Exclusive: Stratton talks Trump, filibuster, the far-left as early voting begins | Illinois
(The Center Square) – With early voting in Illinois underway in most jurisdictions, Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton – the Democrat hopeful to replace Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., in Congress – sat down with The Center Square to discuss politics, policies and goals for the seat if she wins the race. Stratton, a former state representative, […]
Orland Park shooting highlights role of concealed carry in self-defense | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The shooting of an alleged armed robber by an Illinois concealed-carry license holder at an Orland Park gas station highlights the potential role of lawfully armed citizens during violent encounters, according to John Boch of Guns Save Life. Boch said the surveillance video made the circumstances particularly clear to him. “The […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois congresswomen respond to Supreme Court ruling | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Members of the Illinois congressional delegation offered partisan responses to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision temporarily allowing the Trump administration to use a federal database that verifies whether voters are eligible to participate in an election. Democratic U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez said in a social media post it is disappointing that […]
Alleged recording of minor raises SAFE-T Act concerns | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A state senator and former prosecutor says crimes involving the abuse or exploitation of children should be detainable under Illinois’ SAFE-T Act. Dagoberto Diaz, 48, a teacher at Carl Sandburg Middle School and girls volleyball coach at Mundelein High School, was released Wednesday after being charged with unauthorized video recording of […]
Legislation proposed to dismantle DHS, divert funding | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois congresswoman says new legislation to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection will pour $150 billion into communities around the country. Illinois U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, announced the Reimagining Safety Act at a news conference in Chicago on Wednesday. Ramirez said the legislation would […]
OT, settlements fuel Chicago police overspending | Illinois
(The Center Square) – According to a new report, the Chicago Police Department has far overspent its budget in recent years, thanks mainly to overtime and court settlements. Analysis from the Better Government Association said CPD spent $145.8 million more than the department’s budgeted $1.9 billion in 2025. BGA Senior Policy Analyst Geoffrey Cubbage said […]
Chicago mayor says environmental justice ‘necessary’ for data centers | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The mayor of Chicago says data center policy must be looked at through the lens of environmental justice. Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke in New York on Monday at “Powering Justice: Data Centers and Building a Just Digital Future,” a panel discussion led by the NAACP Center for Environmental and Climate Justice […]
IL homelessness prevention costs taxpayers over $600 million | Illinois
(The Center Square) – State and federal taxpayers are poised to spend more than $600 million on homeless prevention efforts in Illinois during the current fiscal year. A report released earlier this month by the Interagency Task Force on Homelessness and the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness said overall homelessness declined 6% between 2025 and […]
Illinois lawmaker pushes back on Durbin over immigration terminology, work permits | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker is pushing back against U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s comments about immigration terminology and work permits for people who are unlawfully present in the United States. State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, the Republican spokesperson for the Illinois House Immigration and Human Rights Committee, said the terminology used to describe […]
Racing board declines bankrupt applicant with track sold to data center builder | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Illinois Racing Board denied a request from Hawthorne Race Course to conduct horse races next year during its monthly meeting. It was not clear how or where the applicants would conduct races, as the Stickney course was sold earlier this year. Illinois Racing Board Executive Director Domenic DiCera said that […]