Illinois Quick Hits: $3M in taxpayer funds go to Chicago neighborhood center | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers have provided $3 million for a new neighborhood center on Chicago’s Southwest Side. Gov. J.B. Pritkzer and several state legislators attended the ribbon cutting for the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council on Monday. The governor said the council was on the front lines of the battle when the community faced […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Federal data shows Illinois economy grew in fourth quarter | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis says Illinois’ gross domestic product grew 1.1% in the fourth quarter of 2025. The only state bordering Illinois to show more growth was Iowa at 1.8%. North Dakota led the nation with 3.8% growth in the fourth quarter. CHICAGO CARJACKER SENTENCED A federal […]
Illinois bill would mandate infant allergy coverage, with unclear cost impact | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois proposal to require insurance coverage for infant allergy prevention is raising questions about potential costs, even as supporters argue it could reduce long-term health spending. State Sen. Darby Hills is backing Illinois Senate Bill 4182, which would require most insurance plans to cover a six-month supply of egg and peanut […]
Pritzker, GOP candidate say they support a free press, differ on tax credits | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he supports a strong, free press, but Republican Darren Bailey’s running mate says taxpayer dollars should not be spent on partisan outlets. Pritzker spoke at the Illinois Local News Summit in Chicago on Friday and said Illinois was the first state in the nation to launch a […]
Experts, lawmakers critical of Illinois ethics in the wake of Madigan appeals | Illinois
(The Center Square) – In the wake of new legal proceedings in a high-profile Illinois corruption case, attempts to reform ethics requirements for state officials have weakend but not stopped. Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, D-Chicago, is appealing his conviction that led to his seventh-and-a-half year sentence in federal prison. Madigan was found guilty on 10 […]
Answers wanted to ‘pathetic’ state procurement issues | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Lawmakers say Illinois-based businesses are getting work in other states but struggling to get business in their home state. The state’s chief procurement officers appeared before the Illinois Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday. State Sen. Elgie Sims Jr, D-Chicago, said Illinois-based companies get work in Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Texas, Florida and […]
Illinois reps move bill to give remedy to young victims of hidden cameras | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Lawmakers advanced a proposal aimed at giving Illinois families new legal recourse when minors are secretly recorded in places where they expect privacy, adding a civil enforcement tool to an increasingly reported issue across the state. House Bill 4262 creates a civil path for minors and their parents to sue people […]
Minnesota, Illinois AGs challenge federal orders to keep coal plants running | Minnesota
(The Center Square) – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is challenging the Trump administration over orders requiring coal-fired power plants in Indiana to remain open past their planned retirement dates. Ellison, joined by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, filed the petitions for judicial review against U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright in the U.S. Court of Appeals […]
Illinois bill sparks debate over police privacy vs. public access | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker and law enforcement officer says a controversial proposal to change how police records are handled under the state’s public records law could help agencies manage growing workloads – while still maintaining transparency. State Rep. Patrick Sheehan, R-Homer Glen, said House Bill 5733 would ease the burden on police departments […]
Firefighter age bill stalled despite union backing | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A proposed Illinois bill aimed at addressing firefighter shortages by lowering the minimum hiring age has stalled in the legislature after failing to be called before a key deadline. State Rep. Jed Davis, R-Yorkville, is behind House Bill 1098, which would amend the state’s municipal code and Fire Protection District Act to […]