Grace Barbic
Shaw Local
Contact Grace
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Grace:
Advocates continue to push for equitable Illinois energy bill
It’s still unclear if, or when, a finalized version of the energy bill will be reached, but many equity advocates are cautiously optimistic that a compromise will be made before the end of the calendar year, while businesses groups are calling on the governor to slow the process down. → Read More
Illinois House advances bill to lower small trailer license fees to $36
The Illinois House passed a bill that would lower small trailer license fees from $118 to $36 → Read More
Illinois House advances bill to lower small trailer license fees to $36
The Illinois House passed a bill that would lower small trailer license fees from $118 to $36 → Read More
Seclusion and restraint ban will go to governor
A bill to phase out the use of isolated timeouts and prone physical restraint in public schools will soon be sent to Gov. JB Pritzker. → Read More
College athletes could profit from likeness under bill passed by Illinois House
College athletes in Illinois would be able to independently profit from their image or likeness under a bill passed by the Illinois House Saturday. → Read More
Energy working groups continue amid new indictment
“For too long, utilities have dictated energy policy in Illinois. It is imperative that this time around, any energy package is driven by climate, communities and consumers,” the letter read. → Read More
Illinois Senate advances bills to provide menstrual hygiene products at universities, homeless shelters
The Illinois Senate passed two bills Tuesday that would advise state universities and colleges, as well as homeless shelters, to provide menstrual hygiene products in their bathrooms at no cost to users. → Read More
Senate advances bills to provide menstrual hygiene products at universities, homeless shelters
The Illinois Senate passed two bills Tuesday that would advise state universities and colleges, as well as homeless shelters, to provide menstrual hygiene products in their bathrooms at no cost to users. → Read More
Senate Republicans call for Prisoner Review Board appointees to testify
Republican senators on Monday raised concerns about four Prisoner Review Board members who have continued to serve for almost two years despite not being confirmed by the Senate Executive Appointments Committee, a constitutional requirement in Illinois → Read More
Measure to supply menstrual products in all school bathrooms passes House
A bill that would require schools to provide free menstrual hygiene products in all bathrooms for grades 4 through 12 passed the Illinois House and will now be up for consideration in the Senate. → Read More
Pritzker announces 6-year, $20.7 billion road, bridge improvement plan
The Highway Improvement Program, funded through the Rebuild Illinois capital infrastructure plan passed in 2019, will reconstruct nearly 2,779 miles more miles of roads and 7.9 million square feet of bridge deck between fiscal year 2022 and 2027 → Read More
Lawmakers consider lowering trailer license fee
In 2019, the fee for licensing a small trailer in Illinois jumped from $18 to $118. Lawmakers are now looking for a solution to lower that fee without causing major drops in infrastructure funding. → Read More
Pritzker’s energy proposal gets first legislative hearing
Pritzker’s 900-page proposal was released at the end of April with the goal of transitioning Illinois to 100 percent carbon-free energy – including nuclear power – by 2050. → Read More
GOP leaders call out House Dems for redistricting ‘hypocrisy’
Illinois House Republicans continue to demand a “fair” redistricting process, following a news report depicting Democratic lawmakers meeting behind a closed door to discuss the mapmaking process. → Read More
GOP leaders again call out House Dems for redistricting 'hypocrisy'
Illinois House Republicans continue to demand a "fair" redistricting process, following a news report depicting Democratic lawmakers meeting behind a closed door to discuss the mapmaking process. → Read More
Study shows working mothers hardest hit by pandemic-related child care burdens
New research shows pandemic-related child care burdens have magnified economic inequalities for women in the workforce in Illinois. → Read More
Study shows working mothers hit hard by pandemic-related child care burdens
New research shows pandemic-related child care burdens have magnified economic inequalities for women in the workforce in Illinois. → Read More
Illinois invests $15 million to fuel two new manufacturing programs downstate
Funding goes to vehicle manufacturing, renewable energy training programs → Read More
Bills creating liaisons for homeless college students, addressing dental care in schools advance
The Illinois Senate advanced several bills to the House Wednesday, including one establishing a housing insecurity liaison for homeless college students and another allowing routine dental care to be provided at schools. → Read More
Lawmakers push to require nursing homes to offer virtual visits
Lawmakers and advocates are calling for the Illinois General Assembly to pass a bill that would require nursing homes to offer virtual visits for residents to prevent social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. → Read More