SCOTUS gives U.S. solicitor general permission to argue against gun ban | Connecticut
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Supreme Court has granted a motion for the U.S. Solicitor General to participate in oral arguments in a case challenging gun bans in Cook County, Illinois, and Connecticut, the court announced Monday. The consolidated case Viramontes v. Cook County is set to be heard Dec. 2 by justices on the […]
Flu shots to children under anesthesia raises questions about parental consent | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A Chicago children’s hospital is offering flu vaccines to children while they are under anesthesia for surgery or other scheduled procedures, a practice a state lawmaker and pediatric anesthesiologist says can be appropriate when parents provide informed consent. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago announced last month that […]
Chicago festival grounds proposal raises questions over benefits | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago voters overwhelmingly voted Tuesday in support of a permanent festival grounds for the city in a non-binding ballot question. While there was support, the question may have left some with more questions about the proposal. The question, which asked if it should have its own festival grounds on publicly owned […]
CPS, schools statewide want more taxpayer funds from legislature | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Despite the state’s increased funding to public school districts in the budget, school districts want state lawmakers to find more taxpayer money to fund their operations. The Illinois House Appropriations committee on Elementary & Secondary Education on Thursday had a hearing on the future of the state’s Evidence-Based Funding program, which […]
Separation referendum now approved by 44+ Illinois counties | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Voters in 44 Illinois counties plus 11 townships in a 45th have now approved a referendum to consider separating from Cook County and forming a new state. Eleven townships in Adams County joined Coles, Gallatin, Hamilton, Henderson, Macoupin, McDonough, Monroe, Piatt, Saline, Warren and Washington counties by voting on Tuesday in […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Dems plan to end ‘tariff taxes’ | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Incumbent Illinois members of Congress held their seats in Tuesday’s elections, and Democrats kept control of every district where there was no incumbent on the ballot. The newly-elected Dems are Daniel Biss, La Shawn Ford, Patty Garcia, Donna Miller and Melissa Bean, who returns to Congress after previously holding the Eighth […]
LaSalle County resolution draws criticism amid debate over lawmaker’s Sharia bill | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker is defending legislation aimed at preventing foreign legal systems from overriding constitutional rights, while an Illinois Family Institute contributor argues that a recent LaSalle County resolution condemning Sharia law could undermine legitimate scrutiny of a proposed Fox River resort development. State Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, introduced House […]
Taxpayers fund expanded bike, bus lane enforcement | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago is expanding its camera system to enforce bus and bike lane regulations, with help from a taxpayer-funded transit agency created by state government. Mayor Brandon Johnson announced on Friday that the Smart Streets pilot program has collected more $3 million in revenue since it launched in 2024. “The goal of […]
Groups remain alert as DOJ plan swaps armed agents for observers at polls | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Ahead of the midterm election, Department of Justice filings revealed the federal government won’t send immigration or FBI agents to state polling places. President Donald Trump and members of his administration floated the idea they might send Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agents to observe Tuesday’s election in the […]
Chicago aldermen fight Johnson’s $17.6B budget | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago City Council members are grilling department heads over Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed $17.6 billion budget for 2027, setting up what could be a contentious road to the Dec. 31 deadline. Johnson’s plan sits about $900 million above the 2026 budget and aims to bridge an $882 million shortfall through polarizing […]