Mayor of Aurora concedes to challenger John Laesch
Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin, concedes Tuesday evening to opponent, John Laesch.
Fed. blocks more than $400M for Illinois health programs
By Ben Szalinski & Jade AubreyCapitol News IllinoisNews@Capitolnewsillinois.com President Donald Trump’s administration is pulling back $477 million from Illinois that was to be used to prevent infectious disease and treat mental health and substance abuse issues. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced this week the federal Centers for Disease
Aurora City Council is considering upgrade to Millennium Plaza
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council is considering a Resolution to authorize the director of the Purchasing Department to execute a contract with Hitchcock Design Group to provide design services for Millennium Plaza in the amount of $218,300. The purpose is to develop a revised design for Millennium Plaza
Reader’s Voice: SAVE Act, unnecessary proof-of-citizenship
March 25, 2025Dear editor; Our democracy works best when every eligible voter, regardless of background, can make their voice heard. But the extreme SAVE Act threatens that right by imposing unnecessary and burdensome proof-of-citizenship requirements, making it significantly harder for millions of Americans to register and vote. This bill would
Reader’s Voice: Homeschooling bill bad for educational freedom
March 25, 2025Dear editor; Homeschooling is on the rise and some school administrators are very concerned that they’re losing tax resources with declining enrollment numbers. Representative Terra Costa Howard (D-Lombard) is targeting homeschooling families with HB 2827, claiming that she wants to protect children from parents “who don’t do it
Foster legislation, spending transparency
Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) recently announced the reintroduction of the Shareholder Political Transparency Act. This legislation would amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require publicly traded companies to make quarterly disclosures to their shareholders detailing the types and amounts of political spending they engage in, ensuring greater transparency for
Raoul joins to block dismantling of Dept. of Education
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois attorney general Kwame Raoul and 20 other State attorneys general are asking a federal judge to immediately halt president Donald Trump’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. In a motion filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, the coalition of Democratic
Potawatomi to reclaim tribal land in DeKalb County
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com More than 175 years after their reservation in Illinois was illegally sold at auction, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation is now in line to get their land back. Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation Friday, March 21 authorizing the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to
Aurora City Council honors Weston Bridges Warriors
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council honored the Weston Bridges Warriors basketball team Tuesday, March 25 at the City Council meeting. The Warriors Special Olympics basketball team clinched second place for Division 2 and the championship for Division 11. Weston Bridges is an independent community for adult individuals with
Bill Foster on dismantling Department of Education
Congressman Bill Foster issued the following statement in response to president Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education: “Trump’s executive order dismantling the Department of Education is reckless, illegal, and destined to fail in the courts. Only an Act of Congress can abolish a federal agency
Rep. Davis fights for home school families
State representative Jed Davis (R-Yorkville) continues to fight to protect the rights of parents to choose the best educational experience for their children. HB 2827, the “Homeschool Act,” was heard in committee today and passed over the objection of tens of thousands of families choosing home or private school for
Trump runs government like business, social security at risk
Musings: •The Sins of Donald J. Trump (chapter four): He has: Fired the staff of the National Security Administration (which manages the nation’s nuclear stockpiles); Transferred trans-women in Federal prisons to men’s prisons; Turned over sensitive documents to DOGE; Targeted the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for dismantlement; Fired the Director
Beyond the law: What it means to weaponize the government
By John & Nisha Whitehead President Donald Trump’s declaration of war as a justification for using wartime powers to sidestep constitutional protections is indeed a war, but it is a war waged by the president against dissent, against due process, and against the very foundations of our constitutional republic. This
Reader’s Voice: Public Safety Sales Tax, money waste
March 17, 2025Dear editor; There are still townhall meetings for the Kane County Public Safety Sales Tax, so I am happy I probably can come March 20 since I am familiar with the church and it is a time, 6:30 p.m. I can probably exit my driveway at 6 p.m.
Kane County State’s Attorney, Human Exploitation Unit
At a press conference, Monday, March 17, Kane County State’s attorney, Jamie L. Mosser, announced the formation of the Human Exploitation Unit (HEU), a specialized team dedicated to investigating and prosecuting human trafficking offenses, including sex and labor trafficking. The unit will operate within the office’s Criminal Division and will
Aurora City Council, mayor honor Women’s History Month
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council honored alderwomen Juany Garza, Patty Smith, and Shweta Baid along with other female City leaders for Women’s History Month at the Tuesday, March 18, City Council Committee of the Whole meeting. In addition, superintendent of East Aurora School District 131, Jennifer Norrell was
State Representative Stephanie Kifowit Advances “Honoring Our Heroes Way” Bill (HB2714) Out of Transportation Committee
State representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) House Bill 2714 (HB2714), known as the “Honoring Our Heroes Way” bill, successfully advanced out of the Illinois House Transportation Committee, marking an important step forward in recognizing and honoring fallen service members. HB2714 expands the Heroes Way Designation Program Act by allowing veterans service
When dissent becomes a crime: The war on speech
By John & Nisha Whitehead You can’t have it both ways. You can’t live in a constitutional republic if you allow the government to act like a police state. You can’t claim to value freedom if you allow the government to operate like a dictatorship. You can’t expect to have
Hundreds rally at the Capitol to oppose homeschool bill
By Beth Hundsdorfer & Molly ParkerCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com Hundreds rallied Thursday at the Capitol in Springfield to voice their opposition to a bill that would require oversight of families who homeschool their children, a response to concerns that the state offers no restrictions on homeschooling families. The bill, called the
Kane County board member discusses safety sales tax
Kane County board member Mavis Bates told Aurora Lions Club members Thursday, March 6 that the county will run out of money for public safety without the Public Safety Sales Tax Referendum. Bates, District 4 Kane Board member, detailed the proposed county retailers’ occupation tax, intended to raise $51 million