‘Farm Bill’ may ease cost burden for farmers; Ag groups urge US Senate action | National
(The Center Square) – Many farm-focused organizations say they support a GOP-led legislative package on agriculture that narrowly passed through the U.S. House. The Illinois Farm Bureau has urged the U.S. Senate to get to work on passing the Food, Farm and National Security Act of 2026, commonly referred to as the “Farm Bill.” It would […]
Illinois lawmaker warns medical records bill could delay care | Illinois
(The Center Square) – State lawmakers are clashing over an Illinois proposal that would restrict how certain sensitive medical information is shared, with supporters arguing it protects patient privacy and critics warning it could jeopardize care. House Bill 5295, also known as the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act, would require health providers to segregate records related […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Civic federation funds ‘persistent structural imbalance’ in Illinois | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A new Civic Federation report has identified a persistent structural imbalance in the Illinois budget, with expenditures projected to grow faster than core revenues. The Chicago-based government research organization examined how Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2027 advances the state’s goals for financial stability. The report said Illinois’ […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Gas prices rise again | Illinois
(The Center Square) – AAA says the average price for regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois has jumped 14 cents in one day. The organization’s daily gas prices website listed the average per-gallon price at $4.67 on Thursday, up from $4.53 the day before. The Illinois average one year ago was $3.41. Iowa and Missouri remain […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-East St. Louis librarian sentenced for fraud, theft | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The former director of the East St. Louis public library has been sentenced to 15 months in prison and ordered to pay $102,249 in restitution after she pleaded guilty to embezzling money from the library and from the Illinois Department of Human Services. Kenyada T. Harris, 42, pleaded guilty in March […]
Congressional progressives introduce $25 federal minimum wage plan | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Progressive lawmakers in Washington D.C. introduced legislationTuesday that would increase he federal minimum wage to $25 per hour. The proposal – put forward by of Illinois members of Congress – could have severe impacts on businesses across the country, according to critics. U.S. Reps. Delia Ramirez, D-IL, Chuy Garcia, D-IL, and […]
Deferred maintenance blamed in I-64 bridge hole | Illinois
(The Center Square) – State transportation officials say repairs are underway after a large hole developed on an Interstate 64 bridge, while a government watchdog argues the incident reflects broader issues with infrastructure funding and maintenance. According to Paul Wappel, a public information officer with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the agency first became aware of […]
Return on investment questioned as Chicago Red Line construction begins | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Taxpayers are facing a hefty price tag as construction begins on a long-anticipated Chicago Transit Authority project on Chicago’s Far South Side. At a groundbreaking ceremony for the CTA Red Line extension Friday, Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said he and then-Sen. Barack Obama put an earmark in a bill 18 […]
Illinois Rep faces investigation over sexual harassment | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A state representative embattled with allegations of sexual harassment returned to Springfield this week after being stripped of all committee assignments and ousted from the Democratic caucus. After a long week of legislative session, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Westchester, held a press conference to discuss the ‘megaprojects’ bill thaty passed […]
Pritzker: ‘Need for speed’ for megaprojects bill with tax breaks | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says there is a need for speed when it comes to the Chicago Bears and megaprojects legislation that provides tax breaks for the National Football League team. The governor spoke at Northwestern University in Evanston on Friday and was asked about the team wanting changes to House Bill […]