Category: Government

Bill to allow immigrant students free public K-12 education

By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Immigration rights advocates in Illinois are anxiously awaiting the governor’s signature on legislation aimed at protecting K-12 students who may be in the country without legal authorization from being denied access to a free public education. House Bill 3247, known as the “Safe Schools for

Gov. Pritzker okays changes to Prisoner Review Board

By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Governor JB Pritzker signed a new law Friday to make a series of changes to the Prisoner Review Board after it released a man who would go on to commit murder, leading to intense scrutiny in Springfield. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 19, which contains changes

City of Aurora to launch Public Transition Committees

The City of Aurora government has announced the launch of Public Transition Committees aimed at developing community-based recommendations that inform the work of City departments. The City is inviting passionate, dedicated, and committed community members to submit an application to serve on one of the five committees. Members from all

Reader’s Commentary: Foreign money and antisemitism in U.S., colleges

By Bela “Bill” Suhayda Of the $29 billion dollars American Universities received from foreign governments these last four years, Harvard has been on the receiving end of over $100 million per year. Harvard is already awash with endowments to the tune of $52 billion dollars. So why is the world

Endless wars, failing infrastructure, and a dying republic

By John & Nisha Whitehead Seventy years after president Dwight D. Eisenhower warned about the cost of a military-industrial complex, America is still stealing from its own people to fund a global empire. In 2025 alone, the U.S. has launched airstrikes in Yemen, bombed Houthi-controlled ports and radar installations (killing

Illinois $55.1B budget reliant on $700M new taxes

By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News IllinoisBszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Governor JB Pritzker signed Illinois’ fiscal year 2026 budget into law Monday, taking shots at president Donald Trump’s budget management to defend hard choices state lawmakers were forced to make this year. The $55.1 billion spending plan set to take effect July 1 is the

Aurora City Council considering new senior ride contractor

By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council is considering a Resolution to approve GoGo Grandparent as the replacement contractor for the City of Aurora Ride Solution (CARS) Program through December 31, 2025, utilizing the remaining budgeted funding, not to exceed $100,000.00. City government of Aurora documents show the change is

Aurora mayor Laesch listening session, feedback on the future of downtown

Aurora mayor John Laesch, alongside City of Aurora officials, were host to the first listening session of the new Mayoral Administration Thursday, focusing on the future of downtown Aurora. “Let’s Talk Downtown: A Community Conversation” started mayor Laesch’s City-wide listening tour, in which Laesch will speak directly with residents, businesses,

Reader’s Voice: America cannot forgive MAGA leaders

June 15, 2025Dear editor; Eventually, the current fascist tide will turn. President Donald Trump and his gang of would-be authoritarians will be out of power. When that day comes, there will undoubtedly be calls to turn the page on their lawlessness. We all require forgiveness. I certainly have in the

This is nearing martial law without declaration of war

By John & Nisha Whitehead In Donald Trump’s America, the bar for martial law is no longer constitutional—it’s personal. What is unfolding right now in California—with hundreds of Marines deployed domestically; thousands of National Guard troops federalized; and military weapons, tactics and equipment on full display—is intended to intimidate, distract

Illinois pharmacists applaud Drug Affordability Act

The Illinois Pharmacists Association (IPhA) celebrates the General Assembly’s passage of HB1697, the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, a landmark achievement in the fight to protect patients, enhance transparency, and preserve access to pharmacy care across Illinois. This legislation was a central focus of governor JB Pritzker’s 2025 State of the

Legal action against Dems illegal budget process

State representative Jed Davis (R-Yorkville) joined legal action to challenge the process utilized by Illinois Democrats to ram through the State’s fiscal year 2026 budget in the middle of the night. “Enough is enough,” said Davis. “For too long, Illinois Democrats have disrespected the institution of the Illinois General Assembly

Rep. Hernandez ends session, responsible budget, reforms

State representative Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, finished the Spring 2025 legislative session with progress passing a fiscally responsible budget, advancing new reforms on property taxes, securing equitable criminal justice and easing of unnecessary restrictions on seniors’ freedom to drive. “Every year I go to Springfield to fight to build a better