by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois May 7, 2025 A federal judge in New York issued a preliminary order Tuesday blocking the Trump administration from cutting off states’ access to hundreds of millions of dollars in pandemic relief funds for public schools, including more than $77 million for Illinois. U.S. […]
State of Illinois
Illinois Lawmakers Advance Bill to Strengthen School Cardiac Emergency Preparedness
The Illinois General Assembly has moved forward with House Bill 3275, a measure designed to improve emergency preparedness and student safety in schools by mandating enhanced training and planning for cardiac emergencies. The bill aims to ensure a rapid and effective response to life-threatening cardiac incidents during school activities, potentially […]
Pritzker signs order to protect personal autism data in response to federal action
by Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois May 8, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker issued an executive order Wednesday that bars state agencies from collecting and disclosing data about autism to the federal government unless it’s medically or legally necessary. The order was in […]
Noem Faces Backlash for Using Shaefer’s Tragedy in Political Messaging
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Springfield, Illinois, today, sharply criticizing the state’s “sanctuary” immigration policies and Governor JB Pritzker’s leadership, while Illinois officials and demonstrators pushed back, calling her appearance a “publicity stunt”. Standing near the site where community advocate Emma Shafer was killed in 2023, Noem held a […]
State revenue projections improve as economic uncertainty grows
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois May 5, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — The General Assembly’s independent forecasting commission has improved revenue projections for the upcoming fiscal year despite growing economic volatility. That’s good news for state lawmakers who are in the final weeks of crafting the fiscal year 2026 budget set […]
Plan to overhaul higher education funding meets U of I opposition
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois May 1, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — A plan to overhaul the way Illinois funds public universities is running into stiff opposition from the state’s largest higher education institution, the University of Illinois System. The plan, which has been in development for the last four years, […]
On May Day, thousands march for immigrant, labor, women and LGBTQ+ rights
by Sonya Dymova and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois May 2, 2025 CHICAGO — Michelle Nolasco, a 20-year-old DePaul University student from Orland Park, Illinois, held a sign that read: “I was supposed to be at school … Instead, I am here, fighting for mi familia y mi […]
Senate leaders split on community college bachelor’s degree proposal
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois May 2, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Two Democratic leaders in the Illinois Senate openly expressed their disagreement this week about Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposal to allow community colleges to offer four-year bachelor’s degree programs in certain high-demand employment fields. The exchange between Senate Majority Leader […]
Illinois Senate Passes Statewide Ban on Polystyrene Foam Food Containers
The Illinois Senate has passed a landmark environmental bill that will ban the sale and distribution of disposable food service containers made from polystyrene foam, commonly known as Styrofoam, across the state starting in 2030. Senate Bill 1531, known as the Disposable Food Service Container Act, prohibits any person from […]
Illinois Senate Advances Bill to Require Seat Belts on All New School Buses
The Illinois Senate has passed a bill that would require all newly purchased school buses in the state to be equipped with seat belts by 2031. Senate Bill 191, sponsored by Senator Julie Morrison (D–Deerfield), mandates that every designated seating position in any newly purchased school bus have a combination […]