by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois October 17, 2025 Article Summary Open enrollment for health insurance sold through the Affordable Care Act marketplace begins Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 15, 2026. Many people will see their out-of-pocket premiums increase dramatically due to the scheduled expiration of enhanced federal tax […]
Other News
Federal Judge Halts Trump Administration’s Shutdown Layoffs, Calling Them Unprecedented and Illegal
A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from firing thousands of federal employees during the ongoing government shutdown, ruling that the mass layoffs are likely illegal and politically motivated. The government shutdown began on October 1, 2025, and has now entered its third week, […]
Federal Appeals Court Blocks Trump National Guard Deployment in Illinois, Citing Lack of Evidence for “Rebellion”
A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that President Donald Trump cannot deploy National Guard troops in Illinois. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit upheld a lower court’s temporary restraining order, concluding that “the facts do not justify the President’s actions in Illinois” under federal law, even after […]
Illinois Governor Convenes Retired Military Leaders to Condemn Trump’s Military Deployments in American Cities
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker assembled a distinguished group of retired military generals and veterans in Chicago on Thursday to voice strong opposition to President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops in Democratic-led cities, a move the military leaders characterized as an unprecedented abuse of presidential power that threatens American […]
Governors Action Alliance Launches to Support State Leaders in Protecting Fundamental Freedoms
A coalition of 15 Democratic governors representing more than one-third of the United States population unveiled the Governors Public Health Alliance on October 15. The independent state-level platform will coordinate public health policy as federal health agencies face unprecedented budget cuts, staff reductions, and controversial policy changes under the Trump […]
Trump Hosts White House Dinner for Major Donors Behind $250 Million Ballroom Project
President Donald Trump welcomed approximately 130 wealthy donors, corporate executives, and political allies to a candlelit “Legacy Dinner” in the White House East Room on October 15, thanking them for their financial support of his ambitious $250 million ballroom construction project. This dinner occurred during an active government shutdown that […]
Layoffs Decimate Offices Enforcing Special Education Law, Threatening Services for 7.5 Million Students
Nearly all staff from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) were dismissed during reduction-in-force actions that began Oct. 10, as part of broader government shutdown layoffs. The cuts represent a devastating blow to federal oversight of the Individuals with […]
Appeals court allows federalization of troops but says they can’t be deployed
by Andrew Adams, Capitol News Illinois October 13, 2025 Article Summary A federal appeals court upheld a lower court’s temporary order barring President Donald Trump’s administration from deploying National Guard troops in Illinois without the governor’s approval. Protests continue in Broadview, where local and state police make arrests in an […]
Veto session preview: Federal issues top of mind as lawmakers seek transit, energy solutions
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois October 13, 2025 Article Summary The General Assembly will return for the annual fall veto session from Oct. 14-16 and Oct. 28-30 with several key items on their agenda. Federal immigration and law enforcement actions in the Chicago area are weighing on lawmakers’ minds, […]
Nationwide ‘No Kings’ Protests Scheduled for October 18: Urbana, Monticello
Millions of Americans are expected to take to the streets on Saturday, October 18, 2025, for the second nationwide “No Kings Day” protests against the Trump administration, as the federal government shutdown enters its third week with no resolution in sight. The protests, organized by a coalition of more than […]
