Illinois pharmacists will soon have expanded authority to assess patients and dispense all types of contraceptives, including emergency contraception, without requiring a traditional doctor’s prescription under a new law set to take effect January 1, 2026. The legislation amends the Illinois Pharmacy Practice Act to formally include contraceptive assessment and […]
by Maggie Dougherty, Capitol News Illinois December 18, 2025 Article Summary The Illinois Accountability Commission held its first public meeting Thursday to review and document misconduct of federal immigration agents in Chicago. The commission heard testimony from medical experts and witnesses detailing the health and psychological impacts of chemical weapons […]
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois December 18, 2025 Article Summary The Trump administration is seeking access to the state’s complete, unredacted voter registration database, including sensitive information such as voters’ dates of birth and partial Social Security numbers. The Illinois State Board of Elections has so far declined to […]
by Maggie Dougherty, Capitol News Illinois December 16, 2025 Article Summary President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week targeting state laws that regulate artificial intelligence. Illinois has enacted a half dozen AI laws, regulating use in classrooms, mental health counseling, replication of artwork and performer likeness and more. […]
A federal judge has granted a preliminary stay blocking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies that prevented members of Congress from conducting unannounced visits to immigration detention facilities, ruling that the restrictions violate federal law that guarantees congressional oversight access. U.S. District Judge Jia M. Cobb issued a memorandum opinion […]
Illinois health officials announced Tuesday they will maintain the recommendation for all newborns to receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. The Illinois Department of Public Health reaffirmed its support for universal hepatitis B vaccination following recommendations from the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee, establishing the state’s position just days after […]
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois December 17, 2025 Article Summary The Illinois State Board of Education plans to propose a modest budget to lawmakers this year in tight fiscal times, according to the state’s education superintendent. For the current fiscal year, spending on elementary and secondary education is expected […]
The House of Representatives voted Wednesday evening to approve a Republican-backed healthcare bill that fails to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies. The legislation, titled the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, passed by a narrow margin of 216-211, with all Democrats voting against the measure. The bill […]
The Senate approved the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act on Wednesday, sending the $900.6 billion defense policy bill to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature. The House had previously approved the massive 3,086-page bill on December 10 by a vote of 312 to 112, clearing the way […]
Illinois high school football is getting bigger. Member schools of the Illinois High School Association voted Tuesday to approve all 12 bylaw proposals on the annual referendum ballot, including a significant expansion of the football playoffs that will add 128 teams to the postseason field. The football playoff expansion, which […]
