News Around Illinois - January 16, 2020

Today's headlines come from Illinois Public Radio, Illinois Newsroom and the Associated Press. Get news updates from across the state 24/7 at illinoisnewsroom.org.

School Nurses Can Treat With CBD Now

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois has distributed some 94,000 medical marijuana licenses, and about 600 of those went to children under the age of 18. A new law allows school nurses and officials to administer such medications on campus, at school activities, or even on a school bus. No school personnel will be required to administer these meds. A State Board of Education webinar assured educators they wouldn’t have to flout federal law.  Students would have to provide a variety of documentation, including a registry identification card, two signed certifications from healthcare professionals, and parental permission. - Brian Mackey, Illinois Public Radio

Some Tax Revenue From Cannabis Sales To Help Communities 

URBANA - It’s called the Restore, Reinvest and Renew, or R3 program. A quarter of all cannabis tax revenues will be diverted to the program, with the mission of reinvesting in communities most harmed by the war on drugs. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s office spearheads the initiative. Speaking on WILL's "The 21st show", she says the program will award grants to a variety of community-based organizations.  “Legal aid services, reentry programs, other opportunities for economic development, making sure we think about violence prevention," said Stratton. Stratton says her office has identified the communities that will be eligible for the funding. The next step she says is to educate them about the program — and help community-based organizations prepare strong grant proposals. - Lee Gaines, Illinois Newsroom

University of Illinois Administrators Seek A Tuition Hike

CHICAGO  — University of Illinois administrators have recommended raising tuition costs for in-state freshmen for the first time in six years. Under the recommendation, freshmen entering the university for the 2020-21 academic year would pay 1.8% more to attend the Urbana-Champaign and Chicago campuses, and 1% more to attend the Springfield campus. In a statement released Wednesday, the university says the proposed tuition hike will strengthen efforts to attract and retain faculty across the University of Illinois system in response to record-high enrollment. - Associated Press

Senators Demand Review Of Army Reserve Sexual Assaults

MADISON, Wis. — Two Democratic senators are demanding that Army officials investigate allegations that leaders of a reserve unit mishandled sexual assault complaints and ignored protocols. Illinois Sens. Richard Durbin and Tammy Duckworth sent a letter to Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy on Wednesday demanding the review. The senators cited an Associated Press story last week about allegations that commanders in the Illinois-based 416th Theater Engineer Command improperly opened internal investigations into at least two cases, failed to hold monthly sexual assault management meetings and suspended a victim advocate who reported the shortcomings to Army investigators. - Associated Press

Billionaire Businesswoman Penny Pritzker Endorses Joe Biden

WASHINGTON — A major Democratic fundraiser and former commerce secretary under President Barack Obama has endorsed Joe Biden for president. The former vice president's campaign announced the endorsement of billionaire businesswoman Penny Pritzker on Wednesday. Pritzker's support could give Biden a considerable fundraising boost. Pritzker is an heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune and played an instrumental role in Obama's rise, helping him raise money for his Senate campaign and his 2008 presidential primary campaign against Hillary Clinton. Pritzker served as Obama's commerce secretary from 2013 until he left office. Pritzker praises Biden's years of Washington experience and joins a list of Obama administration officials who have endorsed Biden. - Associated Press