Illinois quick hits: Fatal crash involved Guatemalan national; tentative Chicago firefighters contract | Illinois
Fatal crash involved Guatemalan national The Stephenson County Sheriff’s Department says toxicology testing will be conducted to determine if alcohol was a factor in a rural Orangeville crash which claimed the lives of a Guatemalan national and a Freeport woman last Saturday. Deputies say the car driven by Rolando Ico-Choc, 30, of Guatemala crossed the […]
DCFS denies claim that agency uses uncertified interns to investigate families | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A state lawmaker says he has documentation to show that the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services used uncertified interns to investigate families. State Rep. Jed Davis, R-Yorkville, said the investigations by interns have led to children being removed from homes. “Clearly, in statute, you need both a license and […]
Attorney argues IL should honor TX warrants for absconding Dems | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois state senator acting as local counsel for the Texas Republicans wanting to have that state’s warrants for absconding Democrats recognized by Illinois says it’s a simple case. Texas Statehouse Democrats arrived in Illinois Sunday and have held several news conferences and media appearances saying they are blocking a quorum […]
Dem, GOP candidates begin signature-gathering for 2026 | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Political candidates have begun gathering signatures on their nominating petitions for Illinois’ primary elections next March. Illinois State Board of Elections Public Information Officer Matt Dietrich said filing dates are Oct. 27 through Nov. 3 for Democrats and Republicans to submit their petitions for the March 17 primaries. “Depending on what […]
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker sends bill back to legislature; cannabis loans announced | Illinois
Pritzker sends bill back to legislature Gov. J.B. Pritzker has used an amendatory veto to correct formatting errors with legislation seeking to ensure the equal treatment of children born through assisted reproduction or from same-sex couples. Pritzker said three provisions of House Bill 2568 caused a deviation from the Uniform Parentage Act of 2017. The […]
Texas House, Illinois state senator sue 33 AWOL Democrats in Illinois court | Texas
(The Center Square) – The Texas House of Representatives has sued 33 House Democrats who absconded to Illinois to prevent a vote on Congressional redistricting efforts in the Lone Star State. The lawsuit was filed in the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court in Adams County, Illinois. It asks the court to hold the Democrats in contempt […]
After bill signing, commission to study carbon capture at Mahomet Aquifer | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A water, land and wildlife advocate says a new law restricting carbon sequestration will protect most of the Mahomet Aquifer. One of 124 bills Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed last Friday, Senate Bill 1723 is slated to take effect Jan. 1. Prairie Rivers Network Climate Policy Director Andrew Rehn supported the measure […]
Educator urges Illinois teachers to reject union pressure, politics and coercion | Illinois
(The Center Square) – With the Illinois Education Association’s mid-September opt-out deadline approaching, critics call for a permanent opt-out option instead of yearly reaffirmation, arguing union influence restricts school choice and teacher autonomy in Illinois. Sarah Fletcher, a former charter school educator and now the Head of School at White Horse Academy, a private school, […]
Chicago alderman defends Tier 2 pension upgrade signed by governor | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago taxpayers will be expected to provide larger payments for retired police and firefighters after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a Tier 2 pension bill into law. House Bill 3657 is one of 124 bills the governor signed last Friday. The measure amends the Chicago Police and Chicago Firefighter Articles of the […]
Illinois quick hits: Missing child recovered; Feds release frozen education funds | Illinois
Missing child recovered U.S. Marshals in northern Illinois say they worked with the Chicago Police Department to recover a child who was reported missing seven years ago. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services had custody of the missing infant in 2018, when it was suspected that the child was with the biological mother […]