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 […]
State of Illinois
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 […]
“Hands Off!” Protests Sweep Illinois as Tens of Thousands Rally Against Trump, Musk, and GOP Policies
This past weekend, Illinois saw tens of thousands of residents take to the streets as part of the nationwide “Hands Off!” protests against President Donald Trump and his advisor Elon Musk. Demonstrations occurred in over 30 cities across the state, including major urban centers like Chicago, Springfield, Urbana, DeKalb, Joliet, […]
Raoul challenges blocked public health funding as feds rescinds education dollars
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois April 2, 2025 Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined another multistate lawsuit against the Trump administration, this time seeking to block the termination of nearly $12 billion worth of public health grants to states. Raoul was part of a coalition of 24 state attorneys […]
Pritzker hopes trade mission to Mexico sparks new investment despite tariffs
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois April 2, 2025 Gov. JB Pritzker wrapped up a four-day trip to Mexico City on Wednesday, hopeful a trade mission to Mexico will yield new economic development in Illinois, even as tariffs threaten the stability of the United States’ global trade. Speaking to reporters […]
Governor Pritzker Leads Illinois Delegation on Trade Mission to Mexico
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, alongside a delegation of public and private sector leaders, has embarked on a trade mission to Mexico aimed at strengthening economic ties between Illinois and Mexico. The delegation will engage with Mexican officials and business leaders to explore opportunities for collaboration and investment from March 30-April […]
Intellectual and developmental disability services brace for potential Medicaid cuts
by Erin Drumm and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois March 28, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Intellectual and developmental disability service organizations are bracing for potential cuts to Medicaid and Medicare from the federal government under congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump. About 3.9 million Illinoisans are enrolled in Medicaid. […]