by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois May 7, 2025 A federal judge in New York issued a preliminary order Tuesday blocking the Trump administration from cutting off states’ access to hundreds of millions of dollars in pandemic relief funds for public schools, including more than $77 million for Illinois. U.S. […]
Author: Capitol News
Pritzker signs order to protect personal autism data in response to federal action
by Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois May 8, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker issued an executive order Wednesday that bars state agencies from collecting and disclosing data about autism to the federal government unless it’s medically or legally necessary. The order was in […]
State revenue projections improve as economic uncertainty grows
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois May 5, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — The General Assembly’s independent forecasting commission has improved revenue projections for the upcoming fiscal year despite growing economic volatility. That’s good news for state lawmakers who are in the final weeks of crafting the fiscal year 2026 budget set […]
Plan to overhaul higher education funding meets U of I opposition
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois May 1, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — A plan to overhaul the way Illinois funds public universities is running into stiff opposition from the state’s largest higher education institution, the University of Illinois System. The plan, which has been in development for the last four years, […]
On May Day, thousands march for immigrant, labor, women and LGBTQ+ rights
by Sonya Dymova and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois May 2, 2025 CHICAGO — Michelle Nolasco, a 20-year-old DePaul University student from Orland Park, Illinois, held a sign that read: “I was supposed to be at school … Instead, I am here, fighting for mi familia y mi […]
Trump’s 100 days: Pritzker calls for mass mobilization as he grows his national profile
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois April 30, 2025 President Donald Trump marked the 100th day of his second term on Tuesday as Gov. JB Pritzker has spent the week calling on Americans to pressure congressional Republicans to oppose Trump’s agenda and highlighting how Trump’s policies affect Illinois. “I’m deeply […]
Illinois veterans, VA employees rally to protest expected Trump administration cuts
by Sonya Dymova, Capitol News Illinois April 28, 2025 McHENRY — John Gerend, a Vietnam War veteran from Lake Villa, Illinois, was exposed to Agent Orange while on duty. Suffering from diseases associated with exposure to the toxic chemical, he said he still considers himself fortunate. “I’ve had some issues […]
State reports first measles case in southern Illinois
by Beth Hundsdorfer, Capitol News Illinois April 23, 2025 Editor’s Note: This story and subtitle have been updated to reflect that more than 800 cases have been confirmed in 25 jurisdictions, not states. The Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday afternoon the first case of measles in the state. […]
Illinois community-based foster homes face insurance ‘crisis’
by Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois April 25, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Insurance companies are reducing the scope of coverage for some community foster agencies in Illinois, leading to higher costs, diminished coverage and fewer options for agencies who say a continuance of the trend […]
Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin to retire after more than 4 decades in Congress
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois April 23, 2025 Editor’s note: This story has been updated with more information about Durbin’s career and potential replacements. Longtime U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, announced he will retire after his term ends in January 2027. […]