By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Fourth and eighth grade students in Illinois generally scored as well or better than the national average in reading and math, according to results of the latest round of national test results. But their scores remain below pre-pandemic levels and, in the case of reading,
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council is considering approval of a revision to the River Street Plaza plan description for the Property at 100 S. River Street, and a Resolution establishing the maximum number of Class D: Downtown Fringe On-Site Consumption liquor licenses and self-service endorsements, related to an
State representative Jed Davis (R-Yorkville) has introduced a legislative package to help Illinois families thrive. The Helping Households Bill Package contains six bills to remove burdens, reduce costs, and increase access to critical services for Illinois residents. “We can’t just talk about promoting strong family values, we need to do
The Voice contributor, Marissa Amoni, and other community members, wrote several questions for Aurora mayoral candidates in the consolidated primary election to answer. Below are answers from Aurora alderman at-large, John Laesch. How will you work to restore our riverfront along the Fox River, especially north of downtown and RiverEdge
By Jade AubreyCapitol News Illinoisjaubrey@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois lawmakers kicked off their spring legislative session roughly three weeks ago, but lawmakers in the House have already filed more than 1,800 bills that could be acted on before the General Assembly adjourns in May. The vast majority of the ideas won’t make it
By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Democrats continue to hold a supermajority in the Illinois House thanks to illegally gerrymandered House districts, House Republicans allege in a new lawsuit filed with the Illinois Supreme Court Tuesday. The lawsuit alleges the current House map fails to meet state constitutional requirements that districts
By Ben Szalinski & Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.comphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com State agencies, nonprofit organizations and a host of other entities that rely on federal funding were thrown into chaos Tuesday following the release of a White House memo that froze – at least temporarily – the distribution of all federal grants, loans
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council approved a Resolution at the Tuesday, Jan. 28 Aurora City Council meeting, to authorize the Chief of Police to sign and execute the annual memorandum of understanding with Learning for Life, a District of Columbia non-profit corporation for the Aurora Police Department Youth
January 27, 2025Dear editor; Concerning Donald Trump and the rule of law. Thoughts of an honest, compassionate, non-corrupt Executive Branch of the United States government proved delusional when we as the American electorate voted Trump, once again, as our president and supposed leader of the free world. For some Trump
January 23, 2025Dear editor; Our most recent presidents, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Barack Obama, have collectively granted more than 11,700 pardons, with president Biden holding the record at more than 8,000 pardons. By granting a pardon voids not only the offence, but it can void the monetary damages owed
The League of Women Voters Aurora Area is sponsoring a candidate forum Thursday, Feb. 6 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Aurora Police Department headquarters, 1200 E Indian Trail Road. The forum for the February 25 primary election will also be broadcast on the LWV AA Facebook page:
State representative Jed Davis (R-Yorkville) has launched a petition opposing newly filed legislation that would legalize prostitution in Illinois. “This proposal highlights the absurdity we face in Springfield every day,” said Rep. Davis. “Legalizing prostitution won’t protect anyone – it will only give a dangerous industry legal cover to exploit
John & Nisha Whitehead That didn’t take long. Within days of Donald Trump’s second term, the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights disappeared from the White House’s website. While the Donald Trump Administration insists the removal of these foundational documents will eventually be restored to the site, the timing and
By Ben Szalinskibszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.comCapitol News Illinois Governor JB Pritzker Tuesday, Jan. 21 signed a long-awaited bill to stop Illinois organizations from paying less than the minimum wage to workers with disabilities. The bill applies to businesses and other facilities that hold what is known as a 14(c) certificate, named after the
By Ashley Sorianofor Capitol News Illinoisand Medill Illinois News BureauAshleySoriano2025@u.northwestern.edu Older drivers in Illinois could face fewer barriers to renew their driver’s licenses next year as part of a bill that would raise the age for the state-mandated annual driver’s test from 79 to 87. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias
State representative Jed Davis (R-Yorkville) introduced House Bill 1346, Tuesday, Jan. 14, which aims to bolster school safety in Illinois by establishing the School Resource Officer (SRO) Grant Program. This legislation will provide critical funding to support the hiring of active or retired law enforcement officers as SROs in schools
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council is considering an Ordinance for the redevelopment of the vacant Galena Hotel at 116 W. Galena Boulevard. The Petitioner, Fox River House LLC, is requesting the establishment of a Conditional Use Planned Development on the property which includes a plan description to redevelop
The League of Women Voters of Central Kane County has announced a series of upcoming mayor and city council candidate forums in St. Charles, Geneva, and Batavia. The forums will feature candidates on the April 1, 2025 Illinois Consolidated Election ballot who are in contested races in their respective communities.
The League of Women Voters of Central Kane County announced two upcoming candidate forums, featuring the candidates who are in contested races for Library Board and School Board in the cities of Batavia and Saint Charles. Candidates will appear on the April 1, 2025 Illinois Consolidated Election ballot. The forums
January 15, 2025Dear editor; Some Illinois state lawmakers plan to introduce a bill to legalize prostitution in the Land of Lincoln. This proposal would expunge past criminal arrests and conviction records. Taking advantage of the super-majority in both chambers, these Democrats want “private choices” about the use of one’s body
