Other News

Federal

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 […]

Federal

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 […]

State of Illinois

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 […]

State of Illinois

Illinois’ budget on track for deficit as new federal policies create challenges

by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois October 10, 2025 Article Summary The governor’s office now projects a $267 million deficit for the current fiscal year 2026 budget. Corporate tax cuts enacted at the federal level, combined with tariffs and declining consumer spending, is causing state corporate tax revenue to decline. […]

Local

Justice in Focus: Champaign-Urbana Hosts Community Event on Health Equity and Social Change

The Independent Media Center in Urbana will host an impactful event focused on health equity and social justice this Saturday, October 11, as the Justice Coalition presents a screening of the PBS documentary “Discovered Truth: A Health Care Journey.” The “Justice in Focus” event, organized by the Champaign-Urbana Public Health […]

Federal

Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s National Guard Deployment to Illinois

U.S. District Judge April Perry granted a temporary restraining order Thursday evening blocking the Trump administration from federalizing and deploying National Guard troops within Illinois. Judge Perry found that the Trump administration failed to meet the legal requirements for deploying federal troops. The order prevents defendants from “ordering the federalization […]