Illinois in-state tuition swell, new bill seeks system changes | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Republican State Rep. Martin McLaughlin deems legislation crafted to address Illinois’ rising in-state tuition costs as a needed adjustment in fine-tuning a system where homegrown students now incur the ninth most expensive in-state tuition costs across the country and second highest in the Midwest. Introduced by state Rep. Jeff Keicher, House Bill […]
Illinois quick hits: Corporate tax collections down from last year; Chinese company fined for stealing technology; Fall turkey harvest numbers announced | Illinois
Corporate tax collections down from last year The Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability has increased its fiscal year 2026 general funds revenue estimate by $686 million, or 1.2%. The commission’s latest report says personal income tax revenues are up $685 million through February after accounting for tax refunds and local government distributions. Corporate […]
Illinois quick hits: Obama Center to open in June after delays; 3 Republicans to debate Monday in Northbrook; IDNR seeks camping hosts | Illinois
Obama Center to open in June after delays The Obama Presidential Center is scheduled to open with a series of events June 18 to 21 in Chicago. The project was delayed several times since its 2021 groundbreaking, and estimated construction costs rose from $350 million to at least $830 million. A dedication ceremony is planned […]
Critics warn Illinois bill could lead to government overreach in newborn care | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Illinois Family Institute is raising concerns over a proposed bill that would offer voluntary home visits to families with newborns, warning that even a “voluntary” program could lead to unintended government oversight and interference in parenting. House Bill 4606 proposes the Department of Human Services provide at-home visits to new parents to […]
Presidents, governor honor late civil rights leader Jackson; mayor says tax the rich | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Former President Barack Obama said his path to the White House was laid by late civil rights leader Jesse Jackson. The public home going service for Jackson was at House of Hope in Chicago on Friday. Obama said he was nominated for the presidency because of the path Jackson laid when […]
Illinois quick hits: Appeals court vacates use of force injunction; Charges filed for possession of sex abuse materials; Gas prices keep rising | Illinois
Appeals court vacates use of force injunction The Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has vacated U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis’ preliminary injunction restricting use of force by federal immigration law enforcement officers in Illinois. In a social media post, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi hailed the ruling as a “huge legal win” for […]
Illinois secretary of state wants nearly 2% budget increase | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias wants nearly 2% more in taxpayer funds for his upcoming budget than the last one, while promoting millions in savings throughout the office. Giannoulias, who wants $844.6 million in the upcoming budget, was the first state agency to appear before the House Appropriations Committee for […]
Illinois lawmaker supports EPA rollback; AG opposes | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker is praising the Environmental Protection Agency under President Donald Trump for repealing the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding, calling the move a win for Illinois businesses — even as Attorney General Kwame Raoul warns the rollback ignores decades of law and climate science and threatens public health. State Rep. […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago advances in bid for 2028 DNC | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago is one of five cities in the running to hold the 2028 Democratic National Convention. The Democratic National Committee announced on Monday that Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Denver and Philadelphia advanced in the application process for the convention scheduled from Aug. 7 to Aug. 10, 2028. Chicago has held the DNC […]
Illinois diversity commissioner did not properly disclose $23K side job | Illinois
(The Center Square) — A member of Illinois’ highly-paid diversity commission disclosed a side job to state officials in a manner that masked the $22,500 she earned for it, an investigation by The Center Square found. Certain state officials are required by law to disclose secondary sources of income that exceed $7,500 in any year. […]