by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois July 21, 2025 Article Summary A new Illinois law allows police to remove squatters from a person’s home for criminal trespassing. State law previously required property owners to go through a lengthy eviction process in court to remove squatters who claimed legal rights to […]
State of Illinois
Pritzker calls Texas GOP’s remap effort ‘cheating,’ doesn’t rule out Illinois response
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois July 23, 2025 Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker is leaving open the possibility that Illinois lawmakers could redraw congressional maps with more Democrat-leaning districts. Texas lawmakers are meeting this week to consider President Donald Trump’s request to add more Republican-leaning districts in the state […]
Federal housing credit expansion could increase affordable rental units in Illinois: report
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois July 22, 2025 Article Summary The latest federal domestic policy plan increases funding for the Low-Income Tax Housing Credit by 12%. The expanded tax credit could allow construction of 34,700 new affordable housing units in Illinois, according one report. Supporters of the tax credit […]
Illinois Attorney General Leads Coalition Urging Congress to Ban Concealed ICE Tactics
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in a call for Congress to enact new restrictions on how federal immigration agents operate, particularly criticizing the use of masks and unmarked vehicles by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. The coalition issued a collective letter […]
Illinois Steps Up for LGBTQIA+ Youth Crisis Support After Federal Funding Cuts
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has committed to preserving dedicated mental health support for LGBTQIA+ youth on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, stepping in after the federal government ended funding for specialized LGBTQIA+ services last month. The move ensures that, despite the loss of federal dollars, young […]
17 Governors Demand Trump Administration Release $6.8 Billion in Withheld Education Funding
Governor JB Pritzker led a coalition of 17 governors demanding that Education Secretary Linda McMahon immediately release $6.8 billion in federal education funding that the Trump administration is withholding from schools across America. The governors from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, New Mexico, Oregon, […]
State Farm Announces Mixed Rate Changes for Illinois Customers: Auto Rates Drop While Home Insurance Soars
State Farm, the Bloomington-based insurance giant, is implementing significant rate changes for Illinois customers, with auto insurance rates decreasing while home insurance rates spike dramatically. The company announced these changes as part of its response to evolving claims patterns and severe weather trends affecting the state. State Farm will reduce auto insurance rates […]
Illinois bet on solar to meet its climate goals. Trump has the industry in his crosshairs.
by Andrew Adams, Capitol News Illinois July 15, 2025 Article Summary Congress’ latest budget package slashed federal tax incentives for solar developments. Industry insiders said the latest federal policies create “a lot of uncertainty.” Illinois facilitates significant funding for the renewables industry, particularly for solar, which provides some insulation against […]
Pritzker signs executive order responding to impact of tariffs on Illinois
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois July 14, 2025 Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order requiring state agencies to come up with plans to respond to tariffs. President Donald Trump is set to implement new tariffs after previously pausing them for three months. The order requires agencies […]
Illinois hospitals fear massive cuts under Trump domestic policy law
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois July 10, 2025 Article Summary President Trump’s domestic policy bill contains massive cuts in federal Medicaid spending over the next 10 years. One analysis predicts $48 billion in spending reductions in Illinois over a decade. The cuts limit states’ ability to raise money through […]