East Central Reporter

Gov. Pritzker has announced plans to split the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in response to severe criticism and numerous contempt of court citations faced by the agency. The new agency, called the Early Childhood Program Agency, will oversee child care service environments, preschools, and early intervention programs. House Republican members have been vocal about their concerns regarding DCFS inaction in cases of child abuse and neglect.

House Republicans are also pushing for the lifting of the 36-year ban on new nuclear energy construction permits. House Republican Leader Tony McCombie stated that the vetoed Senate Bill 76, which aims to lift the moratorium, has strong support from both Republicans and Democrats. McCombie emphasized the need for affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.

Another priority for House Republicans is the Invest in Kids program, a State-backed scholarship program that helps students attend private schools. The program is set to sunset on December 31 if it is not extended by the General Assembly. House Republicans are urging for action to ensure that thousands of Illinois students can continue to access quality education.

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie showed support for Israel in a recent speech on the House Floor. McCombie filed House Resolution 446, condemning the violence in the Middle East and expressing solidarity with Israel. McCombie and other House Republican members have consistently shown unwavering support for the families and defenders of Israel.

The Illinois House Democrats have approved a bill that could lead to the unionization of legislative staff. The Legislative Employee Labor Relations Act would bring Illinois legislative staff under organized labor laws and structures. House Republicans have expressed concerns about the small group of House Democratic staff leading this effort and the potential impact on General Assembly operations.

Illinois' status as a sanctuary state for undocumented immigrants has created a humanitarian crisis. The TRUST Act, which prohibits law enforcement agencies from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, has led to a massive influx of undocumented immigrants. House Republicans have called for a repeal of the TRUST Act to address the crisis and relieve the burden on taxpayers.

Preparations are underway for the upcoming firearm deer hunting season. The license dates for standard firearm deer hunting season start on November 17. Hunters have already been participating in the archery season, which began on October 1. Illinois offers trophy-quality hunting opportunities for deer.

The 2023 harvest of corn and soybeans is nearing completion, thanks to relatively dry weather. According to the "Illinois Crop Progress" report, 70% of Illinois corn and 80% of soybeans have been harvested. However, dry conditions continue to affect fields, including pastures and winter wheatfields.

These are some of the key updates from the recent Capitol News Update. Gov. Pritzker's proposal to split the troubled DCFS, House Republicans' push for nuclear energy and the Invest in Kids program, support for Israel, the approval of a bill that could unionize legislative staff, the humanitarian crisis caused by Illinois' sanctuary state status, preparations for deer hunting season, and progress in the 2023 harvest.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://repcmiller.com/2023/10/30/capitol-news-update-from-rep-miller/