Illinois lawmaker promotes welfare water aid bill as critics raise concerns over federal expansion | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A proposal to permanently restore a federal water assistance program is drawing criticism from policy analysts who say it would further expand an already costly federal welfare system, even as supporters argue it is needed to prevent water shutoffs for low-income households. U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Moline,posted a statement on X […]
Taxpayer cost questions surround push for suicide prevention measures on I-74 Bridge | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Suicide prevention advocates are renewing calls for safety measures on the Interstate 74 Bridge, arguing that barriers, crisis hotline signage and emergency call boxes could help save lives and reduce suicide attempts. Jon Zumkehr, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 4070, said the effort aims to start a broader […]
Ex-cops blast Chicago mayor’s new agency | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is not saying exactly how much taxpayers will pay for his new Office of Gun Violence Reduction, but he wants another $20 million to fund jobs for young people. The mayor signed an executive order Thursday to establish the new office, saying the agency would be tasked […]
DHS secretary blasts Illinois correctional centers | Illinois
(The Center Square) – U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is calling out state correctional facilities after he faced questions from an Illinois congresswoman about conditions at Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers. Illinois U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville, questioned Mullin during a homeland security oversight hearing in Washington on Thursday. “Secretary Mullin, since Donald […]
Illinois wheat harvest looks good despite storms | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Most Illinois wheat escaped damage from severe storms across the state, but recent rainfall could affect crops not already harvested. Tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, wind, hail and flooding all impacted many parts of Illinois in recent weeks. Illinois Wheat Association President Tracy Heuerman said the wheat harvest is about done in the […]
Damage costs still being assessed from record tornado numbers | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The National Weather Service has confirmed a record 149 tornadoes have touched down in Illinois this year, but who ends up paying the cost for damage often remains unclear. Those costs can be spread out between residents, governments, businesses and insurance companies. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday discussed the impacts […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Tornado kills 2 in Jefferson County | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Two people are dead and at least five are injured after a tornado touched down in the northeastern part of Jefferson County on Sunday night. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s office said in a news release that the two fatalities occurred in separate single wide trailers that were destroyed. More than 20 […]
Illinois congressmen worry as DHS Secretary seeks to ‘protect election integrity’ | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A potential plan to deploy federal immigration agents to polling places this fall is illegal and would suppress voters, an Illinois congressman warned this week, while demanding answers from top brass at the Department of Homeland Security. In a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., warned […]
Lawmaker says Pritzker reacted too quickly to Grant Park cross burning | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois state Rep. Chris Miller says Gov. J.B. Pritzker should address the political motivations behind a Grant Park cross burning after the University of Illinois Chicago student accused in the incident said it was intended as a protest against the Trump administration. Pritzker condemned the June 10 incident on social media […]
Illinois sees biggest drop in gas prices nationwide, still above $4 average | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The national average price for a gallon of motor fuel has steadily dropped in the past week, falling below $4 for the first time since the end of March. Illinoisans have, as a result, also seen lower prices at the pump. Illinois’ average cost per gallon Friday was $4.24, higher than […]