Category: Government

Independent grocers face store closures, with loss of SNAP

By Jenna SchweikertCapitol News Illinoisjschweikert@capitolnewsillinois.com As households across Illinois brace to lose their federal food assistance this month, grocery stores, especially independent grocers across the state, are preparing for the devastating effects of decreased spending. For some independent grocers, whose profit margins average 2%, a decrease in consumer spending associated

Aurora City Council approves memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Phillips Park Foundation

By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council, Tuesday, approved a Resolution for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City of Aurora and Phillips Park Foundation, as requested by alderman of the Third Ward, Ted Mesiacos. The Phillips Park Foundation has recently been formed as a new Phillips Park not

Aurora launches neighborhood festival funding grant program

The City of Aurora unveils new funding opportunities for neighborhood festivals scheduled to take place in 2026. Neighborhood Festival Funding Grants are now available to organizations and neighborhood groups planning public community events that acquaint residents with each other, while also educating participants about Aurora. The program offers grants for

Do data centers benefit the places where they’re built?

By Nikoel HytrekCapitol News Illinoisnhytrek@captiolnewsillinois.com The Illinois General Assembly continues to debate what to do about data centers as the artificial intelligence business keeps booming, and communities complain about their energy bills, noise and environmental impacts. Data centers are warehouse-like buildings that house computer servers and other infrastructure that power

Lauzen invites Kane County residents to share ‘Love Letters to America’

Chris Lauzen, Kane County treasurer, is inviting residents of Kane County to take part in a new effort, “Love Letters to America: Voices from Kane County for America’s 250th Birthday,” as the Nation approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026. America will celebrate her 250th birthday in 2026. For generations, people

Trump hustle: Distraction, deception, heist of U.S. economy

By John & Nisha Whitehead Call it what it is: A heist. The corruption, cronyism, and self-dealing that now define the American government—under Donald Trump in particular—amount to a slow-motion stick-up carried out in broad daylight. But here’s the trick: It’s a heist hidden behind spectacle. The Trump administration is

DOJ seeking Illinois voter data to purge non-citizens

By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com The Donald Trump administration’s lawsuits seeking access to sensitive voter registration data in Illinois and dozens of other states is one part of a broader effort to purge state voter rolls of suspected noncitizens, according to documents filed recently in federal court in Springfield. Those

Nearly $1.1 Million in Federal funds for Aurora lead-free water project

Mayor of Aurora, John Laesch, honored congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and congressman Bill Foster (D-IL-11) at Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, for bringing nearly $1.1 million in federal funds to the City of Aurora. The funding, totaling $1,092,000, was part of the “Lead-Free Water Project” and will be

Rep. Davis bill to create guardrails around new data centers

State representative Jed Davis (R-Yorkville) has introduced legislation to ensure local residents have a direct voice in decisions surrounding the placement of large-scale data centers in their communities. The proposal, House Bill 5755, creates a clear pathway for voters to weigh in through a referendum before a municipality approves a