Springfield
News from the Illinois state legislature, governor and lawmakers in Springfield.
Secretary of State’s office launches program to speed customer service at Illinois’ busiest driver’s license service facilities.
In a recording posted last week, Chicago State board chair Andrea Zopp justifies the bonus to Zaldwaynaka Scott in part by citing her handling of the strike this year.
Fairgoers have chowed down on various forms of copi, better known until last year as Asian carp, the invasive fish that has wreaked havoc on Illinois ecosystems. Copi rangoon, sliders or empanadas, anyone?
Illinois Republicans didn’t mention former President Donald Trump in their speeches. “Why is it always about Donald Trump?” state House Republican Leader Tony McCombie asked reporters. “Let’s talk about Illinois.”
Plummeting valuations for Chicago office properties will mean a tax hike for all homeowners — not just the ones with high-end houses, office building owners say.
The Sun-Times went downstate to sample the saturated-fat smorgasbord — for better, or worse. Some felt oh-so wrong, but right at home in Springfield.
The state’s top Democrats gathered in Springfield for Governor’s Day — ripping Illinois Republicans for their support of former President Donald Trump.
An autopsy was inconclusive for the child, Jismary González, who would have turned 4 next week. She died Aug. 10 on a chartered bus in southern Illinois.
There is hope that a solution will be found and Serabi Medina’s funeral will be covered by the state.
Illinois Supreme Court narrowly upholds assault weapons ban as opponents vow to continue legal fight
The 4-3 decision was handed down in a lawsuit by a central Illinois lawmaker who argued the ban violates the state constitution.
After the last Illinois rebate program ran out of money earlier this year, some car buyers were left frustrated.
His lawyers say he testified truthfully for hours in response to questions from prosecutors who asked more than 650 questions.
Leaving the science to the experts, the governor and former Chicago mayor concentrate on bringing attention and funds to support the experimental field of quantum computing, which has the potential for faster development of vaccines and unhackable computers.
Tim Mapes goes on trial Monday on charges of perjury and attempted obstruction of justice for his alleged bid to block the criminal investigation of the former House speaker and of Springfield insider Michael McClain.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker eventually pointed out on Twitter that House members, “including those who are now complaining about it,” had voted for the bill in question before the Senate Republicans “started spreading lies.”
If approved, efforts to modernize Union Station would cut travel times, increase capacity, improve platforms, and connect O’Hare Airport to McCormick Place, officials said.
Bally’s executives initially aimed for a mid-August opening at the Medinah Temple. The corporation still needs the final green light from state gambling regulators.
The legislation also expands the Whole Child Task Force, which was created in 2021 to help define and improve trauma-responsive practices in Illinois schools — and to battle systemic racism. The goal is to give Illinois schools the training to identify warning signs of mental illness, trauma and suicidal behavior.
In Illinois, many current and former Republicans are steering clear of weighing in on Donald Trump’s absence from Wednesday’s GOP presidential debate in Milwaukee.
Chicago Public Schools open Monday with a new mayor and a school board who want to shake up how the school district is run.
Mapes, once chief of staff for former House Speaker Mike Madigan, faces up to 20 years in prison for an obstruction of justice charge and another five years for perjury.
Shauntele Pridgeon is accused of fraudulently approving 14 people to be foster parents, then sending them $3.2 million despite them knowing they wouldn’t be caring for foster children.
A temporary casino has been up and running in the north suburb since February, but an appellate court ruling could end up forcing officials to start the selection process from scratch following complaints from the Forest County Potawatomi Community.
Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Democrat-led Illinois General Assembly have expanded abortion rights in Illinois. Another expansion announced Monday creates a family planning program for people who are otherwise not eligible under Medicaid.
The contract ended up with a fiscal year 2024 price tag of $204 million. So, where is that money in the budget, which passed a month before the negotiations ended?
The agreement, to be signed Tuesday, “is more expansive than in years past and comes earlier in the process than ever before,” Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison said.
Importantly, the majority opined that cash bail “was all but unknown” when the state’s original constitution was first approved in 1818, and the same basic language from that document remains in force today.
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