Category: Government

Illinois Supreme Court: FOID seizures, hospital room privacy

By Peter Hancock and Hannah MeiselCapitol News Illinois The Illinois Supreme Court last week vacated a lower court ruling and reinstated a statute that authorizes the state to revoke a person’s Firearm Owners Identification card once they’ve been charged with a felony, even if they haven’t yet been convicted. The

DuPage County budget Fiscal Year 2025

DuPage County Board chair Deborah Conroy presented a balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2025 Tuesday, Sept. 24, outlining key priorities that support vital County services in a cost-effective, fiscally responsible manner. The proposed FY 2025 budget totals $635.8 million, with a General Fund of $257.1 million. The budget includes a

Reader’s Voice: Illegals not the enemy, need reform

September 22, 2024Dear editor; Why do immigrants come to the United States? They come to join their families, to work, and to seek safety and refuge from war, violence, and natural disasters. These reasons speak to the basic human needs of every living person: The need to be with the

Don’t Trust the Government with your freedoms

By John & Nisha Whitehead Public trust in the government to “do what is right” understandably remains at an all-time low. After all, how do you trust a government that continuously sidesteps the Constitution and undermines our rights? You can’t. When you consider all the ways “we the people” are

A year after end of cash bail, no change in failure to appear rate, analysis shows

By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com One year after Illinois became the first state in the nation to eliminate the use of cash bail, the impact on the state’s criminal justice system appears to have been far less dramatic than people on either side of the debate had predicted. That, at

Illinois Supreme Court hears cases pertaining to detention under SAFE-T Act

By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a pair of cases that test the authority of local courts to hold criminal suspects behind bars while they await trial. The cases come almost one year to the day after the court allowed a new law

Rendering of proposed City of Lights Center.

Aurora government helps Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA)

By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council approved by a vote of 9-2, a Resolution directing officials to proceed with the implementation of Phase I of a 3-phase financial sustainability plan for the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA) in an amount not to exceed $13.8 million. Aldermen Ted Mesiacos and

State representative Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, receives 100% scorecard from the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC)

State representative Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, received a 100% scorecard from the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) for helping lead the fight to support the environment, tackle climate change and promote clean energy. “Growing up in Aurora, I was lucky enough to have a beautiful natural world to enjoy, and the next

Ted Mesiacos announces run for mayor of Aurora

Alderman Ted Mesiacos Announces Run for Aurora Mayor

Today, alderman Ted Mesiacos (Ward 3) formally announced his campaign to serve as mayor of Aurora.  Ted Mesiacos is a devoted father of two, alderman, architect, small business owner, civil servant, 2nd generation immigrant, and native Auroran running for mayor. Mesiacos said: “It’s an honor of a lifetime to run

State delay in launching mental health response program

By Beth HundsdorferCapitol News Illinoisbhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com An Illinois law intended to help people with mental illness avoid confrontations with police had been on the books for three years when Sonya Massey was shot by a Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy.The Community Emergency Services and Supports Act, or CESSA, requires mental and behavioral

Reader’s Voice: Opinion: “Sticks and stones” weird

August 27, 2024Dear editor; It has become fashionable for some politicians to call their opponents “weird”. How clever! Our Country, State, and County are in so much turmoil that voters should reject junior high school behavior and focus on existing records of performance (or lack of) and policies that will

Before I vote for Trump: Considerations

September 1, 2024Dear editor; This concerns thoughts to consider before I vote for Donald Trump. Before I vote for Trump, I must consider whether he supports the 1873 Comstock Act mentioned by Justice Alito in the Supreme Court’s decision to repeal Roe v Wade. With the repeal of “Roe” already

Reader’s Commentary: Mainstream media ignores trafficking, Harris flip flopping

By Bela “Bill” Suhayda Comrade Kamala Harris with her San Francisco values took her “emotional support” vice presidential pick “Tampon Tim” Walz to her first interview since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee. She’s dodged every interview and speaking engagement where teleprompters would not be available. Her own team doesn’t trust