Illinois Quick Hits: SBA approves disaster declaration for 6 counties | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved a disaster declaration for the severe storms and flooding that impacted six counties in northeastern Illinois from July 2-4. The declaration for Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kendall and McHenry counties will allow homeowners, renters, businesses and certain nonprofit organizations to apply for low-interest loans to help with damages not […]
CTA reopens $25.6M renovated Green Line station with more accessibility | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A stop on the Chicago L’s Green Line reopened Friday following a $25.6 million station renovation. The new renovation is part of the Chicago Transit Authority’s All Stations Accessibility program. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, alongside Gov. J.B. Pritzker cut a ribbon to mark the opening of the Green Line’s Austin Boulevard […]
Johnson waits as mayoral field grows | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The field for Chicago’s mayoral election in 2027 includes more than 10 candidates, but the incumbent has yet to toss his hat in the ring. Philanthropist and businessman Willie Wilson announced plans to launch his fourth campaign for Chicago mayor with an event set for Monday afternoon on the West Side. […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Corn growers express concern as farm bill stalls | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois Corn Growers Association President Mark Bunselmeyer says it is disappointing that the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry did not advance a farm bill on Thursday before the August recess. The ICGA said in a statement that Illinois farmers and the agriculture industry are left with uncertainty as […]
Calls increasing for heavier IDOC oversight | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Reports of prisoner mistreatment, intentionally set fires and prisoners setting themselves on fire at a Joliet correctional facility have sparked state lawmakers to demand oversight of state corrections. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker declined to address the facility’s conditions this week. According to a recent investigation by The Marshall Project, in the […]
Indicted Ammons won’t seek delay of House investigation | Illinois
(The Center Square) – On the heels of a controversy stemming from an investigation into a former state representative over sexual harassment, a special investigating committee is scheduled to meet this week to inquire about alleged financial misconduct of another state lawmaker. State Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Champaign, and her husband Aaron Ammons – who serves […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Man charged after triple-fatal crash in Kendall County | Illinois
(The Center Square) – State police have arrested a Sugar Grove man in connection with a Kendall County crash that killed three people from Des Moines, Iowa Friday night. Carson M. Rehkopf, 22, is charged with eight aggravated DUI counts along with other offenses after a head-on collision on Illinois Route 71 claimed the lives […]
Grocery store closures reignite debate over taxpayer-funded food access | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The closure of seven Save A Lot grocery stores on Chicago’s South and West sides has renewed debate over whether government subsidies can effectively address food access in underserved neighborhoods, with one free-market policy expert arguing the shutdowns highlight the limits of public intervention. The stores, operated by Yellow Banana, closed […]
Parental rights concerns raised after Illinois expands minors’ access to birth control | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois conservative advocacy group is criticizing a new state law that allows minors to obtain birth control, including implants and IUDs, without parental consent or notification, arguing the measure undermines parental rights and medical oversight. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed SB 3341 into law, allowing minors to independently access contraceptive services, […]
Investigation report into former rep’s sexual harassment released | Illinois
(The Center Square) – After months of investigation and leadership discussions, an investigation report on a former Illinois state lawmaker was released Friday, detailing sexual harrassment allegations. However, one of the female complainants said the report has a number of factual inaccuracies. Following the unanimous vote from the Illinois Legislative Ethics Commission to release Legislative […]