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Illinois quick hits: New firearms data dashboard; bill requires voter ID

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Stellantis plans to build new trucks in Belvedere

Chrysler parent Stellantis is moving forward with plans to build a new midsize pickup truck in Belvidere. In August, Stellantis said it was delaying its planned investments at the Illinois plant.

Stellantis in 2023 agreed to build a new $3.2 billion battery plant and invest $1.5 billion in Belvidere to build new midsize trucks by 2027.

The Belvidere factory has been a battleground for the United Auto Workers union since its six-week strike against Detroit’s automakers in late 2023.

New firearms data dashboard

The Illinois Department of Public Health has launched a new dashboard detailing information about all violent deaths and firearm-related injuries in the state.

The new dashboard is intended to provide detailed information at the county level about the incidents, including the types of incidents, weapon type and where victims reside, broken down by county.

Officials said the goal of the dashboard is to inform data-driven prevention and intervention efforts to reduce violent deaths and firearm injuries in Illinois.

Bill requires voter ID

Illinois state Sen. Chapin Rose is introducing a new bill that he says will help make voting go smoother.

The measure would require voters to start using a photo ID in order to cast a ballot. Currently, IDs are not required to cast a ballot unless you are also registering to vote at that time.

Rose said making the change will help cut back on mistakes and hopefully get people in and out faster.