IL manufacturing leader: EU trade deal has benefits | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An industry advocate says Illinois manufacturers could benefit from a new U.S. trade agreement with the European Union, even though the deal includes tariffs. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced this week that the EU would pay the U.S. a tariff rate of 15%, eliminate tariffs […]
Illinois quick hits: Gas rate increase public comments; insurance regulations urged | Illinois
Gas rate increase public comments The Illinois Commerce Commission is encouraging Northern Illinois Gas Company (Nicor) customers to publicly comment on the utility’s proposed rate hike at a hearing in Elgin Thursday evening. Nicor filed a request for a $308.6 million general increase in January 2025. Customers unable to attend the hearing may submit comments via the ICC […]
Economist explains flight of people, dollars from Illinois | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Outmigration has taken a major toll on the Illinois economy, according to a new report by Unleash Prosperity. Using data from the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Census Bureau, analysts found that Illinois lost 881,012 residents from 2012 to 2022. Economist Stephen Moore said only New York and California suffered […]
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 […]