Don’t count on lower electricity prices in 2026 | Pennsylvania
(The Center Square) – For 67 million people relying on electricity from the regional power grid, PJM, cheaper utility bills in 2026 are little more than a pipe dream. It’s not an unexpected blow, despite moves from the Trump administration and state regulators to keep prices in check. Why? Because there’s simply not enough power […]
Illinois’ safe gun storage law goes into effect Jan. 1 | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Components of Illinois Safe Gun Storage Act go into effect Jan. 1. Supporters of Senate Bill 8, like gun control advocacy group Giffords, say in addition to strengthening existing domestic violence laws and investing $19 million in taxpayer funds to community violence intervention programs, Illinois enacting the safe gun storage law […]
California attorney general joins coalition to protect trans youth in sports | California
(The Center Square) – California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined 12 Democratic attorneys general on Tuesday, submitting an amicus brief opposing a legal challenge to Minnesota’s policies that allow transgender athletes to participate in female sports. The brief was submitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit in Female Athletes United v. […]
Attorneys general sue to keep consumer bureau funded | California
(The Center Square) – Democratic attorneys general from 22 jurisdictions sued the Trump administration Monday over its plans to defund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “We won’t stand by as consumer protections are dismantled,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said during a virtual news conference Monday with the attorneys general from Oregon, Colorado and New […]
Gas prices drop, but taxes make Illinois pricier than Midwest neighbors | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Although Illinois drivers are now paying less at the pump, a state lawmaker says prices would be lower if not for the state’s high gas taxes. According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Illinois dipped below $3 a gallon Friday to $2.99, down from $3.27 […]
Chicago council, ‘starting to legislate,’ sends $16.7 billion budget to mayor | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Chicago City Council has approved a $16.7 billion budget for 2026 and sent it to Mayor Brandon Johnson. Aldermen rejected the mayor’s corporate head tax and passed a spending plan Saturday with higher taxes on cloud computing, liquor and plastic bags. The alternative budget also includes a roughly $1 billion […]
Chicago aldermen pass revenue package, business groups express concern | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago aldermen have approved a revenue package that does not include Mayor Brandon Johnson’s corporate head tax, but business advocates are expressing concerns about the measure’s taxes and fees. The city council passed the revenue ordinance Friday by a vote of 29 to 19. The measure includes higher taxes on alcohol […]
Legislator demands DCFS set record straight on child welfare interns | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A state legislator is demanding the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services correct the record and apologize to families for the use of interns as investigators. Months ago, state Rep. Jed Davis, R-Yorkville, brought the issue into the forefront after he said he found out an investigation leading to a […]
IL House Speaker: ‘not even close’ to school choice legislation | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The speaker of the Illinois House says he would put school choice legislation up for a vote if 60 Democrats in his chamber supported it. Starting in 2027, private donations of up to $1,700 for school choice scholarships will be eligible for 100% federal tax credits. Each state has the choice […]
Illinois tops nation for public sector union political spending | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Commonwealth Foundation Labor and Policy Senior Director David Osborne says Chicago’s growing reputation as the place where public sector unions flex plenty of political muscle is more than well deserved. Osborne points to a new Commonwealth Foundation report highlighting how public sector unions across Illinois spent nearly $30 million on state […]