by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois March 21, 2025 TAYLORVILLE — Voters must put pressure on congressional Republicans to oppose any budget bill that makes major cuts to services, according to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. Lawmakers are set to return to Washington, D.C., this coming week, where they will […]
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois March 20, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — One of Gov. JB Pritzker’s top legislative initiatives stalled in the General Assembly this week when the chair of the House Higher Education Committee refused to call a vote on a bill that would authorize community colleges to offer […]
by Molly Parker, Beth Hundsdorfer, Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois March 19, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — After nearly three hours of debate before a packed hearing room, a House committee on Wednesday voted to advance a bill that would impose new requirements on homeschooling, fueling […]
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois March 19, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – Legislation that would prohibit public school students from using cell phones and other wireless communication devices during class time cleared a Senate committee Tuesday and could soon be considered by the full Senate. It’s a policy change that Gov. […]
by Hannah Meisel, Capitol News Illinois March 14, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — In the years since the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily shut down Illinois casinos, video gambling terminals, horse racing and professional sports — just days after legal sports betting went live — the state’s gambling industry has seen an explosion in […]
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois March 13, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday delivered more harsh criticism against President Donald Trump’s administration over attempts to drastically downsize, and possibly eliminate, the U.S. Department of Education. His remarks came just two days after the agency abruptly laid off […]
by Peter Hancock, Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois March 5, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – Health care advocates, hospital officials and people who rely on Medicaid for their medical coverage warned state lawmakers Wednesday of consequences that could result from proposed cuts in federal Medicaid funding. […]
by Andrew Adams, Capitol News Illinois March 4, 2025 Illinois faces potential energy shortfalls and all-but-guaranteed price spikes for northern Illinois this summer, consumer and environmental advocates say. Lawmakers and advocates in Springfield have proposed bills that they say would address their concerns — but it’s unclear whether they’re likely […]
by Ismael M. Belkoura and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois March 6, 2025 ELGIN – High school students generally don’t participate in drafting legislation. Jordan Henry is an exception. A senior at the Illinois Math and Science Academy, the Elgin native is working with her local state representative […]
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois March 4, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — The Trump administration has stopped reimbursing Illinois for a program designed to help farmers and supply fresh food to Illinois food banks. The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that changes to federal funding mean Illinois is missing reimbursements […]
