Illinois proposal aims to improve detection of potentially staged deaths | Illinois
(The Center Square) – State Sen. Craig Wilcox, R-Woodstock, says too many deaths initially ruled as suicides may actually be homicides, and he is pushing legislation to change how those cases are handled across Illinois. Wilcox’s proposal, Senate Bill 1781, would require additional training for law enforcement and stricter scrutiny of deaths when there is a […]
Inspector: Chicago finance department lacks tools to collect $8.1 billion owed | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago’s inspector general says the city is owed at least $8.1 billion and lacks the tools to collect the money. A new report from Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg said the city’s finance department is responsible for managing the debt but is not well-equipped to manage it. “Department of Finance lacks […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Feds put card swipe fees prohibition on hold | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has released notice of a pending order to preempt the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act. The state law scheduled to take effect on July 1 would prohibit banks and credit card companies from charging swipe fees on the tax and […]
Illinois unions seek to kill Waymo-friendly bill in Springfield | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Leadership and rank-and-file from multiple labor unions called on lawmakers to kill legislation aimed at welcoming autonomous vehicles onto Illinois roads Tuesday, saying it could have severe impacts on the economy. Companies behind the driverless car technology claim their systems make roads safer, and present fewer accidents compared to human drivers. […]
Illinois Quick Hits: $3M in taxpayer funds go to Chicago neighborhood center | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers have provided $3 million for a new neighborhood center on Chicago’s Southwest Side. Gov. J.B. Pritkzer and several state legislators attended the ribbon cutting for the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council on Monday. The governor said the council was on the front lines of the battle when the community faced […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Federal data shows Illinois economy grew in fourth quarter | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis says Illinois’ gross domestic product grew 1.1% in the fourth quarter of 2025. The only state bordering Illinois to show more growth was Iowa at 1.8%. North Dakota led the nation with 3.8% growth in the fourth quarter. CHICAGO CARJACKER SENTENCED A federal […]
Illinois bill would mandate infant allergy coverage, with unclear cost impact | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois proposal to require insurance coverage for infant allergy prevention is raising questions about potential costs, even as supporters argue it could reduce long-term health spending. State Sen. Darby Hills is backing Illinois Senate Bill 4182, which would require most insurance plans to cover a six-month supply of egg and peanut […]
Pritzker, GOP candidate say they support a free press, differ on tax credits | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he supports a strong, free press, but Republican Darren Bailey’s running mate says taxpayer dollars should not be spent on partisan outlets. Pritzker spoke at the Illinois Local News Summit in Chicago on Friday and said Illinois was the first state in the nation to launch a […]
Experts, lawmakers critical of Illinois ethics in the wake of Madigan appeals | Illinois
(The Center Square) – In the wake of new legal proceedings in a high-profile Illinois corruption case, attempts to reform ethics requirements for state officials have weakend but not stopped. Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, D-Chicago, is appealing his conviction that led to his seventh-and-a-half year sentence in federal prison. Madigan was found guilty on 10 […]
Answers wanted to ‘pathetic’ state procurement issues | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Lawmakers say Illinois-based businesses are getting work in other states but struggling to get business in their home state. The state’s chief procurement officers appeared before the Illinois Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday. State Sen. Elgie Sims Jr, D-Chicago, said Illinois-based companies get work in Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Texas, Florida and […]