WATCH: Ex-rep sues Pritzker, Illinois over race-based congressional map | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois’ congressional district map is being challenged over what some argue are unconstitutional racial requirements for districts. A former Republican state representative sued Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the State Board of Elections late last week. Jeanne Ives, a former representative of the state’s 42nd district, brought the case backed by J. […]
Poll site gun ban proposal draws pushback | Illinois
(The Center Square) – State lawmakers want to ban Illinoisans from carrying a gun while at the polls, citing a rise in political violence around elections. Gun rights advocates have taken issue with the proposal, claiming the ban would unconstitutionally prohibit guns in some private residences. House Bill 34 would ban the ability to carry […]
Viral goose egg case fuels debate over abortion | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A viral incident involving a suburban Chicago woman accused of taking protected goose eggs is drawing sharp reactions—not only about wildlife enforcement, but also broader cultural and political debates. According to ABC7 Chicago, Illinois Department of Natural Resources police filed charges after video showed a woman allegedly removing Canada goose eggs […]
Bill to expel students over sexual assault progresses in Springfield | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A measure that would place new rules on Illinois schools requiring a full-year expulsion of a student who commits an act of sexual assault passed the Senate and now heads to the House. Though the Senate passed the bill, some lawmakers had concerns that the bill is an overreach. State Sen. […]
SNAP cuts, Illinois payment errors spark fierce debate | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A Democratic state senator says the federal government is to blame for 150,000 Illinoisans losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, but a Republican senator says Illinois’ high error rate for payments will cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars. During an Illinois Senate Revenue Committee hearing recently, state Sen. Don […]
Illinois Quick Hits: State police investigating 2025 fatal ICE-involved shooting | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois State Police have begun investigating the fatal shooting of Silverio Villegas Gonzalez last September by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Franklin Park. In a statement to The Center Square, ISP said the Franklin Park Police Department requested ISP’s Public Integrity Task Force to investigate. ISP said the […]
Plan would have state taxpayers provide $50M for ICE-impacted businesses | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate is considering legislation that would provide $50 million in state taxpayer funds to businesses affected by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions during Operation Midway Blitz. State Sen. Mike Simmons, D-Chicago, said Senate Bill 2810 would help small businesses make up for lost earnings. “The Illinois Accountability Commission […]
Illinois AI regulations have mild industry support, could draw federal ire | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Experts in artificial intelligence spoke to state lawmakers recently, providing guidance on four bills introduced in the House, which would regulate and unlock legal remedies against AI companies, platforms and products. The new legislation may bring more federal scrutiny to Illinois if lawmakers pass the bills. A repeated point of contention […]
Chicago loses 2,100 restaurant jobs as industry fights mandated wage hikes | Illinois
(The Center Square) – As Chicago’s efforts to phase out sub-minimum wages are proposed nationwide, a restaurant industry advocate says the city’s mandate has led to job losses and empty storefronts. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Chicago’s restaurant industry lost 2,100 jobs in the last year. Illinois Restaurant Association President and CEO […]
‘Farm Bill’ may ease cost burden for farmers; Ag groups urge US Senate action | National
(The Center Square) – Many farm-focused organizations say they support a GOP-led legislative package on agriculture that narrowly passed through the U.S. House. The Illinois Farm Bureau has urged the U.S. Senate to get to work on passing the Food, Farm and National Security Act of 2026, commonly referred to as the “Farm Bill.” It would […]