DHS secretary blasts Illinois correctional centers | Illinois
(The Center Square) – U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is calling out state correctional facilities after he faced questions from an Illinois congresswoman about conditions at Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers. Illinois U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville, questioned Mullin during a homeland security oversight hearing in Washington on Thursday. “Secretary Mullin, since Donald […]
Illinois wheat harvest looks good despite storms | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Most Illinois wheat escaped damage from severe storms across the state, but recent rainfall could affect crops not already harvested. Tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, wind, hail and flooding all impacted many parts of Illinois in recent weeks. Illinois Wheat Association President Tracy Heuerman said the wheat harvest is about done in the […]
Damage costs still being assessed from record tornado numbers | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The National Weather Service has confirmed a record 149 tornadoes have touched down in Illinois this year, but who ends up paying the cost for damage often remains unclear. Those costs can be spread out between residents, governments, businesses and insurance companies. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday discussed the impacts […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Tornado kills 2 in Jefferson County | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Two people are dead and at least five are injured after a tornado touched down in the northeastern part of Jefferson County on Sunday night. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s office said in a news release that the two fatalities occurred in separate single wide trailers that were destroyed. More than 20 […]
Illinois congressmen worry as DHS Secretary seeks to ‘protect election integrity’ | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A potential plan to deploy federal immigration agents to polling places this fall is illegal and would suppress voters, an Illinois congressman warned this week, while demanding answers from top brass at the Department of Homeland Security. In a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., warned […]
Lawmaker says Pritzker reacted too quickly to Grant Park cross burning | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois state Rep. Chris Miller says Gov. J.B. Pritzker should address the political motivations behind a Grant Park cross burning after the University of Illinois Chicago student accused in the incident said it was intended as a protest against the Trump administration. Pritzker condemned the June 10 incident on social media […]
Illinois sees biggest drop in gas prices nationwide, still above $4 average | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The national average price for a gallon of motor fuel has steadily dropped in the past week, falling below $4 for the first time since the end of March. Illinoisans have, as a result, also seen lower prices at the pump. Illinois’ average cost per gallon Friday was $4.24, higher than […]
Chicago discards proposed ban on unregulated ‘sweepstakes machines’ | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Chicago City Council voted down a proposed ban on a type of prevalent gaming machines, which are not regulated or taxed by either the city or state due to what officials have described as a legal grey area. The 15-33 vote leaves room for the body to potentially tax sweepstakes […]
Peoria school safety director faces criticism over social media post | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A social media post by Peoria Public Schools’ Director of School Safety is drawing criticism from an education advocate who argues Illinois officials should apply the same standards to controversial speech regardless of viewpoint. Demario Boone, who serves as director of school safety and a school resource officer for Peoria Public […]
Pritzker signs budget sending millions to NGOs | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a $55.9 billion state budget for fiscal year 2027, with tens of millions of dollars included for non-governmental organizations. The governor placed his signature on the new spending plan in Chicago on Tuesday, calling it his eighth straight balanced budget. “This budget lowers costs for everyday […]