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Protecting Illinois'
food and water supplies A new law will crack down on crimes
that endanger Illinois' food and water supplies by subjecting these
crimes to the state's strongest penalties.
House Bill 53 makes endangering the food or water supplies in
Illinois an act of terrorism -- a Class X crime that is punishable
by 20 years to life in prison for actions that do not result in any
deaths. However, those that result in the deaths of one or more
people are punishable by a minimum of life in prison or the death
penalty.
Food production is the state's No. 1 manufacturing activity,
adding $13.4 billion to the economy each year. Illinois is a leading
exporter of food manufacturing and agricultural products, which
totaled more than $3 billion in 2004.
Some examples of endangering the food supply knowingly include
transporting into the state a domestic animal that is infected with
or has been exposed to a contagious or infectious disease; exposing
an animal to a contagious or infectious disease; delivering poultry
that is infected with a contagious or infectious disease to a
poultry producer; transporting or releasing any insect pest into the
state; or exposing any raw agricultural commodity, animal feed or
processed food to a contaminant or contagious or infectious disease.
Endangering the water supply could include deliberate actions to
contaminate public or private water wells, reservoirs or supplies.
It also includes tampering with bottled or packaged water, either
during production or in wholesale or retail outlets.
New law offers incentives for new energy industry
Under a new law, the burgeoning industry of coal gasification is
getting boost in Illinois, and it could have a far-reaching impact
on the state economy.
Senate Bill 1814 allows the state to provide financial
assistance to companies building coal gasification facilities.
The technology is key to our nation's energy independence in the
future. It allows us to rely much less on foreign fuel and develop
new clean-coal technology. Coal gasification can produce a nearly
emission-free fuel, similar to diesel, that can be used in trucks,
buses and other vehicles.
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 Illinois has hundreds of years of coal reserves, so if we can use
that coal without the emission problems, as in coal gasification, it
will mean great opportunities for a long-struggling coal industry.
The new financial incentives could also make Illinois a more
viable competitor for a $1 billion federal government and industry
partnership to design, build and operate a nearly emission-free,
coal-fired electric and hydrogen production plant.
Higher fines for speeding in work zones
Starting July 1, Illinois state troopers will deploy specially
equipped vans that can take photographs of drivers speeding in
construction and maintenance zones. Tickets will be issued by mail
to vehicle owners.
First-time work-zone speeders, including those caught on camera,
will be hit with a fine of $375. Two-time offenders are subject to a
$1,000 fine.
In addition, drivers who hit a worker are subject for up to a
$10,000 fine and 14 years in prison.
For more information, go to
www.dot.state.il.us/press/r033005.html.
Department changes name
On July 1, the Department of Public Aid will become Healthcare
and Family Services.
The new name provides the department's clients and the general
public with a better understanding of the department's services of
affordable health care, with programs like KidCare, FamilyCare and
SeniorCare; child support enforcement services; and energy
assistance.
With the creation of the Department of Human Services in 1997,
many of the "public assistance" programs were transferred from
Public Aid to DHS, such as cash assistance programs, administering
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds; LINK card; food
stamps; day-care assistance; and all programs formerly administered
by the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities,
the Department of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, and the Department
of Rehabilitation Services.
[From
Sen. Bill Brady] |
