Trump: ‘Illinois is worse’ as HHS enforces verification for child care funding | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says states will not receive matching child-care funds until they verify that providers are legitimate, and President Donald Trump says Illinois is worse than Minnesota on the issue. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are probing fraud allegations […]
U.S. House vote on employee bargaining met with ‘political theater’ criticism | National
)The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman praised a vote to restore collective bargaining for over one million federal workers while critics say the U.S. Senate won’t pass the Protect American Workers Act. In a video posted to social media, Illinois U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Rockford, said the House approved a measure that would rescind […]
Illinois’ compact fluorescent bulb ban begins to take effect | Illinois
(The Center Square) – One of the nearly 300 new laws that took effect in Illinois New Year’s Day is a ban on compact fluorescent light bulbs. State Rep. Nicholas Smith, D-Chicago, introduced House Bill 2363 in February 2023. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the measure in August 2024. The law prohibits the sale and distribution […]
Chicago school board raises tax levy on families ‘at a breaking point’ | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Chicago Board of Education has raised its property tax levy to fund Chicago Public Schools, but opponents say property owners are selling and families are at a breaking point. Board President Sean Harden said the “special” board meeting was held during the school district’s winter break to consider an amendment […]
Op-Ed: How one puppy mill-teliant retailer is preempting local laws | Opinion
One of the most overlooked threats to community-based control in America isn’t coming from Washington politicians or even state government officials, but from a corporation that is using state power to override local regulations. This national retailer sources many of the puppies it sells from cramped and unhealthy large-scale commercial breeding operations. To preserve its […]
White business owners are biggest share of Illinois’ diversity-preferred contract group | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois’ initiative to boost the amount of state contract money it awards to businesses owned by racial minorities and women continues to struggle despite the tens of millions of dollars the state has spent. This month, the number of those businesses that are certified for preference in state contracting dropped again, […]
IL rep: As if Bears ‘had a plan to rob the bank’ before considering Indiana | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Illinois state rep whose district includes Soldier Field says the Chicago Bears are bluffing by suggesting a move to Northwest Indiana, but Indiana Gov. Mike Braun says the Bears recognize his state’s pro-business climate. Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren announced in an open letter Dec. 17 that the National […]
IL dyslexia screening takes effect Jan. 1, drawing reading instruction debate | Illinois
(The Center Square) – As Illinois rolls out a new law requiring early literacy screenings beginning Jan. 1, some educators question whether it will solve reading issues or just mislabel children as dyslexic. Senate Bill 1672 requires public school districts to conduct early literacy screening testing and report data for students in kindergarten through third […]
Don’t count on lower electricity prices in 2026 | Pennsylvania
(The Center Square) – For 67 million people relying on electricity from the regional power grid, PJM, cheaper utility bills in 2026 are little more than a pipe dream. It’s not an unexpected blow, despite moves from the Trump administration and state regulators to keep prices in check. Why? Because there’s simply not enough power […]
Illinois’ safe gun storage law goes into effect Jan. 1 | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Components of Illinois Safe Gun Storage Act go into effect Jan. 1. Supporters of Senate Bill 8, like gun control advocacy group Giffords, say in addition to strengthening existing domestic violence laws and investing $19 million in taxpayer funds to community violence intervention programs, Illinois enacting the safe gun storage law […]