by Bridgette Fox and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois June 2, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – More than 150 bills moved through the General Assembly in the final week of the legislative session and will make their way to the governor, including measures touching on drug approval, college admissions […]
Author: Capitol News
Amid uncertainty in Washington, Illinois lawmakers pass slimmed-down Medicaid package
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois June 1, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Nearly every year, Illinois lawmakers pass a package of measures dealing with the state’s Medicaid program, the joint federal and state health care program that covers low-income individuals. Known as the Medicaid omnibus bill, it sometimes includes bold components, […]
New taxes on sports bets, nicotine products as Democrats pass $55.2B budget
by Ben Szalinski and Jerry Nowicki, Capitol News Illinois June 1, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – Giving almost no time for public review, Illinois Democrats pushed through a $55.2 billion budget for next fiscal year late Saturday, bolstering coffers with new taxes on sports bets, nicotine products and businesses. The $55.2 billion […]
Illinois bill aims to lower cost of prescriptions, rein in pharmacy benefit managers
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois May 30, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — A bill that seeks to control the rising cost of prescription drugs while also offering financial help for many small, independent pharmacies in Illinois cleared the state Senate on Thursday and awaits action in the House. The bill, known […]
Pritzker to consider bill mandating gun owners lock up firearms near minors
by Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois May 29, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — A bill that would require gun owners to keep any firearms in a locked box whenever a minor is present will soon head to Gov. JB Pritzker. Senate Bill 8, also referred to […]
‘Medical aid in dying’ bill moves forward in Illinois
by Andrew Adams, Capitol News Illinois May 30, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Terminally ill Illinoisans may have the legal option to end their own life with the help of a physician next year under a bill approved by lawmakers Thursday. The procedure, which advocates and the bill call “medical aid in […]
Senate passes bill requiring Illinois libraries to supply opioid overdose medication
by Isabella Schoonover and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois May 28, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Legislation that would require Illinois public libraries to have life-saving medications on hand for people experiencing opioid overdoses and provide staff training has unanimously passed the Illinois Senate and is now on Gov. JB […]
Pritzker threatens to veto any budget containing ‘broad-based’ tax increase
by Ben Szalinski and Jerry Nowicki, Capitol News Illinois May 28, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker said Wednesday he will not sign a budget that includes broad tax hikes to fund new spending as lawmakers are in the final hours of budget negotiations. “Anything that’s broad-based and would have […]
Responding to Supreme Court, lawmakers look to expand lawsuit protections for press
by Bridgette Fox and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois May 23, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers are seeking to extend lawsuit protections to regular news reports following a recent ruling by the state’s Supreme Court that allowed a defamation suit against the Chicago Sun-Times to progress. The […]
State budget talks enter final week amid fears of congressional cuts
by Ben Szalinski and Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois May 23, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers have one week to pass a new state budget with little room for new spending and Congress presenting further challenges and uncertainty. Revenue projections had already been declining as the spring session has progressed. […]
