The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point on Wednesday marking its first reduction this year. The decision brings the federal funds rate to a target range of 4% to 4.25%, the lowest level in nearly three years. During his press conference following the Federal Open Market […]
Author: Dani Tietz
House Republicans Block Push to Subpoena Major Banks Over Epstein Financial Records
House Republicans on the Judiciary Committee blocked Democratic efforts Wednesday to subpoena four major banks for records related to Jeffrey Epstein’s financial transactions. The failed subpoena attempts came during a contentious five-hour hearing with FBI Director Patel, where Democrats criticized his handling of the Epstein files and his previous public […]
Congressional Democrats Sound Alarm Over 600 Military Lawyers as Immigration Judges
Congressional Democrats are raising alarms over the Trump administration’s decision to deploy up to 600 military lawyers as temporary immigration judges. In a September 15 letter to the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), four senior House Democrats expressed “grave concern” over the administration’s plan to double the number of immigration judges […]
Vermilion County Conservation District to Host Revolutionary War Reenactment at Forest Glen Preserve
History will come alive later this month at Forest Glen Preserve as the Vermilion County Conservation District hosts the Vermilion Valley Encampment, a Revolutionary War reenactment scheduled for Saturday, September 27, and Sunday, September 28. The two-day event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and will offer […]
CBO Warns of Massive Coverage Loss if Healthcare Tax Credits Expire
The Congressional Budget Office has delivered stark projections about the healthcare landscape, warning that millions of Americans could lose health insurance coverage and face significant premium increases if Congress fails to extend enhanced premium tax credits set to expire at the end of 2025. CBO estimates that without extending the premium tax […]
House Republicans Unveil Continuing Resolution to Fund Government Through November, Dems Worry About Healthcare
House Republicans released a stopgap funding bill Tuesday that would keep the federal government operating through November 21. House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole of Oklahoma introduced the “Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026,” a 91-page bill that would fund government agencies at current levels for seven additional weeks while Congress works to finalize full-year […]
Parkland College Expands “College for Kids” to Year-Round Programming
Parkland College is extending opportunities for young learners this year by taking its popular summer enrichment series, College for Kids, beyond the summer months. Beginning this fall, the program will now be offered throughout the year, providing students ages 6–18 with creative and educational classes in art, science, cooking, and more. […]
Gov. Pritzker Signs Executive Order Safeguarding Vaccine Access for Illinoisans Amid Federal Policy Upheaval
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2025-04 on September 12 to protect vaccine access throughout the state. The order responds directly to a series of disruptive federal actions that have fueled confusion and threatened the availability of life-saving immunizations. Governor Pritzker’s executive order establishes the Statewide Vaccine Access Initiative, […]
Champaign County Fire Chiefs Issue Safety Advisory Amid Drought Conditions
The Champaign County Fire Chiefs’ Association has released an urgent advisory requesting all residents to halt open burning due to escalating fire risks caused by ongoing drought conditions across Champaign County. The association emphasized that current dry weather is expected to persist and worsen in the weeks ahead, heightening the […]
Federal Appeals Court Allows Trump Administration to Block Medicaid Funding to Planned Parenthood
A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of the Trump administration, allowing the government to halt Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood while legal challenges to the provision continue. The dispute centers on Section 71113 of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed into law by President Trump on July 4. This […]
