The most common of all neuro-cognitive disorders, dyslexia, affects 20 percent of the population and represents 80-90 percent of those with learning disabilities. It is estimated that 1 in 5 children in school are dyslexic but not all of those students, only about 5%, are identified as such. 

While intensive dyslexia interventions are most effective when they begin in kindergarten or first grade, oftentimes dyslexia goes undetected until 3rd or 4th grade, if at all. Experts agree that early reading problems can manifest as serious reading disabilities later on so it is vital that students are screened for dyslexia when they enter school. 

CRIMINAL LAW
Durkin Proposes Victim-Focused Overhaul of Pritzker’s Prisoner Review Board. With a focus on protecting victims of violent crime and their families, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin introduced legislation on Thursday to overhaul Illinois’ Prisoner Review Board (PRB) and provide greater weight to the interests of victims of violent crime, rather than criminals.

“Today, I am here to give hope to the forgotten voices in our present criminal justice system, the victims of crime. The despair and anguish felt by crime victims and the futility they experience seeking closure for the tragic and brutal loss of a family member, loved one, or friend cannot be discounted,” said Durkin. “That pain and torment is only fueled by the decisions of Governor Pritzker’s Prisoner Review Board.” 

In this podcast episode, Illinois State Representatives Ryan Spain and Patrick Windhorst discuss the need to repeal the SAFE-T Act to stem the rising tide of crime and violence in Illinois.

More episodes on Have All Vote Who Wish

Have All Voted Who Wish · House Republicans sponsor repeal of anti-police SAFE-T Act amid rising crime in Illinois

A police officer attempts to pull over a driver for running a red light. The driver knows there are drugs in the car and if caught may be charged with drug possession, a crime that carries up to 15 years in prison. Aware of the local police department’s strict pursuit policies preventing officers from giving chase at high rates of speed, the driver doesn’t stop and instead takes off - exceeding 100 mph. Sure, the driver knows they could be charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, but the sentence and penalties will be significantly lower than if they had been caught with the drugs – only facing 1-3 years of prison instead of 15.

For the last several years, Democrats who control both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly have implemented an unwritten policy prohibiting increased penalties in current criminal statutes. Additionally, they have prevented the passage of laws that would criminalize new behaviors. Two such examples of legislation that were thwarted by Democrats include one that would have increased penalties for attacks on DCFS workers and the another that created a new law criminalizing surreptitious electronic tracking.

CRIMINAL LAW
House Republicans call for repeal of Democrats’ “damaging and dangerous” SAFE-T Act. January is the one-year anniversary of Illinois Democrats passing sweeping legislation to defund, disarm, and disrespect our police. House Democrats voted yes, House Republicans voted NO. Violent crime is up, police retirements are increasing, and our communities are less safe. House Republicans are sponsoring legislation that would repeal the so-called “SAFE-T Act.”

 

Buyer’s remorse – you know that feeling of regret in the pit in your stomach after you make a hasty and expensive purchase. At times the remorse anxiety causes us to simply justify our purchase so we can live with the decision, other times it compels us to return the purchase for a full refund. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) even has a “cooling off” rule that gives consumers 3 days to cancel certain types of purchases because the FTC recognizes rushed and high pressure decisions are not always the best ones.

Illinois State Representative Chris Bos has long advocated for victims and survivors of Human Trafficking, both in his former role at a non-profit that worked to free children from sexual exploitation and now as a state lawmaker. For this session, he has filed several important pieces of legislation that protect victims of human trafficking and that put punitive disincentives in place to protect children from predators. January is also National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and an opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of human trafficking. 

CRIME
Illinois less safe since SAFE-T Act enacted. In February of 2021, Governor Pritzker signed the quickly drafted and un-vetted SAFE-T Act into law. The Safety Accountability, Fairness & Equity Today Act was purported to keep Illinois families safer. However, that has not been the outcome for those who are already battling violence in their neighborhoods.

Since the law was enacted, many neighborhoods in Chicago and surrounding suburbs have witnessed an increase in violent crimes that include murder, expressway shootings, carjackings, assaults, armed robberies, smash & grabs and mob retail theft. Compared to 2019, crime is up 7.5% in Chicago. And the neighborhoods most impacted by crime are the ones that have been dealing with violence for decades.

In February of 2021, Governor Pritzker signed the quickly drafted and un-vetted SAFE-T Act into law. The Safety Accountability, Fairness & Equity Today Act was purported to keep Illinois families safer. But, that has not been the outcome for those who are already battling violence in their neighborhoods.

Since the law was enacted, many neighborhoods in Chicago and surrounding suburbs have witnessed an increase in violent crimes, that include murder, expressway shootings, carjackings, assaults, armed robberies, smash & grabs and mob retail theft. Compared to 2019, crime is up 7.5% in Chicago. And the neighborhoods most impacted by crime are the ones that have been dealing with violence for decades.

Families dealing with the rising cost of just about everything could get a break under legislation filed by Illinois State Rep. Paul Jacobs to cut the sales tax on diapers and diaper wipes from 6.25% to 1%, equaling an 84% reduction. The new rate would be the same as that for medicine and food.

According to the National Diaper Bank Network, Illinois is home to more than 439,000 children under the age of 3 years old. With an average monthly supply of diapers per child costing $80, a tax relief on diapers and wipes can help family finances.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Illinois General Assembly begins 2022 with a one-day session. With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing and case counts surging, the General Assembly reconvened this week to begin its 2022 session. The current schedule calls for the members of both chambers to meet continuously from January through March. Next week’s session has been canceled, as in-person meetings are challenged by soaring COVID-19 positivity case counts, and the House and Senate have changed their rules to do some of their business remotely. Of particular significance are the current rules for House committee meetings and testimony: each House committee will conduct its meetings via video conferencing. Witnesses who wish to testify will submit their testimony and answer questions electronically.