Mistrials hamper Illinois corruption cases with no end in sight to federal investigations | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Although a mistrial was declared in the bribery case against state Sen. Emil Jones III, D-Chicago, another Illinois corruption trial may be around the corner. Jurors deadlocked on all three counts against Jones, leading U.S. District Court Judge Andrea Wood to declare a mistrial at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse […]
What’s at stake for Illinois colleges with DEI policies under discussion | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Trump administration’s campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives is a topic of discussion on Illinois college campuses. Dozens of institutions are under investigation for alleged racial discrimination related to DEI programs and some may lose federal funding. The Illinois Board of Higher Education recently announced it was pausing all […]
WATCH: Controversy growing over rule to allow transgender athletes play girls’ sports | Illinois
(The Center Square) – As Illinois continues to allow transgender athletes to compete in girls sports, Republicans are making an effort to change the rules. Critics of the policy say it is unfair to girls to allow biological male athletes to compete against them just because they identify as female. The Illinois High School Association recently […]
Calls grow for reforms to Illinois’ mass transit systems before awarding funding | Illinois
(The Center Square) – With a massive funding shortfall on the horizon, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce is calling on state lawmakers to enact reforms for the state’s mass transit systems before considering funding. The chamber released a report that contains business principles for mass transit reform. Some of the recommendations include prioritizing public safety and […]
DOJ: Noncitizen IL officials kept from ICE accused of murder after jail release | Illinois
(The Center Square) – One of several examples the U.S. Department of Justice gave of how federal officials have been obstructed by Illinois’ migrant sanctuary policies involves an illegal alien released from jail later being accused of murder. “In January 2025, federal officials issued a detainer request for an alien who was being held in […]
Illinois quick hits: Jury begins deliberations in corruption case | Illinois
Jury begins deliberations in corruption case Jury deliberations are underway in the bribery case against Illinois Sen. Emil Jones III. Jones is accused of accepting bribes from a red-light camera company executive whose cooperation with prosecutors has also brought down several other politicians. He has remained in office since his September 2022 indictment on three […]
New survey shows small business owners fear tariffs will lead to declining sales | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A new survey shows that tariff-related anxiety is surging among small businesses in Illinois and elsewhere. Research from Alignable in collaboration with Harvard Business School and MIT researchers shows 44% of small business owners nationwide said they expect reduced sales because of tariffs. Alignable researcher Chuck Casto said of those, 13% […]
Legislation to protect public university press could provide ‘blanket immunity’ | Illinois
(The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate has passed legislation to expand freedom-of-the-press protections for public media on college campuses, despite concerns about lawsuit immunity. State Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria, sponsored Senate Bill 1988, which would amend the College Campus Press Act. State Sen. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, asked Koehler if college media didn’t think the […]
Just 30% of Illinois 4th graders read at proficiency standards | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois Republican state Rep. Dan Ugaste is speaking out against a “nationwide literacy crisis” that counts Illinois among the more than 40 states where just one out of every three fourth grade students are now meeting reading proficiency standards. Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress report card shows that […]
Pritzker: Public safety ‘under attack’ by Trump; Chicago group: Governor is the ‘threat’ | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker says public safety is under attack by the Trump administration. The governor spoke Thursday at a news conference intended to highlight violence intervention efforts on Chicago’s Far South Side. “Public safety is under attack by the Trump administration. Over the past few months, the White House has […]