Illinois Quick Hits: Grayson gets 20 years for murder | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatally shooting Sonya Massey at her Springfield home in July 2024. After a jury convicted Sean Grayson of second-degree murder Oct. 29, Judge Ryan Cadigan handed down the maximum allowed sentence Thursday. Sonya Massey’s cousin, Sontae […]
Remote marriage license bill faces skepticism from former clerk | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A new Illinois proposal aimed at expanding access to marriage licenses for people with disabilities or serious health conditions is drawing skepticism from a state lawmaker and former county clerk. House Bill 4508 would allow people with disabilities or serious health conditions to apply for a marriage license through a real-time video call […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois gains population for third straight year | Illinois
(The Center Square) – According to new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, Illinois’ population has risen for the third straight year. Data released on Tuesday showed Illinois with an estimated 12,719,141 people on July 1, 2025, up from 12,703,033 the previous year. The state’s number is 16,108 higher than a year ago but 76,207 […]
Three Democrats seeking Illinois U.S. Senate seat debate in Chicago | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Immigration and taxation policies are front and center for Democratic Party candidates seeking to replace Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. The University of Chicago Institute of Politics hosted the debate for three of the 10 Democrats seeking the seat currently held by Durbin, D-Springfield. Illinois U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, D-Matteson, and […]
‘They deserve their story’: Bill aims to open foster care files | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are moving to ensure families adopting children from the state’s foster care system receive complete information about a child’s history, including medical, educational, and counseling records, at least 30 days before an adoption is finalized. The bill, recently introduced by state Sen. Darby Hills, R-Barrington Hills, also guarantees former foster youth […]
Attorneys review Chicago Teachers Union audits following congressional request | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union says it has complied with a U.S. House committee’s request to release financial audits, but attorneys challenging the union in court say they are still reviewing the documents. On Oct. 8, 2024, the Liberty Justice Center filed a lawsuit in Cook County circuit court on behalf of […]
Illinois lawmakers clash over ICE funding as DHS bill advances | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman broke with a faction of moderate Democrats recently by voting against a Department of Homeland Security funding bill that includes billions for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, drawing sharp criticism from a Republican state lawmaker as immigration enforcement remains a flashpoint in Illinois. U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Rockford, said he […]
Pritzker says $481.6 million put in reserves, GOP questions state spending | Illinois
(The Center Square) – One day after an Illinois state representative said there was no budget transparency from J.B. Pritzker’s office, the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget said it identified $481.6 million in reserves. The governor issued an executive order last September directing state agencies to reserve up to 4% of their general fund […]
Illinois Quick Hits: U.S. rep proposes restriction on housing purchases | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, has introduced legislation to restrict large institutional investment firms from buying single-family homes. Following an executive order from President Donald Trump, the American Family Housing Act applies to companies with more than $100 billion in assets under management. Miller says the legislation will put an […]
Illinois House returns to session with plans for SAFE-T Act, Israel, taxes | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Higher taxes, the SAFE-T Act and state policy regarding Israel may all be on the table as the Illinois House returns to business. State representatives returned to Springfield on Tuesday for their first House session this year. The Illinois Senate met briefly last week. Republican state Rep. Mike Coffey held a […]