by Ben Szalinski and Jerry Nowicki, Capitol News Illinois May 28, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker said Wednesday he will not sign a budget that includes broad tax hikes to fund new spending as lawmakers are in the final hours of budget negotiations. “Anything that’s broad-based and would have […]
State of Illinois
Illinois Legislature Passes Bill to Strengthen Safe Drinking Water Standards
A bill aimed at bolstering safe drinking water protections across Illinois is now headed to Governor JB Pritzker’s desk, following approval by both chambers of the General Assembly. Senate Bill 2266 seeks to enhance oversight and enforcement for non-community water systems, facilities like schools, factories, restaurants, resorts, and churches that […]
Responding to Supreme Court, lawmakers look to expand lawsuit protections for press
by Bridgette Fox and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois May 23, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers are seeking to extend lawsuit protections to regular news reports following a recent ruling by the state’s Supreme Court that allowed a defamation suit against the Chicago Sun-Times to progress. The […]
State budget talks enter final week amid fears of congressional cuts
by Ben Szalinski and Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois May 23, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers have one week to pass a new state budget with little room for new spending and Congress presenting further challenges and uncertainty. Revenue projections had already been declining as the spring session has progressed. […]
Illinois General Assembly passes bills aimed at helping mothers
by Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois May 23, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers passed two bills this week that aim to support mothers in the state. One bill requires employers to give paid time off to employees who pump breastmilk at work. The second […]
Illinois lawmakers pass bill to raise age of senior driving tests
by Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois May 23, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – A bill unanimously passed by the Senate on Thursday and on its way to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk will increase the age that senior drivers in Illinois are required to take an annual […]
Summer electric price spike fuels policy tensions in Springfield
by Andrew Adams, Capitol News Illinois May 22, 2025 Customers around Illinois will see significantly higher prices on their electric bills next month. The average residential customer of northern Illinois’ Commonwealth Edison will pay about $10.60 per month more this summer, according to a company statement. Downstate Ameren Illinois says […]
Lawmakers pass bills on AI community college instruction, food handling, school bus seat belts
by Peter Hancock, Jade Aubrey, Bridgette Fox and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois May 21, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers approved measures limiting AI instruction at community colleges, requiring seat belts on school buses, and mandating food handlers receive certain allergen training among dozens of bills Wednesday. The […]
Illinois Senate Executive Committee Advances Bill the Would Allow Pharmacists to Dispense Emergency Contraceptives Without Prescription
Illinois lawmakers are moving forward with legislation that would make it significantly easier for residents to access a full range of contraceptive options, including the prescription-only emergency contraceptive Ella (ulipristal acetate), directly from pharmacists, without the need for a doctor’s visit. House Bill 3489, championed by State Senator Rachel Ventura […]
Illinois House Committee Unanimously Advances Bill to Expand Alzheimer’s
In a significant bipartisan move, an Illinois House committee has unanimously moved a bill that would expand insurance coverage for Alzheimer’s disease treatments forward, aiming to ensure that all Illinoisans with health insurance have access to the latest FDA-approved therapies and essential diagnostic testing. The proposed legislation builds on a […]