LaSalle County resolution draws criticism amid debate over lawmaker’s Sharia bill | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker is defending legislation aimed at preventing foreign legal systems from overriding constitutional rights, while an Illinois Family Institute contributor argues that a recent LaSalle County resolution condemning Sharia law could undermine legitimate scrutiny of a proposed Fox River resort development. State Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, introduced House […]
Taxpayers fund expanded bike, bus lane enforcement | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago is expanding its camera system to enforce bus and bike lane regulations, with help from a taxpayer-funded transit agency created by state government. Mayor Brandon Johnson announced on Friday that the Smart Streets pilot program has collected more $3 million in revenue since it launched in 2024. “The goal of […]
Groups remain alert as DOJ plan swaps armed agents for observers at polls | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Ahead of the midterm election, Department of Justice filings revealed the federal government won’t send immigration or FBI agents to state polling places. President Donald Trump and members of his administration floated the idea they might send Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agents to observe Tuesday’s election in the […]
Chicago aldermen fight Johnson’s $17.6B budget | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago City Council members are grilling department heads over Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed $17.6 billion budget for 2027, setting up what could be a contentious road to the Dec. 31 deadline. Johnson’s plan sits about $900 million above the 2026 budget and aims to bridge an $882 million shortfall through polarizing […]
Report author: Illinois has ‘unique’ debt problem | Illinois
(The Center Square) – According to a new report, Illinois is one of five states with more than $30,000 in debt per capita. Mariana Trujillo, managing director of government finance at Reason Foundation, said state, county and local governments and school districts are accumulating a lot of unfunded obligations. “So this means there’s a share […]
Pritzker says head tax signals employers to not hire | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has reiterated his opposition to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposal to impose a monthly head tax on employers. The governor also said on Thursday he does not expect the state to provide supplemental funding to Chicago Public Schools this fall. Flanked by several state lawmakers, Pritzker spoke on […]
WATCH: Authorities investigate disruption of OCTOBER 7 play | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Coalition Against Antisemitism at Northwestern University has called on multiple levels of government to investigate the disruption of a play called “OCTOBER 7” at Cahn Auditorium on the school’s Evanston campus. The performance on the evening of Oct. 6 was hosted by Northwestern Hillel and dramatized verbatim testimony from survivors of […]
Mayor plots $20M from catalyst fund for development | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says his administration will repurpose $20 million in taxpayer money from a dormant city fund to spur investment in community centers, recreational spaces and other resources. The city’s Office of Inspector General discovered more than $57 million in the dormant Community Catalyst Fund earlier this year. After […]
Landlords say registration question on ballot could raise taxes | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Next week, Springfield voters will choose whether to accept or deny a ballot question guiding the city on creating a landlord registry across the capital city. A proposal, backed by many community groups, seeks to create a registry as increasing complaints of single-family and multi-unit rental properties have gone unmaintained or […]
Incumbent Johnson, Giannoulias, others file petitions to run for Chicago mayor | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson turned in the required signatures to the Chicago Board of Elections Friday for him to run for reelection, officially joining the crowded field of candidates in doing so. Johnson, the city’s 37th mayor, a progressive who was elected by 51% of the vote to lead the city […]