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 […]
Bipartisan commission votes to release report on former rep’s misconduct | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Illinois Legislative Ethics Commission voted unanimously Thursday to release an investigative report from the Legislative Inspector General about former state Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield. Benton was accused of sexual harassment by a staffer in 2023, with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch criticized by Republicans for not taking action on […]
Pritzker says felon was unlucky to land in his back yard | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says electronic monitoring of a suspect on pretrial release did not work in the case of a ten-time convicted felon who was arrested in the governor’s back yard. Dwayne Milton, 46, was on electronic monitoring for a retail theft case when state police detained him at Pritzker’s Chicago […]
Illinois quick hits: Benton’s replacement chosen; gas prices resume climb | Illinois
Benton’s replacement chosen Jessica Dixon Heitman was chosen unanimously to replace former state Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, in the 97th House District early Monday evening by the Democratic Representative Committee in the district. Heitman said she hopes to bring her values of “ethics, civility, fiscal responsibility and justice” in her role as state representative for […]
Details show Speaker delayed lawmaker misconduct action | Illinois
(The Center Square) – New investigative reporting revealed last week that Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch knew of misconduct by a now-resigned lawmaker far longer than previously known, raising questions from some on his commitment to a safe working environment. In the Chicago Tribune investigation, reporters spoke with a former staffer of state Rep. […]
Illinois may bring early warning of toll costs ahead of proposed rate hike | Illinois
(The Center Square) – While Illinois contemplates raising prices on tollways across the state, one state lawmaker wants increased transparency for drivers. State Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Barrington Hills, announced he plans to introduce the “Truth in Toll Transparency Act,” which he said will give drivers on Illinois tollways a more advanced warning of the cost […]
Chicago delays vote on parking meter sale, risks litigation | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A long-awaited vote from the Chicago City Council to move forward with approving the sale of the city’s parking meter infrastructure between two private entities has again been delayed. After weeks of back and forth, aldermen in Chicago have likely kicked the approval of the controversial sale months down the road, […]
Secretary of State dismisses calls for clarity on migrant’s license status | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Illinois Secretary of State is pushing back against claims from conservatives that his department has issued drivers licenses to non-citizens using false documents. In a video this week, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias addressed claims made by U.S. Reps. Mary Miller, R-Ill. And Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, along with former state […]