Resource fair for LGBTQ+ northern Illinoisans Monday
ROCKFORD — Monday is your chance to check out more than 20 LGBTQ+ organization available to Rock Valley College students and Rockford area community members. Check out the SAGE (Sexuality and Gender Equality) LGBTQ+ Resource Fair, happening from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the college’s Stenstrom Student Center Atrium, 3301 N. Mulford Rd. Among some of the groups expected: The LIAM Foundation, Midwest Reproductive Health Care, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Rockford Sexual Assault, and more.
Majority of Illinoisans favor data center regulation: poll
More than two-thirds of Illinoisans support regulations on data centers’ consumption of resources and impact on the environment (Chicago Sun-Times). Almost all of those polled support blocks on utility companies passing costs on to consumers, and required water usage reports. The poll was conducted by Global Strategy Group of 800 likely voters in mid-March on behalf of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition. The coalition has proposed the POWER (Protecting Our Water, Energy, and Ratepayers) Act, which strives to protect taxpayers and the environment from the impact of data centers and is under consideration by Illinois lawmakers. Illinois now has 229 data centers (Data Center Map) after starting a campaign in 2019 to entice them to the state.
New bill would protect 'life-sustaining' homeless camps
SPRINGFIELD — A new bill in the Illinois House, HB 1429, would ban local governments from arresting or fining unhoused people for “life-sustaining activities.” Those activities include sleeping, eating, drinking, and using transportation. The bill protects homeless encampments from being cleared out without seven days’ notice, and prevents local governments from deciding homeless-related policy. Unhoused people could still be removed under the bill if they’re blocking access to something or present a risk, but local authorities will need to provide them with social services if possible. HB 1429 is being debated by the Illinois House before a final vote.
