HHS: Pritzker ‘eroded public trust’ in public health | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokesman says Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker eroded public trust and is trying to reinvent public health. The governor thanked Democratic state lawmakers last week when he signed legislation to empower the Illinois Department of Health to circumvent the federal government and issue its […]
Expert blasts Illinois Congressman’s push to double H-1Bs as ‘tone-deaf’ | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A renewed push to double H-1B visas is touted as a talent win, but critics warn it could reshape the tech market by driving down wages and edging out U.S. grads. Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Schaumburg, reintroduced the HIRE Act to double the H-1B visa cap from 65,000 to 130,000. “To […]
Illinois quick hits: Armed sex offender sentenced; most are family farms | Illinois
Armed sex offender sentenced A Southern Illinois man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison after he admitted to distributing child pornography and obscene material to a minor. Edward J. Bates, 57, most recently of Olney, Illinois, pleaded guilty to felony possession of a firearm, distribution of child pornography, attempted transfer of obscene matter […]
Illinois quick hits: Another attack on CTA passenger; plaintiffs move to dismiss their ICE use of force case | Illinois
Another attack on CTA passenger Illinois House Republicans say the SAFE-T Act continues to fail Illinois residents after a suspect with dozens of arrests was accused of punching a man and knocking him to the Chicago Transit Authority train tracks. CBS Chicago reports that Tommie O. Brown, 39, was charged with attempted murder and aggravated […]
Chicago aldermen advance ordinance to restrict hemp sales | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A Chicago city council committee has advanced an ordinance that would ban most hemp sales in the city. Chicago 13th Ward Alderman Marty Quinn’s proposal prohibits the sale of any hemp-derived cannabinoid product across the city, except by cannabis business establishments. Quinn spoke to the city council’s Committee on License and Consumer […]
Illinois quick hits: Son of ‘El Chapo’ guilty; still above $3 a gallon | Illinois
Son of ‘El Chapo’ guilty A notorious gang leader’s son has been convicted on federal drug charges. Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s son, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, 39, pleaded guilty Monday to drug conspiracy and engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise. “El Chapo’s” son has been detained in U.S. custody since his arrest in July 2024. Still […]
IL U.S. House candidate: drug screen expectant moms getting subsidies | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A doctor running for Congress in Illinois’ 5th Congressional District says the first step to improving the state’s Department of Public Health would be to remove Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The Illinois Department of Public Health’s Maternal Mortality Data Report released last week found that 91% of pregnancy-related deaths were potentially preventable […]
Illinois rejects federal ‘no tax on tips’ rule, keeps state tax on tipped income | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois is not adopting the new federal “no tax on tips” provision, meaning tipped workers in the state will still owe Illinois income tax on tips, even when those tips are exempt at the federal level. Manish Bhatt, senior policy analyst with the Tax Foundation, said Illinois’ tax structure makes it […]
Hundreds of flights canceled in Chicago as winter storm wreaks havoc | Illinois
(The Center Square) – More than 1,000 flights were canceled or delayed at Chicago’s airports Saturday as a winter storm threatened up to 10 inches of snow. Tens of thousands of tracvelers were stranded as a result. The Federal Aviation Administration ordered a ground stop Saturday morning due to snow, ice and winds. At O’Hare […]
Illinois quick hits: Deer harvest totals; IHSA voting begins | Illinois
Deer harvest totals Illinois hunters harvested a preliminary total of 51,409 deer during the first weekend of the state’s firearm deer season Nov. 21-23, down from 54,661 deer harvested during the first firearm weekend in 2024. Illinois’ seven-day firearm deer season is scheduled to conclude Dec. 4-7. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding […]