By Bernarda MalevskaCapitol News Illinoisbmalevska@capitolnewsillinois.com The state of Illinois has erased more than $1.4 billion in medical debt for almost 700,000 Illinoisans for pennies on the dollar, two years after launching a new relief program. At its launch, the Illinois Medical Debt Relief Program aimed to eliminate $1 billion in
By Maggie DoughertyCapitol News Illinoismdougherty@capitolnewsillinois.com The Illinois Commerce Commission approved an $82 million rate hike. The amount was negotiated between Nicor Gas and the attorney general’s office as part of a settlement that reduced the company’s original request by nearly two-thirds. The rate increase is expected to add around $2
October 3, 2026Dear editor; Voters of the City of Aurora, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will Counties, Illinois: Please vote “Yes” on the Aurora Mayoral Recall Referendum Tuesday, Nov. 3. Aurora Voters will get to exercise an inalienable right that is a part of our heritage as Americans, to equip ourselves
A statement from mayor john laesch on alleged mass shooting plot in Aurora, October 11: “I am deeply saddened and disturbed by the recent news that an alleged mass shooting plot targeted members of a Hindu temple here in Aurora. No one should ever feel threatened, unsafe, or attacked for
State representative Jed Davis (R-Yorkville) is hosting a Winter Warmth Drive along with co-host State senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) through November 2. The drive will collect new and unused cold-weather items for families and individuals in need across local communities. “As the temperatures begin to drop, many families in our
Musings: •The Sins of Donald J. Trump (chapter 22). He has placed his signature on the $100 bill “in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America”; Pardoned six persons who tampered with air pollution equipment in their automobiles in violation of the Clean Air Act; Brought
By John & Nisha Whitehead The spectacle of public executions. Deadly military strikes on foreign countries. Innocent civilian lives lost to war. Aggressive ICE raids. Government officials accused of using their powers to intimidate political opponents. Public office increasingly entangled with private financial interests. Government leaders who glorify violence, spew
By Ben Szalinski & Brenden MooreCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com When the retrospective analyses of his tenure in office are written, governor JB Pritzker says he hopes his legacy will rest on the same argument he’s making to Illinois voters in seeking a rare third term. “I would like people to remember
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has been reviewing the potential removal of dams along the Fox River to increase safety and water quality. The IDNR has concluded a multi-year study about the potential removal of the Fox River Dam in North Aurora. Though the State of Illinois owns
Kane County treasurer Chris Lauzen announced good news for the County budget: He is raising the projected interest income for the fiscal year ending Nov. 30, 2027 from about $12 million to about $20 million. The additional $8 million can help cover county expenses with revenue earned from investments rather
The following seats are up for election at the 2027 Aurora Consolidated Election: Alderman-at-large, alderperson Ward 1, alderperson Ward 3, alderperson Ward 5, alderperson Ward 6, and alderperson Ward 8. The first day to file nominating petitions is October 19. The last day to file nominating petitions is October 26.
By Paul Cuno-BoothFactCheck.org Several Democrats seized on some confusing and eyebrow-raising remarks president Donald Trump made at a rally in Nebraska about the war in Iran. “Remember, with the war, it’s just artificial. It’s a little bit high,” Trump said, apparently referring to gas prices. “It’s a small price to
By John & Nisha Whitehead The era of small government is over. Anyone who tells you differently is selling you a lie. Case in point: Donald Trump promised to shrink the federal government. But what if Trump’s pledge to cut the federal work force wasn’t really about eliminating government bureaucracy
By Ben Szalinski & Maggie DoughertyCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com A new study predicts data centers expected to be built in Illinois over the next decade would create thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in new property tax revenue. But many are skeptical the touted benefits will live up to their
By Bernarda MalevskaCapitol News Illinoisbmalevska@capitolnewsillinois.com Homelessness in Illinois decreased overall by 6% between 2025 and 2026, but chronic homelessness, where people have been homeless more than once in the last year and have a disabling condition, rose by 28%, according to a new state report. Five years after governor JB
Aurora mayor John Laesch is opposing a proposed 15% water rate hike ($18 per water bill) for a Text-a-Physician program being advanced by State representative Barbara Hernandez, citing concerns over automatic enrollment, increased water bills, and unanswered questions about the program’s medical safeguards, privacy protections, and legal liability. The proposed
Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain announced his retirement, effective November 1, 2026, bringing a distinguished 30-year career in law enforcement to a close. Sheriff Hain has decided to step down to focus on his health and to ensure continuity of leadership for the people of Kane County. “Serving the people
The Illinois Environmental Council honored mayor John Laesch with the Milestone Achievement Award at its annual Environmental Leadership Dinner October 2. The award, which is given to leaders who drive major environmental policy and legislative progress in the State of Illinois, recognizes mayor Laesch’s innovative approach to the City of
By John & Nisha Whitehead America, you got fooled. Again. For starters, the war on illegal immigration was never just about illegal immigration. If you fell for that, chances are you’re still falling for the government’s oldest trick: Manufacture a crisis, identify an enemy, frighten the public, declare an emergency,
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com With early in-person and mail-in voting now underway in Illinois, state and local election officials insisted Friday that the state’s voting system is being run fairly and accurately. Sangamon County clerk Don Gray and Illinois State Board of Elections spokesman Matt Dietrich told a Springfield
