Grocery store closures reignite debate over taxpayer-funded food access | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The closure of seven Save A Lot grocery stores on Chicago’s South and West sides has renewed debate over whether government subsidies can effectively address food access in underserved neighborhoods, with one free-market policy expert arguing the shutdowns highlight the limits of public intervention. The stores, operated by Yellow Banana, closed […]
Parental rights concerns raised after Illinois expands minors’ access to birth control | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois conservative advocacy group is criticizing a new state law that allows minors to obtain birth control, including implants and IUDs, without parental consent or notification, arguing the measure undermines parental rights and medical oversight. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed SB 3341 into law, allowing minors to independently access contraceptive services, […]
Investigation report into former rep’s sexual harassment released | Illinois
(The Center Square) – After months of investigation and leadership discussions, an investigation report on a former Illinois state lawmaker was released Friday, detailing sexual harrassment allegations. However, one of the female complainants said the report has a number of factual inaccuracies. Following the unanimous vote from the Illinois Legislative Ethics Commission to release Legislative […]
Illinois Quick Hits: New laws signed to protect vulnerable residents | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A package of different laws aimed at creating more protections and independence for vulnerable residents of Illinois was signed into law Thursday. The package of legislation includes laws with bipartisan support, including one that will allow courts to file temporary restraining orders on behalf of elderly adults who are suspected of […]
Privately-funded program launched to address help poverty | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A new program funded by private philanthropy is aimed at asset building for people receiving Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. Build Your Nest is a three-year pilot that allows residents at three affordable housing properties in Chicago to earn up to $1,200 per year in savings. Under the program announced last week […]
Illinois joins $1B lawsuit over DHS election rules, FEMA aid | Illinois
(The Center Square) – With a coalition of 26 states, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined a lawsuit against the federal government to secure more than $1 billion in funds previously appropriated to Illinois by Congress. The money is intended for national security and disaster relief. The core complaint of the lawsuit is against […]
Trump, member states aligned on reform of PJM amid capacity concerns | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The White House and a bipartisan group of governors want significant changes made to how the nation’s largest power grid is managed, including more say from state officials and less from energy suppliers and plant owners. A conference between PJM, which operates a grid between Pennsylvania and the greater Chicagoland area, […]
Illinois quick hits: United delays launch of service at Willard Airport | Illinois
United delays launch of service at Willard Airport United Airlines has pushed back its planned service between Chicago and Champaign-Urbana. University of Illinois-Willard Airport issued a statement saying that the airline would not begin flights to O’Hare in October but promised it remains committed to serving the Champaign-Urbana community. American Airlines continues to provide service […]
Congresswoman aims to flip student screening law | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Universal mental health screenings for Illinois students are scheduled to take effect in 2027, but federal legislation from an Illinois congresswoman could flip the script. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation in July 2025 requiring public school districts to provide the annual screenings for kids in grades 3 through 12, starting in 2027. […]
Illinois quick hits: Gas prices continue slow climb | Illinois
Gas prices continue slow climb The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois is 85 cents higher than it was a year ago. According to AAA, the average price on Friday was $4.26 per gallon, up from $4.15 one week ago and up from $3.41 on July 24, 2025. Every state […]