by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois June 12, 2025 Gov. JB Pritzker spent hours Thursday defending his governing record and Illinois’ immigration policies as he was peppered with questions from members of the U.S. House Oversight Committee. Pritzker and Democratic governors Kathy Hochul of New York and Tim Walz of […]
Author: Capitol News
Baby food safety, press freedom, public defender measures will head to governor
by Ben Szalinski and Jade Aubrey, Capitol News Illinois June 4, 2025 Gov. JB Pritzker will have hundreds of bills to review after lawmakers concluded their spring session, including measures protecting press freedoms and baby food, as well as creating a state public defender’s office. Lawmakers voted along party lines […]
Amid court battle, lawmakers look to push back ‘swipe fees’ ban
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois June 4, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers have decided to delay a ban on “swipe fees” for another year as bankers are locked in a court battle with the state over the ban. Lawmakers passed the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act last spring as part […]
Shield law, university admissions, foster placement bills clear General Assembly
by Bridgette Fox and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois June 2, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – More than 150 bills moved through the General Assembly in the final week of the legislative session and will make their way to the governor, including measures touching on drug approval, college admissions […]
Amid uncertainty in Washington, Illinois lawmakers pass slimmed-down Medicaid package
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois June 1, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Nearly every year, Illinois lawmakers pass a package of measures dealing with the state’s Medicaid program, the joint federal and state health care program that covers low-income individuals. Known as the Medicaid omnibus bill, it sometimes includes bold components, […]
New taxes on sports bets, nicotine products as Democrats pass $55.2B budget
by Ben Szalinski and Jerry Nowicki, Capitol News Illinois June 1, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – Giving almost no time for public review, Illinois Democrats pushed through a $55.2 billion budget for next fiscal year late Saturday, bolstering coffers with new taxes on sports bets, nicotine products and businesses. The $55.2 billion […]
Illinois bill aims to lower cost of prescriptions, rein in pharmacy benefit managers
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois May 30, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — A bill that seeks to control the rising cost of prescription drugs while also offering financial help for many small, independent pharmacies in Illinois cleared the state Senate on Thursday and awaits action in the House. The bill, known […]
Pritzker to consider bill mandating gun owners lock up firearms near minors
by Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois May 29, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — A bill that would require gun owners to keep any firearms in a locked box whenever a minor is present will soon head to Gov. JB Pritzker. Senate Bill 8, also referred to […]
‘Medical aid in dying’ bill moves forward in Illinois
by Andrew Adams, Capitol News Illinois May 30, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Terminally ill Illinoisans may have the legal option to end their own life with the help of a physician next year under a bill approved by lawmakers Thursday. The procedure, which advocates and the bill call “medical aid in […]
Senate passes bill requiring Illinois libraries to supply opioid overdose medication
by Isabella Schoonover and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois May 28, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Legislation that would require Illinois public libraries to have life-saving medications on hand for people experiencing opioid overdoses and provide staff training has unanimously passed the Illinois Senate and is now on Gov. JB […]