by Tom O’Connor and Maggie Dougherty, Capitol News Illinois December 22, 2025 Article Summary Past recipients of Illinois’ Local Food Infrastructure Grant say the investment has had ripple effects, allowing them to share knowledge and equipment with other local food producers. About $4 million will be available for farms and […]
State of Illinois
As state regulators warn of impending energy shortfalls, capacity prices rise again
by Jerry Nowicki, Capitol News Illinois December 19, 2025 Article Summary A new report by state regulators projects energy shortfalls will begin in northern Illinois by 2029 and the rest of the state by 2031 if lawmakers and grid operators don’t act. The shortages would continue to drive up energy […]
Illinois Expands Pharmacist Authority to Dispense Full Range of Contraceptives
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 […]
Illinois Accountability Commission hears testimony about excessive force by ICE agents. Felt like a ‘war zone’
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 […]
Justice Department sues for access to Illinois voter rolls
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 […]
Illinois leaders ‘won’t back down’ following Trump’s order limiting AI regulation
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. […]
Illinois Health Officials Reaffirm Universal Hepatitis B Vaccine at Birth Despite Federal Policy Shift
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 […]
Illinois Education officials brace for lean fiscal year ahead
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 […]
IHSA Member Schools Approve Football Playoff Expansion and 11 Other Bylaw Changes
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 […]
Pritzker signs $1.5B plan to overhaul public transportation, avoid service cuts
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois December 16, 2025 Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill to provide $1.5 billion in new revenue for public transportation agencies while creating a new Chicago-area oversight agency. The plan does not include any statewide tax increases but does raise a sales tax […]











