by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois September 15, 2025 Article Summary JB Pritzker called on President Donald Trump and other political leaders to do more to call for peace amid growing political violence. Pritzker faced sharp criticism from Illinois Republicans last week when he said Trump’s rhetoric has fueled political […]
State of Illinois
Gov. Pritzker Signs Executive Order Safeguarding Vaccine Access for Illinoisans Amid Federal Policy Upheaval
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2025-04 on September 12 to protect vaccine access throughout the state. The order responds directly to a series of disruptive federal actions that have fueled confusion and threatened the availability of life-saving immunizations. Governor Pritzker’s executive order establishes the Statewide Vaccine Access Initiative, […]
Illinois Farmland Values Drop for First Time Since 2018
Illinois farmland values experienced their first decline since 2018, falling an average of 4.41% across central and southern counties, according to Farm Credit Illinois’s annual benchmark study. The downturn marks the end of six consecutive years of growth, during which values reached record highs in 2024. The decline affects the […]
Seventh Circuit Upholds Illinois Ban on Concealed Carry on Public Transit
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled Tuesday that Illinois can constitutionally ban concealed carry of firearms on public transportation. In a 52-page decision authored by Judge Joshua P. Kolar, the three-judge panel found that Illinois’s prohibition on carrying firearms on buses, trains, and other forms of […]
Illinois elections board refuses to give DOJ sensitive voter data
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois September 3, 2025 Article Summary The Trump administration has demanded Illinois turn over its complete statewide voter registration database, including sensitive information such as voters’ dates of birth, driver’s license and Social Security numbers. The Illinois State Board of Elections has given DOJ a […]
Pritzker Warns of Authoritarian Threat as Trump Moves to Deploy Troops in Chicago
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker delivered a scathing critique of President Donald Trump’s plans to deploy federal forces to Chicago during an exclusive interview on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on August 31. Pritzker’s appearance came just days before Trump announced on September 2 that he was “going in” to Chicago with […]
Hundreds of police departments use camera company accused of breaking state law
by Andrew Adams, Capitol News Illinois August 27, 2025 Article Summary Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias alleged that Flock Safety, a police tech company, illegally shared data with federal border enforcement. This escalates an ongoing conflict between Giannoulias and the agency. Flock officials admit they didn’t create strong enough compliance […]
Attorney General Raoul Secures $219 Million in Federal Education Funds for Illinois Schools After Lawsuit Against Trump Administration
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a legal victory for Illinois schools on Wednesday, following his office’s July lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to freeze federal education funding. The lawsuit was part of a broader multistate action, with Illinois joining a coalition of states arguing that the administration’s move […]
Trump threatens Illinois’ federal funding for eliminating cash bail
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois August 26, 2025 Article Summary President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday to block federal funding to states that eliminated cash bail. Illinois eliminated cash bail as of 2023 under the Pretrial Fairness Act. Trump claimed Illinois is less safe since cash […]
DOJ demands Illinois voter personal information by Sept. 1
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois August 25, 2025 Article Summary The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking access to Illinois’ complete, unredacted statewide voter registration database, including voters’ personal information such as dates of birth, driver’s license numbers and partial Social Security numbers. The Illinois State Board of Elections […]