Chicago downtown office space vacancy rate jumps to record high levels | Illinois
(The Center Square) – With Chicago’s downtown office vacancy rate now at a record-high 28%, Illinois Policy Institute researcher LyLena Estabine says city policymakers have become their own worse enemy when it comes to addressing the area’s changing demographics. New data shows Loop vacancies ballooned over the recent third quarter as post-pandemic work trends continue […]
Voting rights group warns CA redistricting push could undermine trust in IL | Illinois
(THE CENTer Square) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging states like Illinois to redraw congressional maps, but voting rights group CHANGE Illinois warns that such pressure risks undermining transparency and public trust in the redistricting process. In his Proposition 50 victory speech, Newsom criticized President Donald Trump and urged states to “meet the moment.” […]
Trump blasts cost overruns at Obama Presidential Center in Chicago | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago is back in the mind of President Donald Trump, but this time the commander-in-chief’s focus is on delays and cost overruns at the Obama Presidential Center. While campaigning for Democratic Party political candidates, former President Barack Obama criticized Trump over White House renovation projects and reductions in federal food assistance. […]
Report: IL public schools show low academic proficiency, higher taxpayer funding | Illinois
(The CEnter Square) – The latest education statistics indicate stagnant proficiency for public school students in Illinois, despite dramatic increases in taxpayer funding. Kelsey Bakken, director of policy for Advance Illinois, said the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data shows stagnant academic proficiency for Illinois public school students. “Only about a third of […]
Illinois quick hits: $20 million for Alton housing project; alleged migrant assaults reported | Illinois
$20 million for Alton housing project Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Housing Development Authority announced the opening of a $20 million housing development offering 40 new rental homes in Madison County. Funding for the Community of Sunnybrook in Alton included 1.5 million Low-Income Housing Tax Credits generating $12.3 million in equity, a $6.7 million […]
Illinois quick hits: Raoul touts grand funding injunction; trooper’s vehicle struck | Illinois
Raoul touts grand funding injunction Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is touting a permanent injunction from a Rhode Island federal district judge against the U.S. Department of Transportation from imposing immigration enforcement requirements for billions of dollars in federal funding. Last year, Illinois was awarded more than $2 billion in DOT funds. Trooper’s vehicle struck […]
WATCH: Coalition sues to protect student loan forgiveness | National
(The Center Square) – Democratic attorney generals from 22 jurisdictions sued the U.S. Department of Education Monday over its new rule limiting Public Student Loan Forgiveness for government and nonprofit workers. The PSLF program was passed in 2007 with bipartisan support as part of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. Under the law signed by […]
IL Senate approves Department of Corrections director despite fierce opposition | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Despite a myriad of ongoing issues at the Illinois Department of Corrections, state senators approved the nomination of Acting Director Latoya Hughes to stay in charge with a six-figure salary. Gov. J.B. Pritzker appointed Hughes as IDOC’s acting director in April 2023. During the second-to-last day of the General Assembly’s fall […]
Illinois soybean farmers face uncertainty amid MAHA push against seed oils | Illinois
Illinois soybean farmers face a potential market shakeup if public sentiment, and eventually policy, turns against seed oils, experts warn. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now Trump’s Health and Human Services secretary, has been outspoken about reshaping America’s diet, saying in a video that Trump has promised him “control of the public health agencies.” “We’ve […]
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker to sign tax, toll increases to bail out transit | Illinois
Pritzker to sign tax, toll increases to bail out transit Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he looks forward to signing public transit legislation into law. The General Assembly passed the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act in the final hours of the fall veto session early Friday. The bill authorizes the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to raise […]