State of Illinois

State of Illinois

State grants allow small Illinois farmers to develop local food-sharing networks

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

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 […]

State of Illinois

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 […]

State of Illinois

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. […]

State of Illinois

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 […]

State of Illinois

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 […]