Chicago mayor now open to video gambling after lawmakers express frustration | Illinois
(The Center Square) – After Illinois lawmakers expressed frustration with Chicago’s refusal to allow video gambling in the city, Mayor Brandon Johnson says he’s now open to the idea. Johnson told reporters the issue is being debated, although members of his administration previously suggested video gaming terminals wouldn’t bring in much revenue. “I’m open. I’ll […]
Pritzker blames power grid, Trump admin for expected price increase | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Energy price increases are expected for a large portion of Illinois’ population. PJM Interconnection announced its capacity auction this week, and the price came at the cap of nearly $330 per MW-day. That’s up from the previous auction of $270 per MW-day. The grid operator said to expect a year-over-year increase […]
Republicans target China as security threat to U.S. real estate, schools, farmland | National
(The Center Square) – With the southern border crisis largely eliminated, Republicans and the Trump administration are setting their sights on China as the next major threat to U.S. domestic security. Long considered a foreign adversary, China has been making inroads in nearly all sectors of American society, including real estate, universities, agriculture, and even […]
Ex-lobbyist sentenced for role in ComEd ‘Madigan Electric’ scheme | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A federal judge on Thursday sentenced former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s longtime associate to two years in prison. Former lobbyist and state Rep. Michael McClain, D-Quincy, was convicted along with three others at the ComEd Four trial in 2023. Prosecutors said the defendants engaged in a scheme to bribe former Illinois […]
Latest Chicago quantum tenant gets more than $5 million in state tax incentives | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A new tenant for the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park on Chicago’s Southeast Side is set to receive more than $5 million in tax credits from the state. Gov. J.B. Pritzker spoke Wednesday at the 2025 Global Quantum Forum in Chicago. “I am proud to announce that Infleqtion will be building […]
Fiscal differences remain as Illinois lawmaker urges for transit special session | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois state senator from Chicago has urged for a special legislative session to be called to fund public transit, but a Republican colleague says solutions should not place excessive tax burdens on residents. State Sen. Mike Simmons, D-Chicago, made the call Monday during a ceremony to mark the reopening of […]
‘Sicko’ released under Illinois’ SAFE-T Act arrested by ICE in Chicago | Illinois
(The Center Square) – After U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested a criminal suspect who had been released in Lake County, elected officials are calling for changes to Illinois’ SAFE-T Act. According to an ICE statement, Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, 52, was arrested in Chicago on Saturday. In April, the Mexican national was charged with […]
NIU takes verbal lashing from audit commission over timekeeping findings | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Northern Illinois University, which state taxpayers fund with nearly $100 million annually, took a verbal lashing for a repeated audit finding about time keeping for faculty. The Legislative Audit Commission heard audit reviews for three public universities throughout the state. For Northern Illinois University, there were 15 findings officials said were […]
Former ComEd CEO next defendant to be sentenced in federal corruption case | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Sentencing is scheduled Monday for former ComEd Chief Executive Officer Anne Pramaggiore, who was convicted of corruption in a scheme to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. In May of 2023, a federal jury convicted Pramaggiore and three others of conspiracy, bribery and falsifying records. Last Monday, U.S. District Court […]
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs letter to power grid operator | Illinois
Pritzker signs letter to power grid operator Gov. J.B. Pritzker has joined a group of nine governors around the country calling on a power grid operator to implement governance reforms. Pritzker said PJM Interconnection is undermining Illinois’ efforts to have clean, reliable and affordable energy. The governors sent a letter calling on PJM to fill […]