The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Friday it is rescinding a decades-old policy that required public input on certain rulemaking procedures, effective immediately. The move eliminates the 1971 “Richardson Waiver,” which mandated notice and comment periods for rules related to public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts. […]
Month: February 2025
Illinois Lawmakers Propose Tax Deduction for Gratuities
Illinois Representatives Ryan Spain and Tony M. McCombie and Senator Senate Craig Wilcox have introduced a bill to create a new income tax deduction for gratuities. House Bill 1383 and Senate Bill 0140, introduced in the 104th General Assembly, aim to amend the Illinois Income Tax Act to allow taxpayers […]
Westbound I-74 Ramp to Southbound I-57 in Champaign Closing for Months Due to Construction
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has announced a significant road closure that will impact drivers in Champaign. The westbound Interstate 74 ramp connecting to southbound I-57 will be closed starting overnight on Sunday. This closure is part of ongoing construction work on the I-74 bridge over I-57 and is […]
Illinois Launches New REAL ID Initiative Ahead of 2025 Deadline: Expanded DMV Hours, Online Portal
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has launched a new initiative to help residents prepare for the upcoming REAL ID enforcement deadline on May 7, 2025. The program includes several key components: Secretary Giannoulias emphasized that not all residents need a REAL ID before May 7. Those with valid U.S. […]
Democratic Committees Sue Trump Over Executive Order They Say Undermines FEC Independence
The Democratic National Committee (DNC), DSCC, and DCCC have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump and other officials, challenging an executive order that they claim threatens the independence of the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The lawsuit, filed on February 28, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District […]
Federal Judge Halts Mass Firings of Probationary Federal Employees, Rebukes Trump Administration’s Workforce Cuts
A federal judge in San Francisco has determined that the Trump administration likely violated the law by abruptly terminating thousands of probationary federal employees across multiple agencies, issuing a temporary restraining order to halt further firings in key departments. U.S. District Judge William Alsup’s ruling, delivered on February 27, marks […]
Mass NOAA and NWS Layoffs Spark Concerns Over U.S. Weather Forecasting and Public Safety
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) have been affected by widespread layoffs. The mass firings, which occurred on February 27 have left employees stunned and raised serious concerns about the future of weather forecasting and public safety in the country. According to sources […]
U.S. Education Department Launches DEI Reporting Portal
The U.S. Department of Education has introduced a new online platform called EndDEI.Ed.Gov, aimed at addressing concerns about discrimination in K-12 public schools. This portal allows parents, students, teachers, and community members to report instances of perceived discrimination based on race or sex in educational institutions receiving public funding. The […]
Illinois schools continuing DEI initiatives despite federal funding threats
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois February 26, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education is not telling schools to stop any diversity, equity and inclusion lessons or programs, the state’s education chief told a House committee this week, even as the Trump administration threatens to pull federal […]
Trump Administration Orders Large-Scale Federal Workforce Cuts in New Memo
The Trump administration has issued a memorandum outlining plans for large-scale reductions in the federal workforce Wednesday night. The document provides guidance to executive departments and agencies on developing Agency RIF (Reduction in Force) and Reorganization Plans (ARRPs). Memos from the President are typically issued by government agencies or departments […]