By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com U.S. senator Dick Durbin is once again at odds with other prominent Illinois Democrats over a vote that set in motion a plan to end the record-long federal government shutdown. Durbin, who is not seeking reelection in 2026, was one of eight members in the
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com The Illinois House rejected a bill Thursday that would have given the state Department of Insurance authority to regulate homeowners’ insurance rates. Governor JB Pritzker had called for the legislation in July after State Farm Insurance announced it was raising rates for property and casualty
Working to uplift local families, this week State representative Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, backed an energy plan to reduce home energy costs, expanded the senior property tax freeze, supported transit reform and recognized individuals impacted by scarring alopecia. “We took needed action this veto session to address rising home energy prices,”
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com An Illinois House panel Wednesday, Oct. 29 advanced a bill aimed at reforming a state pension plan known as the “Tier 2” system, but only with the understanding that negotiations will continue and no final action will be taken until next spring at the earliest.
By Brenden MooreCapitol News Illinoisbmoore@capitolnewsillinois.com While candidates filed petitions Monday to run under Illinois’ existing congressional district lines, U.S. House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries brought his redistricting campaign to Illinois, pitching top state Democrats on a new map in a series of closed-door meetings. Dozens of congressional candidates were in
Once again, like the sun rising over the Great Lakes, there is an opinion in the news that disrespects the hardworking people who give so much to our state. Over the past three years, my committee and I have been working on a comprehensive package to retain and attract dedicated
By Woodrow Carroll Last weekend was not a good one for Illinois and Northwestern football. Both teams suffered conference losses on the road. Illinois was a 42-25 loser at Washington, while Northwestern was edged 28-21 at Nebraska. Defeats that left each team with 5-3 overall records. In the case of
By Hannah MeiselCapitol News Illinoishmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com The Donald Trump administration has agreed to extend a federal judge’s temporary block on deploying National Guard troops to Chicago while the U.S. Supreme Court weighs whether to stay the judge’s order. In a filing Tuesday — two days before U.S. District Judge April Perry’s
By Woodrow Carroll While few are predicting a major breakthrough for the Northwestern football program, one has to admit that the Wildcats have performed better than expected by most to this point. With a 19-0 road victory at Purdue last Saturday, Northwestern upped its season record to 5-2. Five victories
By Hannah MeiselCapitol News Illinoishmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com The Donald Trump administration on Friday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the immediate deployment of National Guard troops in Illinois, calling the decisions by lower court judges blocking the activation of guardsmen “indefensible” and “micromanaging.” In a 43-page filing, the administration argued the
By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois agencies must identify spending reductions and create reserves in their budgets to prepare for an economic downturn, according to an executive order issued Tuesday by governor JB Pritzker. Pritzker said the order is designed to combat federal policies by the Trump administration that are
By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Governor JB Pritzker said political leaders — starting with president Donald Trump — need to do more to condemn political violence. “He actively fans the flames of division, as he did on Friday, regularly advocates violence for political retribution, and in more than one case,
By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Governor JB Pritzker said Tuesday, Sept. 2 he expects Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to employ the same aggressive strategies they used in Los Angeles earlier this summer after president Donald Trump said he will deploy the National Guard to Chicago. The information, Pritzker said,
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Two veteran federal officials from Illinois are relaunching an effort to amend the Illinois Constitution and end partisan gerrymandering in state legislative districts. Bill Daley, a Democrat from Chicago who served as secretary of commerce under President Bill Clinton, and Ray LaHood, a former Republican
By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com In front of gleaming skyscrapers along the Chicago River, Illinois’ Democratic leaders showed a united front Monday against president Donald Trump’s threats to deploy the military into Chicago’s streets to fight crime with one message: “Mr. President, do not come to Chicago.” “You are neither
By Andrew AdamsCapitol News Illinoisaadams@capitolnewsillinois.com A group of former Barack Obama administration officials and election lawyers announced Tuesday they are attempting to reform the way the state draws district maps for the state legislature. They want to do this by passing a state constitutional amendment via a ballot initiative during
By Andrew AdamsCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com Governor JB Pritzker signed 266 laws on Friday, moving closer to finalizing his part in approving — or rejecting — over 430 laws sent to him by lawmakers this spring. The new laws include measures to make public defenders more independent, tighten safety regulations at
August 11, 2025Dear editor; I’ve made a big decision and wanted you to know. As you already know, I’m a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, mom, and proud State representative. And now… I’m running to be your next Illinois comptroller! For more than two decades, I’ve been Illinois’ fiscal hawk —
By Ben Szalinski, Andrew Adams, & Jerry NowickiCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com Governor JB Pritzker, Friday, Aug. 1, signed into law 124 of the 436 bills sent to him by lawmakers in the spring legislative session. The measures signed last week expand what must be covered by state-regulated insurance plans, require libraries
By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Insurance companies operating in Illinois have a transparency problem with State regulators and consumers, four top State officials alleged recently. Illinois leaders remain frustrated by State Farm’s rate hikes on Illinois homeowners and threatened more state regulation over premium increases in a letter to the
