by Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois May 29, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — A bill that would require gun owners to keep any firearms in a locked box whenever a minor is present will soon head to Gov. JB Pritzker. Senate Bill 8, also referred to […]
State of Illinois
‘Medical aid in dying’ bill moves forward in Illinois
by Andrew Adams, Capitol News Illinois May 30, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Terminally ill Illinoisans may have the legal option to end their own life with the help of a physician next year under a bill approved by lawmakers Thursday. The procedure, which advocates and the bill call “medical aid in […]
Senate passes bill requiring Illinois libraries to supply opioid overdose medication
by Isabella Schoonover and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois May 28, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Legislation that would require Illinois public libraries to have life-saving medications on hand for people experiencing opioid overdoses and provide staff training has unanimously passed the Illinois Senate and is now on Gov. JB […]
Pritzker threatens to veto any budget containing ‘broad-based’ tax increase
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 […]
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 […]