Special investigation petition filed in Springfield after rep’s indictment | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Illinois House will convene a special investigative committee after 11 House Republicans filed paperwork Friday. House Speaker Emmanuel “Chris” Welch announced the committee late Friday afternoon, saying the House will follow its rules while it investigates Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Champaign. A federal grand jury indicted Ammons earlier this week on […]
School reviews paraprofessional’s social media post about Trump | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A Putnam County Community Unit School District #535 paraprofessional is facing criticism after a social media post referencing President Donald Trump and Air Force One circulated online, prompting questions about school employee conduct outside the classroom and calls from a parent advocacy organization for accountability. The post gained wider attention after […]
Board releases guidance for use of AI in Illinois classrooms | Illinois
(The Center Square) – In the wake of new state laws regulating artificial intelligence, the Illinois State Board of Education released new guidance on how AI tools and technology should and shouldn’t be used in the classroom and on campuses. The guidance comes in response to a bill passed last year, requiring the board to […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois offers disaster tax relief | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue announced disaster tax relief for individuals and businesses in 11 counties affected by weather-related events between March 10 and June 21. Taxpayers in the counties included in the governor’s recent disaster proclamation may request a waiver of penalties and interest if severe […]
Chicago mayor says head tax would have prevented deficit | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says his proposed corporate head tax would have prevented his administration’s projected budget shortfall of more than $130 million. The mayor announced the projected deficit in this year’s $16.7 billion budget Tuesday and said there were other options. “The corporate head tax, which was projected to bring […]
Seven more counties consider separation, creating new state | Illinois
(The Center Square0 – Voters in seven Illinois counties have a chance to join 33 others that approved referendums to consider forming a new state apart from Cook County. Measures will be on the ballot this November in Coles, Gallatin, Hamilton, Henderson, Macoupin, Monroe and Saline counties. State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, said citizens are […]
500-plus fugitives arrested across two states | Illinois
(The Center Square) – More than 400 fugitives have been arrested in Illinois, and another 117 in Missouri, over the last two months. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois said recently that 305 fugitives were brought into custody since May 1. U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros said 11 federal agencies worked together […]
New statewide tenant law signed; Chicago seeks to push further | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law into effect that lawmakers say intends to increase renter protections statewide. Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has his eyes set on a sweeping ordinance worrying many landlords. The state law specifically targets undisclosed and “junk” fees that some tenants may not see on their […]
Ex-security officials thank Pritzker for not deploying Guard to America’s 250th | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A group of 19 former national security officials signed a letter to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, thanking him for refusing to deploy Illinois National Guard troops to D.C. for the country’s 250th anniversary at the president’s request. Retired Maj. Gen. Randy Manner, formerly the acting vice chief of the National Guard […]
Pritzker defends state ban on semiautomatic weapons | Illinois
(The Center Square) – After the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to consider a case challenging Cook County’s ban on semiautomatic weapons, Gov. J.B. Pritzker cited the 2022 Highland Park parade shooting as a reason why Illinois’ statewide ban should be upheld. The governor spoke at a cannabis dispensary in Chicago on Thursday, two days after […]