What happened on Sunday, 05 January 2025
Senate, Introduced, 2025 Bills, Virginia Legislation Bills, Virginia
Virginia mandates clear sponsorship disclosures for radio ads related to political candidacies.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
New Illinois law mandates annual reports on voter registrations from correctional institutions starting 2025.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
Inmates can earn sentence credits for good behavior after serving a minimum of 60 days.
Madison City, Madison County, Alabama
Library foundation members said they will reallocate previously planned funds for an LED sign toward the library’s summer reading program after city planning determined the proposed sign would not be allowed in the downtown historic area.
Senate, Introduced, 2025 Bills, Virginia Legislation Bills, Virginia
New bill mandates disclosure statements for political ads supporting or opposing candidates in Virginia.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
Voting rights remain intact for those not yet convicted or released from confinement.
Senate, Introduced, 2025 Bills, Virginia Legislation Bills, Virginia
New regulations mandate clear sponsor disclosures for print and television political ads.
Madison City, Madison County, Alabama
The Madison City Library Board voted to accept revisions to its policy to comply with state review and to send the final draft to the Alabama Public Library Service, while multiple public commenters urged the board to preserve access to history and current-events materials in children’s and young-adult sections.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
Prisoners earning degrees can receive up to 300 days of additional sentence credit.
Senate, Introduced, 2025 Bills, Virginia Legislation Bills, Virginia
New regulations require detailed sponsorship disclosures for political ads in Virginia.
Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa
After interviewing a field of candidates on Jan. 4, the Urbandale City Council voted unanimously to appoint Joe Cacciatore to fill the council vacancy, citing his legal experience and readiness to step into budget and planning discussions. The appointment is effective immediately and will last until the seat is decided by voters in November.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
Illinois mandates restoration of voting rights and licenses after completion of prison sentences.
Senate, Introduced, 2025 Bills, Virginia Legislation Bills, Virginia
Virginia enforces strict disclaimer rules for all political advertisements on television and radio.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
Department ensures restored voting rights and Medicaid eligibility before parole releases.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
Inmates can now earn sentence credits for education during imprisonment and non-disciplinary transfers.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
Illinois Senate Bill 3482 restores voting rights for felons starting January 1, 2025.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
Civics peer education workshops will be offered to committed persons prior to their release.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
New law allows felons to regain voting rights within 14 days of conviction
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
Corrections and Juvenile Justice directors to monitor voter education programs for released individuals.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
Department of Corrections mandates ID card application for community reentry 60 days before discharge.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
Voter registration now serves as application for vote by mail ballot in Illinois.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
Illinois enacts protections for voters' rights and stipulates attorney fees for successful claims.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
New legislation restricts sentence credit to 4.5 or 7.5 days for serious crimes.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
SB3482 ensures incarcerated individuals can register and vote by mail in Illinois.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
The Illinois civics program trains incarcerated peers on voting rights and democratic processes.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
Peer educators will conduct voting rights workshops for detainees scheduled for discharge.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
Civics education program aims to promote democracy and community cohesion for re-entering citizens.
Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut
The ZBA approved a slate of residential setback variances and small-structure repairs; most items were uncontroversial. The Sea Lodge flood-elevation waiver drew the most public comment and was approved; a related request to reverse the zoning officer’s substantial-improvement determination failed.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
Prisoners can receive sentence credit for earning master's degrees during their incarceration.
Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut
The Fairfield Building Committee on Jan. 7 heard updates on mechanical and controls work at three school projects, approved two Authority to Proceed requests and multiple invoices totaling more than $2.3 million, and re-elected its officer slate for 2025.
Davis County School District, Utah School Boards, Utah
Alisa Allred Mercer and Joni Stevens took the oath of office at the Davis School District board meeting and posed with family members following a ceremonial swearing-in administered by the district business administrator.
Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut
The Fairfield Zoning Board of Appeals on Jan. 2 granted Sea Lodge a variance allowing repairs to the historic clubhouse at 1313 Pequot Ave. without elevating the building to the flood-elevation required by Section 32.5, but the board declined to overturn the zoning enforcement officer’s contrary determination.
Davis County School District, Utah School Boards, Utah
Parents and community members used the public-comment period at the Davis School District board meeting to thank the board for support of teaching assistants and to urge board members to improve proactive communication with constituents.
Layton City Council, Layton, Davis County, Utah
Layton City Council discussed the My Hometown neighborhood revitalization program and asked staff to schedule a presentation by program organizers so the council can evaluate pilot options and required city resources.
Morris Township, Morris County, New Jersey
At its Jan. 2 reorganization meeting, the Morris Township Committee swore in two committee members, reappointed Donna J. Gariglia as mayor and Jeff Graysell as deputy mayor and approved 14 organizational resolutions including appointments, meeting schedule and a temporary operating budget. The meeting was ceremonial; no public comment was taken.
Events, School Districts, Florida
Joshua Oviedo, a paraprofessional at David L. Anderson Middle School, was honored as the School-Related Employee of the Year at a district awards ceremony that also named Pamela Lopez the Mary J. Brogan Scholarship recipient and recognized 27 nominees.
Energy and Natural Resources, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Ohio
In response to a committee question, ODNR said some injection wells communicated underground last summer, prompting shutdowns and changes to injection depth; the department reported no known impacts to groundwater or public drinking water.
Belknap County, New Hampshire
At a Belknap County meeting, nursing home staff outlined a staffing shortage, falling census and Medicaid reimbursement limits that they say make filling the facility costly; county officials discussed a five-year planning approach and recruitment strategies.
Fulton County, Georgia
Fulton County said it has reached a consent-decree agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to resolve an investigation into the Fulton County Jail and outlined multi‑million‑dollar repair and population‑reduction efforts at the Rice Street facility.
Davis County School District, Utah School Boards, Utah
The Davis School District board elected Bridgette Gerard president and Emily Price vice president in voice votes following a nominations process; the meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.
Energy and Natural Resources, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Ohio
Committee members raised concerns about visitor safety, local search-and-rescue burdens and partnerships for historic property management; Director Mary Mertz described capacity constraints, existing partnerships, and said resource constraints — not capability — are the central issue.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
Department aids discharged individuals with healthcare, ID, voter registration, jobs, and housing resources
WARREN CO. R-III, School Districts, Missouri
Warrenton High School’s Warriors beat the Saint Clair Bulldogs 65-41 in a broadcast game marked by full-court pressure and turnover-fueled transition offense; Warrenton improved to 5-2, announcers said.
Wallingford-Swarthmore SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
At the Educational Affairs Committee's first meeting of 2025, administrators presented progress on the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District strategic plan and outlined next steps on diversity, curriculum, wellness and facilities work.
Travis County Court, Texas Courts, Judicial, Texas
A magistrate at Travis County Central Booking reviewed defendants' rights, outlined bond options and set bail or release conditions for multiple arrestees, including a temporary emergency protection order in one aggravated-assault case.
Energy and Natural Resources, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Ohio
Director Mary Mertz told the committee ODNR increased well-plugging from roughly dozens per year to over 400 last year and aims for 500 this year, citing contractor availability and a statutory public-safety prioritization as key factors.
2024 Introduced Bills, Senate, 2024 Bills, Illinois Legislation Bills, Illinois
Illinois establishes compensation structures for incarcerated teachers and peer educators beginning January 2025.
South Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia
The South Charleston City Council voted to repeal Ordinance No. 2218 and adopt a new ordinance establishing fees for public records requests, clarifying allowable copy charges and retaining state-law exemptions on staff time and certain security-sensitive records.
Shelby County, School Boards, Kentucky
An unidentified school staff member announced that heavy snow will close schools Monday, central office will be closed, and teachers and families should prepare for Nontraditional Instruction (NTI) if closures continue.
Energy and Natural Resources, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Ohio
Director Mary Mertz told the House Natural Resources Committee that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources manages extensive lands and programs statewide, outlined 11 divisions, and highlighted visitor, licensing and staffing statistics as the agency prepares budget requests.
Events, Guam
At the 18th Mayor's Council of Guam inauguration ceremony, newly elected mayors and vice mayors took the oath of office; the event included remarks from the Mayor's Council executive director and the governor and a musical program.
Events, Broward County, Florida
During the public‑comment period at a recent Coconut Creek City Commission meeting, residents praised a Zero Waste policy and a new single‑use plastic ordinance that commenters said bans expanded polystyrene at city facilities, events and properties and prohibits outdoor release of confetti, glitter and balloons.
Middletown, Orange County, New York
Assemblywoman Paula Elaine Kaye took the oath of office in Middletown on Jan. 1 and said she has drafted a bill to require bail for crimes involving opioids and fentanyl; she also outlined plans for three constituent offices and staff to serve the 100th Assembly District.
Madison County, Iowa
Supervisors agreed to begin budget work sessions sooner than usual because department budget sheets are delayed and potential legislative caps on property taxes threaten revenue; the board also discussed inviting a grant‑writing firm and an ISAC IT assessment to identify grant opportunities and cyber vulnerabilities.
Events, Broward County, Florida
Residents at a City of Coconut Creek public comment session expressed support for a newly adopted zero-waste ordinance that restricts distribution of single-use plastics and changes how restaurants provide utensils and condiments.
Madison County, Iowa
At a regular meeting, the Madison County Board of Supervisors appointed Heather Stanzel as chair, named Diane Fitch and Jessica Hobbs vice chairs, assigned supervision of county facilities and approved representation to multiple outside boards; routine items including designation of the official newspaper and a winery liquor license also passed.
Madison City, Madison County, Alabama
Library leadership reported high circulation and program activity, said the library serves a population of more than 100,000 on a reported per-capita budget of $6.29, and the board accepted two resignations and offered an outreach and adult-programming position to Lauren Tubbs.
Events, Volusia County, Florida
A member of a Deltona-based band described the group's recent EP release, Nashville nominations, and an upcoming local performance, urging residents to attend a Saturday show at Deltona Bridal from 7 to 9 p.m.
Council Rock SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
Consultants from CHA and Schrader Group presented a facilities assessment, five‑year capital plan and enrollment projections (Proper GIS) showing modest districtwide growth over 10 years and capacity pressures at several middle schools; board members discussed options including 6th‑grade centers, renovations, and financing strategies.
Delaware County, Indiana
Delaware County officials warned of a winter storm Jan. 5 that could bring 3–7 inches of snow, advised residents to avoid nonemergency 911 calls and to check local travel advisories online.
Layton City Council, Layton, Davis County, Utah
Layton City Council on Jan. 2 adopted an interlocal agreement with the Utah Department of Transportation to create a Transportation Reinvestment Zone around the Gordon Avenue and Highway 89 intersection.
Council Rock SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
Facilities staff recommended a five-year landscaping services agreement with Digidio Contractors for $148,855 total; committee asked questions about scope and staffing before agreeing to place the item on the board monthly agenda.
Speakers at a meeting welcomed Panasonic's new Customer Experience Center in Hoffman Estates, saying the center will showcase technology and employees; no formal actions or dates were recorded in the transcript.