by Brenden Moore, Capitol News Illinois November 19, 2025 Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker met with Pope Leo XIV in Rome on Wednesday, with the two discussing the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration raids. Both have been outspoken critics of the treatment of immigrants in the United States. The governor wrote […]
Author: Capitol News
7th Circuit stays judge’s order restricting immigration agents’ use of riot control weapons
by Hannah Meisel, Capitol News Illinois November 19, 2025 Article Summary The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday sided with the Trump administration and granted a stay on a federal judge’s order restricting immigration agents’ use of riot control weapons against protesters, clergy and journalists. Earlier this month, U.S. […]
Illinois licenses, IDs to enter digital realm
by Brenden Moore, Capitol News Illinois November 18, 2025 Article Summary Illinois residents can now add their driver’s licenses and IDs to Apple Wallet, with Google and Samsung wallet support coming soon. This will allow people to use a digital license or ID to enter a bar, at an airport […]
Education union, students call on governor to release higher education funding
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois November 13, 2025 Article Summary Education union members, students and faculty at state universities called on the Illinois Board of Higher Education to pressure the governor to release higher education funding that is being held in reserve. Lawmakers approved the funding with the caveat […]
Staunton restaurant owner’s detention sparks probe into senator’s staffer
by Beth Hundsdorfer, Capitol News Illinois November 13, 2025 Article Summary U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons sent a letter to Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s office Wednesday, alleging that one of her staffers misrepresented himself as an attorney in an attempt to free Ismael Ayuzo Sandoval. An attorney […]
Full SNAP benefits to resume this month after government shutdown ends
by Maggie Dougherty, Capitol News Illinois November 14, 2025 Article Summary SNAP benefits have resumed in Illinois, with recipients set to receive the rest of their November benefits over the next week. The Illinois Department of Human Services says the delay was avoidable and put Americans at risk of hunger. […]
Durbin defends shutdown vote, says it wasn’t coordinated with Schumer
by Brenden Moore, Capitol News Illinois November 13, 2025 Article Summary Sen. Dick Durbin said he backed reopening the government to protect federal workers and to restore food assistance, arguing that he could not justify “playing with other people’s lives.” Durbin said his vote wasn’t coordinated with Senate Minority Leader […]
Key Illinois Democrats at odds with Durbin over shutdown vote — again
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois November 10, 2025 Article Summary Illinois’ Dick Durbin was one of eight Democrats in the U.S. Senate to support a plan on Sunday night to reopen the federal government. The plan angered many top Illinois Democrats such as Gov. JB Pritzker and three candidates […]
Federal shutdown, budget cuts challenge state policymakers
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois November 7, 2025 Article Summary State Rep. Anna Moeller, chair of the House budget committee that oversees funding for health and human services, sat for an interview on the latest episode of Capitol Cast. She discussed the turmoil state policymakers face amid federal reimbursement […]
Restrictions on federal immigration agents’ use of riot control weapons extended indefinitely
by Hannah Meisel, Capitol News Illinois November 6, 2025 Article Summary A federal judge has indefinitely extended restrictions on immigration agents’ use of riot control weapons like tear gas and pepper balls without adequate justification or warning to those protesting “Operation Midway Blitz.” S. District Judge Sara Ellis on Thursday […]













