Mitchell Armentrout

Midway through Gov. JB Pritzker’s three-year plan to relocate 123 residents from the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center, the state faces “significant barriers” to fixing a troubled system, according to a independent monitor.

Bipartisan legislation introduced in Springfield would also create a system for relatives to ask the state to step in if they think their aging loved ones are no longer capable of driving.

Gov. JB Pritzker waved off concerns that a fiery House Democratic caucus meeting that tanked one of his prized legislative priorities would throw off his party as it faces a budget crunch and a second Trump administration.

Lawmakers also passed an energy bill and legislation transferring land to the state’s first federally recognized tribal nation in the final days of the 103rd General Assembly before new members are sworn in Wednesday.

Karina’s Bill passed the Illinois House by a vote of 80-33. It would require police to confiscate guns within 96 hours from people whose FOID cards have been revoked due to emergency restraining orders.

Sales of the weedlike substances have increased, in part thanks to a loophole in federal law, prompting smoke shops that sell unregulated products to minors to pop up.

A bill pending in Springfield would give nursing home residents a better opportunity to sue facilities over retaliation claims that advocates say are rampant across Illinois. But a powerful industry trade group with deep financial ties to Illinois Senate President Don Harmon is lobbying against them.

While Democrats have locked up another supermajority in Springfield, Illinois Republican leaders say Donald Trump’s stronger showing in his third presidential run indicate the state GOP is building momentum.

Gov. JB Pritzker has presidential ambitions — and his vetting when he was under consideration to serve as Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ running mate and this week’s Democratic National Convention have put a huge spotlight on the second-term governor.

State Republican leaders are urging local candidates to stay the course on issues of crime, economics and corruption to help chip away at Democratic strongholds in the suburbs — and not to rely on a bump from former President Donald Trump.