask mandate
Confusion and pushback regarding the enforcement of masks mandates spilled over onto the House Floor Wednesday afternoon during the chamber's regular legislative session after Republicans refused to comply with requirements. → Read More
Republicans cite SAFE-T Act as reason Chicago man not charged with murder
Illinois House Republicans on Wednesday continued a push to repeal a criminal justice reform bill passed one year ago, citing the law as the reason a Chicago man was not charged with murder for his role in a shootout that left one bystander dead. → Read More
GOP reintroduces crime reduction package; Pritzker touts public safety spending
SPRINGFIELD — Senate Republicans unveiled an updated package of crime bills this week that they say will help curb violent crime and provide a morale boost to law enforcement. → Read More
GOP reintroduces crime reduction package
Senate Republicans unveiled an updated package of crime bills this week that they say will help curb violent crime and provide a morale boost to law enforcement. → Read More
Senate Republicans call for 'common-sense' ethics reforms
Demanding what they call "common-sense ethics reform," Senate Republicans plan to take action in addressing unethical behavior by elected officials. → Read More
Illinois will launch mortgage assistance program this spring
Beginning this spring, the Illinois Housing Development Authority will start accepting applications for homeowners experiencing financial hardship during the pandemic. Homeowners will be able to apply for up to a $30,000 grant. → Read More