Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the “Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act” into law on Friday, August 1, establishing new protections to shield mental health patients from unlicensed providers and unregulated artificial intelligence systems. The new legislation mandates that therapy and psychotherapy services in Illinois must be provided by qualified, […]
State of Illinois
Texas Dems flee to Illinois to block redistricting vote
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois August 4, 2025 Article Summary Texas Democrats fled to Illinois Sunday night in an effort to block a vote to bolster the state’s number of Republican lawmakers in Congress. JB Pritzker called the Texas GOP’s effort “cheating” at the request of President Donald Trump. […]
Illinois joins suit against Trump administration orders limiting gender-affirming care
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois August 1, 2025 Article Summary Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and other Democratic attorneys general are suing the Trump administration over policies to limit gender-affirming care for youths. The lawsuit argues the policies violate states’ 10th Amendment right to regulate health care. Many Illinois […]
State leaders seek more transparency from insurance companies
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois July 30, 2025 Article Summary Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is calling on Illinois lawmakers to pass legislation banning auto insurance companies from considering non-driving factors when setting a person’s premium. Insurance industry groups say considering non-driving factors helps keep insurance costs lower in […]
Pritzker signs bill to implement mental health screenings in schools
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois July 31, 2025 Article Summary A new Illinois law is scheduled to implement annual mental health screenings in public schools beginning during the 2027-28 school year. The screenings would be available for students in third grade through high school, but parents can opt their […]
Trump administration requests voter data from Illinois elections board
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois July 29, 2025 Article Summary The Trump administration sent the Illinois State Board of Elections a letter this week requesting troves of voter data. The request included sensitive information about voters and the state’s efforts to scrub the rolls of ineligible voters. The request […]
Pritzker signs bills addressing gun storage, tracing of firearms
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois July 28, 2025 Article summary: Senate Bill 8 requires gun owners to keep their weapons secured and inaccessible to minors, people at risk of harming themselves or others, and people prohibited from possessing firearms. Violations can result in civil fines. House Bill 1327 requires […]
Following state rep’s encounter, Pritzker signs ‘squatter bill’ into law
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois July 21, 2025 Article Summary A new Illinois law allows police to remove squatters from a person’s home for criminal trespassing. State law previously required property owners to go through a lengthy eviction process in court to remove squatters who claimed legal rights to […]
Pritzker calls Texas GOP’s remap effort ‘cheating,’ doesn’t rule out Illinois response
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois July 23, 2025 Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker is leaving open the possibility that Illinois lawmakers could redraw congressional maps with more Democrat-leaning districts. Texas lawmakers are meeting this week to consider President Donald Trump’s request to add more Republican-leaning districts in the state […]
Feds weigh in on lawsuit challenging how Illinois maintains voter registration rolls
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois July 23, 2025 Article Summary The Justice Department is supporting a lawsuit by private entities that challenges Illinois’ practice of putting local election officials in charge of maintaining voter registration rolls. The action appears to be part of a broader effort to exert more […]











