the center square

House Bill 4743 would allow the more than 100,000 contract employees of ride-share services – such as Uber and Lyft – in the state to organize, requiring a minimum of 10% of active drivers to begin the process. #bill #union #ride-share

The bill would require employers when conditions are hot to provide water colder than 61 degrees, paid rest breaks with access to shade, either schedule modifications or task rotation to limit exposure, and access to personal protective equipment. #bill #safety #temperature

Deering emphasized that Illinois families already shoulder some of the nation’s highest property taxes, much of which goes toward funding education. #scholarships #taxcredits #students

“You can buy Meta-glasses and look at somebody speaking a different language and it instantly translates it into your ear,” he said. #laungage #schools #lawmakers

The FTA sent a letter to Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in December, directing the CTA to implement a plan that would reduce assaults on transit workers and passengers. #security #cta #chicago

With Illinois also being home to the most local taxing bodies, House Bill 3723 would also cap annual property tax increases at 1% for seniors and House Bill 3724 would cap all such increases for homeowners at 3%. #lawmakers #tax #legislation

Those who voted to “refer it to committee” did so knowing the “resolution ain’t ever making it out of committee,” U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-KY, said. Massie has been calling for the release of names for years. #congress #voted #resolution

The disclosures and other publicly available information indicate most of the commissioners have worked other jobs during their tenures. #sidejob #diversity #thecentersquare

“The central goal of the consent decree was to bring down force against community members and especially community members of color and that is not happening.” #thecentersquare #chicagopolice #blackresidents

“It’s hard to believe, but when we pay our monthly bills we are bankrolling utility memberships in trade associations that push the utilities’ anti-consumer agenda,” Mah said. #utilities #lawmakers #consumer