by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois April 23, 2025 Editor’s note: This story has been updated with more information about Durbin’s career and potential replacements. Longtime U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, announced he will retire after his term ends in January 2027. […]
State of Illinois
Pared-back ‘Right to Play’ bill advances in General Assembly, awaits Senate action
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois April 16, 2025 Editor’s Note: This story and photo caption have been updated to correct the spelling of Janet Yang Rohr’s name. SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House gave its approval to legislation that would give high school athletes a limited right to compete in […]
Social Security rescinding its plan to end phone-based filing called a win for Illinois seniors
by Isabella Schoonover and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois April 18, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois chapter of AARP played a role in the Trump administration reversing itself and allowing Social Security beneficiaries to have the option of filing for benefits over the phone. The continuation of phone-based […]
Illinois Senate Unanimously Approves Ban on Carbon Capture Near Mahomet Aquifer
The Illinois Senate has unanimously approved a bill that would ban carbon sequestration activities near the Mahomet Aquifer, the primary source of drinking water for nearly one million residents in central Illinois. The measure, which passed 55-0, responds to mounting concerns from local communities and environmental groups about the potential […]
Homeschool bill stalls in Illinois House, but sponsor says it’s still alive
by Molly Parker and Beth Hundsdorfer, Capitol News Illinois April 14, 2025 A bill that would tighten homeschooling regulations in Illinois missed a key deadline on Friday. But its sponsor, Rep. Terra Costa Howard, said it’s still alive — and she’s working on changes recommended by fellow lawmakers to get […]
Illinois scrambles to boost locally produced farm products after Trump’s funding freeze
by Simon Carr and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois April 21, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — When Illinois named small farmer Nathan Ryder a finalist for a federal $100,000 Local Food Infrastructure Grant, he made big plans for his farm in the southeastern tip of the state. Then the U.S. […]
Bills addressing cannabis odor in vehicle, safe gun storage pass Senate
by Peter Hancock, Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois April 11, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Law enforcement officers would no longer be allowed to search a vehicle or detain a driver who is over age 21 based solely on the smell of burnt cannabis in the […]
House approves new abortion protection, plan to ease college admissions
by Ben Szalinski, Jade Aubrey, Bridgette Fox and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois April 8, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House took its first step Monday in passing legislation responding to proposed actions by the Trump administration. The House voted 67-39 to advance House Bill 3637, which […]
‘Chilling silence’: Waves of Illinois’ international university students lose their visas
by Jackson Brandhorst, Bridgette Fox, Molly Parker, Julia Rendleman, Lylee Gibbs, The Saluki Local Reporting Lab and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois April 10, 2025 The federal government has revoked the visas of some international students studying at universities across Illinois, but college administrators are sharing few […]
Amid global tariff war, Pritzker vows to be ‘stable’ trading partner with United Kingdom
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois April 8, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker vowed Tuesday that Illinois will remain a “stable” trading partner with nations around the world, despite President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs that have disrupted global markets. “Look, there are a lot of uncertainties at the […]