Governor JB Pritzker declared an agricultural trade crisis in Illinois Wednesday, signing Executive Order 2025-07 in response to mounting farm financial distress that state officials blame on ongoing federal tariff policies. Since February 2025, the United States has imposed steep tariffs—some reaching 145%—on Chinese imports, prompting China to retaliate with […]
Other News
Illinois Governor Pritzker Directs $20 Million to Food Banks as Federal SNAP Benefits Halt
Governor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2025-08 on Thursday, directing $20 million in emergency funding to food banks across Illinois as nearly 2 million state residents prepare to lose federal food assistance this Saturday amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. The executive order launches a comprehensive statewide response to the Trump Administration’s unprecedented decision to halt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits beginning […]
House passes energy bill amid debate over costs to consumers
by Andrew Adams, Capitol News Illinois October 29, 2025 Article Summary House lawmakers passed a sweeping energy reform bill along party lines Wednesday evening. The bill would create new incentives for energy storage, allow construction of new nuclear power plants and give regulators expanded authority over the state’s electric grid. […]
7th Circuit temporarily halts judge’s order for daily appearances from Border Patrol’s Bovino
by Hannah Meisel, Capitol News Illinois October 29, 2025 Article Summary U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino was set to appear in front of a federal judge Wednesday evening for the first of his court-ordered daily check-ins over immigration agents’ use of force on civilians. But less than […]
Community Rallies to Support Families During SNAP Funding Delay in Champaign-Urbana
As the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) experiences a temporary funding shutdown, community members across Champaign County are stepping up to help families facing potential food insecurity. Food pantries and small businesses are mobilizing immediate support to make sure no one goes hungry while benefits are on hold. Mom’s […]
Senators Hawley and Luján Introduce Competing SNAP Bills as 42 Million Americans Face Food Insecurity
As the government shutdown approaches its fifth week, millions of Americans are confronting a historic crisis in food assistance. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP or food stamps, is set to lapse for the first time in modern history on November 1, 2025, threatening benefits for approximately […]
Congressional Amicus Brief Challenges Trump’s Tariff Authority in Supreme Court
A bipartisan group of 207 members of Congress has filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to rule that President Donald Trump exceeded his constitutional authority by imposing tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The 31-page brief, filed October 24, 2025, in the consolidated cases Learning Resources, […]
Senate Votes to Block Trump’s Tariffs on Brazil in Bipartisan Rebuke
The U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to overturn President Donald Trump’s 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian imports. The resolution passed 52-48, with five Republican senators (Rand Paul of Kentucky, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky) […]
Bovino ordered to make daily court appearances after three days of tear gas in Chicago
by Hannah Meisel, Capitol News Illinois October 28, 2025 Article Summary U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino spent a little more than an hour testifying in U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis’ courtroom Tuesday after she ordered him to appear for a hearing in ongoing litigation over CBP and […]
U.S. Consumer Confidence Edges Lower in October as Expectations Stay Subdued
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index® inched down by 1.0 point to 94.6 in October, a modest retreat from the revised September reading of 95.6. The Present Situation Index, a measure of consumers’ assessments of current business and job market conditions, climbed 1.8 points to 129.3, suggesting Americans see slightly […]
