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 […]
Other News
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 […]
U.S. Job Growth Steady in April; Unemployment Holds at 4.2%
The U.S. labor market continued its steady expansion in April, with employers adding 177,000 jobs and the unemployment rate remaining unchanged at 4.2%, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The jobs report is a lagging indicator and may not immediately reflect rapid changes, such […]
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 […]
House to Vote Monday on Controversial IGO Anti-Boycott Act
The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on the “IGO Anti-Boycott Act” (H.R. 867) on May 5. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), aims to expand existing U.S. anti-boycott laws to include boycotts promoted by international governmental organizations (IGOs), such as the […]
SJO Drama Program to Host “Raise Your Voice” Spring Fundraiser Showcase
The St. Joseph-Ogden (SJO) High School Drama Program is set to cap off a powerful theatrical season with its Spring Fundraiser Showcase, Raise Your Voice, on Saturday, May 10th at 7 p.m. in the SJO High School auditorium. Admission is free, with donations at the door strongly encouraged to support the […]
Kids Get Behind the Wheel at Touch-A-Truck Day in Champaign
Centennial Park in Champaign will transform into a wonderland of wheels and sirens on Wednesday, May 14, as families gather for the annual Touch-A-Truck Day. The event, running from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., invites children to climb aboard, honk horns, and explore a variety of large vehicles, including tow […]
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Use of Alien Enemies Act to Deport Venezuelans from South Texas
A federal judge in Texas issued a landmark ruling Thursday, permanently blocking the Trump administration from using the centuries-old Alien Enemies Act (AEA) to detain and deport Venezuelan migrants in South Texas. The decision, delivered by U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr.-a Trump appointee-declared that the administration’s invocation of the […]
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 […]
Trump’s 100 days: Pritzker calls for mass mobilization as he grows his national profile
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois April 30, 2025 President Donald Trump marked the 100th day of his second term on Tuesday as Gov. JB Pritzker has spent the week calling on Americans to pressure congressional Republicans to oppose Trump’s agenda and highlighting how Trump’s policies affect Illinois. “I’m deeply […]