Category: Government

Pritzker selects former deputy gov. Christian Mitchell

By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Governor JB Pritzker announced Tuesday that former deputy governor Christian Mitchell will be his running mate for the 2026 campaign. Pritzker’s selection, made just days after announcing a third campaign for governor, comes from a close circle of trust in Pritzker’s administration. Mitchell previously served

Reader’s Voice: Republican budget could cost lives

June 25, 2025Dear editor; There are 16,600 additional, preventable deaths which could happen each year because of the Republican House budget proposal, according to an analysis by researchers in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The Senate version could make this even worse! Encouraged by Donald Trump, $1 trillion of SNAP

Lawless agency: ICE is the prototype for tyranny

By John & Nisha Whitehead While the U.S. wages war abroad—bombing Iran, escalating conflict, and staging a spectacle of power for political gain—a different kind of war is being waged here at home. This war at home is quieter but no less destructive. The casualties are not in distant deserts

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