DOE cancels $4.9B loan for energy project Illinois lawmaker calls a ‘scam’ | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Energy has canceled $4.9 billion in federal loans for the Grain Belt Express, a proposed multistate transmission line that faced pushback from Illinois landowners over concerns about property rights and eminent domain. State Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland, praised the DOE’s decision and called the project a “scam” […]
Pritzker signs 124 bill impacting Chicago pensions, AI, buses, bicycles and more | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed 124 bills Friday impacting everything from Chicago police and fire pensions to the use of artificial intelligence for mental health therapy. Effective immediately, House Bill 3657 makes changes to Tier 2 Chicago Police and Firefighter pension benefits. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the measure was incomplete […]
WATCH: Youth mental health screenings may have long-term impact, IL legislator warns | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed a bill which requires Illinois’ public school districts to provide universal mental health screenings. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1560 Thursday at Chute Middle School in Evanston. The governor said annual screenings for kids in grades 3 through 12 will be available by 2027. “They provide early […]
IL manufacturing leader: EU trade deal has benefits | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An industry advocate says Illinois manufacturers could benefit from a new U.S. trade agreement with the European Union, even though the deal includes tariffs. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced this week that the EU would pay the U.S. a tariff rate of 15%, eliminate tariffs […]
Illinois quick hits: Gas rate increase public comments; insurance regulations urged | Illinois
Gas rate increase public comments The Illinois Commerce Commission is encouraging Northern Illinois Gas Company (Nicor) customers to publicly comment on the utility’s proposed rate hike at a hearing in Elgin Thursday evening. Nicor filed a request for a $308.6 million general increase in January 2025. Customers unable to attend the hearing may submit comments via the ICC […]
Economist explains flight of people, dollars from Illinois | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Outmigration has taken a major toll on the Illinois economy, according to a new report by Unleash Prosperity. Using data from the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Census Bureau, analysts found that Illinois lost 881,012 residents from 2012 to 2022. Economist Stephen Moore said only New York and California suffered […]
Chicago mayor now open to video gambling after lawmakers express frustration | Illinois
(The Center Square) – After Illinois lawmakers expressed frustration with Chicago’s refusal to allow video gambling in the city, Mayor Brandon Johnson says he’s now open to the idea. Johnson told reporters the issue is being debated, although members of his administration previously suggested video gaming terminals wouldn’t bring in much revenue. “I’m open. I’ll […]
Pritzker blames power grid, Trump admin for expected price increase | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Energy price increases are expected for a large portion of Illinois’ population. PJM Interconnection announced its capacity auction this week, and the price came at the cap of nearly $330 per MW-day. That’s up from the previous auction of $270 per MW-day. The grid operator said to expect a year-over-year increase […]
Republicans target China as security threat to U.S. real estate, schools, farmland | National
(The Center Square) – With the southern border crisis largely eliminated, Republicans and the Trump administration are setting their sights on China as the next major threat to U.S. domestic security. Long considered a foreign adversary, China has been making inroads in nearly all sectors of American society, including real estate, universities, agriculture, and even […]
Ex-lobbyist sentenced for role in ComEd ‘Madigan Electric’ scheme | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A federal judge on Thursday sentenced former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s longtime associate to two years in prison. Former lobbyist and state Rep. Michael McClain, D-Quincy, was convicted along with three others at the ComEd Four trial in 2023. Prosecutors said the defendants engaged in a scheme to bribe former Illinois […]