Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) led 18 of his colleagues in introducing the Federal Naming Standards Act. This legislation would prevent federal buildings, facilities, and programs from being named after elected officials or political appointees until at least 10 years after they leave office. Even beyond that time frame, no former
By Maggie DoughertyCapitol News Illinoismdougherty@capitolnewsillinois.com Governor JB Pritzker signed artificial intelligence legislation modeled after similar bills in California and New York Monday, July 6, furthering a push for a State-driven national framework in lieu of federal regulations. “Congress and the president ought to be passing similar legislation, but they’ve so
By Naomi TaxayMedill Illinois News Bureaunews@capitolnewsillinois.com Earlier this year, administrators at Lake Zurich High School confronted a growing challenge facing schools nationwide: students using artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images of their classmates. After reporting the matter to police, the district launched a series of student and family education
Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced the Closing the Digital Divide for Students Act to expand broadband access for low-income families in HUD-assisted housing. This bill would allow families living in HUD-assisted housing, whose children qualify for free or reduced lunch, to use federal assistance on broadband internet access. Currently, families
State representative Stephanie Kifowit (D–Oswego), a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, passed two pieces of legislation in the Illinois House April 8 aimed at supporting veterans and strengthening oversight of programs that serve them. House Bill 4336 expands and clarifies the types of building-related fees that are waived for veterans with
The program “Know Your Rights,” about interacting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, will be held at the Yorkville Congregational United Church of Christ, 409 Center Parkway, Yorkville at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18. Representatives of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) and Family Focus will
May 10, 2025Dear editor; “And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned ‘round on you, where would you hide?” This is one of the famous quotes from the classic play by Robert Bolt, “A Man for All Seasons.” The quote is relevant to something Bela “Bill” Suhayda
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois attorney general, Kwame Raoul, is asking State lawmakers for a $15 million increase in his General Revenue Fund budget for the upcoming year, saying his office needs a more “stable” system of funding as it takes on greater responsibilities, including the growing volume of
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com A bill that would have imposed regulations on new types of intoxicating substances derived from hemp stalled in the Illinois House Tuesday, Jan. 7, dealing a political setback to governor JB Pritzker after he strongly supported the legislation. “I was tremendously disappointed,” Pritzker said at
By Peter Hancock The State has paused a new policy requiring certain noncitizens enrolled in a Medicaid-like health insurance plan to pay copayments for certain services, instructing health care providers to refund any such payments they have already collected. Omar Shaker, the interim chief of administrative rules at the Department
By Peter Hancock Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation Monday, June 12 that seeks to protect public and school libraries from pressure to ban, remove, or restrict access to books based on partisan or doctrinal disapproval. Speaking at the Harold Washington Library Center in downtown Chicago, Pritzker said there were 67
By Beth Hundsdorfer Governor JB Pritzker signed a law recently that ends parental notification, a requirement that doctors notify the parents of a minor seeking an abortion. “With reproductive rights under attack across the Nation, Illinois is once again establishing itself as a leader in ensuring access to health care
Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation into law August 20 introduced and passed by assistant House minority leader representative Keith Wheeler, R-Oswego, which allows expectant mothers in their third trimester to obtain a free placard for their vehicle valid for 90 days permitting them to park in handicap designated spots throughout
Illinois college students will receive financial relief due to a new law passed by State representative Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora. The measure will cap fees on student loan debt relief services. “Making higher education affordable is a priority for me, but that will never happen if predatory student loan debt relief
