Death penalty changes pass Illinois Senate in reform push
The Illinois Senate approved SB 472 broadening capital punishment rules amid exonerations and pardons. Changes include banning jailhouse informants as sole evidence, easing DNA use, creating independent oversight for police lies, speeding appeals, and easier Supreme Court reversals. Governor Blagojevich favorable but undecided.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Springfield
Illinois Senate
Illinois
George H. Ryan
Ryan
Illinois Supreme Court
Blagojevich
Edward Petka
R. Plainfield
Petka
Illinois House committee approves sweeping ethics reform package
A Springfield House committee advanced SB 708 creating two ethics commissions with authority to fine and subpoena, plus inspector general posts for constitutional officers and the Legislature. The plan bars state employees from political work on state payroll and grants whistleblower protections, aiming to restore public trust in Illinois government.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Springfield
House
Illinois
Tom Cross
R-oswego
Sangamon County
Cindi Canary
Illinois Campaign For Political Reform
Canary
Lincoln couple sue ephedra maker over son's death
A Lincoln couple filed a wrongful death suit in Logan County Circuit Court against NVE Pharmaceuticals maker of Yellowjackets containing ephedra and Illinois Ayers Oil Co owner of the Lincoln store that sold the product. The suit claims the firms ignored safety risks and seeks a seven figure verdict amid about 100 similar cases nationwide.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lincoln
Kevin Riggins
Riggins
Debbie
Sean
Logan County
Rod Blagojevich
NVE Pharmaceuticals
Sean Riggins
Illinois Ayers Oil Co
NYE Pharmaceuticals
Newton
N.J
Carl Adams
Illinois Ayers
Ron Brown
Illinois to require defibrillators in fitness facilities
Illinois lawmakers advance a bill mandating defibrillators in schools churches and most gyms and studios with fitness facilities within four years. The measure sponsored by Rep. Burke passed the House 117 to 0 after emotional testimony from Rep. JoAnn Osmond widow of the late Timothy Osmond. Life Signs America plans to install and train personnel with devices costing about 1200 each and the Illinois Department of Public Health would enforce the rule under the proposal.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Springfield
Timothy H. Osmond
Antioch
Osmond
Illinois
Daniel J. Burke
Chicago
Life Signs America
Ilinois
Senate
Illinois Department of Public Health
Equal Rights Amendment on hold indefinitely in Illinois
The Illinois General Assembly delayed the ERA vote with an eight to five Senate Executive Committee approval and hearings planned for summer. Opponents led by Phyllis Schlafly argued the measure faces no Senate passage due to lack of votes, while supporters noted time limits already expired without nationwide ratification.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Springfield
Illinois General Assembly
Senate Executive Committee
House
Senate
Emil Jones Jr
Dchicago
Phyllis Schlafly
St. Louis
Alton
Schlafly
Illinois
Frank Watson
Greenville
Also Mentioned on This Page
Richard Goldstein
THE
Southern
Sen
John Cullerton
Tichard
Goldstein
Lee
Net
Matt.adrian
See
JoAnn Osmond
Rantioch
Richard.goldstein
Carbondale
Merle Norman Cosmetics
Merle Norman
Eastgate Shopping Center
Maggie
Eastgate
East
Walnut Street
Durastone
East Side
East Side Lumber Co
Southern Illinois
Mt. Vernon
Sonic
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