Panelists debate costs of energy legislation as Illinoisans struggle to pay bills | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Some consumer advocates say battery storage legislation would help reduce energy price spikes, but others say an Illinois Senate bill’s provisions would lead to net costs for customers. The Illinois Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee discussed energy storage provisions of House amendment to Senate Bill 40 in a virtual subject […]
Illinois’ gun ban set for oral arguments in appeals court Monday | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The state of Illinois will be defending its gun and magazine ban Monday in front of the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. The 2023 law was found unconstitutional last year by the Southern District of Illinois federal court. Plaintiffs sued, saying the government is prohibited from banning commonly owned firearms. […]
Trump: Chicago needs ‘big, strong soldiers’ | Illinois
(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump says Chicago needs big, strong soldiers to get the city into shape. The president took questions from reporters on Air Force One while returning from London on Thursday. Trump said 11 people were murdered, 28 were shot and a hundred were shot at in Chicago the previous weekend. He […]
Lawmakers call for changes to cashless bail as Illinois faces federal funding loss | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Statehouse Republicans are calling for reform of the Pretrial Fairness Act as Illinois faces the potential loss of federal money. President Donald Trump issued an executive order last month to identify federal funds that could be withheld from jurisdictions that eliminated cash bail. The order directs the U.S. Attorney General to […]
Illinois quick hits: Suspect in custody after state senator’s home struck with gunfire | Illinois
Suspect in custody after state senator’s home struck with gunfire A suspect is in custody after two homes were damaged by gunfire in Shorewood Tuesday morning. State Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, D-Shorewood, said one shot was fired at her home. Police said another residence was struck three times. Police said the two homeowners do not […]
WATCH: Illinois prison mail scanning rule faces lawmaker scrutiny | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Emergency rules from the Illinois Department of Corrections to scan inmate mail are under review by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, with supporters citing safety and critics warning of rights violations and lack of public input. The emergency rule discussed by JCAR Tuesday aimed to shift inmates to electronic mail, […]
‘Peacekeepers’ reportedly commit Chicago crimes as Pritzker calls for more funding | Illinois
(The Center Square) – As Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson push for more community violence intervention funding from the federal government, two anti-violence workers have made news for alleged criminal actions. Prosecutors say seven men are charged with murder after a crash-and-grab burglary led to a crash and killed a motorist on […]
Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar dies | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar died Sunday at the age of 79. Edgar, a Republican, served as governor from 1991 to 1999. He also served as Illinois secretary of state from 1981 to 1991. “It is with heavy hearts we share the news that our beloved husband, father and grandfather Jim […]
Lawmakers, advocates call for change after reading and math scores disappoint | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker warns that, according to the latest Nation’s Report Card, Illinois students are still behind in reading and math post-pandemic, while homeschool advocates call for more parent-driven education options. State Rep. Reagan Deering, R-Decatur, a Mt. Zion Community School Board member and parent, said politicians prioritized teachers unions over students, […]
Illinois quick hits: Migrant dead after incident with ICE; Pritzker signs vaccine access executive order | Illinois
Migrant dead after incident with ICE A man is dead and a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer is injured after the ICE officer attempted to arrest the foreign national during a vehicle stop in Franklin Park. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, who was in the country illegally, attempted to flee, […]