By Dilpreet Raju A Chicago organization focused on drinking water sustainability will receive a $15 million federal grant over the next two years for a project aimed at jumpstarting a regional clean water industry. The U.S. National Science Foundation awarded the grant to Current Innovation NFP, a nonprofit “innovation hub”...
By Andrew Adams Boston-based Nexamp, a major player in the solar energy industry, is joining the growing list of renewable technology companies that have expanded to, or relocated to Illinois in recent months. Monday, Jan. 22 Nexamp announced its intention to spend $2 billion in Illinois, including building a second...
Illinois allocated $160 million to migrant aid in November, more funding is ‘on the table’ By Andrew Adams Capitol News Illinoisaadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Chicago – As Illinois faces sub-zero wind chills, thousands of recently arrived migrants are sleeping in precarious situations throughout Chicago and its suburbs – overcrowded shelters, police stations, former convenience...
Governor-appointed board would have authority to cap drug costs By Alex Abbeduto Capitol News Illinois abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com A new bill in the Illinois General Assembly would create a board of health care experts that would have the authority to set price limits on prescription medications. House Bill 4472 was introduced Wednesday by...
State inks new incentive deal for manufacturing plant, is ahead of schedule on pre-K growth By Cole LongcorCapitol News Illinoisclongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com The State on Wednesday announced it inked another tax incentive deal aimed at boosting manufacturing while Gov. JB Pritzker said his plan to add more preschool seats in early childhood...
Some members record symbolic objection, saying rules are too vague and complicated By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Springfield – New permanent rules will soon go into effect spelling out how people who own assault weapons and related items that are now heavily regulated in Illinois can register them with the...
Joint program offers funds, tuition assistance and stipends for future alcohol and drug counselors By Dilpreet RajuCapitol News Illinoisdraju@capitolnewsillinois.com Amid five straight years of record overdose deaths in Illinois, a new state program aims to alleviate a shortage of professionals who work to prevent substance use disorders. Illinois’ behavioral health...
Objectors say he’s disqualified under 14th Amendment for role in Jan. 6 Capitol riots By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is now among the growing list of states in which former President Donald Trump will have to fight to have his name appear on the 2024 election ballots....
At court hearing, former Democratic powerhouse makes first appearance in court By Hannah MeiselCapitol News Illinoishmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO –Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan won’t be spending his 82nd birthday in a federal courtroom this spring after a judge on Wednesday granted his request to delay his bribery and racketeering trial...
Former director Marc Smith will stay on until Feb. 1 By Beth Hundsdorfer Capitol News Illinoisbhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com The troubled state agency charged with the protection of abused and neglected children will have new leadership in the new year. Gov. JB Pritzker announced Wednesday that Department of Juvenile Justice Director Heidi Mueller will...
By Peter Hancock As the cost of higher education continues to rise in Illinois and elsewhere, a growing number of students are working to earn as many college credits as possible while they are still in high school. But even as the popularity continues to grow for “dual credit” offerings...
Valerie Goss, the head of the faculty union at Chicago State University, and Illinois Federation of Teachers President Daniel Montgomery embrace at an April 3, 2023 rally on the campus of Chicago State University.
By Peter Hancok, Andrew Adams, & Jerry NowickiCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com More than 300 new laws will take effect January 1, 2024 ranging from a ban on book bans to the regulation of “deepfake porn” and prohibitions on videoconferencing while driving. Thanks to a law signed in 2019, workers at the...
By Jerry NowickiCapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com With Illinois lawmakers scheduled to return to legislative session in less than a month, a recent government fiscal forecast provides an overview of the budgeting landscape that awaits them. The bottom line from the five-year forecast from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget: The...
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com The U.S. Supreme Court issued two orders recently in turning down requests to block enforcement of Illinois’ assault weapons ban while challenges to the law are still being heard in lower courts. Lastweek Justice Amy Coney Barrett turned down a request from Republican Party State...
By Andrew AdamsCapitol News Illinoisaadams@capitolnewsillinois.com The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is advising Illinoisans to take precautions to avoid spreading respiratory illnesses because cases around the State and Country are on the rise. IDPH issued a health alert last week to hospitals, long-term care facilities and local health departments...
By Jerry Nowicki & Andrew Adams Governor JB Pritzker on Friday signed into law a measure that will allow for the limited development of new nuclear power generation technology in the state. The measure, House Bill 2473, does not allow new large-scale power generation facilities like the six plants that...
Advocacy groups say ‘Healthy Illinois 2028’ is missing key areas of focus By Dilpreet RajuCapitol News Illinoisdraju@capitolnewsillinois.com A new state health report pinpoints racism as a public health crisis while also noting Illinois needs to improve in the areas of maternal and infant health, mental health and substance use disorders....
Pritzker says goal is to send free books to all children, ages 0-5 By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois families with infants and toddlers now have access to free children’s books that can be sent directly to their home, regardless of their income. Governor JB Pritzker on Tuesday, Dec. 5...
By Peter Hancock A group of temporary staffing agencies and their trade associations are asking a federal court to block enforcement of a new State law that governs how day laborers and temp workers are managed and paid. The lawsuit, filed earlier this month in Chicago, challenges several changes enacted...
