Report: Lawyers PAC funnels over $1 million to Illinois Democrats | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A new report reveals how a trial lawyer’s political action committee has spent more than $1 million exclusively on Democratic candidates and committees since Election Day 2022. The report is called “Follow the Money: How Illinois Trial Lawyers Fuel a Lawsuit-Friendly Legislature” and was compiled by the group Illinois Citizens Against Lawsuit […]
Illinois’ rainy-day fund, emergency reserves lowest in country | Illinois
(The Center Square) – With barely two weeks of reserves in its rainy day fund, new data from Pew Research shows Illinois now ranks last among all 50 states in its ability to withstand a financial crisis. Illinois state Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, wonders when state lawmakers will get out of their own way when […]
Illinois GOP chair calls Governor’s trade mission ‘irresponsible’ | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s trade mission to Mexico includes a delegation of more than 70 people. A statement from the governor’s office said the trip, scheduled from March 30 to April 2, is aimed at deepening economic ties and fostering greater cooperation between the state of Illinois and Mexico. “Illinois is […]
Illinois quick hits: Durbin sponsors bill to televise SCOTUS hearings | Illinois
Unemployment rate ticks down Illinois’ unemployment rate remains above the national average, despite ticking downward by a tenth of a point. The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports the state’s unemployment rate in February is 4.8%, down from 4.9% in January. The national unemployment rate is at 4.1%, up a tenth of a point from […]
Illinois quick hits: University employees rally for new contract; Kohl’s stores closing; soda recall | Illinois
University employees rally for new contract University of Illinois employees held a rally Wednesday, calling on university leadership to give them more pay. The employees, members of AFSCME Local 3700 and Local 698, are asking university administrators to settle what they are calling a “fair union contract.” Their previous agreement expired in September, and negotiations […]
WATCH: Industry concerns persist as Illinois lawmakers look at regulating hemp drinks | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The debate over hemp-infused products is far from over at the Illinois Capitol. Lawmakers discussed proposed regulation of hemp-derived intoxicating beverages in a state Senate Liquor Committee hearing Tuesday afternoon. State Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, filed Senate Bill 1766, which would impose taxes on hemp manufacturers and distributors. It would also […]
Republicans defend, Democrats decry changes at the U.S. Postal Service | Illinois
(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump is standing by Department of Government Efficiency leader Elon Musk in spite of criticism from Democrats from Illinois and around the country. Union leaders led rallies on Sunday to protest potential changes to the U.S. Postal Service. Trump has suggested a move to privatize the agency or merge […]
WATCH: Illinois Republicans say ethics legislation being ignored by Democrats | Illinois
(The Center Square) – In what is considered one of the most corrupt states in the nation, Illinois Republicans are once again making an attempt to change the political landscape. Illinois frequently gets mentioned as one of the most corrupt states in the country, including by the organization Best Diplomats, which ranked Illinois third worst in […]
Chicago reigns as country’s ‘homicide capital’ for 13th straight year | Illinois
(The Center Square) – For the 13th consecutive year, the city of Chicago once again reigned as the nation’s homicide capital in 2024 with 573 murders. Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski views that as a sickness he argues has been allowed to fester for too long. Even as overall murder rates across the country dipped, Chicago also […]
Illinois quick hits: Trooper pleads guilty to hit and run; Forever 21 closing all stores | Illinois
Trooper pleads guilty to hit and run A former Illinois State Trooper Special Agent has pleaded guilty to hit and run charges that occurred last December in St. Clair County. Julian Feix is accused of running through a red light and crashing into another car driven by a teenager in Shiloh, then leaving the scene […]