WATCH: Wall of Remembrance displayed as lawmakers commemorate Memorial Day | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Memorial Day 2025 Wall of Remembrance is on display at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. Illinois Senate Republicans unveiled the tribute Thursday. The wall includes photos and remembrances that cycle on a large screen in the Capitol rotunda. State Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, served as an officer in the […]
Bill advancing in IL to allow non-licensed therapists to practice temporarily | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Legislation allowing therapists and other professionals to temporarily practice without being licensed is back in the Illinois House. State senators approved House Bill 1365 after it was amended to add occupational therapists to the list of those who could practice while awaiting licensure from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional […]
WATCH: Illinois lawmakers place WHO over FDA on abortion pills | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly continues to advance legislation to have the World Health Organization supersede the U.S. government for drug approval. House Bill 3637, sponsored by state Rep. Dagmara Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, would allow abortion pills to be prescribed in Illinois, even if the Food and Drug Administration determines that the pills […]
WATCH: Senator: IL wage bill may shift projects to other states, awaits gov’s desk | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The General Assembly has approved legislation that could make federal construction projects more expensive for taxpayers in Illinois. The state Senate passed House Bill 1189 Wednesday afternoon. The measure calls for Illinois’ prevailing wage to override federal prevailing wage for federal projects if the state wage is higher. State Sen. Christopher […]
WATCH: Chicago mayor rips Trump admin over DOJ probe; local GOP blasts mayor | Illinois
(The Center Square) – As he faces a civil rights investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice for the city’s hiring practices, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson verbally lashed back Tuesday against President Donald Trump’s administration. Local Republicans blasted Johnson in return. Johnson told reporters at City Hall Tuesday he was not surprised by the investigation. […]
Lawmakers have concerns about union-backed bill to pay IL student teachers | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A bill in the Illinois General Assembly would spend tens of millions or possibly hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to address what lawmakers call a teacher shortage crisis. House Bill 1375 would have taxpayers provide five-figure stipends to student teachers. State Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria, affirmed that the stipends would be […]
Bears officials tell Chicago’s mayor building stadium in suburbs a priority | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The saga surrounding the Chicago Bears and their desire for a new stadium has taken another turn. The Bears have told the city of Chicago that they have their sights set on Arlington Heights for a new stadium. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office said discussions with the team’s executive leadership revealed […]
Report: SEIU spends big on politics, little on members | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A labor policy analyst says the Service Employees International Union of Illinois spends far more on politics than it does on representing workers. Mailee Smith, senior director of labor policy and staff attorney at the Illinois Policy Institute, said the SEIU Illinois State Council reported to the Department of Labor that just […]
Illinois quick hits: Mandatory human trafficking awareness training at casinos | Illinois
Mandatory human trafficking awareness training New Illinois Gaming Board administrative rules now require all casinos statewide to conduct mandatory human trafficking recognition training, develop, document and implement human trafficking training, and post human trafficking awareness notices. All casino employees must complete annual human trafficking training with their initial training being completed within the first three […]
WATCH: IL GOP senators call for DOC leader’s removal over safety issues | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Republican state senators are calling for the removal of the acting director of the Illinois Department of Corrections. The Illinois Senate Executive Appointments Committee met Thursday and advanced the appointment of DOC Acting Director Latoya Hughes to the full Senate by a vote of 4-2. State Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, asked […]